INTERVIEW: "Odessans For Kids" Advocates For ECISD Bond Election
By: Big 2 News Staff
Updated: October 17, 2012
ODESSA -- "Odessans For Kids," a non-profit, community group of business leaders, parents and civic leaders is asking you to vote in favor of the Ector County ISD bond proposal.
"Odessans For Kids" says this election is your opportunity to "pay it forward" for our children and grandchildren, and help ensure that future generations of Odessa students receive the quality education they deserve.
Brooks Landgraf, an "Odessans For Kids" committee member, spoke about the upcoming bond election and its significance in a live community interview Wednesday on Good Morning West Texas.
Here's the background and facts about the bond proposal from "Odessans For Kids:"
On August 16, 2012, members of the Ector County Independent School Board unanimously called for a $129.75 million bond election to be added to the November 6 ballot for voters. This bond, which directly addresses the need for an increase in classrooms to meet Odessa's growing population, calls for the addition of three new elementary schools (two in West Odessa and one in north/northeast Odessa), and the expansion of both Odessa and Permian High schools to accommodate a district-wide move to the middle school concept, the model currently used in the vast majority of school districts throughout Texas.
The middle school concept, which would replace the current junior high model in the district, would place sixth graders in middle schools with seventh and eight grade students, and move ninth grade students to the Permian or Odessa High campuses with 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. This new middle school alignment would result in elementary schools being kindergarten through 5th grade, middle schools being 6th through 8th grade, and high schools being ninth through 12th grades. This shift in grades would finally align our school district with the state curriculum and place students with age-appropriate peer groups.
By passing the school bond on November 6, the Ector County Independent School District will:
- Enhance our students' education by moving to the middle school concept.
- Build three new elementary schools where they are needed the most.
- Alleviate current overcrowding of our existing elementary schools.
- Strengthen the "neighborhood school" concept in Odessa.
- Keep our current 5-A status by expanding the campuses at two of our three high schools.
- Reduce transportation costs by busing fewer students throughout Odessa.
- Reach our goal: To be a school district where students love to learn and teachers love to teach.
The ECISD school bond election has earned the endorsement of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, Una Voz Unida and the Odessa's Education Foundation.
Early voting runs Oct. 22 - Nov. 2. Click here to find your poling place.
"Odessans For Kids" says this election is your opportunity to "pay it forward" for our children and grandchildren, and help ensure that future generations of Odessa students receive the quality education they deserve.
Brooks Landgraf, an "Odessans For Kids" committee member, spoke about the upcoming bond election and its significance in a live community interview Wednesday on Good Morning West Texas.
Here's the background and facts about the bond proposal from "Odessans For Kids:"
On August 16, 2012, members of the Ector County Independent School Board unanimously called for a $129.75 million bond election to be added to the November 6 ballot for voters. This bond, which directly addresses the need for an increase in classrooms to meet Odessa's growing population, calls for the addition of three new elementary schools (two in West Odessa and one in north/northeast Odessa), and the expansion of both Odessa and Permian High schools to accommodate a district-wide move to the middle school concept, the model currently used in the vast majority of school districts throughout Texas.
The middle school concept, which would replace the current junior high model in the district, would place sixth graders in middle schools with seventh and eight grade students, and move ninth grade students to the Permian or Odessa High campuses with 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. This new middle school alignment would result in elementary schools being kindergarten through 5th grade, middle schools being 6th through 8th grade, and high schools being ninth through 12th grades. This shift in grades would finally align our school district with the state curriculum and place students with age-appropriate peer groups.
By passing the school bond on November 6, the Ector County Independent School District will:
- Enhance our students' education by moving to the middle school concept.
- Build three new elementary schools where they are needed the most.
- Alleviate current overcrowding of our existing elementary schools.
- Strengthen the "neighborhood school" concept in Odessa.
- Keep our current 5-A status by expanding the campuses at two of our three high schools.
- Reduce transportation costs by busing fewer students throughout Odessa.
- Reach our goal: To be a school district where students love to learn and teachers love to teach.
The ECISD school bond election has earned the endorsement of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, Una Voz Unida and the Odessa's Education Foundation.
Early voting runs Oct. 22 - Nov. 2. Click here to find your poling place.
