Killeen ISD announced Friday a group of experienced educators who will step into new principal leadership roles for the 2025-2026 school year.
“We are thrilled to welcome these exceptional educators into their new roles. Each brings a blend of experience, passion, and vision that will benefit our students, staff and school communities,” Dr. Terri Osborne, Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and School Leadership, said. “Their leadership will promote academic progress and help create a welcoming environment in which every student feels supported and empowered to succeed.”
Among the group, six will lead elementary schools, one will lead a middle school and one will lead the Killeen ISD Career Center.
“These new principals bring incredible energy and dedication to the profession,” Osborne said. “They are eager to lead their schools with vision and purpose, and we are confident they will inspire positive growth, strong school communities, and meaningful learning for all students."
Richard E. Cavazos Elementary – Ronald Sursa
Ronald Sursa, a Killeen resident of 23 years who began his teaching career as a KISD substitute, will step into his first principal role at Richard E. Cavazos Elementary. He most recently served for two years as an assistant principal at Chaparral High School, where he was selected to represent the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals as a Region 12 Outstanding High School Assistant Principal of the Year.
His wealth of experience also includes a combined six years as a middle school and elementary assistant principal in addition to serving as a teacher, reading interventionist and instructional specialist.
Sursa earned a master’s degree from Texas A&M University-Central Texas.
Clifton Park Elementary – Dr. Wendy Haider
Dr. Wendy Haider has been named principal at Clifton Park Elementary after nine years leading Nolanville Elementary.
Haider has spent her 30-year career in Killeen ISD as a teacher, reading interventionist, campus instructional specialist, assistant principal and principal.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, a master's degree from Texas A&M University-Central Texas and a doctorate from UMHB.
Killeen Elementary – Yanitzie Oquendo
Yanitzie Oquendo has been named the principal of Killeen Elementary, the district's largest elementary school, which serves about 1,100 students.
Most recently, she served four years as the principal of Richard E. Cavazos Elementary. Her previous experience includes serving as an assistant principal, curriculum instructional specialist, teacher and paraprofessional.
Oquendo earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern State University and a master’s degree from Concordia University Texas.
Meadows Elementary – Kara Smith
Kara Smith has been named the principal of Meadows Elementary.
She has held a variety of roles during her 19-year career, most of which were spent in Virginia. That includes 10 years as an administrative dean for Mercer Middle School in Loudoun County.
Smith joined KISD in 2024 as an assistant principal at Pershing Park Elementary.
She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Shenandoah University.
Nolanville Elementary – Jenna McArthur
Jenna McArthur is the new principal of Nolanville Elementary.
She has spent much of her career in Killeen ISD, including eight years as a teacher at Ira Cross Jr. Elementary and one year as a curriculum instructional specialist at Union Grove Middle School before returning to Ira Cross as an assistant principal.
McArthur graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree and went on to earn a master’s degree in educational leadership.
Skipcha Elementary – Ariel Woods
Ariel Woods is the new principal at Skipcha Elementary, the campus where she began her career as a first-grade teacher.
She has also served as a curriculum instructional specialist and an assistant principal – first at Fowler Elementary and most recently at Pat Carney Elementary.
Woods holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University, a master’s from Concordia University Texas and is working toward a doctorate from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Union Grove Middle School – Joshua Rainwater
Joshua Rainwater has been named principal of Union Grove Middle School, where he has served as interim principal since September 2024.
His experience includes roles as an academic dean, assistant principal, coach, teacher and teacher’s aide.
Rainwater earned his bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State University and a master’s degree from Lamar University.
Killeen ISD Career Center – Mahalia Scott
Mahalia Scott will serve as principal of the KISD Career Center.
She most recently served as dean of instruction at Early College High School and has held four different positions in KISD since joining the district in 2004 as a middle school ESL teacher.
After teaching internationally in South Korea and Panama, Scott returned to Killeen ISD in 2014 as a high school world language teacher. She has also served as an assistant principal at two secondary campuses.
Scott earned a bachelor’s degree from Universidad del Istmo (Panama) and a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix.
