Killeen ISD has named longtime educator Kathleen Burke as Executive Director for Academic Initiatives. She begins the position on Sept. 16.
In this role, Burke will support elementary and secondary campuses in the design, implementation and evaluation of multi-tiered systems of support, House Bill 1416 requirements, Opportunity Culture and various academic supports provided to students in the district. The position also leads aligned instruction, targeted interventions, campus coaching and professional learning.
Burke has served as principal of KISD’s Early College High School for the last decade. As the founding principal, she has helped students earn up to 60 college credit hours and, in many cases, an associate degree while completing high school. Her recognitions include U.S. News Best High School honors for the campus and selection as a 2019 H-E-B Excellence in Education leadership finalist.
"Ms. Burke is a mission-focused leader with extensive experience building early college success," said Dr. Jo Lynette Crayton, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. "Her track record with innovative programming, campus coaching, and student success will strengthen teaching and learning across Killeen ISD."
With Burke moving to the district role, Killeen ISD has named Dr. Alime Sadikova interim principal of Early College High School. Sadikova, who is currently the dean of instruction at the ECHS, previously worked for Manor ISD where she served as principal of that district’s Early College High School from 2018-2025. During that time, the school earned a Distinguished rating from TEA in 2024 and 2025 and graduated the highest number of students with associate degrees during the last four years.
At Manor ISD’s Early College High School, Sadikova led the launch of the district’s early college campus, partnered with Austin Community College on program delivery and managed a budget of more than $500,000. She was recognized as Principal of Innovation in 2021 and Principal of the Month in 2022. She also has served as an adjunct professor in graduate educational leadership at Texas Tech University.
“I am excited to work with the ECHS Lion family and continue traditions of academic excellence and positive school culture,” Sadikova said. “It’s my passion to help our scholars be successful in college classes and ensure that our staff is empowered to support our kids.”