Killeen ISD Unveils Changes to School Schedule and Bus Fleet

KILLEEN, Texas — The Killeen Independent School District (KISD) has approved a series of initiatives aimed at improving transportation efficiency and student safety, including adjustments to the school schedule and an expansion of the bus fleet. The decision was made during a Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, where officials outlined plans to address persistent bus delays and enhance walkability for students.

Dr. Don Rowls, KISD’s executive director for Transportation Services, explained that the current tiered bell schedule has contributed to logistical challenges, leading to frequent delays in the morning. The new schedule will adjust most school start times by 5 to 7 minutes, while certain schools, like Venable Village Elementary, will see more considerable changes, with start times pushed back by 35 minutes. This aims to create a more predictable routine for families and ensure students arrive ready to learn.

“We know that our current schedule creates challenges that do not support student success,” Rowls said. “We surveyed families in November to learn how adjusting the bell schedule might impact them. We then went back to the drawing board to create a plan that incorporated their feedback while also improving student outcomes.”

In addition to the new bell schedule, the Board approved the purchase of two new buses from Longhorn Bus Sales. These diesel buses, expected to cost $323,878, will serve an extensive area as KISD’s transportation network spans over 400 square miles and encompasses nearly 3 million miles annually. Each bus will have a capacity of 54 passengers, including three wheelchair spaces, ensuring accessibility for all students.

The new buses will help modernize an aging fleet, increasing the total number of buses in KISD to 326, with the new additions designed to improve both safety and punctuality for daily commutes.

The Board also discussed plans to enhance pedestrian safety with a new sidewalk project connecting JDA Middle School and Chaparral High School. The $691,212 project will include not only a new sidewalk but also improvements to the drainage channel and the installation of a continuous curb. Funding for this initiative will come from unspent contingencies and savings from the JDA Middle School construction budget.

Construction is slated to begin in early March and is expected to take approximately four months to complete. These developments are seen as crucial steps in transforming KISD’s transportation approach to prioritize student safety and foster greater community trust.

The district is also finalizing designs for additional lighting along the new walkway, with cost details to be presented to the Board in the coming weeks. Overall, the efforts reflect KISD’s commitment to creating a comprehensive and supportive environment for its students and families.