TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the purchase of 20.28 acres in southeast Temple at the board’s monthly meeting Monday night (May 8). The proactive purchase was recommended by district administration in light of projected growth in that quadrant of the district. Growth in south Temple was first revealed in the 2019 Demographic Study, which led to the previous purchase of property for Sampson-Howard Elementary, which is scheduled for opening in Fall of 2024. The 2023 Demographic Study shows recent land purchases by developers and more residential units coming online by 2025.
The parcel of land approved for purchase is located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Old Highway 95 South and FM 93 The 20.28 acres will be purchased for a total cost of $507,000 or $25,000 per acre. The land will be earmarked as the site of a new elementary school needed in the fast-growing southeast quadrant as early as 2027. The report shows that Raye-Allen Elementary already exceeds capacity and that Sampson-Howard Elementary, currently under construction, could be near capacity at its scheduled opening in the fall of 2024. The land will also be purchased using fund balance monies as opposed to passing on unnecessary costs to taxpayers through a bond, with interest and financed over many years.
“Philosophically, Temple ISD believes that land purchases should be a one-time cash transaction through fund balance. This is the same methodology we applied to the 47-acre parcel purchased in 2019 for Sampson-Howard and a future middle school. This is an appropriate use of fund balance and eliminates passing on this cost to taxpayers through a bond that would carry interest over a 20-25 year term,” said Dr. Bobby Ott, superintendent of Temple schools. “Striking early in land purchase puts the district in a position to be an active part of community development and provides the City of Temple several years to master plan for infrastructure and utilities. We could not ask for a better leader in community development than the City of Temple. Providing the City of Temple an ample amount of time to coordinate, budget and plan is the most critical part of delivering a master-planned community complete with neighborhood schools, amenities, roadways and utilities that promote a high standard of living.”
The proactive purchase of the land allows TISD to buy the property at fair pricing before residential build-out drives up the price. Further, it allows TISD to secure a tract of land and position a school as the epicenter for several residential developments. Resources can then be thoughtfully and strategically combined to lessen financial impact on taxpayers.
“Temple ISD has not undergone this type of growth in over 30 years, so this calls for a different type of leadership, planning and coordination,” Dan Posey, president of the TISD board of trustees said. “This begins with community-minded landowners such as Hugh and Debbie Shine, and continues with community-minded developers and a thoughtful, talented City Council, City Manager and administration. We are truly grateful to be part of such great synergy that will ultimately build something special for our families and children.”
After the purchase is secured, the district will begin the RFP for architectural services and design of a new elementary school. That will allow Temple ISD design services to work in tandem with the city’s selected engineers to thoughtfully master plan the school site. This will also provide the community with a final design concept prior to any future bond.