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Temple College has been trusted for generations to provide academic excellence in our community at one-third the cost of public universities. Simply put - without Temple College, many area residents would not have the opportunity to obtain an education and/or the training they need to get good jobs or to advance in their careers. Even with aging facilities, Temple College has requested taxpayer approval of only $33 million in general obligation bonds over the past 50 years. Recently, the Temple College Board of Trustees called a $124.9 million bond election for Saturday, May 1, 2021. What could this investment bring to our community? Passage of the bond will help Temple College:
 Established in 1926, Temple College serves more than 5,000 students each year. For generations, Temple College has provided affordable and accessible higher education opportunities allowing many students to obtain important college degrees, transfer to a university, or obtain career training to enter the workforce. Today’s students are entering a highly competitive, global marketplace and more than ever need to hit the ground running. This bond proposal is centered not only around providing students affordable and accessible higher education opportunities but also attracting new businesses and strengthening economic development within Temple. Temple College helps provide a skilled workforce in our community and, more importantly, establishes lifelong careers that provide excellent wages and ongoing support of the robust Central Texas economy. Because of growth, nursing and other health care programs are housed in temporary spaces at Temple College. This bond proposal will double the size of its nursing programs and fund urgently needed facilities for learning, training and clinical education. Temple College nursing programs have a 100% placement rate upon graduation, with most of these graduates working in the Central Texas area. The proposed Temple College Main Building will include a University Center, allowing students to earn bachelor’s or master’s degrees on Temple College’s campus through its university partners. One example of a bachelor’s degree that will be offered is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, as many hospitals now require this degree for nursing hires and career advancement. Additionally, a Workforce Training Center will serve as an economic driver for our region. If approved, these facilities and the remainder of the bond projects will be completed by 2026 when Temple College celebrates its 100th anniversary. The state of Texas does not pay for construction of new educational facilities for community colleges. Texas law permits Temple College to determine its tax rate for debt service to pay for educational facilities. Passage of the Temple College bond will cost taxpayers no more than $3.63 a month on a $100,000 home, or $43.56 a year. There is no tax impact on those 65 years of age or older who have applied for and received a tax-rate freeze on their homesteads. Additionally, over 50% of the taxes to fund the bond proposal will be paid by commercial and industrial businesses in the community, and not by residents. Temple College has used its resources wisely. This bond proposal provides needed improvements in a financially responsible manner and will be overseen by the Temple College Board of Trustees, all of whom unanimously support this bond proposal.  As a community, we have placed trust in our educational partners to prepare students for the global and high-tech workplace. Not only does the Chamber endorse this bond, it asks you to confidently vote YES for this bond proposal. Support Temple College as it continues educating generations of students and builds for the future. VOTE YES AND VOTE EARLY, TEMPLE! Visit the Temple College website at www.templejc.edu/bond for additional details.
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