Ott's Outlook

May 2022

The 2021-2022 school year is winding down and what an extraordinary year it has been. Together, we have successfully navigated another year of the pandemic which included Delta in the fall and Omicron earlier in the semester all the while keeping our campuses open to serve our students and families. As we begin end of year activities, we are returning to a sense of pre-pandemic “normalcy” that we have longed for.

I cannot express my gratitude to our staff enough for how they have managed changes and obstacles throughout this year in a way that prioritized the needs of our students. This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and I hope that you will join me in showing your appreciation for our educators and their commitment to students and the Temple community. As many of us were so abruptly reminded when remote learning was required during the beginning of the pandemic, the teaching profession is truly a calling that all cannot answer. “Thank you” to those who have chosen this path and for the difference they make in the lives of our children.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind you that May 3, 2022 from 7 AM - 7 PM is the final day of Early Voting for the May 7 election. Parent turnout for the November Bond election that was three votes shy of passing was less than 10%. We need our parents to speak up for our children. Every vote matters. Please let your voice be heard. Thank you for your support of Temple ISD.

The role of the school district in a bond election is to provide factual information about the bond package and impact. We will do that in a variety of ways between now and election day and I encourage each of you to stay informed and engaged throughout this process through our website www.tisd.org/bond2022/, social media, emails and mail outs.

Bobby Ott

2022 Bond Website

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If approved by voters, the 2022 bond package will provide a New Elementary Campus that will be a Fine Arts Academy and serve 800+ students in grades K - 5th. The campus is planned to have a 50+ year life span to serve students for generations to come.

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The City of Temple is growing. There are 11 new residential developments within TISD boundaries over the next 6 years. More housing = more students in TISD. The district is already over capacity today and has to utilize portable buildings for basic instruction to accommodate current student enrollment.

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If this bond passes, Temple ISD would continue to have the lowest tax rate among peer districts in the region. Our community can make this capital investment in our schools for less than $18 per year on a $100,00 home.

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Temple ISD homeowners age 65 and older will not be impacted financially by the proposed bond if they have filed for and received the Over-65 Homestead Exemption with the Bell County Central Appraisal District. Their taxes are frozen and cannot exceed their frozen dollar amount. Visit our Bond Video if you missed the explanation of the Over-65 Exemption.

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You can nominate a special Temple ISD alum for our Alumni Spotlight!

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.

To nominate yourself or a Temple ISD graduate, please complete our online Alumni Spotlight Nomination Form. Nominations will be reviewed and candidates selected by the Temple ISD Board of Trustees Policy Committee.

Alumni Spotlight webpage

Click to see all of our Alumni Spotlight stories and nominate your favorite Temple ISD Alumni here!