The 2021 Demographic Study was completed and presented to the Board of Trustees at the regularly scheduled March board meeting. Like the previous report, the demographers are forecasting unprecedented growth in Temple ISD over the next five years. Some of this growth is already coming to fruition. Here are some highlights from the report:

• TISD will have over 9,700 students by 2025

• Raye-Allen and Kennedy-Powell will see the largest growth in the next three years

• New home sales in Temple have increased by 78% since 2016

• Average new home price has increased from $183,372 to $210,077

• 200 - 600 single family homes will be added within TISD per year year for the next five years

• More than 6,900 planned home lots in TISD in 11 future subdivisions

In order to ensure that we are prepared to serve our new students and families, Temple ISD has also completed an updated Facilities Master Plan (FMP). The FMP will take TISD into the year 2030. This process included architects working directly with campuses to determine current and future facility needs. This plan analyzed current campus capacities and proposed renovations or additions to sustain future growth.

As we have analyzed the Demographic Study and the Facilities Master Plan side-by-side, it is clear that Temple ISD will need to add a new elementary campus in the southeast quadrant to account for future growth. Ideally, this campus would open in either 2023 or 2024 and would require a bond to secure the funding necessary to build a new campus and address the facility needs of TISD. In 2019, the Board of Trustees had the foresight to purchase land in the southeast quadrant to prepare for growth. The City of Temple is planning ahead in building the infrastructure necessary for a new school. All we need is the building.

TISD is working on finalizing this data, bond capacity and survey data in order to begin the bond planning process with citizens. I anticipate this to begin in early summer.

I have conducted over 60 presentations per year since becoming superintendent; and in so doing, have made reference to the growth, housing units coming online and the diligence the district will take in order to be fully prepared for growth in TISD. These pieces are now falling in place.

This is an exciting time for TISD! Our momentum is strong, developers and builders are investing in TISD and families are attracted to our educational opportunities. These factors, plus the exceptional partnerships within our community, allow us to move into the future as a destination school district.

I thank each of you for your support, and know that our staff and students will continue to work as hard as possible to meet your expectations.

Bobby Ott

Dr. Ott was featured as one of 16 Superintendents from across the state of Texas in a blog highlighting educational leaders to share their stories of fortitude, growth and inspiration in the hopes of uplifting others. Click below to read...

The City of Temple and the Reinvestment Zone unveiled the new Wildcat in the Roundabout after Spring Break. We are truly grateful for this gift that has sparked abounding Wildcat Spirit! KPA put together the video below showing the installation process.

Temple High School students participated in the District UIL Academic Meet last month. Of the 17 categories entered, THS students qualified to advance to the Regional Competition in 11 categories! Here is a summary of the accolades earned:

• Calculator Applications - 3rd and 4th place
• Current Events/Issues - 5th, 9th, 10th, 12th place
• Team Current Events/Issues - 3rd place
• Informative Speaking - 1st, 2nd and 3rd place
• Lincoln Douglass Debate - 2nd place
• Literary Criticism - 2nd and 3rd place (individuals)
• Team Literary Criticism - 1st place
• Mathematics - 4th, 8th, 9th place
• Team Mathematics - 2nd place
• One Act Play - 1st place
• Persuasive Speaking - 1st and 4th place
• Poetry Interpretation - 1st and 2nd place
• Prose Interpretation - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
• Ready Writing - 1st, 3rd, and 4th place
• Team Speech - 1st place
• Spelling and Vocabulary - 7th place
• Team Spelling & Vocabulary - 3rd place

To date, the THS Theatre department has collected the following accolades for the 2020-21 school year:

• Won their 29th consecutive district One-Act Play competition
• Advanced to Regionals for One-Act Play
• Five students advanced to the State UIL Theatrical Design contest
• Won 10 of 15 places in the district UIL speech competition

THS Choir had 59 students perform for UIL solo and ensemble contest last month.

They brought home:

• 28 1st Division ratings
• 13 State qualifying solos
• 1 State qualifying ensemble

THS Art students participated in the Visual Arts Scholastic Event with 21 students entering multiple works.

These worked earned:

• 4 Excellent Ratings
  
• 18 Entries earned a Superior Rating and qualified for Area
  
• 1 Entry - qualified for State VASE!
  

Stephen “Skeebo” Reichert is a proud 1985 graduate of Temple High School who is also a Lamar Middle School Bearcat alum.

Skeebo is a success story of someone who battled dyslexia while in school, but he learned how to use his talents in visual arts to open his own photography and film business. He established his business “Photos by Skeebo” in Temple over 25 years ago and his work is highlighted in multiple print and digital publications across Central Texas.

He credits much of his success to his teachers in Temple ISD who encouraged him along his journey. Skeebo still recalls the “kindness” of his teachers who balanced their authority role in a way that still allowed them to be relatable and develop relationships with their students.

One of his favorite memories as a high school student was when he and a group of friends pulled a prank on Assistant Principal Cobb. As Skeebo described, “We sat on the lawn in front of the building at lunch with lawn chairs and an iced down bucket of IBC Root Beer, which looked just like a bucket of beer. Principal Cobb saw us and came STORMING over! Once he saw it was root beer he was relieved and laughed.”

Skeebo is still well-known for his sense of humor but his incredible sense of determination, perseverance and resilience is unparalleled. Learning to embrace challenges as opportunities to reach your maximum potential is something we want for all students and is why Skeebo is in our Temple ISD Alumni Spotlight this month!

Email: bobby.ott@tisd.org
Website: https://www.tisd.org/apps/pages/Superintendent
Phone: 254-215-6760
Facebook: facebook.com/templeisd
Twitter: @OttTempleISD