Central Tech History
On July 20, 1967, the first meeting of the Central Oklahoma Area Vocational Technical School Board of Education was held. That board hired the first Superintendent for the new school district, John H. Hopper, on November 13, 1967.
In August 1968, citizens of the Central Vo-Tech school district approved a $935,000 bond issue for construction and equipping the original building in Drumright.
The first classes were held on the new campus on August 22, 1970. In the meantime, classes in Practical Nursing were conducted in a rented school building in Drumright.
A second campus was developed in Sapulpa in 1978 in a former discount retail center on the city’s south side.
Growth continued in Drumright as an adult training facility was built in 1973, a driving range for Truck Driver Training was developed in 1974, and a 30,000 sq. ft. Trade and Industrial Education building was built in 1977. A graphics communications building opened in 1979, an administrative and high technology addition was made to the original structure in 1983, a 4,608 sq. ft. addition made to the north end of the main building in 1988 and a telecommunications wing was added in 2001.
In 2011, a 16,000 sq. ft. pipeline and safety training center was built in Drumright to expand business and industry services. In 2014, the Industrial & Safety Training Center in Sapulpa was built to expand business and industry services and house the full-time HVAC program. The legal name for the technology center was officially changed to Central Technology Center in 1995, and its marketing name to Central Tech, when the state vo-tech system became Oklahoma CareerTech.
Central Tech is a top performer in the Oklahoma CareerTech system ranking high in job placement for graduates. It is the only technology center to be awarded the Gold Star School Award for excellence in technology education since inception in 1990.
Today, Central Tech serves more than 22,000 enrollments and provides customized business and industry training to more than 500 area businesses.
A HISTORY IN PICTURES
1960
November 13, 1967
The board hired the first Superintendent, John H. Hopper.
August 1968
$935,000 bond issue approved for Drumright construction.
1969
Breaking ground on Drumright Campus.1970
August 22, 1970
First classes were held. Practical Nursing classes were conducted in a rented school building in Drumright.
1973
Adult training facility added.
1975
Driving course for Truck Driver Training developed.
Mid-70s
Student drew an owl to represent Central Tech as the mascot.
1977
Industrial Training was expanded with a 30,000 square foot building in Drumright.
1978
Second campus developed in Sapulpa.
1979
Graphic Communications building opened in Drumright.1980
1982
Opened the Industrial Facility in Sapulpa.
1983
An administrative and technology addition added in Drumright.
1983
U.S. Department of Education Secretary's Award for Outstanding Vocational Education Program: Motorcycle Repair
1988
Addition to north end of building in Drumright.
1989
Truck Driver Training becomes a statewide program and expands its facilities.1990
1990
Carolyn Hughes, Central Tech Board Member, inducted into Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame.
1991
Created the Center of Business Development in Drumright (also known as the Incubator).
1992
Expanded BIS Training in Drumright and Sapulpa.
February 1, 1993
Ron Vandever named as second superintendent at Central Tech.
1995
Legal name changed to Central Technology Center (aka Central Tech for marketing purposes), state vo-tech system became Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.
July 1, 1998
Phil Waul named third Central Tech Superintendent.
1999
John Hopper, Central Tech Superintendent, inducted into Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame.2000
2001
Telecommunications wing added in Drumright.
2001
National Telecommunications Award for exemplary program serving as an educational model.
2003
Arthur Foster, Central Tech Board Member, inducted into Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame.
2007
Developed Statewide Pipeline Training.
2007
Senator Ted Fisher, Central Tech Legislator, inducted into Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame.
2008
Established Turning Point, a drop out recovery program.
2009
Central Tech is recognized as Oklahoma's first Safety Center of Excellence.2010
2011
The Phil Waul Pipeline & Safety Training Center opened on the Drumright Campus.
2014
The Industrial & Safety Training Center and HVAC in Sapulpa was built.
2014
Awarded its 24th consecutive Gold Star award and is the only tech center to receive this honor every year since its inception in 1990.
July 1, 2015
Ron Dyer named fourth Central Tech Superintendent.2020
August 4, 2020
Kent Burris receives Oklahoma CareerTech's Arch Alexander award.
February 2021
A new Business & Industry Services building was opened in Sapulpa.
April 14, 2022
Phil Waul, Central Tech's third superintendent, was inducted into the CareerTech Hall of Fame.2022
Central Tech named a National Top Workplace.
July 1, 2022
Kent Burris named fifth Central Tech Superintendent.