HPTC is going where no CareerTech has gone before…Beaver County!
Residents of Beaver County voted Tuesday to approve annexation into the High Plains Technology Center district.
Unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board show that 60.1% of voters said yes to the annexation proposition, and 39.9% voted no. This will be Oklahoma CareerTech’s first technology center in the Panhandle.
“High Plains Technology Center district is very excited at the opportunities that lie in front of us to bring an area technology center to the Panhandle of Oklahoma,” said High Plains Superintendent Barclay Holt. “The local, county and state leadership that led the effort in bringing this vote to the people have secured increasing the educational opportunities for their students and support for the businesses and industries that call Beaver County home. We are excited about the annexation of Beaver County for the simple fact that Oklahoma CareerTech for the first time in our state’s history is established in the Panhandle of Oklahoma!”
“On a personal note, I recognize that not everyone was in favor of this vote. Yet throughout the process of the information dissemination we did at town meetings this fall, respect among the people regardless of the side they were on was apparent at every discussion. In closing, I would just say America could learn a lot from the people of the Panhandle and Beaver County about how to agree and disagree and remain friends.”
Oklahoma CareerTech State Director Brent Haken added his congratulations and welcome to residents of Beaver County.
“At Oklahoma CareerTech our passion is providing life-opening educational opportunities,” Haken said. “The residents of Beaver County have spoken today that they are investing in themselves to create a partnership that brings those experiences to life for students. I am proud of Beaver County and High Plains Technology Center and am excited for Northwest Oklahoma to move forward with the best career and technology education. I am ready to add to the great work our school systems are doing for Beaver County. Welcome to a great system, one that works for you!”
High Plains Technology Center was established by a vote of the electorate of the district on April 28, 1981. The vote was held in Woodward, Mooreland, Buffalo, Fort Supply and Sharon-Mutual school districts. After certification of the vote, the State Board of Vocational and Technical Education recognized the district to begin operation under the supervision and administration of the State Department of Career and Technology Education. Fargo joined the district in 1983, Gage in 1994 and Vici in 2009.
High Plains Technology Center is part of a network of 29 career technology centers across the state. Pending approval from the Oklahoma State Board of Career and Technology Education, HPTC's district will now encompass all of Beaver County as well.
