After the building is finished next fall, customers will be able to receive automotive, cosmetology, catering or even pet grooming services from Temple High students.

“It could be auto services, it could be getting your nails done, it could be facials, it could be tax returns,” Assistant Superintendent Bobby Ott said.

Ott runs the district’s curriculum and instruction department.

“What we’re doing right now is, each program is putting together a menu of services,” Ott said. “We’re going to work through our CTE advisory committee to talk about pricing and that kind of thing. So our students, they don’t just get trained, they actually learn how to deliver the service in a way that you would in the real world.”

Ott said the district is working on a plan to advertise the services that will be available at the CTE center.

“We’re known as a training center, but we want to be known as a service center,” he said.

At the lunch, American Constructors project manager Craig Eilers spoke briefly to his construction crew.

“This is a monumental day for us — we’re topped out structural steel,” Eilers said. “We’ve still got a long way to go, but we enjoy you being here and we appreciate your efforts.”

TISD board president Steve Wright spoke, thanking the construction workers and everyone else who contributed to the building project.

“This building itself represents an awful lot to our kids, for the future of our district,” Wright said. “Eighty-five percent of our kids participate in our career and technology (program.) It makes a big difference, it’s going to forward their careers.”

Traditionally, a topping out ceremony is held when a construction crew places the last beam on top of a new building. A tree is placed on top of the structure, a historic custom dating back to when Scandinavian builders believed they needed to appease tree spirits displaced by the construction.

“We recognize this building is not easy,” Wright said. “It’s complicated to build, and you guys have come out here and worked hard to produce it. Congratulations, and we appreciate all that goes into this process.”

Wright also thanked the American Constructors, architecture firm Stantec, the district’s administrative staff, parents, the Temple community and others.

“It’s really a fantastic game changer for our district,” Wright said.

Written by: Mariel Williams, Temple Daily Telegram, mwilliams@tdtnews.com