Voters approve Coshocton County JVS levy

COSHOCTON – Rick Raach, superintendent of the Coshocton County Joint Vocational School District, plans to start investing in improvements to the career center by fall now that voters have approved a five-year, 1-mill permanent improvement levy to update and repair the school facilities.

Unofficially, voters approved the levy by a vote of 1,775 to 1,328 in Tuesday's primary election, according to the Coshocton County Board of Elections. That includes votes from residents in Licking and Tuscarawas counties who live in the JVS district.

The tax will raise about $865,661 annually and will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $35 each year, according to the Coshocton County Auditor's Office. It will take effect July 1 but will be due in calendar year 2016.

This was the third time voters considered the request since the fall of 2013.

"I think the difference was a solid, grass-roots approach," Raach said.

He said voters showed a lot of support for career technical education, which is more relevant than ever, because it prepares students for both careers and college.

Raach said the district plans to buy a new boiler, a freezer and equipment for a metal fabrication lab to handle increased enrollment for the coming school year. A new roof will follow by 2017 at an estimated cost of $800,000.

The Rev. Jon Carlisle, of Coshocton's Presbyterian Church, said he voted for the levy to help provide viable, well-funded options for trade students.

"Kids that are choosing trades need to be as well-educated as kids that are going to our high schools," he said.

Tuesday's tally does not contain provisional ballots or all absentee ballots, which must be postmarked by May 4, said Stephanie Slifko, director of the board of elections. Provisional ballots include people who have moved or changed addresses since the last election,

The board of elections is tentatively scheduled to certify the election results May 20, Slifko said.

jwilliams6@coshoctontribune.com

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