Killeen ISD to provide free school supplies to all students

KILLEEN, Texas - Killeen ISD will be providing all of its students free school supplies for the upcoming school year, said the superintendent during Tuesday night's school board meeting.

The district says it will not be providing personal items like backpacks, lunchboxes, headphones, PreK nap mats and secondary PE uniforms. The district is planning for approximately 45,500 students in the fall.

RELATED: Killeen ISD school board cancels $265M bond election amid COVID-19 pandemic

A list of items, including personal items, needed for each grade will be released later this summer.

“Families across Central Texas are facing unprecedented times due to COVID-19 and we want to continue to support our students and their families and not cause additional financial burden with the added expenses of school supplies,” said Superintendent Dr. John Craft.

The 2020-21 school year is set to start on Monday, August 17 for Killeen ISD. Online pre-registration for current students and PreK and kindergarten round-up is going on now and new student enrollment will open online on June 1, says the district.

If COVID-19 restrictions continue, the district could consider a hybrid calendar using an extended school year or blending online and in-person learning. The district plans to seek input from parents ahead of making any final decisions.

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