001Good evening. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Temple ISD Board of Trustees held here on October 14th, 2025 beginning at 6 PM. Our first item is to call us to order. We do have a quorum. Second item is the pledge of allegiance. Would everybody please stand up and face the American flag? I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Honor the Texas flag. I aliance to the Texas one state and indivisible. Item three is public comments on agenda items. Monica, has anybody signed up tonight? >> Okay, thank you. Item four is superintendent recognition. Members, will you become please stand in front of the dis It's right here. >> Our first
002item is the recognition of Senator Pete Flores. >> The 89th legislative session has been a busy one for our elected officials in Texas and it has also been an impactful one for public education. Temple ISD is grateful for the work our central Texas legislators have put in the regular session and two special sessions. Tonight, we welcome Pete Flores, District 24, state senator. Senator Flores was a strong supporter of House Bill 2, which provided additional funding for public education during the regular session and he even shared a Temple ISD video explaining funding issues with members of the Senate Republican Caucus. He has also supported legislation addressing accountability and assessment reform during the second special session among many other important pieces of education related legislation. Senator Flores has demonstrated responsiveness and a tireless work ethic in his
003approach as our senator. He stays in continuous contact with board members, administration, and he even attends school related events to support our students and our staff. We thank we thank Senator Flores for his work in the legislature and we thank and recognize him for his efforts on behalf of public education. The inscription on the plaque being presented reads, "Tleistd recognizes Senator Pete Flores for his commitment to public education during the 89th legislative session. We are grateful for your service and dedication in support of the children and educators of Temple ISD. Your partnership matters and it makes a difference in our school system and our community. Thank you again, Senator Flores, for your partnership and support. We appreciate you. [Applause] >> I have a big diaphragm. >> Well, first of all, thank you all very much
004for this great honor. Thank you very much. I think uh the ones who deserve this is are you all. I mean, here we are. You're you're on your off time and or you work for the district and you're here tonight. And that says a lot. That speaks volumes. And that's what it takes is all of us working together to continue to provide the best education in in in the state and uh in Texas, in the nation as the best we can. And the more we work together, uh the better we're able to do that, the more I can advocate for you. You have great a great superintendent. You have a great board. This is a great community. and what a honor and privilege it is of mine to serve you in the Texas Senate. Thank
005you very much. [Applause] >> Yeah, I'll say something while you're heading off or here or pictures, whatever. Uh, two things I'll say. Of course, most of you know that Senate districts are far larger than House districts. uh and uh Senator Flores has the same responsiveness uh to us as our House members and I really appreciate that because I know that's not easy. You know, Dr. Adams shared that he shared the video, the House Bill 2 video that really explained that the initial amount wasn't enough um to cover a lot of different things. I texted him that video. I did not ask him to share it. That's the other part of this. He did that on his own. uh I got wind through the back channels that he did that and so I really appreciate you
006advocating even when you're not asked to. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. You have some of the best [Applause] Thank you for being here. >> Next item is ESC Region 12 School Board of the Year recognition. >> We are thrilled to have representatives from the Education Service Center Region 12 on hand tonight to honor our Temple ISD board of trustees. And so at this time, I'd like to turn the microphone over to Dr. Kenny Barry, executive director at ESC Region 12 for a special presentation. Well, thank you all for having us this evening. Um, we are here for a very special recognition, but before we get to that, I want to just make a couple of introductions. As mentioned, my name is Kenny Barry. I have the pleasure of serving as the um, executive director
007at ESC Region 12. With me today, I have Tammy Becker, our deputy executive director over academic services. Tom Norris, former executive director and also um field service agent for Temple ISD. And then a couple of our uh communication team members, Abby and Taran, who are going to catch uh capture a few photos and videos of this special occasion. Tonight, we celebrate a school board whose excellence has been recognized not just in our region, but across our entire state. It is my honor to recognize the region 12 school board of the year and a state finalist for Texas School Board of Year, Temple ISD Board of Trustees. I do want to just mention a few highlights from their um state board of the year application. Um, some things that I'll tell you is you you read
008through that application, it it becomes apparent that the TISD board is a model of effective governance. Recognized as one of the most diverse boards in the state of Texas, they operate as a tr as a true team of eight with their superintendent fostering a collaborative environment built on trust and respect. Their leadership has earned incredible community confidence reflected by nearly a decade without a single contested trustee election. This unity has produced extraordinary results for their students. The board successfully passed the largest bond in the district's history, over $164 million to build new facilities for the future. They have championed innovative programs like the first elementary fine arts academy in central Texas and a K12 international bachelorette program helping students achieve unprecedented success with over 175 state and national qualifiers in fine arts and athletics for
009their collaborative governance and their relentless pursuit of excellence. Please join me in congratulating the Temple ISD Board of Trustees. [Applause] >> And I'll just say what judges have said as well. Come on up here, Tammy. And by the way, if you didn't know, Tammy and Tom Norris both worked for Temple ISD at one time. >> So, congratulations on that. Welcome back anytime. Sorry, Kenny. Uh uh I will say, I mean, when you work with when you work with people long enough, they're not just colleagues, they're friends. And um um this group here, they're we're friends. We're not just colleagues. Uh we're friends. we have shared so much together. Um, and I and I talk to so many superintendents. Uh, and when I have those conversations, I it's a reality check because I realize how fortunate
010we are as a school district. This relationship, good or bad, trickles down. It does. And you know it, principles. Um, and and it in our case, it's good. It's better than good. Um, but I have this reality check every time I have these conversations on how fortunate we are in Temple ISD. I think the the best part of this board, I mean, there's a lot of them, but in my mind, the if I were to pick one, every single one of them has one motivation, and that is for all students. Not just fine arts, not just this group, not just elementary, not just where my kids go, not No, it's all students and all staff to be in the best positions to be successful. That is absolutely their motivation individually and therefore collectively. So, I
011am I'm certainly we are certainly grateful uh for each of you um you know, winning it at the regional level, being a top five of the state. You know, it's like I told the board, sometimes they get it wrong, and they did at the state level. Uh, but it did save us money. We didn't have to buy them state championship rings, so it did save us a little bit of money. Uh, but truly grateful uh for each of you, and um we hope that you enjoy your service as much as we enjoy you serving us. So, we really appreciate each of you. Thank you. [Applause] Thank you, Tammy. It's good to see you. >> Good to see you. Item C is TISD student artwork at Tassa Tasby Convention. All right. We are pleased to announce
012that two of our Temple ISD students had artwork selected for display at the Tassa Tasby State Convention in Houston earlier this year. Valerie Velasquez, Valerie, we bring Come on up. Um she had her mixed media project titled Political Strife. Um she was selected and she's the representative from Temple High School. Go ahead up. And Amry Pickkins, is she here? No. Okay. Um she also had a mixed media project titled Funny Gremlin and she represented Western Hills Elementary School. Only a limited number of pieces of artwork represented school districts from across the state of Texas were selected for display at the convention. Thousands of school board members and district administrators and leaders had a chance to see their artwork over the three days. Um, Amarie wasn't able to be here. The elementary student wasn't able to
013be here. We do have our artwork. Would you like would you like her teacher to bring it up? >> Okay, come on in. Go ahead. Bring it up. >> Thank you, Miss Foster. This is the second consecutive year that Tipple students have had their artwork selected for display at the Tassa TASPY state convention. Um, and we'd also like to recognize Miss Rhonda Ramirez. There's our Temple High School art teacher and Miss Megan Foster, our art teacher at Western Hills, um, to stand so we can recognize them. Thank you, Rhonda. Yay. Uh and Valerie on behalf of Temple ICD, congratulations on this extraordinary accomplishment. We are so very proud of you. Congratulations. [Applause] We have a picture right here. The best photographer. Good job, buddy. >> That is such beautiful artwork, especially we saw it down
014in Houston. I mean, that's a great honor. U >> Valerie's right there. That is a great honor uh to be displayed among all the school districts in Texas. We have tremendous talent here in Temple ISD and we have great educators who bring out that talent. Thank y'all for everything y'all do for the fine arts here in Temple. This is proof proof that we have outstanding students and outstanding artwork. [Applause] Mhm. >> Congratulations. >> Our next item is TMEA administrator of the year, Michael Hobbs. >> The Texas Oh, you're already The the Texas Music Educators Association or TMEA recognizes upper level administrators across the state who have been instrumental in preserving quality music education programs on their district at on their campuses and in their districts with the distinguished administrator award. Bonham Middle School Principal Michael
015Hobbes has been awarded the Distinguished Administrator Award by TMEA for his work with Bonham's music education program. He was nominated for this honor by both the campus and district fine arts staff. And here's a portion of what was written about you, Michael, Mr. Hobbes. Mr. Hobbes is a passionate advocate for the music and arts program at his campus and throughout the district. He has consistently dedicated his time both during and after school hours to attend every performance, competition, and award ceremony involving the music students of Bonum Middle School. His strong, visible presence on campus and at music events across the region send a clear message to teachers and students alike. Their work is valued and they have his full support. And so tonight, we join the Fine Arts Department and the Texas Music Educators Association
016in recognition of Mr. Hobbs. Thank you for all you do for music education and fine arts at Bonner Middle School and Temple ISD. Congratulations. I just want to say on behalf of the board how proud we are, Mr. Hobbs. He's an excellent administrator at Bonum. Again, this goes to our fine arts. I mean, he's not a fine arts instructor, but he helps promote and assist fine arts. This is why we're such a strong district. Uh, folks like Mr. Hobbs and others here. I mean, thank you so much for everything you do. >> Sure. >> Would you like to say a few words? >> Oh, you know, I'm Oh, sure. Um, thank my wife and kids. They I give up, you know, they my wife does a lot so that I can attend this thing. So,
017the applause goes to her. But also I do want to tell you that um it's really important that we educate the entire child. And so not just in math and in English classes while those are very important our students 99% of them will tell you they come to school because they want to be in the band or they want to do football that so it's really important that we support them in those things that they think are important or that are important to them and our teachers work so hard. Um and so the least we could do is go and support them. And I also want to thank my APs and my counselors because the only way I'm able to go do that stuff is because they can run the campus while I'm gone. And
018so we have a very capable administrative staff that can do that. And so thank y'all for that. [Applause] >> Would you like your family? What you do? Come on up. >> We want Nathan to get up there. That's right. Come on, Parker and Nathan, the stars of the show. >> Hi, Fred. You gonna go up there and take a picture with dad? >> Well, thank you for sharing him with us. >> That's right. >> So cute. [Music] Yay. [Applause] So precious. Great job, guys. >> Next item is Principal Appreciation Month recognition. >> All right. So, Temple ISD is blessed with 15 amazing leaders that serve as principles for each campus in the district. And the month of October gives us the opportunity to recognize those campus leaders during National Principles Month. And so, this year,
019the theme for those principles in Triple ID is leading for impact. And that's exactly what they do every single day. I'm going to ask you principles to come on up and begin to shake hands while I read through this. Each of these campus leaders impacts their staff, their students, and their families with their actions. The principles serve each of those groups in a variety of roles. But no matter which role they play, our principles carry the heaviest load when it comes to building culture and sustaining campus morale. Principles are also the person that our students, our staff, and our families depend on as to carry them through the good times and the bad. As you can see, the board loves our principles and our principles love the board. >> Precious. All right. Can I get
020you guys to make a little circle in front of them? >> Come on this way. Make a circle in front. >> Dr. Kers, you'll make a circle right in front of them. Yep. That's perfect. Right there. That's great. Just right in front. >> Mhm. You're doing a good job, Amanda. Y'all just make a circle in front of them, please. Good job, y'all. Come on over. Come over in front of them, please. They don't follow directions very well. It's like corraling cats. Man, I lost control of the principles a long time ago. Okay, I'm going to finish my speech now. Our principles carry a lot of burdens throughout the year. And while you never hear them complain about that fact, we would like to do something to help lighten that load as we honor them during
021principal month. So tonight, our senior leadership team has uh will be presenting each of our 15 principles, if you guys will grab it, it's from behind, with a backpack marked with an embroidered Temple ISD logo. So that will help you as you carry your campus and your folks throughout the day. We want to thank you all. Just go ahead. Yep. There you go. We want to thank you all for serving our campuses with intention and passion and leading them for impact. Your dedication and commitment to your profession and to this district and most importantly to our staff, to our families, and to our children is extraordinary. And so on behalf of Temple ISD, we again say thank you principles. [Applause] >> Can y'all scooch in a little bit, friends? a little bit. >> Is that
022better? >> Thank y'all. Appreciate it. >> Yeah. Uh yeah, I mean I can talk while you are walking. I'll just I'll just make a few comments. Uh you know, we are Lisa and senior leadership team, we talk about it all the time. We are so proud of our principles. This is a group of folks. Some days they're just holding it together and other days they're charging ahead. Uh and you know, they're they're spending a lot of time oscillating between its decisions. It's how do you balance morale and push? It's all of that. It makes it very difficult. They're the closest to the neighborhood. They're the closest to families, uh, closest to their teachers, kiddos. Uh, their impact is far and wide. I'm going to borrow something that one of the board members, I'll just say
023who it is, Ronnie, said to me earlier today when we were on the phone, and and he's right. There's a difference between influence and impact. And um, our principles, they deliver impact. They truly change lives and make a difference. They don't just sway. I mean, they don't just get people do. I mean, they truly make a difference. We're grateful. I'm telling you, I've worked in districts where, and I've said this to Lisa and others before, you can have the best central office in the world, but if you have average or below average cadre of principles, your district will circle the drain. Your district will suffer. You'll lose teachers. You'll lose families. But if you have incredible principles, even if you had a and we have a great central office, so I'm not talking about us.
024Even if you had an average, because they're looking at me like, "What are you talking Even if you had an average central office, you would do just fine." That is the value of a principal and it's the truth. We have 15 extraordinary men and women that lead at the campus level. We're grateful for each of you. Uh we truly are. Thank you for your leadership, your commitment. uh those that have spouses and family members here. I've said this to Hobbs earlier, but thank you for sharing them. Um because even though they're at home, I know sometimes they're not at home, they're on the phone, Jill, right? We're on the phone the other night pretty late. Lisa's on the phone with you. I mean, it it happens. It's part of the job. So, I really appreciate
025um your support systems for being here because it is a team. It really is. And it's for many many times it's for children that are not your own. Right. But they are right. They're on our campuses. They are our children. So, thank you so much. Appreciate our principles. [Applause] >> Our next item is Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The Temple Independent School District Finance Department has been awarded the certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting by the government finance officers association or GFOA of the United States and Canada for the sixth consecutive year until ask the finance department if they want to come and join the board on the dis. An annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30th, 2024 was submitted by Temple
026ISD and subsequently reviewed by an impartial panel representing the 21,000 member association. Entries are examined for a spirit of transparency and full disclosure and are held to the high standard of the association as determined by a 45page checklist of requirements. Temple's report was deemed by the association to clearly communicate the district's financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report. According to the GFOA, the certificate of achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by the district and its management. Submitting the annual comprehensive financial report is a team effort and it takes a tremendous amount of work for the entire Temple ISD finance department. We would like to congratulate the department for not only your hard
027work in earning this recognition again this year but for all you do for Temple ISD and its taxpayers. Congratulations. [Applause] I just want to say I can get away this quick. Thank y'all for everything y'all do. You know, besides putting this report together, I know it is a team effort. It's a lot of work, but what y'all really do is we couldn't accomplish our goals of educating our kids if it wasn't for y'all. y'all make that truly happen. Uh and also you give confidence to the constituents, our taxpayers out there that we are manage managing our funds wisely and making great decisions on that. Y'all help make that happen. So, thank y'all so much. Uh y'all truly do a great job. Uh and we are the board and I speak for Dr. Aut and everybody.
028We are so proud of y'all and thank y'all again so much. have to say something. >> So, it's definitely a team um that puts this together every year. Each one of these ladies, they know all of the compliance standards inside and out. Sounds like a really boring job, but these people really put their heart and soul into each part of it and they give us confidence. Um like President Posie said, when a taxpayer calls and wants to ask questions, I can be confident in how I guide them and lead them and tell them exactly where to find the information to back it up. And it's only because of all the time and the dedication that this team gives to our students. So, thank you all. [Applause] Did you want to say something? >> Okay. Our
029next item is exe Executive hires a consideration for recommendation of director of student services. >> Um so I'm here to make the recommendation for Mr. Mike I Hernandez. And so I Hernandez has been selected as a loan finalist for the position of the director of student services. Uh Mr. Hernandez is a 1988 Temple High School alum who graduated with a BA in psychology and an MA in psychology and counseling from the University of Mary Hart and Baylor. He has been in education for 27 years with 23 of those years as a campus administrator for several districts throughout central Texas. Since 2019, Mr. Hernandez has been serving as the assistant principal at the Temple High School. Uh Mr. Hernandez is engaged to Amy Abula, who is a professor at Temple College. He has two brothers, a
030sister, and his father who all live in Temple. In his free time, he enjoys anything music and movie related. He also loves going to concerts and is a huge sports fan. Mr. Mr. Hernandez is dedicated to serving the students, parents, and staff in Temple ISTD as well as the Temple community. He says that being a product of Temple ISTD, this district holds a special place in his heart, and he looks forward to the opportunity to serve in his new role. It is with great pleasure that we recommend Mr. Hernandez to the TISD board of trustees for the position of director of student services on October 14th, 2025. >> Thank you, Mr. Lopez. Is there any questions? >> Move for approval. I recognize Miss Suarez for a motion for approval. >> Motion by Miss Wararez. >>
031I second. >> Seconded by Mr. Gaines. All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> All oppose the same sign. The eyes have it. Congratulations. I [Applause] >> So, I had something written down, but I think I'm just going to speak from my heart. I just want to thank you first off for trusting me with this position. Uh I promise to work hard every day for kids, uh staff members, parents, community members, but most of all to do what's best for kids always. Uh as Mr. Lopez was saying, I am a product of Temple ISD. Uh I was a caterer, a bottom bulldog, and I and a Temple Wildcat. Uh also, I was born and raised in Temple. And those two things are very dear to me. And so, um, uh, I'm just once again
032want to just thank you so much for giving me this opportunity and just trusting me. Um, I'm excited and ready to for this position and to to help all all kids and and parents, staff, anybody in the district. Uh, I'm just excited for that. Um, I want to thank a couple people if that's okay. Um, I want to thank uh I do want to thank my Temple High School, my Temple High School family that are here and that I've worked with for six years. Uh, it's a the most amazing place I've ever worked at. Without a doubt. It's the six best years of my educational career without a doubt. Thank you, Dr. M, for being a good mentor and uh for my AP family that have become like brothers and sisters to me. Um, I'm
033going to miss that part without a doubt. I'm going to miss that place. Uh, but I am excited for this opportunity. So, I want to thank them. I want to thank my family that is here today. uh and just my my whole family in general that have always supported me and believed in me. And uh my father [Music] can say it. I'm sorry. Um, I lost my mom about a year ago. My dad has always instilled education and hard work and I would not be here today without him and my mom. So, so anyway, sorry about that. I did not expect that. My mom is very dear to me. So, uh, and my family. So, thank all y'all here today. my family. Um, my soon to be wife Amy. She's an educator, my sister who's
034the glue of our family. Of course, my father, my cousin Jessica, my niece Cat, and my little brother Ay. Um, thank y'all. I apologize. It just was um we celebrated my mom um Friday and we celebrated my dad's um birthday. Uh he had two sold out shows in San Antonio. It was it was amazing and it was a great way to celebrate my mom. So, um, thank y'all very much. [Applause] >> We'll grab a picture up here first and then you don't mind. Your family is so important. [Applause] Thank you so much. All right. Item seven is the board presence report. A resolution to cast votes and Bell County appraisal district board of director's selection is there. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So this is um every entity has a certain number of votes. They changed
035the rules on this. I think it was three or four years ago. Every entity has a certain number of votes uh based on your taxing entity. For us in Temple ISD, we have 245 total votes. Um we've done some checking. We believe supporting the incumbents in this case is a good thing. We've divided them up. They're in the resolution there. 123 of the votes to Sam Fulture and 122 to Todd Scott. And so we'd like to recommend this um to the board for approval. And then uh this this allows us to continue to move forward in the process for for them to return to the appraisal district and serve. >> Members, any questions? This does require approval. >> I'd like to make a motion for approval. >> Motion by Miss Gowen. Is there a second?
036>> A second. Seconded by uh Mrs. Cook. All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> All oppose the same sign. The eyes is happy. Thank you very much. Item B is future items discussion. Any items wish y'all wish to discuss at a future meeting. Okay. Item C is important dates and Dr. >> Okay. I just have a few here to uh go over. This Friday obviously is homecoming and our pep rally is at 2:45 Temple High School. if you're able to make it. And uh we also have dyslexia night at 5:00 pm here in the administration building. Uh the following Saturday, October 25th, we have EBcon and that is a fantastic event. If you haven't been before, where's Connie? I saw you. There you are. Right in the middle, of course. Right. Uh it's
037really an awesome event uh for our families. If you have the chance to come by Saturday, I I highly encourage you to do so. It starts at 9:00. How long does it go till 11:30? Thank you, Connie. Uh 9 to 11:30. But it's for our emergent bilingual uh families and it's it's truly a fantastic event. Uh October 28th and actually the 28th and 29th, we have Tales and Treats. Uh Tales and Treats for PK through 2 grade is a 5:30 administration building on the 28th and 29th, grades 3 through 5. Board policy committee is that evening. So, uh, and that actually starts, it says here, at 4:30. So, hey, when our policy committee is over, we can join Tales and Treats if you'd like, board. Um, and then October 30th is our board facilities committee
038at 4:30 here in the admin building. and November 5th. Some of you have attended some of these before, whether it's in the Santa Fe Plaza or at Kennedy Pal or at Thornton even, but we have a STEM night at Kennedy Pal at 5:30 p.m. November 5th. And that is also the day after the election. You have two other important date documents and those are all the fine arts activities whether it's choir, um you know, visual arts, band, you name it. Um, and that takes you all the way through the beginning of November. There's plenty of opportunities to watch our kids perform. That's always a lot of fun. Uh, and and another byproduct of that is having the opportunity to mingle with parents and talk with families and find out what's on their mind and and
039how they're doing as well. So, I encourage you to try to attend some of those events. Thank you, Dan. >> Thank you, Dr. Item seven is consent items. on these items. Item D, uh, Bri and myself can have abstain from it. So, what is the pleasure of the board to deal with items A through C1, E through F4? I make recommendation that we view items 7 A to E4 and E4 to F4 all together. >> Okay, >> I'll second the motion. And just to clarify, that's A through C1, E through F4. Okay. >> And the motion by Mr. Gaines. >> One. I'll second. >> Seconded by Miss Gowen. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> All oppose. Same sign. The items pass. Thank you. Item D, memorandum understanding between Temple Temple Independent
040School District and Baylor Scott and White Health. >> Motion by Miss Suarez. >> I'll second. seconded by Mrs. Meyers. All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> All oppose the same sign. The items pass. Please note that Dan Posey and Brasia Alexander abstained from the vote. Thank you. Item eight, action items. A, human resources one, staffing presentation. Mr. Lopez, welcome back. And um just wanted to just clarify that Dr. Ward's not here so I'm uh filling in for her for this afternoon. So thank you for having me. Um so I'm going to go over just a couple of the staffing updates uh for the 2526 school year. And here we go. And so um the couple of the topics that we're going to talk about is leveling classes, uh position ads, and then certification
041academy for Temple teachers, which is our CAP program. And so um as we are looking at uh staffing numbers, one of the things that we do consider are the birth rates um by year. And these are for the residents of Temple. Um and so as you look here, that first line is the 2020 uh birth rates. And so there's 1,364 uh births during that particular year. And so those students potentially should be attending kindergarten in 2025. Now, not all the students are going to attend. They may have other routes or they may move out of the Temple City Limits or the Temple School District. Um but as you go down through that particular table right there, you can see down to um looking at the 2025 uh birth rates um that would then result in
042those students attending uh school in the 2030 school year. And so this information is brought uh from the center for health statistics vital events data. And so u so as you can see there's been a couple years where there is a decline uh but for most part it has been a steady increase uh from year to year. Well, and I think that and if I may, Mr. Lopez, the COVID um like you know 2019, 2020, those birth rates and even 18 were pretty low uh compared to what the county has seen before and that is why there was a dip across many ISDs in terms of enrollment. It wasn't necessarily the high schools you were looking at. It was the elementary schools in particular in the early grades uh as time went on. But the
043good news is you can see here the birth rates have gone up with the except now the that that only includes what half the year. Yes. Right. So that's >> I put a line through that because that doesn't even that's not normative. I mean that doesn't compare with the rest of them. It's apples to oranges. But the good news is you see that picking back up, right? It's all every year a every subsequent year after I'd say 20 I think it was 2018 2019 that I have my office it continues to go up and that's consistent with demographic trends. So that's the good news um that school districts have in the area. So in some cases we've been fortunate I will tell you because we had two grade levels and this is where I'm looking
044at the leadership team to make sure I'm accurate. We had two cohorts, two grade levels back to back that were lower than normal. Um, and then past that it it went back up. Uh, so for us, the line bended temporarily and then went back up. But I'll tell you, that's not the case for many school districts. For many school districts, they have seen the line go down, bend downward from that year all the way through. So for three or four years in a row, they've seen So what I'm basically what I'm saying is in grades three, 2, 1, kinder, and prek, they see a drop. Whereas for us, we don't see a drop in say K or preK. I think our our back-to-back cohorts are now what in second, third right now or first and
045second? Which one? Second, third. Yeah, second and third. So, we saw a little bend, right, based on this and then it's gone back up, but that hasn't been the case across many other school districts that has continued to go down or maybe even flatten out. So, I think that's a very positive thing for the school district. >> That is correct. Right. It's this is Bell County if I'm not mistaken. Yeah, it's Bell County birth rates. It's not TISD birth rates. So, >> okay. And so, uh so what what do we do as far as um working with this particular group and the differences from year to year? We've been working on leveling classes. And so, we staff appropriately to meet student uh needs and fiscal responsibility. And so in July and August, we monitor the
046student enrollment on campuses to determine potential teacher ads or moves. And in September, uh typically after, uh the Labor Day weekend, we begin to level those classes. Uh we coordinate with student services to determine impact on compliance of uh transfers. And so then as um you know, we're looking at our prek group. Um as you can see here in our gened population, we had a decrease of 38 students. And so what that resulted in um is we um had an extra teacher over there. essentially we needed to move a teacher and so we were able to do that by moving one teacher over to Kennedy Pal. Um we are also working at trying to keep our student staff ratios back to the norm. Uh not to you know last year working with the budget and
047trying to to increase the student ratios and so uh here we are now at um prior to the change was 11 to1 and now we're sitting at 19 to1 after that change. So two years ago, we as part of not having a large deficit, we increased ratios by one student all the way up and down. And that was due to the state not funding, not giving any money two sessions ago to public education. So that was one of the strategies that we used. Uh obviously uh we received some money this last session. So we've uh put that back or we've gone back to the ratios that we had before. Uh which is good. And then the other thing I would note is when you only have to move very few teachers after your students come
048in to level classes. A lot of that goes to the credit of forecasting and projecting the enrollment uh the way that our staff has. and I and I have nothing to do with that. Um Mr. Hogerberg has a ton to do with that, but so do others on the leadership team as well. So to the point that you can predict that pretty close, that's less movement, less waivers if you have to do waivers, but we have moved teachers. That's what we do. We we move teachers if we have to to level classes. And at least in my time here, the only time we've really done waiverss, and correct me if I'm wrong, is when a teacher says, "No, I want the extra student." So, you know, if the ratio is 1 to 22 and say
049there's a one that moves in and that put them to 23, if teacher's like, "No, no, no, I want the student in the class," then, you know, that for us would just file a waiver for that. But >> so as we move on to the kindergarten uh there were a couple of moves here. However, uh this was actually um as you look at this you can see that happened at Kennedy Pal, Samson Howard and Jefferson and you can see the the numbers from 2425 to the 2526 school year and the increases that are there and the differences total of 62 uh students. And so those staffing move moves within again Kennedy Pal receiving that one teacher from Meredith. Uh Samson actually was able to move a teacher from third grade down to kindergarten. And then
050Jefferson received a teacher from Ray Allen uh second grade to move over to the kindergarten teacher or kindergarten position, I'm sorry. And so here again you can see the prior to the change the ratios were at 28 to1 as Dr. O alluded to and then after the change we're down to the 23 to1 now. And so at the secondary campuses, the good thing is uh there was no uh leveling required there. And so then uh the position ads uh which is based on staffing guidelines and then based on the needs. And then so we can see at the next slide um here that these uh position ads the staffing decisions are based on those staffing guidelines that kindergarten through fourth grade uh 22:1 uh fifth through uh 12th there's no limit. However, we are trying
051to stick fifth through eighth uh 24:1 and 9th through 12th at a 25 to1 ratio. And then our functional academics uh and past classes are at a 5:1 ratio. Our functional skills which is a more needier uh group there uh we are at the 4:1 and then our resource classes are at 15 to1. And so then the second part to making those decisions are the needs of the students. And so if we have situations where we have high behaviors uh then we need to uh increase that and make it a onetoone support for that individual then we will do that for that student. And so uh looking at the position ads we also have the functional academics classes at Lamar. We did open up one new FA class. Uh so with that was one teacher
052and then two aids that comes along with that particular group. At Bon Middle School we did add one co-teer as well as at the high school. And then at the Travis, we were able to add a third assistant principal. Again, all based on the needs for the campuses. And so again, here at Lamar, um, as you alluded to a second ago, trying to restore the ratios that we had prior to, uh, the budget situation. And so at Lamar, we did add one position for that. At Travis, we were adding two positions, one Elar, one math. And then Temple High School, we were able to add four positions. And so this brought our ratios from 26 to1 back down to the 24 to1 ratio. Are there any questions regarding this first part of the staffing? >>
053Members, any questions? >> Okay. And so then um the second uh piece of the presentation is the um to go over the CAP program. And so with this particular um group, this is a group that I work a lot closer with. And um on here, as you can see on that first chart at the top, the cohort one, uh we added six of our candidates that were aids that moved into the teacher positions. uh as we got into the second year, the 2425, that's the cohort two, and we added nine um aids into those teaching positions. And then for the cohort 3, which is the current year, 2526, we added three more into those teaching positions. And so cumulatively, you can see how the numbers have changed. However, I did want to point out uh
054for the uh 2425 that we did have two of those candidates that dropped out of the program uh for one reason or another. And so cumulatively, that does add up uh to 16 total in the program as we speak. Um, we also are at the time where that first cohort has begun to graduate uh from the ACE program and they're earning their bachelor's degree. And so we have five students that have currently I graduated from cohort one and then I learned today actually that I've got two um from that second cohort that are graduating or are about to graduate. So uh so I'm happy about that particular group and then that leads to I teach. And so of those five that graduated from that first cohort, they're already in the IT Teach program. And the
055other two in that cohort 2 have again reached out today to see what do I need to do to get into the IT. So they're ready to to begin that pro process. Uh so the assignments here, you can see we have five at the pre-K level, uh nine at the elementary level, and then two at the secondary. Actually had one transfer from elementary up to the high school. So that makes two at the secondary. And as we look here at um the the funding for this, as we mentioned last year, this is a budget neutral program. Um so currently as a new teacher hired this year, uh their salary would be at 54096 as a certified teacher. Uh with our CAT teachers, we are paying them at which leaves 8319 uh per year per teacher.
056And um as you see below, the ACE program costs 8370 and the I teach program is 49.49. And so that particular those two costs are spread out over the course of three years. And so uh so that money that we have that 8319 is what is used to pay for that those two programs plus their certifications. >> Just a quick thing could you just remind us exactly what the CAT we have a new member here too just to make sure everybody >> so uh with the CAP program what we are doing is we are seeking the pair professionals that have been working in the school district uh for the minimum of a year. they have to have 60 credit hours essentially of their associates degree in good standing with that particular campus. And so they
057apply for teaching positions. It kind of feels backwards, but they apply for teaching positions. Um and then, you know, they've already shown that interest with me that they want to get into the CAP program. Uh once they are um being seeded out by the principal, then we start talking about actually completing application process, that type of thing. Uh through the CAP program, they go through the American College of Education. they complete their 30 hours uh to complete their bachelor's degree. So they earn their bachelor's degree and then we send them over to I teach which is our partner and they go through I teach and then they complete their certification uh and take any exams that they would need to take at that point to get certified and so essentially um with that um that
0588319 that I was talking about there that is used to pay back for their school for their IT teach and uh first attempt on any certifications that they are to complete for um being fully certified teachers. And so uh so the next piece to that explanation actually is the accomplishments. Um and so the good thing is we've actually been 100% staffed uh using this program uh for the the last two years. So 2324 and 2425. This year unfortunately we did not make the 100% but we were short by one teacher. So I do still consider that a success there. Uh we have had several that were rookie teacher of the year nominees and winners for their campuses. Um, we've also had several districts that have reached out even this summer still reaching out inquiring about
059the model. Uh, word of mouth is is huge in the advertising piece in this. Uh, lots of people have just, you know, staff members have reached out because they've heard about it. CAT teacher told somebody, that type of thing. And so, we've gotten a lot of, uh, just that word of mouth advertisement. Um, and then the big thing is that success in the classroom. Our students, as I mentioned, I mean, our teachers, I'm sorry, um, they are, uh, teacher of the years on their campuses and so they are very successful at what they do. uh they're handpicked for the program. So they are definitely um a successful group. And then um the last piece we just added this we actually have a TIA recognized uh teacher who was recognized last year and then this year
060she's actually qualified as a master's designation. So again that just shows to the success of the aids that were in the classroom that are now our teachers. And so u the success rate again is to be determined in 2027. I think at that point whenever we see our retention rates then we'll know for sure if we're you know what the success rate looks like for our particular program for the CAT program at that point. So are there any questions regarding the CAP program? >> Members any questions? >> Okay. >> Thank you much. Appreciate the presentation. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Item B academics. Item B1, Temple High School 2026 2027 course catalog proposed changes. >> Yes, thank you. Uh good evening board. Um you do you do have a copy of the
061course catalog in front of you, the changes. Um so I just want to take a moment to give you a summary of some of the highlights tonight. So first you will see some minor clarifications for counseling and dual credit. Um, we've also added some language to clarify for the FAST program. Um, and that the FAST program covers students who qualify for tuition credit. And then TempleD covers tuition for all other students who are enrolled in qualifying courses for the first time. Then you'll notice under advanced academics the addition of on-ramps art and entertainment technologies. This would be a brand new classroom where students have the opportunity to uh get credit through University of Texas at Austin. Um you may previously remember that we have on-ramps pre-cal onramps physics and on-ramps statistics. And so now we'd
062like to extend that opportunity with this particular course. It is related to CTE and it will give students an opportunity to complete the AV pathway >> under fine arts. >> Dr. Armstrong. May I ask you a question for that for that particular UT on RAMs course? Is that a dual credit um >> or is that a credit earned in fine arts for college or is that a credit earned in technology? >> It'll be a credit earned in CTE and then they'll have the option to accept UT credit if they want to. >> When you say CT, like >> it will not be an elective credit. >> Okay. Okay. Um, under fine arts, uh, you'll notice some minor corrections there. Uh, in addition, we're excited to announce two new courses. Wildcat Players, which is a theater
063course, and Wildcat Art. Um these two classes are designed for opportunities for special education students to be paired with general ed education students um who mentor and support them and build the skills needed to be successful in these classes. Uh next we'll under we'll move to CTE where you'll see some updated prerequisites. Um that's all based on guidance from TEA. You will also see some course fee information. And so unfortunately with the rising cost of everything, um, cosmetology supplies and products are not an exception to that. And so unfortunately those costs have increased. Um, and so we will increase the kit fee for students. Um, but the students get to take the kit home with them when they're done with the course and they'll just see a fee increase ranging from $10 to $30. Um
064the next course is principles of community services. This is a course aligned in CTE for students in education and training pathway. You'll notice advanced floral design. And so um again CTE has they have increased the requirements for students to complete a pathway and to earn CCMR credit in CTE. And so that's part of this as well. The next course is independent study and technology applications. We do have students who come to us with technology courses that we don't offer and so if they come in partway through the year, we need a course to enroll them in so that they can continue that pathway um and complete here at TISD. Exciting. We have grown computer science enough that we need a computer science too. And so that program is expanding and this will allow them to
065finish their pathway there. We have two courses that we need to to complete the business pathway. Um the business pathway of three or more courses for four or more credits um which is part of the new pathway requirements from TEA as well. Those are principles of business market marketing and finance and practicum in business management. And then finally, it shows as a remove a course state up as remove uh business information management one. That title is actually changing. So the course isn't going away. It's being renamed as foundations of business communication and technologies and that will align with our current TEACS. So that is a summary of the proposed catalog changes. Um the link to the current catalog is on the website. Any questions? >> Members, any questions? >> Thank you. >> Yeah, Dr. I
066has questions. >> I I just have one question and it may be both you and Dr. Rogers on the cosmetology piece at 125, 150, and 175. So, if I'm a student that takes that for three years, that means I'm paying the cost for each kit separately, or is there an offsetting? In other words, I'm only paying the difference year to year. What does that look like? Are those three separate kits? Is that 600 bucks for me to take those courses all together, you know, all three years? each of those courses I'm not paying. So in other words, if I took intro to cosmetology and it was $125 and then the cosmetology one's 150, am I paying the 25 difference? >> For the whole kit again or just the difference? >> Okay. So it is it
067so I'm paying the whole fee then, right? So theoretically for three years that could be close to I don't know 500 550 bucks. the um do we have sponsorships that we leverage through the CTE advisory group? I bet there are some salons in town that would donate if we have students that were unable to I guess that's my question. If I'm a student and I register and I say, "Hey, I'm unable to." How do we handle that? Right. >> Um I don't know that we have that right now. I will certainly check um with Miss Lodge speech, but I think that's a great idea. So, we can certainly look into that. Okay, that's Yeah, >> I don't think we say no. So, >> Okay. All right. Well, and if I can help with any of
068that, let me know. >> Great. >> Okay. But I didn't just mean personally, but just with people in the community, too. >> Tonight, >> I'd be happy to do both, though. So, okay. Thanks. >> You're welcome. Any other questions? >> Any questions, board? Item two is math 6 through2 adoption timeline and committee. >> Yes. So, we are uh currently or we're about to review math science or math secondary resources. Um we have begun looking for a committee and you have a list of the committee members in front of you. Our first meeting actually takes place next week where we will start reviewing materials and looking at resources that are available. Our second committee meeting will be in November and then in January we'll have some publisher presentations and our third committee meeting and then the
069committee will vote. So, I hope to be back in March with results for you of what we've chosen and we feel like we'd like to bring forward. And then in April, we'll begin the the f the fun of ordering um and getting all of our resources here. >> Any questions, members? Dr. Armstrong, thank you very much. >> All right. Thank you. Item C, facility operations one, consideration and possible action with respect to resolution expression official intent to reimburse certain expenditures of the Temple Independent School District. Mr. Boyd. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Posey. During the budget development process this year, we moved several or some capital improvement obligations into the future bond. However, several of those items actually needed immediate attention. At this point in time, some of that work has already been completed or partially
070completed and payment has been made. Specifically, we've already replaced a sewer line, contracted to install an ADA ramp, and purchase some HVAC equipment. These expenditures and several other capital improvement projects have been accounted for as part of the bond. That was always uh the plan from the beginning. This reimbursement resolution that we bring to you tonight will allow us to reimburse the cost of those expenditures, those things we've already expended this year out of uh future 2025 bond proceeds up to $400,000. Although as of today, we've only spent well, it's actually a little less than 200,000 that we've actually expended at this point in time. Approval of this resolution merely allows the district to complete the work now using the general fund and then reimbursing the general fund eventually out of bond proceeds once the
071bonds are sold. Preparation of the resolution and all legal guidance and all of these issues has been provided by our bond council McCall Parkhurst and Horton. also add that this is something that is common for schools to do uh and it is something that we have done in the past with previous bonds. So, it's not uncommon at all to go ahead and get a head start on some things you need to do uh and spend that general operating money but then request reimbursement from bond proceeds once that time comes. So, do you all have any questions that I might could answer about those projects? >> Any questions for Mr. Boyd? And >> Mr. Boyd, I asked a good question. If it doesn't pass, what happens then? >> The general operating fund will cover the cost
072of those, >> right? >> Okay. >> Which they were in the the general operating fund to begin with when we moved them for the bond. These are issues that issues whether or not the bond passes or not. Good point. Yeah. >> They're they're issues we have to address. And there are some projects that you can put off uh if a bond doesn't pass. These were ones that you can't and you have to deal with them one way or the other. So go forward with this. >> Absolutely. These were these were items we had to absolutely do and and we would have done out of the bond u or out of the the budget anyway uh had we not had a bond coming soon. >> Okay. Thank you members. Any further questions? Does require approval? Move
073>> for approval. >> Motion by Miss Suarez. Is there a second? >> A second. Motion by Mrs. Meyers. All in favor signify by saying I. All oppose the same sign. The motion passes. Thank you, Mr. B. >> Thank you'all. >> Item D is finance. No items tonight. E, student services, no items. F, board uh, committee reports. One, policy committee meeting minutes from September 24th, 2025. This meeting was cancelled. The next committee meeting is Wednesday, October 29th, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. Item two, facilities committee meeting minutes, September 25th, 2025. Mr. Gaines. >> Thank you, Mr. Posey. The meeting was called to order at 4:31 p.m. Uh Doc and Dr. Rogers discuss the process of reviewing proposed uh library material for purchase and Mr. Hogleberg um presented a resolution which outlines the requirements for Senate Bill 12.
074The committee unanimously approved the recommendation. Uh Mr. Boyd presented an estimate of timeline for bond projects and shared a video of the proposed cafeteria kitchen renovations at Temple High School. Um Mr. Walden presented several of named individuals who have been nominated for recognition uh through the uh district alumni spotlight. uh board members provided will provide the feedback. Dr. Ward presented a leadership project. Uh she is currently working on through the Holosworth project. The meeting was uh adjourned at 5:34 p.m. Our next meeting will be October 30 at 4:30 p.m. here at the CDL. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Gaines. With no further items on our agenda tonight, uh we are journ. Thank you all very much for attending.