Killeen Independent School District (KISD) is implementing a state-mandated improvement plan for its underperforming middle schools, including Palo Alto, Eastern Hills, and Manor Middle Schools, which have received failing grades from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The district's deputy superintendent, Terri Osborne, outlined the comprehensive turnaround strategies during a recent board meeting, emphasizing the implementation of the School Improvement method and choosing between closure, reassignments, or intervention models such as the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) or SB 1882 partnership with charter schools. The district must submit its plans to TEA by November 14, with approval expected by January 16, 2026. Failure to improve could lead to state takeover, with TEA indicating that campuses failing for five consecutive years may be closed or governed by appointed managers. Additionally, KISD is actively seeking a new superintendent, hiring a firm to lead the search process, as the district faces ongoing challenges with failing schools and declining enrollment. The district's efforts are part of broader district optimization strategies to address financial and operational issues.