The Temple College Board of Trustees is asking Temple voters to consider a $124.9 million bond issue in the May 1, 2021 election. This bond would allow the college to create facilities and provide the technology needed to prepare students for 21st century careers.

Major bond projects include:

  • Expansion and renovation of the Health Sciences Center

Temple College is committed to addressing the shortage in health care workers by increasing the capacity of health care training programs, including doubling the size of the college’s nursing program. Currently, because of the growth, nursing and some of the other health care programs are housed in temporary spaces. This proposal would fund urgently needed facilities for learning, training and clinical simulation.

The current health sciences center is at capacity, and classrooms and labs are undersized. This proposal would provide the upgraded facilities to help train health care professionals and first responders, many of whom live in the community.

  • Construction of a new Temple College Main Building featuring a University Center, Workforce Training Center and Student Support Services

This proposal will house all student services in one convenient location, and the building will include a “University Center” where four-year universities could offer bachelor’s and master’s degree programs on the Temple College campus. It also will include an innovative Workforce Development Center that will serve as an economic driver for the region by providing high wage, in-demand workforce programs.

Many of Temple College’s buildings are 50-60 years old. This proposal would replace several of the campus’s more than 50-year-old academic facilities, including new technology for student learning and community access. Temple College provides affordable and accessible higher education opportunities at only one-third the cost of a university. This allows many students the opportunity to obtain important college degrees to transfer to a university or obtain career training to enter the workforce without having to relocate.

If approved, the new facilities could be completed by 2025 when Temple College will be celebrating its 100th anniversary.

“These campus advancements would represent an important milestone in Temple College’s history of being trusted for generations and building for the future,” said Board Chairman Bob Browder.

When completed, Temple College President Dr. Christy Ponce said “Temple College will be known as a regional hub for academics, cultural enrichment and workforce training skills.”

Temple College is a major provider of education in the community, serving more than 5,000 students each year, including many students who graduated from local high schools.

“Temple College helps create a skilled workforce that attracts new business to the area, with a positive economic impact of millions of dollars to our community,” Browder said. “Today’s students are being prepared for the global and high-tech workplace, and they need appropriate classroom technology. This bond proposal would give students the 21st century technology and tools they need.”

The bond election will be held Saturday, May 1, 2021. Early voting will be held April 19-27 at City Hall and at Temple College in the One College Centre. The last day to register to vote in the election is April 1. For information on how to register to vote, visit votetexas.gov.

For more information on the bond election, visit www.templejc.edu/bond or write bond2021@templejc.edu.