Ott's Outlook

It has already been a year of remarkable achievement for Temple ISD, and we still have two months remaining in the 2024-2025 school year to add to that list of accomplishments. This is also a good time to look to the future instead of just looking back at what we have already done. I do not just mean looking ahead in the short-term sense, although it will be a busy stretch over the next two months with testing, end of year events, recognitions, and award ceremonies, and then graduation. I also mean looking ahead on a wider scale for more of a big picture look at the future of Temple ISD.

As we look ahead, it is extremely important for our parents and families to have a say in the future of our district. With that in mind, TISD has been holding a series of parent meetings focused on two-way communication about the next steps for Temple schools. We have already held two of those meetings, one in February, and one in March. Both of those meetings focused on growth in the district and the best path forward to deal with that growth.

Those meetings have given me an opportunity to share information gathered in TISD’s Updated Facilities Strategic Master Plan and the 2025 Demographic Report, along with options for renovation and expansion of existing facilities, or possible construction of new facilities. We had a good number of families turn out for those two sessions, with more than 150 parents attending the March meeting. Not only were we able to share information with those in attendance, but we were also able to hold breakout sessions with smaller groups to help answer questions and gather input on how those who participated want to see Temple ISD move forward. That feedback will be invaluable as we prepare to potentially present a bond proposal to voters in the fall of 2025. The district has also created a future bond planning website that includes both parent presentations, the demographic study, and the updated facilities master plan. You can access that website at the following link: Future Bond Planning – Future Bond Planning – Temple Independent School District. The results of the parent feedback overwhelmingly favored adding permanent classrooms to existing facilities, maximizing our footprints, before building new facilities. This is a fiscally responsible approach to responding to growth. Therefore, the district is preparing a path forward with that direction. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for this input and look forward to our future meetings.

There are two more parent meetings planned before the end of the 2024-2025 school year. The first meeting will be Wednesday, April 16th, in the Temple High School Auditorium. We will serve light refreshments beginning at 5:30 with the program to begin at 6:00 PM. That meeting will focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its role in the classroom. Our digital learning staff will provide information on the role AI can play in teaching and learning and look at both the good and bad that can be associated with this fast-growing technology. We will once again break into small groups to give families an up-close look at some of the technology and tools available and provide their feedback to help guide the district’s direction.

The second parent meeting will be held Wednesday, May 28th, in the THS Auditorium. I will be providing an update to the Future Bond Planning for the district based on the feedback provided from previous parent meetings and from the community. This will be another opportunity to share information with families and gather input and feedback as we move forward. We will again serve light refreshments at 5:30 with the presentation to follow at 6:00 PM.

These are exciting times for Temple ISD, and I am so grateful to be able to share information with those that help make this district great. Transparency, accessibility, and parent engagement are the key ingredients in moving our district forward. I truly hope you will take advantage of both of these upcoming opportunities to engage with the future of TISD. The future is bright, and we want to make sure that we are communicating with and hearing from those that we serve.

Sincerely,

Bobby Ott

Temple ISD has a long history of excellence and we have had many, many graduates who have gone on to exemplify our vision to become influential and impactful leaders in their local communities and beyond. Temple ISD Alumni Spotlight will feature alumnus and alumna that have represented our community and our district in a positive way.

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