Discussions for the past three months about Hennessey joining either Autry or Chisholm Trail Technology Center came to a halt Monday night.

That’s when the school board decided 3-2 to “cease any further vote on joining a vo-tech.”

Voting to discontinue were President Dr. James Matthew Matousek, Vice President Luke Lough, Clerk/Member Patrick Griffin. Wanting to continue were Cristopher Choate and David Tillman.

“We want what’s best for the students,” said Matousek, after the vote. “Not all students are career-ready when they’re in high school, but should have career goals, and through efforts from the Educational School Foundation our students who want to go to vo-tech will be able to do that when they graduate high school.”

CTTC out of the picture

Before discussion on a vo-tech election, Superintendent Jason Sternberger told an audience of about 25 that “Chisholm Trail Technology Center removed themselves from consideration.” Note: An interview with Chisholm

Trail Superintendent Max Thomas concerning the basis for CTTC’s withdrawal will appear in Sunday’s Times & Free Press.

Objections from audience

Sheila Duell said she’s opposed to joining a career tech district because of the 19.4% in taxes it will cost property owners for the district to join Autry.

“That’s $1.38 million dollars a year, and we had only nine students who took vo-tech classes this year.”

“That amount is just this year,” said Todd Vaverka. “It will go up every year.”

Another objection, which Duell also voiced at earlier meetings, is that the tax would continue every year. It’s not like a bond issue where it would be up in a certain number of years.

Vaverka agreed with that comment and said it could continue until people voted it out.

“If there were 40 students taking vo-tech classes at a cost of $1.38 million a year that would be $34,500 for each student,” said Vaverka. “I have to ask: is that reasonable? Would you spend that much money in your personal business?”

Tech center support

“I’m for it,” said Jesse Ashlock, also from the audience. “You have to look at it as more of an investment, not only in your children, but in the businesses and adults who go to vo-tech. Look at the whole picture,” said Ashlock, who has children in the Hennessey schools now.

If Hennessey belonged to the tech then adults could pay at the membership fee which is about half of the non-member fee.

Ashlock teaches mechanical technology at Autry, and one of his students named Caleb, was also at the meeting, and told how he’d been helped at Autry.

Others who objected

“I went to Oklahoma State Tech,” said Jimmy Patocka, “and I paid my own way. Back then we had teachers who helped us get loans. A student’s parents should get their own loans. That’s just part of raising children.”

“You appreciate it more if you have to pay for it,” said Leon Hill, a former school board member. “I went after high school and I paid for it myself.”

“How many high school students sign up for vo-tech, and decided it wasn’t what they thought, and dropped it?” asked Patocka.

“It’s a low number,” said Jill Moery, HHS counselor.

“I don’t see how we can afford this,” said Sharon Pollard. “If our taxes go up (on our property) then the rent we charge will go up.”

Fred Duell asked what students have to give up to go to vo-tech a half-a-day?

“Mainly band and athletics, but no core classes,” said first-year HHS Principal Josh Faulkner.

“My daughter had to take English online on her own when she was going to Chisholm,” said David Tillman, board member.

Board member comments

“I like the idea for tech,” said Cristopher Choate, board member. He said so many kids don’t want to go to school, but tech gives them something that might interest them more.

“If we’re not in (a tech) district,” said Choate, “we couldn’t get our students in to classes. I know someone who rented an apartment in Enid just so they could get in. … It’s an investment in our community. This is valuable.”

Tillman said, “I’m kinda on the fence. I see some of the benefits, but where I have a problem is this keeps coming up, and I think we should approve the resolution, then let the public vote on it.”

Vaverka said, “The problem is: if you’re not paying (property) taxes then you’re for it.”

“Our perceptions are different,” said Choate.

“I’m 100% for vo-tech,” said Patrick Griffin, board member/clerk. “I’ve seen a lot of students who can benefit from career tech. … I wish the system was different. It takes 60% to approve a bond issue, but it only takes a simple majority, 50%-plus one vote to decide on a forever tax.”

“I encourage the board to look at this as a business decision,” said James Matousek from the audience. He’s a former Hennessey mayor and the town’s current assistant fire chief.

Kokojan funds for students

Dr. David Matousek said he’s opposed, and didn’t think the entire community should have to pay, and suggested the board look to the Hennessey Educational Schools Foundation for help.

HESF has paid $2,000 a year for current high school students to attend Chisholm with funds from the Kokojan Foundation, said John Peach, a former school board member and current HESF member.

“The foundation reimbursed the school for those students’ costs?” asked the Times & Free Press reporter.

The superintendent said the bill from CTTC was sent to HESF for payment.

Note: CTTC Supt. Max Thomas has been quoted in previous articles saying that CTTC offered $2,000-peryear tuition (reduced from the actual cost of $17,000 per year) as part of a good-faith agreement two years ago with then Superintendent Dr. Mike Woods and the HPS school board, contingent on Hennessey calling for a district-wide election to join the CTTC district in 2021. More in Sunday’s paper.

“The foundation pays $5,000 a year for four years of college, or vo-tech, for a graduate,” said Keith Meek, another HESF board member. “Everyone who applied received a grant last year.”

He was asked how many they gave this past year, and said, “Thirty-two.”

“And every student who applied got a grant?” he was asked, and he said, “Yes,” and Sheila Duell said, “100%.”

Chandra Seiger, another HESF board member, was present for the meeting. She is also a candidate for the school board, as is Dr. James Matthew Matousek, board president.

At the meeting

Others in the audience besides those mentioned above were Damon Seiger, Sonya Hill, Wes Hardin, Brent Hardin and Steve Pollard.

School staff at the meeting included Sternberger; Timberly Jech, office manager and minutes clerk; Principals Josh Faulkner (HS); Ricardo Tarango (MS); Barry Crosswhite (ES); Stacy Mack (ECC); Jill Moery, HHS counselor; Todd Cameron, technology director; Rae Fuksa, sixth grade math teacher and tech assistant.