The dedication ceremony included remarks from Corbett Lawler, former Principal of Killeen High School and former KISD Board President, KISD Superintendent Dr. John Craft, and KHS students. Guests of the dedication also received guided tours of the upgraded spaces, which have increased campus capacity to 2,357 students.
Kara Trevino, a 1997 graduate of Killeen High, daughter of a KHS Coach, former Teacher and Coach, and now Principal, said the transformation of the 58-year-old building was rewarding, affirming, and emotional for her.
“The pride of Killeen High School students and staff runs deep,” she said. “The sense of family has never changed. So many people have been nurtured and sent on to do great things and make a positive difference in the world.”
In addition to dedicating the new space, KHS celebrated the school’s legacy in Killeen. Lawler called KHS a legacy school, led by people leading others to be successful. “We are the original school, the granddaddy of them all,” said Lawler, recalling how the district’s other high schools formed from the flagship high school.
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Designed by PBK Architects and built by American Constructors, the multi-phase renovation began in early 2020 and was able to safely continue as scheduled throughout the pandemic. The new spaces opened in phases to students, with the final phase opening at the start of the spring 2023 semester. In addition to new learning spaces, KHS also received a new bus loop to improve traffic circulation, additional staff parking, a renovated courtyard with turf and outdoor furniture, and a concrete marching band practice pad and tower.
“We are incredibly honored to have been part of a project that will have a tremendous impact on generations of Killeen scholars,” said Marty Burger, CEO of American Constructors. “Many students who are here today started their high school years in the height of COVID-19 during virtual learning — which makes it even more rewarding to welcome them into an upgraded, revitalized campus. We thank our partners at KISD for placing their trust in American Constructors to deliver a top-quality facility for their students and staff.”
The completion of Killeen High School marks the conclusion of the 2018 Bond, which also funded the construction of Killen’s sixth high school campus, Chaparral High School.
