TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the purchase of 47 acres in southeast Temple in a meeting Monday night.
The ISD decided to buy the land because an enrollment projection study by Templeton Demographics recommended the board build a new elementary school in the next three to five years, then another elementary and middle school after five years.
The study found that more than 1600 residential units are planned for development in southeast Temple, so 950 additional students are expected to join the ISD in the future.
Although the city of Temple has grown in the past several years, the ISD said this is the first time growth has affected its attendance boundaries in several years.
The ISD hasn't added a new school since 1998, when Kennedy-Powell, Raye-Allen and Hector P. Garcia all opened.
The ISD said it was important to secure the land before development raises the cost per acre. Additionally, the purchase will help the ISD continue working with the city on roads, sewer and other infrastructure needs to open the new elementary school in time to accommodate growth, the ISD said.
“This is a proud day for Temple ISD and is all part of our transformational process,” superintendent Dr. Bobby Ott said. “This decision sends a clear message that we will be positioned to handle our projected growth and be ready to welcome our future families to new schools and master-planned, high-quality residential developments.”
