Temple ISD board sets proposed tax package, approves orders for Nov. 4 tax ratification and bond elections

The Temple Independent School District Board of Trustees on Aug. 11 reviewed a proposed total tax rate and voted to approve orders calling a tax ratification election and a bond election for Nov. 4, 2025. Doctor Ott, the board president, presented the rate package and District staff described two linked propositions: one for ongoing safety funding (Prop A) and one for facility expansion (Prop B).

Doctor Ott told the board, “The total tax rate that is presented to you tonight is a dollar 13,” describing the proposed split as 0.8022 for maintenance and operations and roughly 0.33 for debt service. He said the district’s proposed rate is “a little under a dollar 14 per $100 of property valuation,” and noted it would be the seventh consecutive year Temple ISD had lowered its total tax rate since 2018.

Board discussion centered on two public-facing ballot items the administration presented as connected parts of the tax package. Doctor Ott summarized the proposals: “Prop A will address police officers on every elementary campus. It will also address campus fire alarms…impact resistant film on non student buildings, fencing, and so forth,” and staff said those safety items would cost about $2,750,000 per year and were included in the presented rate. He said Prop B, the bond request, would fund about 34 classrooms across several campuses, buses and other site work, and carry a price tag of $119,700,000.

Mister Gaines moved that the board adopt a tax rate and adopt the accompanying resolution; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The board then voted to adopt an order calling a tax ratification election and an order calling a bond election, each motion carried by voice vote. The board packet and staff remarks show the administration is framing the measures as two parts of a ballot: ongoing tax revenue for safety and a bond to add permanent classroom capacity rather than portable classrooms.

The administration said the bond total is “the smallest bond amount that we have taken to the community since 2011” and that the district plans to add permanent wings at existing campuses rather than build new schools, to avoid underused capacity. The superintendent and staff emphasized community engagement in developing the package, saying parents and community groups helped shape the proposals through multiple meetings.

Next steps set by the board are administrative: finalizing ballot language and election logistics for Nov. 4, 2025. Because both measures will go to voters, the district must return to the community with formal ballot information and continue outreach and informational meetings ahead of the election.