Ott's Outlook

As we move into April, Temple ISD also moves into an extremely busy stretch over the final two months of the school year. There will be testing, end of year events, recognitions, award ceremonies, and then graduation. It is also going to be a busy stretch as the district focuses on addressing safety and security upgrades approved by the community as part of Election 2025.

We are so appreciative of the overwhelming support our community gave to the items included in both propositions of Election 2025. This month we want to focus on the safety and security items included in Proposition A. It is important to keep you updated on projects included in that proposition because those upgrades aren't as apparent as improvements to an existing facility or new construction. Some of the items included in Proposition A were security cameras, upgraded fire alarms, additional School Resource Officers, impact-resistant film for non-student facilities, perimeter/courtyard fencing for campuses, and cybersecurity upgrades.

Fire alarm upgrades are already underway across the district with some of that work taking place over Spring Break. The rest of that project will be completed by this summer. We will be taking the purchase of additional and upgraded security cameras to the board for approval at our April meeting, completing a process that started with the initial camera purchase in December of 2025. District administrators will also begin meeting with the City of Temple and Temple Police Department this month to develop a plan, schedule, and order for adding police officers to our elementary schools. This process will take some time due to the training involved, but we are so grateful for the partnership we have with the City of Temple.

The district is also moving forward with impact-resistant film for windows and doors on non-student facilities because TISD had already taken care of our student facilities the previous year. Temple ISD will be installing perimeter/courtyard fencing for campuses that do not already have it in place. Both of those items are crucial for securing our facilities and will be brought to the school board for approval in the next two months. The district is also moving forward with a major cybersecurity upgrade and that project will go to the board for approval in June of 2026. From approval of Proposition A in November 2025, to making purchases and upgrades before the end of the summer, we are committed to moving quickly to deliver on the promises the district made leading up to the election. We fully expect the safety upgrades, regarding the hardening of facilities, to be in place before the start of the next school year.

All of these projects are examples of Temple ISD’s commitment to the safety and security of our facilities. We want every student and staff member to feel safe when they come to school. There is no greater priority than providing safe environments for all of the people our district serves.

We thank you again for your support of both propositions included in Election 2025 and we look forward to providing additional updates as we bring these projects to completion.

Sincerely,

Bobby Ott

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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