What happened: Midland College is moving forward to expand career and technical education (CTE) programs and improve campus safety following the defeat of its recent bond election.

Why it matters: 71.5% of voters opposed the college’s $450 million bond proposal during the May joint special election. Only 11.7% of registered voters cast 11,093 ballots. With strong public opposition, the college is reworking its strategy to meet workforce needs by making better use of existing facilities.

The big picture: The college completed a campus audit at the start of its bond planning process two years ago, which showed that while the college has enough classroom space, it lacks specialized lab space needed for CTE program growth. College leaders are now revisiting that audit to identify general classrooms that they can convert into labs to enroll additional students for Fall 2025.

Alongside this effort, the college also plans to prioritize upgrades to campus safety, security, and aging infrastructure. So far, officials have not said how they will fund these projects, whether through existing fund balances, cuts, or a potential tax increase.

What they’re saying: “Growth in high-demand fields has only compounded,” said Midland College President Dr. Damon Kennedy. “Our region will continue to need a highly skilled workforce. That’s why we will be focused on creating as much space as possible for students in CTE programs.”

Between the lines:  After two years of bond planning, college leadership likely saw this alternate path as a possible backup in case the bond failed. Good stewardship means exploring low-cost solutions before asking voters to foot the bill for big projects.