ENGLEWOOD — The Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) will be on the ballot May 2, for residents in its 27 partner school districts across nine counties, for a remodel, rebuild, and expansion of the current facilities.
MVCTC, located in Englewood serves 27 area high schools in five counties and their communities. The center offers 40 career technical programs for high school juniors, seniors and lifelong learning opportunities for adult students in the Adult Education programs. Working with local business and industry partners, MVCTC helps attract and create jobs for the region’s economic growth.
According to MVCTC Superintendent Dr. Nick Weldy, MVCTC has not requested any separate facility money since the district was built in 1968-1970. Additionally, MVCTC does not have a permanent improvement levy.
“Most of the 27 schools that MVCTC serves have a designated stream of revenue to upkeep facility needs, such as windows, doors and furniture,” Supt. Weldy said. “We do not have that in place have always been very sensitive in asking for money, but we want to make sure we have some funds in place. With our facility being constructed in early 1970, essentially we have taken care of the tax payer investment and have done a good job with preventive maintenance. Now, with a lot of the infrastructure being more than 50 years old, it is reaching the end of its life.”
In order to obtain Ohio’s 47 percent match, voters need to provide support equal to $4.17 per month (1.43 mills) (based on a $100,000 assessed-value home). If passed, the state will fund approximately 47 percent of the co-fundable expenses of this initiative.
“This is a great deal for the region,” Supt. Weldy said.
One thing that the MVCTC Bond will do is improve safety for students. The open campus has multiple buildings that sit on 220 acres. The goal is to to move towards building one structure. The buildings contain more than 60 doors.
“In a lockdown, we have to secure 60 doors very quickly which is very challenging,” Supt. Weldy said. “Building one structure keeps us in a very safe and secure environment where we control access through one or two main doors.”
Additionally, the bond will update 50-year-old buildings and utility infrastructure and provide state-of-the-art labs, technology, and equipment.
“For example, we are teaching Advanced Manufacturing on 1950s equipment,” Supt. Weldy said. “We want to bring that up to modern day standards of what our employers are requiring in all of our labs.”
Another reason for the levy is MVCTC is currently operating in a space that is approximately 60 percent of what it needs, Supt. Weldy said. Some of the classrooms are half the size of what Ohio School Facilities Commission requires, he said.
“This effort will support MVCTC’s mission for years to come as we update our campus to meet Ohio’s growing demand for skill-based trades and careers. The Bond will expand the enrollment capacity of MVCTC and allow the admission of hundreds of additional students every year.”
Supt. Weldy has been the MVCTC Superintendent for five years, but employed by the district for 10. Part of passing the MVCTC bond, for him, is personally watching the students thrive in a facility they deserve.
“The best part about my job is seeing students come in that need some self-confidence,” he said. “We watch them go through two years of highly technical training and go out in the work force as very successful employees. The capacities they serve in can be very small and overlooked but important within society, such as changing our tires and taking our blood. A lot of times, those are students who took our program. That is what I like, is planting that crop of kids and watching them grow.”
