Ector County Independent School District, Texas's needs in career and technology education, fine arts and technology were discussed during the Bond Advisory Committee meeting Thursday at George H.W. Bush New Tech Odessa.
Since 2011-12, enrollment in career and technology education courses has grown from 3,565 students to 6,819 in 2016-17, according to information from the meeting. The most popular programs of study are welding, auto tech, health sciences and culinary arts.
Executive Director of Career & Counseling Services Carla Byrne said the courses are popular but there isn't enough space and students are being turned away.
A new career and technology center would cost $68,450,000; technology needs would come to $99,803,704 and $21 million for a new districtwide performing arts center. Projects were given priority numbers.
Career and Technical Education programs at ECISD high schools include business, engineering, animation, graphic design and introduction courses in health sciences, teaching and instruction, manufacturing and agriculture.
Programs at New Tech are health sciences, teaching and instruction, fashion design, audio/video production and culinary arts.
Frost Technical Center has welding, auto tech, auto collision and repair, construction technology and horticulture/agriculture at the district ag farm.
At Odessa College, dual credit programs include cosmetology; occupational safety and environmental technology; energy tech; internetworking technologies (CISCO Academy); criminal justice administration; crime scene investigations (coming in 2017-18); auto tech; welding; emergency medical technician; fire fighter academy; and licensed vocational nurse.
Chief Technology Officer Kellie Wilks presented the technology needs for the district. The top priority was a district wide fiber network at a cost of $27,115,705.
Other examples are safety and security upgrades districtwide, rated a priority 2, would cost $9,286,698 and teacher and student devices, rated priority 3, would be $36,747,866.
Executive Director of Fine Arts Mark Lyon and Fine Arts Coordinator John Gillian made a presentation for their department.
Lyon noted the district's history of success in fine arts and noted that there are 25,555 students currently enrolled in the area. Information Lyon presented said a space large enough to hold all the department events, including regional and state competitions is needed.
The information said there is a "huge shortage" of spaces to perform in the district. Almost every fine arts department at each campus had the same two requests -- more storage and a new performance space, the information said.
Many facilities at the schools are in need of repair as they are either outdated or broken, the information said.
Most schools do not have a performance space for students, even with the four campus auditoriums ECISD has, the information said. "We spend tens of thousands annually on renting performance and visual arts spaces," the information said. "ECISD has a tradition of success in the arts competing with the top districts in Texas."
One of the main fine arts needs, Lyon and information provided said, is a district owned and operated fine arts center with a performance hall that will accommodate an audience of 1,800 or more. The recent bond issue included building a performing arts center at Odessa High School that seats about 860.
The lobby could double as an art gallery and reception area. Large flexible spaces could provide venues for larger art gallery exhibits, large meetings for professional development, banquets, rehearsals and other events.
Support spaces including designated storage for theater, music, dance and visual art programs, scene shop, loading dock, dressing rooms, green room, catering kitchen and possible office facilities for the district fine arts department could also be accommodated, the information said.
Permian High School graduate and valedictorian Jamie Garza Jr. and New Tech graduate Michaela Smith, who was No. 9 in her class, talked about student life. With such large high schools, Garza said it was almost impossible to get attention from the teachers and that's what would contribute to turning students off of school.
Garza said he thinks the schools are moving in the right direction with technology and there seems to be more passion in teaching and trying to get students more involved.
In his senior year, Garza, who took courses at Odessa College, said he felt prepared for college. He wished there were more opportunities for hands-on experience.
Smith said New Tech's small size was a big advantage for her. As a senior, she said, all the teachers listened to her and believed in her and it was easier for teachers to get to know the students.
Behavior at New Tech was "really controlled," Smith said, which also had a lot to do with its size.
On separate items, Superintendent Tom Crowe said a community survey before the last bond issue showed the community would be against a third high school.
Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Roy Garcia said a fourth high school was discussed, but it didn't go anywhere.
Crowe said a picture of five years from now has to be painted for the public to help them see what the school situation will be like with increased population in Odessa. He said space recently built won't go to waste.
Bond committee member Steve Steen said he's not sure the community wants a third high school. He said he does think the schools are overcrowded and lots of people who support sports will vote.
Charles Carlson, a bond committee member, said he doesn't think sports are as powerful as they were. There are more students playing soccer now than there used to be.
Committee member Karen Howard-Winters said if the district built more high schools and went down a classification the high schools could recapture their glory.
Officials noted that more high schools would give youngsters more chances to participate in activities.
The committee was formed to make recommendations on district needs and a possible future bond issue.
A bond for $129.75 million was approved by voters in 2012. Proceeds went to build three new elementary schools -- Buice, Buddy West and Edward K. Downing, additions to Permian and Odessa high schools, a performing arts center at OHS and tennis courts at Permian.
Crowe and Darrell Pearson, a partner with PBK architects, said plans would probably be spread out over 10 to 15 years. The first potential round would include two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, a career and technical education facility and renovations to Ratliff Stadium.
