This bond issue is premised on overcrowding at Permian and OHS. To me there is no overcrowding at either. There is a population chart at the end that will prove there is no overcrowding. Both PHS/OHS were historically 10, 11, 12 grades. There were 6 jr. highs now called middle schools 7,8, 9 grades.
A few years ago we spent millions and millions expanding PHS/OHS preparing for future growth. I believed, for expansion to accommodate growth in grades 10, 11, 12. Money well spent. So I was led to believe. Sometime later, I heard they moved 9TH graders to PHS/OHS. To me, this was contrived and to artificially create an “overcrowding” condition leading to this massive current bond issue. Even back in the 80’s and 90’s there was always talk of a third high school. Primarily OHS folks wanted to water down Permian. Some of them were on the school board. It never got off the ground. The proponents in this bond issue want the 3rd high school on the east side. If it passes, there will be another bond issue for the west side new high school. Both new high schools to accommodate 2500-2800 students. Without the 9th graders, Permian’s population enrollment is 2298 (10,11,12) grades, well below their own bottom numbers. OHS population enrollment is 2664 (10,11,12) grades without the 9th grade. Very comfortable, accommodating learning environment. Right now PHS total enrollment is 3530 which includes 1232 9th graders. OHS total enrollment is 3678 which includes 1014 9th graders. IMHO they have taken a very easy solvable problem and made it a financial nightmare. Solution: put the 9th graders back in the middle schools where they will thrive. If we need to expand those or build a couple of middle schools, that’s fine with me. I believe that’s what the Midland ISD did to solve their problem.
PHS Population Current, 3530, 10th, 869, 11th, 772, 12th, 657, 9th, 1232 Population without 9th, 2298. OHS Population Current, 3678, 10th, 921, 11th, 925, 12th, 818, 9th, 1014, Population without 9th 2264.
The annual budgets for Permian and Odessa High is just over $22,000,000 each, total $44,000,000.
Jimmy Edwards
Odessa
