After public comment, which featured uniform support for a $436,109,000 bond, the Ector County ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved calling the election during their meeting Tuesday.
The election will be Nov. 7. The bond will include three propositions and the district says it will not require an increase in the total tax rate.
Superintendent Scott Muri said Proposition A would be $424,263,000. It would be all inclusive of a new middle school; a new career and technical education facility; most of the Priority 1 and 2 maintenance items; athletic items located on campuses; fine and performing arts items; and land for the middle school ($120 million; the district has discussed putting this in the west part of the county) and CTE facility ($80 million).
CTE would be used by ECISD students, but also adults for reskilling and upskilling. Part of it would be funded by the Permian Strategic Partnership.
Muri has said the amount PSP will contribute is not yet public. He has also said the district has talked about putting the CTE facility on the south side of the county.
Also, Priority 1 items for $48.4 million (these are things that need to be taken care of right away); Priority 2 items for $72.7 million (these are things that can be done in three to five years at the most).
Replacing the Transportation Department building and buying buses for $37.54 million.
Technology Department needs, $23.5 million. The district’s phone system, for example, expires next year and needs to be replaced.
Fine Arts Department needs are estimated at $18.5 million; replacing the original buildings at the agricultural farm for $7.5 million.
Replacing the Transition Learning Center for $8 million.
Proposition B for $8,096,000 includes Ratliff Stadium complex items — items that are located on the Ratliff Stadium complex or around it.
Proposition C: $3,750,000 includes construction of a new indoor practice facility at Odessa High School and turf replacement at the Permian High School indoor practice facility.
District officials agreed to have a bond oversight committee if the bond passes to make sure the money is spent where it is supposed to be.
They also plan to provide an itemized list of improvements for each campus.
Patti Kappauf thanked the district for taking West Odessa into account in the bond. She said they are documented at 30,000 people, but it’s more like 60,000 and they have been overlooked for a long time.
Kevin Searcy, a bond committee member, said two things stuck out to him that the district is doing right — the highest graduation rate in 20 years and four years of A ratings in the state financial ratings system.
Odessa has grown about 43 percent in 45 years, Searcy said.
“Really what it comes down to me when I hear negative against the bond they’re betting against prosperity in Ector County,” Searcy said.
He added that it meets the needs of just about everybody.
Sarah Moore, a member of the bond committee in 2021 and 2023, expressed appreciation for Muri and the leadership and direction he has provided, and Chief Financial Officer Deborah Ottmers.
Moore said there is a huge need in Ector County ISD.
“But this bond committee with the help of Dr. Muri and the staff getting the district in position for call for a bond, we were able to come up with a price that wouldn’t cause a tax increase,” Moore said.
She added that the community will need future bonds to keep up with the needs.
Businessman Collin Sewell said he wanted to echo the sentiments expressed. He added that he is 100 percent in support of improving facilities and schools.
Sewell said he’s heard people say buildings don’t teach children; teachers do. He added that this is true, but facilities are part of a recipe for educational success.
“My hope is that decisions like this bond election could become the turning point to what the next chapter of what Odessa is known for,” Sewell said.
He added that great communities have great schools and great schools produce amazing citizens.
He is concerned that there are only 84 days as of Tuesday until the proposed election and his question is whether the community can be convinced of the great progress ECISD has made in that short a time.
Mary Caywood, who was on bond committee as a community member, said she doesn’t have children in the school district.
She added that those Priority 1 and 2 items seem like maintenance, but really those are just basic needs that children deserve. They ensure that when kids walk into a building they have heat, air and restrooms that work.
Attorney Feliz Abalos, also a bond committee member, said she was “shocked and happily surprised to be following so many who were supporting the bond.”
“What I’ve been saying from the get-go is that our students deserve better,” said Abalos, whose mother Delma is a board member.
Feliz Abalos added that students are doing amazing things in sub par facilities.
“We as a community must provide for them to help them help us; help the students and the teachers make our community a better place. I am urging everyone to vote for the bond. I hope that we can see a better future,” Abalos said.
