The announcement that Mid-America Technology Center has planned an election for August 12 is a long time in coming. The intent is to ask voters in the Technology Center district to increase their property taxes by 3 mills so MATC can build a facility on the north end of the district to better serve students near Newcastle and Blanchard and open up space at the main campus in Wayne.
There’s no reason to hide the fact that the approval of this election is an uphill battle. The district is large with a majority of residents living south of the proposed area. Also, an increase in taxes, and specifically property taxes, has not been a popular idea in recent years. Nonetheless, there is a great need for this facility and the training it provides.
The idea of a facility to serve the north end of the district has been floated for years. In fact, MATC owns 20 acres of land on the north side of State Highway 9 near May Avenue; however, they do not believe it is “large enough to accommodate the future needs of MATC,” school officials said. One plan is to sell this property to help pay for land nearby at SH-9 and SH62.
A north campus is very important to the Newcastle and Blanchard areas to address educational needs, student needs, and campus capacity. The local demand for enrolling at MATC is not currently being met. A northern campus would increase enrollment capacity not only at the new campus, but also at the Wayne campus as students transfer to the northern facility.
As well, safety is a top priority of any educational institution. Just a couple of years ago, Newcastle tragically lost a student when she was traveling in private transportation near the main campus in Wayne. A northern campus would be much more accessible with shorter, and safer, travel distances for local students.
As those in education circles know, not every young person will attend college so vocational training for a paying career is just as important as it has ever been. In fact, many of the vocations and careers students are trained for at MATC are as lucrative or even more lucrative, than those on the college and university career paths. Some of those to be offered include: health careers, cosmetology, auto service, criminal justice, cyber security, residential/commercial electrician, welding, therapeutic health careers, and heating and air conditioning.
Asking the voters for an increase in millage on the valuation of their property is a big ask. The additional millage for a north campus would be spread out amongst all property owners within the MATC district. This includes property owners in 18 different school districts in not only McClain, Garvin and Cleveland counties, but also in Murray, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, and Stephens counties. Successfully obtaining yes votes from residents in the southern part of the MATC district to pay for a northern campus will hinge upon their overall desire to help with education.
MATC officials have said, “A no vote on the millage increase will significantly limit, if not eliminate the possibility of building a north campus.”
All we can ask is that you know the facts, and determine for yourself if expanding the reach for our vocational technology is worth the additional money you will be paying on your property bill. To see the impact a millage increase would have on your property, please see our story on page 1 of this week’s issue.
