Show Overview of Killeen ISD The Killeen Independent School District (ISD) currently serves more than 38,000 students in thirty elementary schools (pre-K-grade 5), eleven middle schools (grades 6-8), four high schools (grades 9-12), and several other specialized campuses. During the past twenty years, the school district has exploded in growth. In fact, in 1986 the district served only 20,000 students. Today it covers more than 400 square miles and has grown to become the largest school system between Dallas and Austin. Demographically, 36.6% of Killeen ISD students are Caucasian, 38.6% are African-American, 20.1% are Hispanic, and 4.0% are Asian. In the year 2006, 1,485 students graduated from one of Killeen ISD’s high schools. Of those, 911 planned to attend college, and nine were appointed to various military academies. These graduating seniors earned nearly $11 million in scholarship money. In 2007 Killeen ISD was rated overall as “Academically Acceptable” under the Texas Education Agency’s Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS). Sixteen schools were “Recognized,” and one elementary school was even labeled as “Exemplary.” In addition to receiving solid reports from the Texas Education Agency, Killeen ISD also earned strong scores from the Gold Performance Acknowledgement (GPA) system, which studies other factors that are not considered in a school’s accountability rating. Some of these factors include performance on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests, high scores on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), attendance rates, and college entrance exam scores. On this scale, thirty of forty-seven possible Killeen ISD campuses received a commended rating in at least one field. Located near the Fort Hood military base has helped Killeen ISD form a unique relationship that has strongly influenced the district’s development. Around half of the students come from military families. In 2007 the Governor’s Volunteer Award honored the Adopt-A-School program, which developed out of the partnership between the school district and the military base. Killeen ISD also offers opportunities for students to participate in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (JROTC), which will help them in the future if they decide to pursue a career in the military. Teaching in Killeen ISD With more than 5,800 employees, Killeen ISD is second only to Ft. Hood as the largest employer in the area. New teachers in Killeen ISD earn a starting salary around $40,000, and a number of stipends of various amounts are also available for teachers who coach, direct extra-curricular activities, teach fine arts, or serve as instructors in vocational training. Signing bonuses in the amount of $3,000 are available for those who agree to teach in critical need subjects, such as chemistry, physics, math, or Spanish. Because more than 1,700 students in Killeen ISD are bilingual, teaches who are willing to offer bilingual instruction can also earn a $3,000 per year stipend. For more information and for an online job application, please visit the school district’s website:https://www.killeenisd.org Alternative Certification Options If you are interested in being a part of the exciting programs at Killeen ISD but do not have a teaching certificate, we offer an exciting opportunity to take part in our Web-Centric Alternative Certification Program (WCACP). The WCACP is an online program that allows future teachers to take the academic courses they need to complete the certification process from the comfort and convenience of their own homes. This program is especially ideal for working parents who do not have time to return to a traditional college or university setting.To be a candidate for acceptance into the WCACP, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university/college and at least a 2.5 G.P.A.
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Central Texas Region Snapshot Download Printable Snapshot (PDF) This analysis predates the COVID-19 crisis and the economic impacts that followed. It is offered as an overview of the Central Texas regional economy and a resource for comparative purposes. The 20-county Central Texas region covers about 17,400 square miles in the heart of Texas, stretching from Hillsboro on the north to Interstate 45 on the east to East Yegua Creek on the south to the conjunction of the San Saba and Colorado rivers. The Central Texas region includes three metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs): the College Station-Bryan MSA, comprising Brazos, Burleson and Robertson counties; the Waco MSA, comprising Falls and McLennan counties; and the Killeen-Temple MSA, comprising Bell, Coryell and Lampasas counties. Counties in the region not associated with an MSA include Bosque, Freestone, Grimes, Hamilton, Hill, Leon, Limestone, Madison, Milam, Mills, San Saba and Washington counties. The region is unique in that it has three economic centers, the cities of Killeen (Bell County), Waco (McLennan County) and College Station (Brazos County). This report examines regional economic trends including population, household income, jobs and wages and education, as well as economic conditions and characteristics unique to the Central Texas region. PopulationThe Central Texas region’s estimated total population in 2019 was 1.2 million, or about 4.3 percent of the state’s total population. This is an increase of about 10.7 percent (about 120,000 people) since the 2010 census. An estimated 29 percent of the region’s population is concentrated in Bell County, which is part of the Killeen-Temple MSA. From 2010 to 2019, the region’s population grew at a slower pace than the state (Exhibit 1). While the population of each county in the region changed during this period, Brazos and Bell outpaced all others, growing by 17.6 percent and 17 percent, respectively — above the state’s 15.3 percent growth rate. Exhibit 1Source: U.S. Census Bureau Population CompositionAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey, the median age of the residents of the Central Texas region’s counties is on par with that of the state as a whole. Three of the region’s 20 counties had a median age significantly below the state median age of 34.2 years in 2018. These three – Bell (30.4 years), Brazos (25.5 years) and Coryell (31 years), combined with McLennan (33 years) – make up a majority of the region’s population. In fact, Brazos County has one of the “youngest” populations in the state. The College Station-Bryan and Killeen-Temple MSAs both had median ages significantly lower than the state; in 2018, the Waco MSA’s was similar to the statewide median. About 57 percent of the Central Texas region’s total population was white (not Hispanic) in 2018 — 14 percentage points higher than non-Hispanic whites’ 43.4 percent share of the state population (Exhibit 2). Household IncomeThe Central Texas region’s median household income was $50,242 in 2018. Texas’ household income is generally distributed among five income levels. Of more than 9 million Texas households, 21 percent had incomes less than $25,000 in 2018, while 17 percent had incomes greater than $125,000. In every region in the state, nearly 18 percent of households had average incomes between $50,000 and $75,000. The region’s household income was lower than the state average; only 30.6 percent of the region’s household incomes were greater than $75,000, versus 38 percent for Texas as a whole (Exhibit 3). This disparity may be attributable to the younger median age of residents in three of the region’s four most populous counties. Exhibit 2
Source: U.S. Census Bureau Exhibit 3
Source: U.S. Census Bureau In 2019, the Central Texas region accounted for 3.9 percent of the state’s total employment. Exhibit 4 lists the industries with the greatest regional employment concentrations compared to the national average, as measured by location quotient (LQ). LQ represents an industry’s proportionate concentration in the region; an LQ greater than 1.0 means that industry employment is more concentrated in the region than nationally. A high LQ can identify industries that have a competitive advantage in the region, such as the ability to produce products more efficiently and of a higher quality. Based on location quotients, the Central Texas region is a leader in lessors of nonfinancial intangible assets; animal production and aquaculture; and support activities for mining. Exhibit 4
Data are as of Q4 2019 except wage data, which are for covered employment in 2018. U.S. Military Installation ImpactTexas has 14 U.S. military installations within its borders. In 2019, these bases directly employed more than 226,000 and supported nearly 634,000 jobs in all. In all, military installations in Texas contributed an estimated $75.3 billion annually to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP). Fort Hood, the only military installation in the Central Texas region, had a positive impact on the state economy, supporting an estimated 153,000 jobs in 2019 and contributing about $18.2 billion to the state’s GDP (Exhibit 5). Exhibit 5
Sources: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas Military Preparedness Commission and REMI Learn more about the impact of U.S. military installations on the state’s economy. Jobs and WagesCentral Texas regional employment rose by 12 percent from 2009 to 2019, much lower than the state’s total job growth rate. During the same period, employment rose more than 23 percent in the College Station-Bryan MSA; about 14 percent in the Killen-Temple MSA; and more than 10 percent in the Waco MSA (Exhibit 6). In 2019, more than 31 percent of the region’s jobs were located within the Killen-Temple MSA. The Waco MSA accounted for nearly 26 percent, while the College Station-Bryan MSA accounted for more than 25 percent. Exhibit 6
Note: Figures include private- and public-sector employees with the exception of active-duty military personnel, railroad employees, religious institution employees and the self-employed. Sources: JobsEQ and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Significant Regional OccupationsThe Central Texas region’s most significant occupations are shown in Exhibits 7 and 8, first by location quotient and second by numeric growth during the last five years. Exhibit 7
Note: Data are as of Q4 2019 except wage data, which are for covered employment in 2018. Source: JobsEQ Exhibit 8
Note: Data are as of Q4 2019 except wage data, which are for covered employment in 2018. EducationA strong educational foundation provides a cornerstone for growth and competitiveness in the global economy, offering opportunities for workplace advancement and business expansion. Wages by Educational AttainmentPost-secondary education delivers a good return on investments of time and tuition. In 2018, Central Texas workers with some college or associate degrees and with stable jobs — defined as those employed with the same firm throughout a calendar quarter — earned an average of $3,773 more annually than those with a high school degree, while those with at least a bachelor’s degree earned an average of $19,389 more (Exhibit 9). Exhibit 9Sources: U.S. Census Bureau and JobsEQ During the 2017-18 school year, 85.1 percent of the Central Texas region’s class of public high school senior students graduated, lower than the state rate of 90 percent (Exhibit 10) The region’s high school graduation rate has declined since the 2011-12 school year, falling below the state rate and consistently decreasing in the past few years. Exhibit 10
Source: Texas Education Agency Many high school graduates enroll in postsecondary programs, which offer greater job prospects and the possibility of earning higher wages. Residents of the Central Texas region enjoy a variety of options for higher educational achievement (Exhibit 11). Exhibit 11 Central Texas Region Institutions of Higher Education
Universities
Health Science Schools
Junior and Community Colleges
Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board The Central Texas region’s five community college districts provided technical and academic coursework for more than 47,000 students in the 2017-18 school year (Exhibit 12). Exhibit 12
*The percentage of academic or technical graduates employed in the fourth quarter of the calendar year after graduation and/or enrolled in a Texas two- or four-year institution in the following fall after graduation, as specified. Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board The region’s community colleges awarded more than 4,600 certificates and associate degrees in general studies and liberal arts in the 2017-18 school year; the next most common awards were for health professions, business administration and marketing (Exhibit 13). Exhibit 13Source: JobsEQ Regional EconomyThe relative health of the Central Texas region’s economy can be measured by its sales tax revenue and comparison to other states on education, population, per capita income and unemployment rate. Together, these data are good indicators of the region’s economic dynamics and competitiveness. Sales Tax RevenueSales taxes are inherently volatile in the short term but when reviewed over time can provide a useful indication of the state’s economic condition. Sales receipts subject to state sales tax directly attributable to the Central Texas region trended upward in the past decade. The region saw a slow but steady increase in taxable sales following the 2009 recession, with 2019 results showing a continuation of this trajectory (Exhibit 14). For 2019, receipts subject to state sales tax directly attributed to businesses in the Central Texas region totaled $12.3 billion , contributing about 2.2 percent to the state’s overall taxable sales. The Waco MSA directly accounted for about $3.1 billion of this total, while the Killeen-Temple and College Station-Bryan MSAs contributed about $3.9 billion and $3.4 billion , respectively. Exhibit 14
Note: Numbers shown are for reported revenue subject to sales tax and directly attributed to the region. In 1997, the U.S., Canada and Mexico jointly released the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), which classifies all business enterprises for the purpose of collecting, analyzing and publishing economic statistics. A review of two-digit NAICS codes allows for a broad analysis of industry sectors. In 2019, the the Central Texas region’s retail trade and food services and accommodation sectors contribute most to taxable sales, with the two combined accounting for 69 percent of the region’s total. Two other industries of note are the wholesale trade and the manufacturing sectors, which together contributed a combined 10.4 percent of the region’s reported taxable sales. Central Texas Region vs. the U.S.Exhibit 15 shows how the Central Texas region ranks with other states and the nation on a number of demographic and economic measures. If it were a state, the region would be the 42nd largest in the union in terms of land area (sized between West Virgina and Maryland) and have the 43rd largest population. Exhibit 15
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Central Texas Regional SummaryThe Central Texas region is a microcosm of the state — both urban and rural, with a vibrant and diverse economy. The region is unique in that it has three distinct economic centers: the Waco, Killeen-Temple and College Station-Bryan MSAs. The Central Texas region and its 20 counties have many unique economic conditions and challenges. It has seen reasonable population growth across the board since 2010, and its median age is significantly younger than that of Texas as a whole. The region’s employment growth rate is below the state’s. TheCollege Station-Bryan MSA has leadthe region in employment growth. Fort Hood Army base has had a significant impact on the Central Texas region’s local economies. In addition, 2019 receipts subject to state sales tax indicated a continuation of the region’s slow and steady rise after the 2009 recession. Many distinct industry subsectors are represented in the region’s most highly concentrated industries, attesting to its diverse economy. Questions?If you have any questions or concerns regarding the material on this page, please contact the Comptroller’s Data Analysis and Transparency Division. |