On December 12, Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD raised one of the final beams for its new Pecos High School Career & Technical Education (CTE) & Science Wing. To commemorate this event, PHS CTE students, teachers, staff, and community members were able to leave their signatures on the final beam. This facility is one of the final projects included in the May 2021 Bond to be in its construction phase.
The beam-raising ceremony of the last steel beam uniquely honors the accomplishments of the construction crew and is reminiscent of old-fashioned barn-raising celebrations. The custom dates back hundreds of years and symbolizes that construction has reached the sky without loss of life or injury, and it bodes well for the future use of the building.
The design process of the facility started in June 2022 and included a collaborative process of administration and teachers working with VLK Architects. Very similar to the two elementary school projects, the space was designed by those using the facility daily. The facility will be state-of-the-art and include the following:
Cosmetology salon
Veterinary/animal science lab
Health sciences and EMT lab
Culinary studio and bistro
Trade shops for auto mechanics, welding, and construction
Robotics and drone makers space & lab
Oil and Gas classroom & lab
Multi-media lab
Science classrooms and labs
Student collaborative learning spaces
"Today, as we place the final beam in our new Career & Technical Education facility, we're not just building a structure,” said Superintendent Brent Jaco. “We're constructing a gateway to limitless possibilities for our students. This moment symbolizes the culmination of dedication, community support, and a shared vision for empowering the future. As the last beam is put into place, so does the promise of excellence, innovation, and boundless opportunities for the students of Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD."
Some of the spaces have unique highlights to them. The health sciences lab has been designed to be a scale model of nurses' stations and patient rooms at the new Reeves Regional Health Hospital. Students will be equipped with the knowledge to provide the best medical care in the Reeves County area.
On the second floor, with a balcony overlooking the new Eagle Stadium, the bistro will be student-run by those in the culinary arts program. Students will learn skills not just in culinary and restaurant and hospitality management.
The new multi-media and graphic design lab will bring e-sports opportunities for PHS students! Additionally, thanks to the new trade shops and drone spaces, PBTISD will become one of the first schools in Texas to offer an oil and gas industry track program for high school students!
The facility is projected to open in August 2024.