TEMPLE, Texas — The month of January is designated School Board Recognition Month by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) each year. The Temple Independent School District is celebrating its seven elected board members and will take the opportunity to say thank you and honor Temple’s trustees for their dedication and commitment to the district and its students during the board’s monthly meeting next Monday night (January 12).
The Temple ISD board of trustees serves as a link between the community and the classroom, and members are elected to establish the policies that provide the framework for Temple schools. Temple’s board of trustees is responsible for more than 8,800 students and nearly 1,400 employees across fifteen campuses. The board of trustees also volunteers hundreds of hours to the district through its service each year. Over the past year, the Temple ISD board of trustees was named ESC Region 12 School Board of the Year and went on to be selected as a TASA/TASB Honor Board as one of five finalists for School Board of the Year. The board also helped develop and oversee the passage and implementation of both propositions included in Election 2025, the completion of projects included in Bond 2022, and the piloting and implementation of High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) across the district. Temple ISD trustees have also participated in the Raise Your Hand Texas Board Advocacy Program, strengthening their voice in advocating for TISD students, staff, and stakeholders with elected officials state-wide. The board members also worked closely with our local representatives to work toward the legislative priorities approved by trustees in 2024.
“Serving on the Temple ISD Board of Trustees has been the most rewarding experience of my life. It is such an honor to work with our ‘Team of Eight’ on efforts to improve and enhance the opportunities and experiences our students receive,” Dan Posey, president of the TISD board of trustees, said. “As a graduate of Temple High School, I am especially proud to see our school district excel on so many levels, and we continue to work together as a group with a common goal of doing what is best for our students, staff, families, and community.”
“As a proud alum, I know firsthand that strong schools don’t happen by accident. They are built by leaders who are deeply committed to their students and educators,” added Bre’Layshia Alexander, District 2 Trustee. “I am completely humbled for life to come full circle and afford me the opportunity to contribute to the success of future generations of Wildcats, and to be a part of a team that has a heart and mission to put students first.”
The members of the TISD board of trustees include Virginia Suarez (Secretary) – District 1, Bre’Layshia Alexander – District 2, Dan Posey (President) – District 3, Ronnie Gaines (Vice President) – District 4, Dawn Cook – District 5, Shannon Gowan – District 6, and Shannon Myers – District 7. The current board members have combined for more than 84 years of service to Temple ISD and also serve the greater Temple community through involvement with their churches, civic and service organizations, local advisory boards, and membership on numerous committees. Every member of the Temple ISD Board of Trustees either graduated from Temple High School, has a spouse that graduated from Temple High School, or has children enrolled in or that graduated from Temple High School.
“Our school board members, both individually and as a body, are in tune with our students, staff, and community members. They hold their responsibilities as elected officials in a professional and civil manner, which has set the tone for a positive culture with uncompromising expectations,” said Dr. Bobby Ott, superintendent of Temple schools. “They are talked about around the state and looked at as a model for governance that truly reflects the values of our community.”
Campus administrators will also join with the district to recognize trustees on behalf of the students, teachers, coaches, staff, and communities they represent at Monday’s board meeting.