Killeen ISD's Board of Trustees approved the 2027-2028 academic calendar Tuesday, setting the first day of school for Aug. 17, 2027, and the last day for May 26, 2028.
The approved calendar maintains 168 instructional days and the current length of the school day. It also includes a weeklong fall break Oct. 11-15, Thanksgiving break Nov. 22-26, winter break Dec. 20-31 and spring break March 13-17.
Before finalizing its recommendation, district leaders gathered input from employees, the district's Site-Based Decision Making Committee, Employee Advocacy Committee, Calendar Committee and Fort Hood's Garrison Commander's office. Calendars for partnering colleges were also considered.
Nearly 1,900 district employees participated in a survey of two proposed calendar options, with 74% favoring the approved calendar. Among classroom teachers who participated, 70% preferred the approved option.
The approved academic calendar will be available at www.killeenisd.org/calendar.
In other news, trustees approved the purchase of 18 new school buses at an estimated cost of $3 million. The purchase includes 15 buses with seating for 72 passengers and three buses with seating for 47 passengers and three wheelchair spaces. The new buses will replace aging vehicles and help the district meet a state requirement that all school buses be equipped with three-point seat belts by Sept. 1, 2029.
The district currently operates 278 school buses, including 119 that do not have three-point seat belts for every passenger. To meet the state requirement, KISD plans to replace 53 buses and retrofit another 66. Funding for the new buses was included in the district's 2026-2027 budget.
The board also approved a $270,000 contract with Hendrix Consulting Engineers for engineering and commissioning services related to HVAC replacements at Union Grove Middle School. The project has an overall budget of approximately $3.3 million, with completion targeted for July 2027.
Trustees also approved resolutions authorizing the district to begin the process of selling three properties no longer needed for educational or operational purposes: the former Peebles Elementary at 1800 N. W.S. Young Drive, Killeen Learning Support Services at 902 N. 10th St., and the former Gateway Middle and High School at 4100 Zephyr Road.
The Gateway property currently houses the Killeen ISD Police Department, which is scheduled to relocate to the district's former administration building in June 2027. The property is scheduled to be declared surplus effective July 1, 2027.
The resolutions authorize district administration to begin receiving purchase offers from interested parties.