I am a product of the Ector County Independent School District’s vocational program. Today, the program is referred to as Career and Technical Education. When I was in junior high I was headed in the wrong direction. The odds were that I was not going to graduate from high school but my counselor and principal at Odessa High School saw my potential and steered me towards the Health, Science and Technical Education Program. By trade, I am a Cardio Vascular Technologist. I went to work at Medical Center Hospital when I was 17 years old. Upon graduation from high school, Medical Center Hospital gave me a full scholarship. I have been in the medical field in different positions for 30 years. This is an opportunity I would not have had if the Health, Science and Technical Education Program had not existed.
Today, the vocational program is referred to as the Career and Technical Education Program (CTE). It served 10,000 students last year. Right now, the CTE program is spread over 7 different sights. The new CTE center will bring 27 of these programs under one roof. There is a great need for welding in our community. There are hundreds of students on a waiting list because there is not enough room to house the number wanting to get into the program. Engineering, Automotive, Nursing and Culinary Arts are among the 27 career paths CTE offers.
The CTE Center which will be built in South Odessa, much needed upgrades for the Agricultural Farm, along with a new middle school in far West Odessa, maintenance for every school, renovation of the auditorium and JROTC Facility at Permian, a new Transition Learning Center for special needs students are some of the construction, improvements and upgrades that are included in Proposition A.
Proposition B consists of upgrades to the 45 year old Ratliff Stadium Complex and Proposition C is an investment in Athletics including an indoor practice facility at OHS and new turf at PHS.
Please join me in voting for all three propositions. All three propositions can be accomplished without a tax rate increase.
Gerardo Arazate
