TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple Independent School District’s Purchasing Department has been honored by the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) with a 2026 Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations. Temple ISD was one of just 84 educational organizations from across the state to be recognized by TASBO with an Award of Merit.
The TASBO Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations is based on an application process that reviews submissions from education organizations covering eight different subject areas regarding their purchasing operations. Temple ISD’s purchasing department also worked closely with the district’s finance department on the application process. Volunteers with the TASBO Purchasing and Supply Management Research Committee evaluate the award criteria to ensure that it represents the latest best practices. That group then reviews new and recertification applications to select the qualifiers for the Award of Merit. For 2026, only 84 recipients, including Temple ISD, met the stringent criteria to qualify for the award.
“Temple Independent School District is honored to receive the TASBO Award of Merit, which reflects the collective commitment of our Purchasing Team, Finance Department, and the entire district to strong internal controls and compliance with professional purchasing standards,” said Marc Floyd, purchasing coordinator for Temple ISD. “This recognition affirms our shared focus on transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. We are proud that our district-wide collaboration supports efficient operations that ultimately benefit our students, staff, and community.”
This the second consecutive year that the Temple ISD purchasing department has been recognized with the TASBO Award of Merit. The Temple ISD purchasing department is comprised of Floyd, Laura Ludlow – purchasing specialist, Todd Copeland – warehouse specialist and courier, and Samuel Santos – warehouse specialist.
“Earning the Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations for the second consecutive year reflects our Purchasing team’s commitment to professionalism, accountability, and stewardship of public funds,” said Brandy Stanford, assistant superintendent of finance for Temple schools. “Their consistent focus on ethical practices and efficient procurement ensures that district resources are maximized in support of student learning.”
The Award of Merit was established in 2009 to recognize Texas school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and education services centers that are committed to following professional standards in the acquisition of goods and services. The Temple ISD Purchasing Department will be honored at an awards reception on February 25th in Grapevine during the 2026 TASBO Annual Conference. The department will also be recognized at an upcoming TISD school board meeting.