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For more information, please contact Mike Parkhurst @ 580.338.4340 |
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Following the passage of resolutions by all Texas County school districts, the Oklahoma State Board of Career and Technology Education today called for a vote by the people in each of the nine public school districts to form a technology center in the Oklahoma panhandle. The vote to determine each school district’s participation in the technology center will take place May 9. “This is a positive step in providing access to high quality education and training to citizens in this part of the state,” said Phil Berkenbile, state director. “High school students, adults and business and industry will be able to take advantage of a wide variety of services and programs offered at a technology center.” Texas County school districts passing resolutions to form a technology center district are Yarbrough, Goodwell, Guymon, Optima, Hooker, Hardesty, Straight, Tyrone and Texhoma. Now, elections will take place in each of the above districts. Upon a successful vote to form a technology center district, elections will be held to elect a board of education and vote on the initial operating levy. Then the building process begins with the location of a site for a technology center building. “We are thrilled with today’s action,” said Mike Parkhurst, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at Guymon Public Schools. Parkhurst is a spokesperson for the Career Technology Center Development Committee. This will mean our students in Texas County will have the same career skill development opportunities that students in the rest of the state have had for years.” Parkhurst also stated “a technology center will also benefit our adult community and be an asset to economic development activities”. There are about 534 11th and 12th grade students currently enrolled in Texas County high schools. Based on the state CareerTech student participation average of 17.4 percent, it is estimated that at or about 93 of those students would attend a proposed Texas County Technology Center. These students would attend the technology center free of charge. The technology center also will have the opportunity to enter into an agreement with Oklahoma Panhandle State University to offer college credit for some courses. Some of the services to business and industry might include customized training, management development, safety training, small business management and much more. Adults can take advantage of short-term classes such as health and information technology as full-time programs in a variety of areas. The Oklahoma CareerTech system currently serves 72 of the 77 counties in Oklahoma. “Our mission is to help Oklahomans succeed in the workplace, in education and in life,” said Berkenbile. “Today’s action is an important step in expanding services to Oklahomans.”
posted February 16, 2006 |
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