Supporting Safe Learning Environments

At Killeen ISD, student and staff safety is our top priority. This page is here to help families understand what happens during safety-related situations, what steps schools take, and how we keep you informed — calmly, clearly, and quickly. 

What to Expect When Something Happens at School 

Sometimes, unplanned events happen during the school day — a student may need medical attention, there may be police activity nearby, or an alarm may go off. We want families to know: our staff is trained, our response is immediate, and your child's safety is always our focus. 

Standard Response Protocols 

We use five standard actions in response to any disruption: 

• Hold: Students stay in classrooms while hallways are cleared (example: medical issue in the hallway). 

• Secure: Exterior doors are locked due to police activity or concern near the school. 

• Lockdown: Used only for threats inside the building. Lights off, doors locked, students out of sight. 

• Evacuate: Students leave the building safely (fire, smoke, gas smell, etc.). 

• Shelter: Students take cover for severe weather or environmental concerns. 

When and How We Communicate With Families 

Not all safety actions will result in a notification. For example, a brief 'Hold' may not always lead to a message. 

You will receive an update when a situation impacts the school day or might cause community concern (e.g., emergency vehicles, lockdowns, extended disruptions). 

We’ll communicate via: 

• Text messages 

• Emails 

• KISD mobile app 

• Phone calls (if urgent) 

• District social media 

What We Can and Cannot Share 

We understand that when something happens at your child’s school, your first instinct is to want details — and we respect and appreciate that. Our goal is always to keep families informed, not alarmed, and to communicate in a timely, respectful way. 

That said, there are times when we are legally or ethically not allowed to share specific information. We ask for your trust in knowing that behind the scenes, we are taking action — even if we can’t give you every detail. 

Here’s what you can expect from us: 

What we will share: 

• The safety protocol that was used (e.g., Hold, Lockdown, Evacuate) 

• Whether students and staff are safe 

• When the situation has been resolved and normal operations resume 

What we cannot share: 

• Private health or medical information 

• Student or staff discipline matters 

• The identity of individuals involved 

• Law enforcement or threat assessment details that could compromise safety 

We share everything we can — and hold back only what is necessary to protect individuals and maintain a secure learning environment for all. 

Safety Measures Across Our Schools 

Killeen ISD is committed to providing a safe, secure learning environment for every student and staff member — every day, on every campus. While we cannot share every operational detail for safety and security reasons, we want families to know that our team works proactively to prevent incidents, prepare staff, and respond quickly when needed. 

Here are just some of the visible safety measures in place across our 53 schools: 

• KISD Police Department Presence - Killeen ISD operates its own licensed police department with 64 officers and 2 K9s. Every school outside of Fort Hood is supported by an armed KISD police officer who monitors daily activity, builds relationships with students and staff, and responds when needed. We are working to expand our presence on the military installation.  

• Expanded Safety and Threat Assessment Staff - To meet growing needs, Killeen ISD has expanded its safety team to include 10 dedicated safety specialists and three investigators — a major increase from previous years. These experts work closely with schools to assess risks, provide training and help ensure a safe learning environment for every student. The district’s standard is to follow up on 100% of reported allegations. 

• Locked Classroom and Exterior Doors - All classroom doors remain locked when students are present. Exterior doors are locked and regularly checked for functionality. Some secondary entrances include security cameras to alert administrators if they are breached.

• Weapons Detection Systems - For the first time, every Killeen ISD campus — elementary, middle and high school — is now equipped with Entry Shield weapons detection systems at multiple entrances. This marks a major shift from previous years, when secondary campuses used the systems occasionally, and elementary schools did not have them at all. The districtwide implementation is aimed at helping prevent dangerous items from entering school buildings and increasing safety for all students and staff. 

• Silent Panic Alert Technology - All schools are equipped with one-touch silent panic alert systems that immediately notify law enforcement and emergency personnel.

• Handheld Metal Detectors - Each school also has handheld metal detectors available for additional screening when necessary.

• Visitor Screening with ID Checks - All school visitors must check in using an ID system that scans the national sex offender registry across all 50 states.

• Clear and Mesh Backpack Policy - To reduce concealment of prohibited items, only clear or mesh backpacks are allowed for all students.

• Annual Internal and External Safety Audits - Every school undergoes regular safety audits — both internal and conducted by outside experts — to ensure all protocols and safeguards are being followed.

• Designated Campus Safety Liaisons - Each campus has a designated safety liaison who works closely with the KISD Investigations and School Safety team to coordinate planning and response.

• Emergency Response Training for Staff - KISD staff participate in routine emergency response training to prepare for a variety of scenarios.

• Routine Safety Drills - All schools hold regular safety drills to practice lockdowns, evacuations, and other emergency protocols in age-appropriate ways.

• Anonymous Reporting for Families and Students - Students, staff, and families are encouraged to report threats or concerns anonymously through KISD’s Bully and Threat Reporter, available online 24/7 at www.KISDisSafe.com. 

How Parents and Students Can Report Concerns 

If you or your child sees something concerning, we want to know. 

• Use the KISD Bully & Threat Reporter. 

• Contact your campus principal. 

• Talk to a trusted teacher or staff member. 

 All reports are taken seriously and investigated. 

Addressing Concerns or Questions 

If you have a question about a situation or need support: 

• Start by contacting your child’s campus. 

• You can also review our 'Addressing Campus Concerns' guide at www.killeenisd.org/concerns for step-by-step help. 

• Call the main KISD number for districtwide questions: (254) 336-0000.