The Monticello Occupational Education Center opened its doors to students in Southeast Arkansas in the Fall of 1974.  The school was built and is operated by the Monticello School District and the Workforce Education Division of the Arkansas State Department of Education.

This school is a secondary area vocational school serving secondary schools in a twenty-five mile radius of Monticello. Area schools participating the first year of operation were Dermott, Drew Central, Tillar, Wilmar, and Monticello.

The school became a reality only after much work by the Monticello School Administration staff, School Board, State Department of Vocational Education and many concerned citizens. The school was constructed by B.J. Gauthier Construction Company, with Merrill Lewis and Associates as architects, Dr. Curtis Merrell, Superintendent of Schools, School Board President Clay Mitchell, with members: Frank (Buddy) Carson, Jr., Billy R. Hunter, Billy Hartness, and Roy Dannehl.

Enrollment the first year was 135 students with the following staff: Director-Robert W. Kizer; Secretary-Carolyn Barnes; Employability Training Instructor-Bob Maxwell; Auto Mechanics Instructor-Gus Chesser; Building Trades Instructor-Cecil Hollis; Health Occupations Instructor-Linda Robinson; Metal Trades Instructor-Billy F. Taylor; Textiles Instructor-Sammie Betha, later to become Sammie Minchew; Welding Instructor-Danny Ferrell, and World of Manufacturing Instructor-John Jeter.

The school has now operated thirty-one years and continues to strive to serve the vocational needs of youth in its service area.

                        

                                                    

                          

741 Scogin Drive     Monticello, AR 71655     870-367-4060     870-367-1385