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ECISD Bond Forums Begin
ECISD Bond Forums Begin 9/17/12
CBS 7 News
jsamp@cbs7.com
September 17, 2012
Odessa, TX - The buttons, the signs, and now the forums, volunteers with the community group "Odessans for Kids" say they are doing everything they can to spread the word and share information about the Ector County School District's proposed $129 million bond.
Gilbert Vasquez says his only agenda is being a grandfather.
“I have two children who graduated from Odessa and now three grandchildren,” he said.
He came to the forum at Odessa High School on Monday to better understand what the district hopes to do with the bond.
If it passes, it will build three new elementary schools to ease massive overcrowding on the west and north side of town, move to the middle school concept and expand the campuses at Permian and Odessa High School to become traditional 9th through 12th grade schools.
Vasquez says it would be great if more people came to these meetings another meeting was held Monday night at Reagan Elementary where only a small group showed up.
“I was disappointed in the turnout,” he said, “I hoped every seat was filled.”
Collin Sewell with Odessans for Fids says this will be one of many events before Election Day, where the group will answer as many questions as possible.
“If we have one person or 1,000 people who shows up, I consider it a success because we answered the questions of the people who were interested in attending,” Sewell said.
Sewell says no one at the meeting was against the bond, but many had questions about the current growing pains the district is experiencing.
“I think many times we have problems in the community that the community as a whole doesn't know about,” he said.
The next forum will be held at 6 o’clock Tuesday night at Murry Fly Elementary.
There are more scheduled for next week.
There's a public event on Monday, September 24, at Permian High School at 6:00 p.m.
On September 25, there are two public meetings, one at Blackshear Elementary at 6:00 p.m. and another hosted by Una Vos Unida at Ector at 6:30 p.m.
The group Odessans for Kids has also launched a website to provide details about the upcoming bond election.
On the site, you'll find specific information about the bond proposal, including why the group believes these changes are so important and how much it's going to cost you.
There is less than a month to register for the November election.
If you are unsure of your voting status you are urged to contact your local elections office.
The Odessa office can be reached at (432) 498-4030.
Midland's number is (432) 688-4890.
The deadline to register is October 9th.