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
KISD board to consider approving contract to turn over Manor Middle School to charter network | News | tdtnews.com The Killeen Independent School District (KISD) board is set to vote on a proposal to contract Third Future Schools, a charter network based in Colorado, to operate Manor Middle School. The three-year agreement would mark a significant shift in the district’s approach to public education, potentially transforming the school’s management and curriculum. The plan, outlined in a recent board meeting, involves transferring the operation of Manor Middle to Third Future Schools, which has previously managed charter schools in other states. The district’s superintendent, Ethan Housewright, emphasized the potential benefits of the partnership, stating, “This collaboration could provide students with innovative learning opportunities and greater access to resources.” However, the decision has sparked debate among parents and educators, with some expressing concerns about the impact on local control and curriculum standards. Manor Middle, a KISD school with a diverse student population, has faced challenges in recent years, including declining enrollment and budget constraints. Proponents of the contract argue that the charter model could introduce flexibility and efficiency, while critics warn of the risks associated with privatizing public education. The board’s vote is expected to take place in the coming weeks, with community members invited to provide input. If approved, the transition would require significant changes to the school’s operations, including potential staff reductions and shifts in administrative oversight.#killeen_independent_school_district #third_future_schools #manor_middle_school #ethan_housewright #kisdboard
