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Career technical enrollment upFeb 20, 2013 (Odessa American - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The career technical education program at Ector County Independent School District is full to the brim of students eager to earn those college credits before even graduating high school. The school board Tuesday night listened to the teachers and directors behind CTE, AVID, dual credit and advanced placement tests and how student interest continues to grow. The proof is in the numbers, Carla Byrne, the director of CTE, said to the board. In 2010-11, the program catered to 55 students in cosmetology, fire academy, law enforcement, animation and child guidance. Within three years, six courses were added and the number has grown to 238 students. "I'm really excited that the bond passed. I hope there's room for CTE, to get as much area on the campuses as we can," she said, during a discussion of moving classes from the Advanced Technical Career building now the home of New Tech Odessa to the Odessa High and Permian High campuses. Byrne said the dual credit program is planning to add a comprehensive LVN (licensed vocational nurses) program next school year, along with core electronics and building information modeling; and for CTE in 2013-14 forensic science, math for innovators/engineering math and career prep are planned. Also ahead for ECISD, is the addition of an AP Spanish 4 program for native speakers at all junior high schools. The presentation by the District Continuous Improvement Team (DCIT) on career and college readiness was an information item only. The board did approve several budget amendments Tuesday night during the 1.5 hour meeting. The only item that was given any verbal attention by Chief of Staff H.T. Sanchez was for updated equipment for the ECISD police department. A budget fund transfer of $1,340,000 was approved 7-0 by the board for that price "to provide funding for ECISD PD communications equipment and improvements within the security/technology infrastructure fund," according to the budget change request form filed by Lt. Mark Rowden. "This is the type of equipment they need to be ahead of the curve when it comes to the needs of students and district," Sanchez said. Here's what it will fund, according to the budget change form provided in the agenda packet: --$248,131: CAD/Records/Mobile from previous quote. --$143,659: Dispatch center installation services. --$172,440: MW810 Ruggedized Mobile Workstation -- Odessa PD configuration. --$66,960: XTL2500 800 MHz mobile radio, ECISD configuration. --$26,320: GPS embedded speaker/microphone portable radio, flash upgrade, radio client license. --$239,400: 20 mobile workstations, 20 mobile radios. Recently the ECISD police department informed the board on its safety measures in place at the schools and its successful audit, to which Sanchez said it was not just for the police department to present the information, then sit back. "They're pushing forward and very intent on staying on the forefront of safety and security," he said. The school board also approved or discussed the following: --Home school assurances; an information item to change the format of the form to include the date of when home schooling began at the top. --The board voted 7-0 to approve the construction delivery method, construction manager at risk and the evaluation criteria for the contractors. --All consent items were approved 7-0 without discussion. --Murry Fly Elementary gave a presentation of the work occurring at their west Odessa campus. --The PTA reflections contest winners were honored with certificates. They will go onto the state competition now. --The board recognized the All-State band, choir and orchestra students from OHS and PHS. --John Gillian was recognized as being named the Texas Music Educators Association president. --LBJ Elementary fifth-grade teacher Jami Sellers was honored as the February World Class Leader in Education. ___ (c)2013 Odessa American (Odessa, Texas) Visit the Odessa American (Odessa, Texas) at www.oaoa.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |