More than 500 Killeen ISD student-athletes participated in a military training event at Fort Hood, gaining insight into Army careers and life skills through a simulated basic training experience. The U.S. Army Experience, organized by Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Betts III and former Harker Heights strength and conditioning coach Garson Skelton, has expanded since its 2017 launch to include students from across Texas, including DeSoto ISD this year. The event, held at Fort Hood, aimed to bridge the gap between athletics and real-world preparation by emphasizing discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Students from Chaparral, Ellison, Harker Heights, Killeen, and Shoemaker high schools arrived at Fort Hood and were immediately immersed in a high-intensity training session led by Army drill sergeants. The program included physical challenges such as obstacle courses, strength exercises, and endurance activities, mirroring the demands of military service. Betts emphasized the event’s goal of exposing students to Army values and lifelong skills, stating, “They get to see what the Army is all about. Hopefully, they will take this as a lifelong learning skill and be productive members of society.” KISD executive director for athletics Latisha Williams highlighted the partnership between the district and Fort Hood, noting that the collaboration provides students with postsecondary opportunities beyond athletics. She explained, “Fort Hood is such a huge part of our community… our job as educators is to open up their eyes to the opportunities they have in front of them.” The event also featured a visit from Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, Commanding General of the III Armored Corps, and an enlistment ceremony, reinforcing the connection between the training and real-world military service.#killeen_isd #fort_hood #us_army_experience #sgt_1st_class_leroy_betts_iii #garson_skelton
Killeen ISD Board Approves School Partnership The Killeen Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a partnership with Third Future Schools to operate Manor Middle School starting in the 2026–2027 school year during its regular meeting on Tuesday. The agreement outlines specific expectations for academics, operations, and governance, along with performance goals and accountability measures aimed at enhancing student outcomes. District leaders emphasized that the partnership is a proactive initiative to bolster academic performance at Manor Middle School while preserving local oversight and avoiding potential state intervention. The model allows the district to collaborate with an experienced operator while retaining responsibility for achieving results. The decision followed several months of preparation by the district and board. Trustees voted in October to pursue a partnership at Manor Middle School as part of a broader strategy to improve student outcomes. In the fall, the district launched a Call for Quality Schools initiative to identify a potential partner, and Third Future Schools submitted an application through that process. District staff evaluated the application and provided a recommendation before presenting it to the board for consideration. Manor Middle School will remain a Killeen ISD school. In addition to current students, all Killeen ISD middle school students will have the opportunity to request a transfer to attend Manor, contingent on available capacity. The school will also operate on a distinct academic calendar and daily bell schedule, with additional details to be shared in the coming weeks.#third_future_schools #manor_middle_school #killeen_isd #sugar_loaf_elementary #clifton_park_elementary
Charter Network Third Future Schools Takes Over Manor Middle School Under SB 1882 Partnership MANOR — At Manor Middle School, a campus 12 miles east of Austin, eighth-grade math teacher Markievy Johnson leads a classroom of students engaged in solving word problems. The school, now operated by Third Future Schools (TFS), a Colorado-based charter network, has been under its management since fall 2025 under a partnership with Manor ISD. This model is also being adopted by Killeen ISD, which recently approved a three-year contract with TFS to operate its own Manor Middle School near the Killeen Mall. The partnership, governed by Senate Bill 1882, marks a significant shift in how these schools are managed, with TFS taking control of staffing, curriculum, and budget while local districts retain facility oversight. The school’s instructional approach is distinct from traditional public schools. In classrooms across the campus, students work in small groups, using whiteboards to solve problems under time constraints. Johnson’s class, for instance, tackles a math problem involving scholarships and costs, with students given 30 seconds to write their answers. Zach Craddock, TFS’s superintendent, explained that the time limits are designed to increase rigor. “The quickest way to increase instructional difficulty is to reduce the time,” he said. “It’s anything in life—when you’re given one day to do a project and then told you only have three hours, it becomes more challenging.” This system is applied across all TFS campuses, including the Killeen ISD school, where similar time-based tasks are used in subjects like the “Art of Thinking” class, which focuses on critical thinking and problem-solving. The curriculum emphasizes immediate assessment and personalized learning.#third_future_schools #manor_middle_school #killeen_isd #manor_isd #texas_education_agency
Crime at KISD: Police chief briefs school board on crime reports from previous school year Erik Hydorn, chief of police for Killeen ISD, presented data on violent crimes and other criminal incidents reported to the district’s police department during the 2024-25 school year at Tuesday’s board of trustees workshop meeting. The briefing highlighted trends in campus safety, including statistics on incidents involving bullying, harassment, and physical altercations. Hydorn emphasized the importance of addressing these issues to ensure a secure environment for students and staff. The report revealed that the district experienced a notable increase in reported incidents compared to the previous academic year. Hydorn noted that while the majority of crimes were non-violent, such as property damage and verbal threats, there were still concerns about the frequency of bullying and the need for targeted interventions. He cited specific data points, including a rise in incidents involving cyberbullying and a decrease in physical altercations following the implementation of new school safety protocols. Hydorn also addressed the role of community partnerships in reducing crime. He highlighted collaborations with local law enforcement and mental health professionals to provide support for students affected by bullying or harassment. “We’ve seen a positive impact from these partnerships, but there’s still work to be done,” he said. The presentation included comparisons between different periods, showing that while the number of violent incidents remained relatively stable, the district saw an uptick in non-violent crimes, particularly in areas with higher student populations.#erik_hydorn #killeen_isd #school_board #cyberbullying #mental_health_professionals
