Election Day for Ector County ISD’s bond is quickly approaching Nov. 7.
Early voting is going on through Friday and Superintendent Scott Muri urged people to get out and vote during his media call Wednesday.
The total price of the three-proposition bond is $436,109,000 and will not require an increase in the district’s total tax rate. However, ballot language will say it is a tax increase due to a law passed by the legislature in 2019 that covers all bond referendums.
Muri said there are approximately 85,000 registered voters in Ector County, but “so far, we’ve barely scratched 3,000 of those voters.”
“We can do much better. I really would encourage you … to take some time to do that. We really appreciate the Elections Office. They’ve expanded not only the early voting locations, but the hours. It takes just a few minutes to stop by any one of those locations and vote,” Muri said.
Voting early is a good way to avoid lines, as well.
Muri said the district will continue to inform voters about the bond. They are having an ECISD Live broadcast at 7 p.m. Thursday on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. People can ask questions during that broadcast as well.
The district website, ectorcountyisd.org, has all the information.
Proposition A for $424,263,000 includes a new career and technical education center to be located in south Odessa/Ector County; a new middle school to be located in west Ector County; districtwide maintenance and repairs; a new transportation facility and bus purchases.
Additionally, Proposition A will include replacement of district phone system, PA/bell/clock/fire alarm system replacements; security camera refresh; classroom interactive flat panels; large group instruction area audio/visual equipment; complete renovation of the Permian High School Auditorium; replacing outdated instruments; performance risers for all middle school choirs; classroom instruments for elementary campuses; uniforms for middle school bands and mariachi; and JROTC facility needs.
Also a complete replacement of the Transition Learning Center for students with special needs learning to transition from school to the workforce; complete replacement of classroom buildings and barns at the Agriculture Farm.
LED lighting at the Odessa High School baseball and tennis stadiums; LED lighting at the Permian High School baseball stadium; resurfacing of tennis stadiums at all middle schools; replacement of indoor bleachers in main gyms of all middle schools; land purchase for a new middle school.
Land for the CTE center was gifted to ECISD by Grow Odessa.
Proposition B for $8,096,000 is centered on Ratliff Stadium. It includes a concrete overlay of the bleachers; updating restrooms; LED lighting for the stadium parking lot; LED lighting at the track/field event venue; air conditioning/heating for south building locker rooms; replacing one grass field with artificial turf; (also includes any major maintenance needs at the stadium complex identified in Facilities Assessment report).
On a separate item, Muri said the district’s second annual food show is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Odessa Marriott Hotel & Conference Center.
The show will feature breakfast, snacks and lunch items that are currently offered and those they are considering. It is a way for the school nutrition staff to get feedback on food offered from students and parents.
Muri noted that Director of Early Childhood Beatris Mata has been appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to the Texas Early Learning Council for a term set to expire at the pleasure of the Governor.
Also named were Jennifer Stockemer of Prosper and Meaghan Young of Austin. The Texas Early Learning Council serves as Texas’ State Advisory Council as required by the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007. The Council utilizes its breadth of stakeholder representation to increase coordination and collaboration across state agencies and local program and service providers in order to improve the quality of and access to early childhood services across Texas. In 2019, the Council led a statewide birth-five needs assessment and developed the Early Learning Strategic Plan as part of Texas’ Preschool Development Grant project, a news release from the Governor’s office said.
Muri also congratulated the Permian and Odessa high school bands.
Permian competed in state competition in San Antonio, but did not make the finals.
OHS has had 84 years of a perfect score at the District competition. Muri said that is the longest streak of perfect scores in Texas and said he is very proud of both programs.
