By Cara Pattison
Contributing Writer
Canadian County voters will hit the polls next Tuesday, April 2 to decide on the fate of the Canadian Valley Technology Center Zone 1 board seat. In this election, challenger Cotton Ruzicka will face-off against incumbent Dean Riddell for the post.
An elected position, board members at the technology center hold significant influence over school budgets, curriculum and program decisions, and the employment status of school leaders.
Board members must attend regular monthly and emergency board meetings, vote on decisions that impact the district, adhere to a code of ethics policy, and maintain the required professional development training for the position.
The winner of Tuesday’s election will join CV Tech board members Christy Stanley (Zone 2, deputy clerk; serving since 2016), Dennis Crawford (Zone 3, member; serving since 2021), Jimmie Vickrey (Zone 4, president; serving since 2004), and Penny Jones (Zone 5, vice president; serving since 2018).
All registered voters in the CV Tech school district are eligible to vote in next Tuesday’s election. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voters may download a sample ballot using the State Election Board OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp or pick up a copy at the Canadian County Election Board during normal business hours.
The County Election Board, 200 S. Bickford in El Reno, is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call (405) 422-2422.
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AdvertisementMEET THE CANDIDATES
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Cotton RuzickaCV Tech Zone 1 candidate Cotton Ruzicka has been a part of Yukon’s rural community for seven decades. Many of those years have been spent within the four walls of CV Tech as both a student and instructor.
“I have a personal history with Canadian Valley Technology Center. I enrolled and successfully completed the diesel technology program in 1972 and 1973, becoming one of the pioneering students of the newly offered course at the time,” Ruzicka said.
He spent 25 years at CMI Corporation, where he specialized in the construction of road-building machinery. For the next 12 years, he instructed welding techniques and safety protocols at his alma mater, CV Tech.
“My efforts there were pivotal in the advancement of the successful Wind Energy program, where I personally crafted the majority of the structures to facilitate the class,” Ruzicka said.
While semi-retired, he stays active by tending to his farm and lending a hand to friends and neighbors with equipment repairs and other practical duties in his spare time. Ruzicka’s love and dedication for both careers in the trades that support local economies, and the school that he has dedicated so much time to, has led him to run for a spot on the CV Tech school board.
“As an alum of our school district and a person that has worked in the trades, I understand our community’s needs inside-and-out. I’ve been around the CV Tech district for a long time, so I know what works,” he said.
“My background in welding and diesel technology gives me a hands-on perspective that is insightful and super practical for making decisions about our programs. I’m committed to ensuring that every outstanding student and every dedicated instructor receives the support necessary to succeed. I will ensure that CV Tech best serves the needs of both students and businesses in our rapidly growing counties.”
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Dean RiddellCV Tech School Board incumbent Dean Riddell was born and raised in Oklahoma City and moved his family to Yukon in 1987.
When not performing board duties, he has worked in the mortgage industry for the past 35 years. The last 14 years of those years, he has served as the producing branch manager for SWBC Mortgage.
Having been on the CV Tech school board since 2018, the Zone 1 incumbent and current board clerk is seeking reelection.
“I have been part of and witnessed incredible growth over the past six years, and I look forward to continuing to expand the purpose and vision of CV Tech. It is incredible to be a part of a group that impacts the lives and career paths of so many students,” Riddell said.
“Canadian County is one of the fastest growing counties and I have been a part of the group that has added or expanded 19 programs over the past six years to accommodate the needs of the district.”
Riddell has found his six years on the board to be successful and hopes to continue serving in the elected seat.
“I am excited at the prospect of continuing to expand the purpose and vision of CV Tech. I have been part of and witnessed incredible growth over the past six years and look forward to being a part of the school’s future.”
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AdvertisementABOUT THE DISTRICT
Divided into five zones across Canadian and Grady counties, CV Tech offers both short-term and long-term training to high school and adult students across their district.
The technology center is funded primarily by ad valorem taxes, which are property taxes determined and levied annually on homes and real estate. They also receive grants, state and federal funds, and tuition.
In addition to corporate, safety, and personal short-term training and professional development, the district offers long-term trades programs to adults and high school students.
CV Tech has 14 partner high schools across Grady and Canadian counties that enroll high school juniors and seniors in trades program.
Students attending high school at Alex, Amber-Pocasset, Chickasha, Ninnekah, Rush Springs, Tuttle, and Minco primarily attend the Chickasha campus; high school students from Bethany, Calumet, El Reno, Mustang, Piedmont, Union City, and Yukon primarily attend the El Reno and Earl Cowan (Yukon) campus.
In addition, the school district serves Banner, Darlington, Friend, Maple, Pioneer, and Riverside.
