By Lisa Wyman
The clanging cymbal. Rather than an opportunity for thoughtful discourse, the world has become about who can shout the loudest regardless of accuracy of which they shout. This is not true of everyone, but every day we see this type of activity, and it is a trap into which we may fall if we aren’t vigilant. As we approach the ECISD Bond vote, the clanging cymbal can be heard. The question for each of us is, do we diligently work to gather good information, or do we merely join the fray?
Ask great questions. Expect great answers. Good question: “How many students attend New Tech Odessa?” Great question: “How is the New Tech Odessa campus being utilized?” While enrollment at NTO HS is 440, there are 715 Career and Technology Education students who circulate through that facility daily. That first data point fits a disruptive narrative. The latter provides factual data creating a clearer picture of how the district is utilizing facilities.
Seek to understand. The discussion of a third high school is passionate, as it should be. Rather than asking if it is needed, or where to locate it, the bigger question is what happens if we don’t build one. Overcrowding increases discipline issues and maintenance needs at the same time decreasing building efficiency and student opportunities. Another high school means another debate team, choir program, drama club, etc. Right-sizing our current campuses allows for increased student engagement and a higher teacher-to-student ratio. When we make the argument against a new high school, based on our personal preference or because we disagree with the district, we still have overcrowding, floating teachers, limited student engagement opportunities and so much more. I would ask, how does this serve our kids and our community?
Hold ourselves and others accountable. ECISD does not live in a vacuum nor should it. As a community, we rise and fall with our schools. That’s why valuing education from Pre-K to career is so important. It creates opportunity and choices.
It’s easy to be a clanging cymbal. It takes time and energy to ask great questions, go the source and seek to understand and hold ourselves and others accountable. To take a stand, we must make certain we are basing our thoughts and ideas on a firm foundation rooted on facts. We don’t have to agree, however, we owe it to ourselves to do the work. The propositions which will appear on the ballot were hard fought with those involved evaluating the needs not from a personal perspective but for the good of the whole. We can be the disruptor, point fingers and blame, or we can be a part of the solution. It’s time to double down for our future.
Lisa Wyman is the vice chair of Odessans for Education.
