House Built By CTE Students Still Unsold
Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees were asked during their regular August meeting to consider taking action regarding two different properties owned by the school.
Oak Avenue Properties
Trustees agreed to “strike off” and give to the city tracts of property located on Oak Avenue, where a nursing home used to be located. The property has been abandoned and now jointly owned by the taxing entities.
The city manager asked that the local taxing entities, including the school district, to give the property to the city for construction of a new senior citizens activities building, a project that would be funded through taxes dedicated for economic development should the measure receive voter approval in the Nov. 5 election, according to school officials.
For anything to be done on the property will require abatement, which will be very costly. Currently, no tax funds are being received for the property. Giving it to the city would benefit the community, at no monetary cost to the school. The district’s attorneys were consulted and strongly recommend “striking off” the properties, school officials told the school board.
The county earlier this summer also agreed to give their part in the land to the city for that purpose. Hopkins County Hospital District has yet to vote on the matter.
SSISD trustees gave unanimous approval for the city to have the land to construct a Senior Citizens Center on.
Fore Street Property
Trustees were also slated to vote on bids for the farm-style home constructed on Fore Street over the last two years by Sulphur Springs High School students in construction classes.
Because of the value of the property which was offered for purchase by the school district, law required bids be sought for it. Unfortunately, Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams reported, the district did not receive any bids for the property. Thus, no action could be taken on the measure.
Trustees and school officials are to discuss at a later school board meeting what to do about the Fore Street property.
CTE
This year and moving forward, SSHS students in career and technology education construction classes are slated to construct a “tiny” house, according to Jenny Arledge, SSHS Director of College and Career Readiness and Career & Technical Education.
Arledge at the Aug. 12 board meeting also presented the annual CTE program evaluation to the school board. She said the state accountability focus is moving more toward helping students attain as many certifications as possible. SSHS is working to meet that focus, by offering even more potential certifications students can attain in future years, which will mean some change in the way the program is reported and structured.
The school is working with Fire in Texas academy to try to be able to offer in the 2020-21 school year two additional program: EMT certification and basic firefighter certification for students who complete all course requirements and pass state and/or national testing requirements for certification, according to Arledge.
The complete CTE annual evaluation report can be views on the SSISD website.
