[May 24, 2013] Odessa license plates up for review Tweet May 24, 2013 (Odessa American - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- After a public comment period, license plates for two Odessa high schools could be approved by fall of 2013. Kim Drummond, spokeswoman for specialty license plates contractor My Plates, said the process takes about six months, and has been used increasingly by high schools. "In the case of West Texas high schools, there's so much following and such a tradition that (expanding to high schools) wasn't that tough of a decision on our part," Drummond said. Celeste Potter, the director of the Odessa Education Foundation, said My Plates approached Odessa schools as part of reaching out to other West Texas schools, although the education foundation had previously considered the license plates as an option for more revenue. "I think it will show the community's support for the schools we have here," Potter said. "We did a survey within the community before we went ahead with this and had a tremendous response." Drummond said revenue from the plates, which start selling at $55 per year, is split with 40 percent going into the Texas general fund, 10 percent to other state fees and almost half going to My Plates. From the money that goes to My Plates, Drummond said 10 percent then goes to the sponsoring organization, in this case the Odessa Education Foundation. "Our program is designed to raise money for Texas," Drummond said. Mike Adkins, ECISD spokesman, said he's excited about the license plates, and it could create even more support for the district and individual schools. "It's not just parents. It's the kids themselves. It builds the community of our alumni," Adkins said. "I just like that whole school pride aspect of it. That's my school, I want to show it off." Adkins said he would stay neutral on his vehicle identification, jokingly wondering aloud if it's legal to have different license plates on the front and back of a car. Potter said the license plates should supplement revenue that mostly consists of money from the annual fundraiser concert, scheduled this year for June 25 at the Ector County Coliseum. Drummond said the initial cost for designing the plates is $5,000, at which point a test run is made at the Huntsville Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Drummond said the process takes about six months to design, test and open public comment for the license plates. The public comment is not a vote, Drummond said, but more of an opportunity for people to let the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles know of any serious concerns with the license plates. If the DMV is satisfied with the plates, Drummond said, they are then available to the public. Apart from My Plates, Drummond said the only other ways to introduce customized plates is directly through the DMV or to make a request to a lawmaker. Contact Jon Vanderlaan on twitter at @OAcourts, on Facebook at OA Jon Vanderlaan or call 432-333-7763. ___ (c)2013 the Odessa American (Odessa, Texas) Visit the Odessa American (Odessa, Texas) at www.oaoa.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]