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Edcouch-Elsa ISD approves CTE lab buildout and budget for College and Career Center
Summary
The Edcouch-Elsa ISD Board approved using the Red Building to house HVAC, welding, electrical and patient-care labs tied to a College and Career Center grant and authorized procurement steps. Boardors said the work must be encumbered by Sept. 30; the district cited a $900,000 grant to fund the project.
The Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District Board of Trustees on May 21 approved converting the district's Red Building into career and technical education labs — welding, HVAC, electrical and patient-care — and authorized staff to begin procurement and contracting necessary to complete the project.
Board members said the work is funded by a College and Career Center grant and must be encumbered by Sept. 30. “The grant for the College and Career Center, those $900,000, will allow us to build these labs,” Doctor Benavides said during the board discussion. He said the district hopes the labs will allow students to earn industry-based certifications and, in time, open the facilities to the community in the evenings.
The board voted on three related motions: approval to utilize the Red Building for the CTE labs, authorization of the procurement method and selection criteria, and approval of the career-and-technology pathways and proposed budget for the project. Each motion was made by Mr. Torres and seconded (motions were seconded by trustees Tanguma and Vasquez in subsequent votes) and was approved by voice vote.
District staff told trustees Region 1 Service Center had reviewed the facility needs for the specialized equipment (for example, dedicated electrical outlets for machinery). The district said it will follow procurement rules required by the district and Region 1 and will work with legal counsel on bid documents and selection committees.
Students who use the College and Career Center spoke at the meeting about the program. “If it weren't for this program and the incredible teachers and staff who believed in me when I didn't believe in myself, I wouldn't be standing here today,” student Damaris Rodriguez told trustees during the program showcase. Another student, Crystal Verado, said returning to school through the center put her back on track to earn a diploma and pursue college and career options.
Trustees asked staff to aim to encumber funds by Sept. 30 and to follow Region 1 and district procurement processes. The board also authorized formation of review and ranking committees and set prevailing weight criteria for proposals.
The project approval is tied to the district's College and Career Center strategy and the use of a multi-year grant; staff indicated the district will outline the first year's budget for the labs as part of the Region 1 operating arrangement.
Work on procurement documents and solicitation is expected to begin immediately so the district can meet spending timelines and install equipment needed for summer or early-fall programming.
