Abilene voters rejected a $25 million bond proposal that would have allowed for the construction of a career tech high school in the Abilene Independent School District.

Randy Pool, assistant treasurer for the political action committee that pushed for the bond, said Abilene rejected almost the same proposal last year, only it was one of four bonds in an $85 million package.

“It was our feeling that by splitting this out on its own and going back to the voters, we could get passed,” Pool said. “Our mistake was that the 6,000 votes we had last time weren’t there this time.”

Cathy Ashby, AISD associate superintendent, said a common complaint from opponents of the bond was this year’s bond called for the construction of a new building. Ashby said the only AISD campus with the space to take on a new career tech school was Abilene High School, and necessary renovations would cost the school district $9 million.

“We have also found that our kids are reluctant to go to the rival campus to take classes,” Ashby said. “Only two or three [students] travel to Cooper for welding, but they will go if it’s at a neutral site.”

The career tech high school would have offered entry-level certification for several professions, including EMT and pharmacy technician.

Briana Burton, freshman biology major from Abilene, was part of the committee appointed by AISD Superintendent Dr. David Polnick to study citiizens’ critical needs. The committee concluded a career tech high school was AISD’s most critical need.

“I was really, really disappointed that it didn’t pass,” Burton said. “I think it surprised a lot of people, not just me.”

Burton attended Holland Medical High school during her last three years of high school. At Holland, she studied the profession of pharmacy technician. Burton now works part-time as a pharmacy tech and plans to attend medical school.

“I got a lot of good background that is helping me now,” she said. “I think a lot of people were scared of the economy and what it would do to their taxes, but I don’t really understand all that. I’m just 18.”