BUILDING BETTER FUTURES
2026 Student Opportunity Campaign
In response to increasing student demand and workforce needs, Central Tech is pursuing a millage increase to expand training capacity and serve more students.
CENTRAL TECH AT A GLANCE
- Serving 18 sending schools across 26 communities
- Two campuses in Drumright and Sapulpa
STUDENTS & WORKFORCE SERVED EACH YEAR
- 1,200 full-time students
- 6,600 students trained through Workforce & Economic Development
- 698 Truck Driver Training students
SUPPORTING LOCAL EMPLOYERS
- 425+ companies served annually
- 175+ customized training classes each month for local employers
STUDENT OUTCOMES
- 95% employed or continuing education
- 74% working in their field of study
- 14% earning above the local median income
WHY ACTION IS NEEDED
1. GROWING STUDENT DEMAND
Student interest in Central Tech programs now exceeds available space.
- 402 students are currently on waiting lists
- Many full-time programs are already at capacity
- The Explorer Program, which introduces middle school students to career options, is increasing future demand as students enter high school
- Explorer Program currently serves only 7 of 18 partner schools
2. RISING WORKFORCE NEEDS
Local employers face an urgent need for more skilled workers in high-demand fields.
- Significant need in construction trades, health care, welding and manufacturing
- Retiring workers and years of underinvestment in trades have created workforce gaps
- More job openings than available graduates, with wages continuing to rise
- Add industry projections
3. FACILITIES & TECHNOLOGY CONSTRAINTS
Current facilities and equipment limit Central Tech growth.
- Construction trades and health care programs require larger, modern training spaces
- Student applicants and employer demand are growing faster than facilities can expand
- Industry-standard equipment is increasingly costly and must be updated more often
WHAT WILL THE MILLAGE INCREASE FUND?
A 2-mill increase would provide Central Tech with the local funding needed to serve more students and respond to growing workforce demand.
This investment would allow Central Tech to:
- Expand classrooms, labs, shops and hands-on training spaces to serve students who are currently on the waitlist
- Add and expand training programs aligned with local workforce needs allowing more students in our area to pursue a wider range of careers
- Grow the Explorer program to reach more middle school students and introduce career options earlier, before key academic decisions are made
- Deliver trained, job-ready employees to fill critical workforce gaps in the trades and other high-demand industries
WHAT VOTERS ARE BEING ASKED TO CONSIDER
On April 7, voters will be asked to consider a 2-mill increase to support Central Tech.
If approved, the increase would provide local funding to help Central Tech expand training capacity, serve more students and respond to growing workforce needs.
Key details:
- Proposed change: Increase of 2 mills
- Election date: April 7, 2026
- Purpose: Expand facilities, programs and capacity to serve more students and employers