Election Day nears for voters in the Killeen Independent School District, with two contested seats on the KISD Board of Trustees on the ballot Saturday. Candidates are making final appeals after early voting concluded.
The Place 2 seat features incumbent Susan Jones challenged by Brianna Harrelson. Jones has focused on her experience and fiscal background, stating that taxpayers are investors in public education. She emphasizes school safety and a respectful work environment for staff.
For the Place 3 seat, incumbent Oliver Mintz faces challenger Lan Carter. Carter described preparing for the final campaign hours by moving signs, setting up voter reminders via calls, texts, and social media, and answering voter questions.
Last week, the MOSS Foundation hosted a student-led forum for the KISD candidates. Student representatives from Chaparral High School, the Killeen ISD Career Center, and Early College High School participated.
Topics raised by students included student safety, district cell phone and dress code policies, access to special programs, and infrastructure improvements like sidewalks on Featherline Road. Lan Carter encouraged students to keep speaking up to be heard on issues such as the Career Center expansion.
The MOSS Foundation, a nonprofit, does not support or oppose candidates but aims to empower youth through programs like the HOPE Mentorship Program, Central Texas HBCU College Fair, Intro to Law, and Central Texas STEM initiatives. Sedric Moss, President of The MOSS Foundation, noted pride in creating spaces for students to interact with decision-makers.
Voting locations across the area include Rancier Middle School at 3301 Hilliar Avenue, Killeen Utility Collections at 210 West Avenue C, Cedar Valley Elementary School at 2801 Chantz Drive, Jackson Professional Learning Center at 902 Reverend R.A. Abercrombie Drive, Lions Club Park Senior Center at 1700-B East Stan Schlueter Loop, Palo Alto Middle School at 3201 West Elms Road, Robert M. Shoemaker High School at 3302 Clear Creek Road, and Roy J. Smith Middle School at 6000 Brushy Creek Drive in Killeen.
Additional polling sites are the Harker Heights Recreation Center at 307 Miller’s Crossing, next door to City Hall in Harker Heights, and the Copperas Cove ISD Training facility at 602 Sunny Avenue in Copperas Cove. Polls are open Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Across Texas, school districts see varied news; while voters in KISD prepare for a local election, TISD recently celebrated student artists earning top honors at a state competition.
Susan Jones offered a closing statement, emphasizing her dedication to education and student futures.