Proud History Meets Promising Future

From the dust-blown days of horse-drawn carriages to a growing agricultural economy and railroad stop to a training ground for America’s military cavalry forces, Killeen ISD’s history reaches back to a tough, hard-working past.
 
Those early tales, recalled from sepia toned photo prints, merged into a city that connected to the Army’s home to its heavy artillery force that helped bring the world to Central Texas.
 
Killeen ISD produced a video over the summer that tells through archived photos this area’s proud history, moving through the days of integration and growth of Fort Cavazos to today.
 
The production, shown in venues across the school district and community honors Killeen’s history and reminds educators of the mission of the school district that serves this area and propels students into an exciting future.
 
It also illustrates KISD’s culture of values and caring.

 
“When I think of KISD I think of potential,” said Maxdale Elementary Principal Bobbie Evans. “I see it in the faces of our students from the wide-eyed pre-kindergartener to the graduating senior.”
 
A picture of a segregated classroom that includes a portrait of John F. Kennedy on the wall moves into video of KISD’s most famous retiree, former athletic trainer Al “Doc” Wilson, then to a 1950s era yearbook of desegregated pages that includes an African-American student named Joe Searles.
 
Images and video reflect smiling children, a high school dance team, a student welding, a championship basketball team, Hispanic heritage celebration, patriotic freedom walk and Dr. Jimmie Don Aycock scrawling his name on a board at the middle school that bears his name.
 
The narrator speaks of deep roots that stretch around the globe and connect us all.
 
The diverse scenes of athletics, fine arts and classrooms move on to current students speaking out single words – we are innovators, discoverers, game-changers, scientists, artisans – we are KISD.
 
The historic photos, woven together with the images of soldiers, integrating classrooms and today’s diverse student body flow into the continuing changing district culture of today.
 
Students, staff and families and the relationships that bind them mattered when Killeen was a small railroad stop and they matter today as the largest, most diverse school system in the area pursues new heights of excellence in performance and compassion.
 
Success happens through partnerships that include an active, engaged community and a school system of committed staff members.
 
Evans said it takes the whole staff from new and experienced teachers and administrators, counselors, custodians, teacher assistants, bus drivers, crossing guards, nurses and nutrition workers.
 
“Together, we all make the difference because KISD’s strength is in its people - in the efforts, the values, the expertise, the connections that ultimately equip our students with the knowledge, the skills, and ultimately the power to choose the future they envision for themselves.”