TCAT Outgrowing North Main Facility
Talks on growth and expansion of the Temple College at Taylor facility have become more than just a murmur recently, according to East Williamson County Higher Education Center director Chuck McCarter.

“TCAT has gone through some phenomenal building phases,” McCarter said. “In essence it has become a victim of its own success.”

McCarter said since TCAT moved into it's current location - a former grocery store building - on North Main street, expansion has always been talked about.

“The capacity of the facility is for 1,000 students,” he said. “Right now we're right around 800. With growth in East Williamson County projected to be 1.7 million by 2025, the need for educational opportunities has really increased.”

McCarter said TCAT was recently awarded the designation and subsequent grant funding as an early college high school.

“That allows us to take in sophomores, juniors and seniors from surrounding school districts and let them take classes at the college,” he said. “We're expecting 200 students just for that program so that will put us over the 1,000 capacity. The building has grown to its limit.”

TCAT Director Jan King said in order to accommodate current and future growth, the college has added a biology and chemistry lab, a healthcare equipped as a hospital room and several new classrooms, all within the past two years.

“We've expanded course offerings by adding additional high demand sections in certain courses,” she said. “Right now there is a lot of demand for science classes, math and computer-related courses.

“We're filling up our core classes and science classes; we've actually had to turn some students away.”

McCarter said that is one issue the Temple College Board of Trustees will address at a workshop in Taylor on Nov. 29.

“There are some new members of the Temple College board that were recently elected who have never seen TCAT,” he said. “This is just an opportunity for them to meet with the TCAT Foundation board to share aspirations on how TCAT should proceed into the future as well as how it will be a part of the East Williamson County Higher Education Center.

“President (Marc) Nigliazzo wanted to bring the trustees down here to have them see and understand first-hand the value TCAT brings to the community.”

McCarter said the other goal of the workshop is for members of the board to meet and talk with residents in Taylor, Hutto and surrounding cities to discuss future expansion.

“They will be discussing the future of TCAT - where it's been, where it is now and where it's going. They want to hear from anyone who might have any concerns, suggestions or ideas on how to move forward with TCAT,” he said. “Anyone that values the future of educational opportunities in the east part of the county are encouraged to attend.”

McCarter said some people have questioned whether Temple College will continue to operate TCAT if the EWCHEC is constructed.

“The answer is yes,” he said. “It's going to stay here. Even though we're looking at building the higher education center, we'll always have TCAT.”

McCarter said the Temple College Board of Trustees is looking forward to attending the workshop.

“They are excited to talk to people from the community and see first hand how TCAT and the EWCHEC will benefit residents in Taylor and the surrounding area.”

The workshop will be held from 1:30-5 p.m. in rooms 204 and 205 at TCAT on Nov. 29. The public is encouraged to attend.