RICHLAND/ASHLAND COUNTIES — EHOVE Career Center officials say seek to meet community and area business and industry needs now and in the future.
The public vocational school, based in Milan, Ohio, assembled a facilities planning committee, comprised of key stakeholders from the community to evaluate these needs.
Chris McCully, EHOVE superintendent, said the committee focused on the following categories: infrastructure, lab/equipment, business and community and safety.
“They also identified the need to expand EHOVE programs and address EHOVE’s aging infrastructure, creating the Facilities Improvement Plan as a plan to address these needs,” McCully said.
On Nov. 5, EHOVE will ask voters to approved a 2.2-mill, 36-year bond issue — which would raise approximately $210 million over its lifetime, if approved.
Richland County Board of Elections Director Matt Finfgeld said as of Sept. 23, 38 residents in Richland County will be eligible to vote on the issue. Those 38 voters include some residents of Blooming Grove and Butler townships.
Ashland County Board of Elections Director Amanda Jones said as of Sept. 26, 14 residents in Ashland County will be eligible to vote on the issue. Those 14 voters include some residents who live in the New London School District portion of Ruggles Township.
EHOVE Treasurer Tim Coffman said if approved, the issue will cost the owner of a $100,000 home within the career center’s attendance boundaries about $77 annually.
Collection would begin in 2025 and run through 2060.
EHOVE offers courses for high school and adult students
EHOVE Career Center is a career tech school located in Milan Township.
The high school and adult education facility serves students from multiple locales, as well as multiple school districts in Erie, Huron and Ottawa counties.
Students are offered to take courses in a “customized and relevant” curriculum — helping them prepare for a specific career or college. EHOV helps its students learn skills to advance in the trade of their choice, for now or the future.
Bond issue funds would help improve aging infrastructure
According to its website, the majority of EHOVE’s infrastructure is the campus’ original construction, electrical, water, sewer, etc. from the 1960s.
“If approved by voters, funds generated by the bond issue would be used to implement the recommendations included in the Facilities Improvement Plan,” McCully said.
The Ohio Facility Construction Commission and the Architectural Vision Group each completed a thorough assessment of existing facilities and determined EHOVE has needed infrastructure replacements and upgrades throughout its campus for the next 50 years to come, the website says.
What if the bond issue fails?
If the issue fails, McCully said recommendations from the committee would no longer be possible.
“If voters elect to not approve the bond issue, EHOVE will not have funding to implement the additions and renovations recommended by the Facilities Planning Committee, and instead will need to reevaluate plans to address aging infrastructure needs,” he said.
The plan and more information are available for review at www.EHOVE.net/facilities.