 Dear Citizens of Temple ISD, On August 16, 2021, the Temple ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to call a $184.9 million bond election for November 2, 2021. This was in alignment with the final recommendation presented by the Temple Citizen Advisory Committee, a diverse citizens group created to study and prioritize the needs of the district. The 2021 bond is the last phase of a ten-year strategic master facilities plan that began with the 2011 TISD bond. With voter support, this bond would complete all projects promised to the community and proactively start on the new 2021 facilities master plan. Why should you vote FOR this bond? Good schools make good communities This bond proposal will be used to continue improving education in Temple ISD that will produce an educated workforce, which in turn attracts new businesses, good paying jobs and a growing tax base. The return on investments made thus far in Temple ISD have resulted in one of the best school districts in the state of Texas; with the Temple Independent School District Board of Trustees being recognized as 2020 Region 12 School Board of the Year by Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) and a Top Five State Finalist. Temple is growing Temple ISD expects to add an additional 1,250 students over the next five years. This bond will add a new elementary campus in the rapidly growing southeast portion of the district and add fourteen additional classrooms across four campuses to accommodate growth. (Temple High School 4, Bonham 4, Scott 4, Kennedy Powell 2) The elimination of 20 remaining portables ensures that every student is in a proper brick and mortar physical school building. This bond further provides equitable facilities for all programs regardless of campus. Temple ISD is committed to honest and transparent communication Temple ISD delivers on its promises when it comes to bonds. The last two were delivered on time and on budget. They have also welcomed community members onto district campuses and allowed for facility usage of such facilities. One such facility is Wildcat Stadium. The track and turf at Wildcat Stadium are at the end of their useful life. This bond will allow for new track and turf so students and the community can continue to safely utilize these facilities. School playgrounds are also used by community members and their families after hours and on weekends. This bond will replace seven elementary playgrounds. Temple ISD needs your help While the district does a good job of maintaining its facilities, most facilities within Temple ISD are over 30 years old, and this bond proposal will allow for necessary repairs and upgrades to include roofing, HVAC, plumbing, kitchen, and electrical systems to keep the schools in good condition as they age. If we are to prepare our students for a global and high-tech workplace, we must have the appropriate school facilities and tools to provide them with a 21st Century education. The state of Texas does not currently help pay for the construction of new school facilities. Texas law permits Temple ISD to determine its tax rate for debt service to pay for educational facilities. The proposed $184.9 million TISD bond is estimated to raise the tax rate by a total of 12.5 cents which would equate to $10/month or $125/year per $100,000 evaluation. Temple ISD's tax rate has dropped more than 16.5 cents in the last three years due to the district’s fiscal responsibility. Additionally, existing state law freezes property taxes paid by homeowners 65 years of age or older. Seniors who file their exemption would not have to pay any additional taxes associated with this bond. The Central Texas community is frequently recognized as one of the fastest growing and stable economies in the United States. The Chamber applauds TISD in the development of programs that address the dreams and aspirations of all students as they prepare to enter the workforce. Students graduating from TISD are ready to hit the ground running to satisfy a growing need for skilled labor in our community and, most importantly, establish lifelong careers that provide excellent pay and ongoing support of the robust Central Texas economy. The Temple Chamber of Commerce is proud to be in a community that strongly supports the next generation of leaders and stands firmly in support of the Temple Independent School District 2021 Bond. TISD will be hosting neighborhood informational presentations throughout the month of October. Visit the TISD website at www.tisd.org/bond2021/ for dates and locations. Additionally, there will be a bond rally and fall festival 10/23, 11 am – 4 pm at the Children’s Museum hosted by Vote Yes for Our Kids, PAC. Vote yes for our kids and vote early Temple! You can pick up your Vote Yes Yard signs at the Temple Chamber of Commerce.  G. Roderick Henry President Early Voting | October 18 - 29, 2021
Belton - Bell County Courthouse Annex, 550 East 2nd Ave Salado - Salado Church of Christ, 217 North Stagecoach Harker Heights - Parks & Recreation Center, 307 Miller’s Crossing Temple - Bell County Annex, 205 East Central Ave Killeen - Killeen Community Center, 2201 E. Veterans Memorial Blvd Killeen - Bell County Annex, 304 Priest Drive Election Day | November 2, 2021 7 am to 7 pm Any Bell County voting site
2 Comments
Mary Sanders
10/13/2021 08:42:14 am
Why has Temple not built a second high school? I was in the first class to graduate from the currant high school. If Temple is growing why is there only one high school?
Temple Chamber of Commerce
10/14/2021 02:49:59 pm
Hi Mary, Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
