SAN BENITO — Tonight, the school board will make its final decision on the purchase of an ambulance simulator and the construction of two greenhouses.
All three projects will be used by the Career and Technology Department.
Last week, school leaders discussed at length the particulars of each project. However, they did not make a final decision on the three projects.
That should happen tonight.
Hector Rendon, CTE director, requested the purchase of the ambulance simulator for the health science program and building two greenhouses for the agriculture program.
“These projects will enhance the specific instructions related to their respective essential knowledge and skills,” Rendon said.
The new ambulance simulator purchase would benefit the students who are required to obtain clinical hours or experience before successfully graduating from the EMT program.
The two greenhouse projects, which have already been budgeted for, will cost the district approximately $62,000.
The ambulance simulator and its included features will cost the district about $67,000 of their already budgeted money.
Rendon said prior to program changes, students were required to obtain 36 hours of clinical work. Now they are required to obtain 48.
Among the simulator’s features are emergency lights and siren activation, as well as vehicle movement to simulate driving conditions such as bumps and turns.
This, Rendon said, helps EMT students become familiarized with their future career in a more realistic manner, while also overcoming any environmental distractions.
The current greenhouse that sits on the high school campus is about 25 years old and is in need of several upgrades. Due to the enhanced activity, the greenhouse will be expanded to fit more students, making it easy and accessible to students.
“It will be adjacent to the existing agriculture science classroom. It shall have a cooling wall with exhaust fans measuring 30-foot-by-72-foot-by-8-foot,” said Rendon.
The second greenhouse would be built near the Sonny Brazil Agriculture Complex. The new 30-foot-by-48-foot structure would be utilized by the students at Veterans Memorial Academy Ninth Grade Campus.
In addition, the school board will receive the promised monthly update on the district’s Re-Imagine 2021 Five Year Strategic.
This evening, they will discuss the finance portion of the plan, one of five topics underlined in the plan.
The school leaders will also discuss the May elections and discuss the approval of computers for the high school.
When: 6:30 p.m., tonight following a public hearing
Where: Administration Board Room, 240 North Crockett
