Ott's Outlook
August 2023
August means we are gearing up to welcome our staff, students and families back to our buildings. The last two months have been filled with planning and preparations as we seek to set the shared vision for our district – one that focuses on the experience we provide to everyone that walks through our doors. The Temple ISD experience is what makes us unique and successful. Outcomes are important and we welcome high standards for our students and staff. However, achievement follows experience. If you lead with achievements, you will never have enough – experiences are what makes us full. The experiences and relationships we create in Temple ISD will open the doors to success, achievements and lasting impacts in the lives of those we serve.
Before we open our doors, I want to update you on the new safety measures that will be in place day one this school year. Temple ISD made the decision to move forward with implementing the armed security officer requirement of HB3 even with the lack of sufficient funding. We are ahead of the game, as you can tell by the media reports- board approvals, contract letting and hiring of staff are on point. Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, Temple ISD will have full-time armed security officers, SROs or a combination at every campus in the district. We will be contracting with a security firm to add the full-time armed security officers at the following campuses: Edwards, Meridith-Dunbar, Cater, Garcia, Kennedy-Powell, Raye-Allen, Scott, and Western Hills. We will have full-time SROs assigned to THS, Wheatley, Bonham, Lamar, Travis, Jefferson and Thornton. We have worked collaboratively with Chief Reynolds and Temple PD on the implementation of this new requirement and these new armed security officers will be integrated into our overall safety and security plans. We will also have security vestibules completed at our campuses, per the 2022 bond. Other safety measures include updated crisis plans, TPD access to exterior doors, TPD access to school cameras and the renumbering of exterior doors to a system recognized by our local first responders.
A safe and secure environment for children and staff is job one, and we will continue reviewing and improving safety measures throughout the year.
I look forward to our best school year yet, as we move forward united in our shared vision and commitment to our staff, students, families and community.
Sincerely,
Bobby Ott
Building bikes: Wrenches to Wheels program provides constructive advice to students
Temple ISD students build their own bikes with Workforce Solutions of Central Texas
Central Texas schools working to comply with legislation requiring armed guards on every campus
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
