Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center breaks ground on expansion

ASHLAND — The Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center broke ground on an estimated $43 million renovation project on Thursday.

Superintendent Rod Cheyney said the school’s enrollment has significantly increased in the past seven years.

“When I got here around 16 years ago, we enrolled between 280 and 300 students — probably for about 10 years,” he said. “These last seven years, it’s really increased because people understand the need for skilled education. 

“We want to help be that answer and add to economic growth.”

The Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center offers 14 career-tech education programs including construction, cybersecurity, criminal justice, cosmetology and more. Its mission is “to drive economic growth of the region through prepared graduates.”

Rachel Bixler, marketing and public relations coordinator for the career center, said nearly 500 students are currently enrolled in programs. The center accepted about 330 new students for next year. Bixler said there are around 30 students on a waitlist for various programs.

Cheyney said the school has added a welding program and cybersecurity program since he joined the district. The construction technology program will be housed in a new wing of the main building, and Cheyney said many programs will move to new and larger spaces within the building. 

An approximate completion date for construction is set for October 2026.

“This renovation is going to affect every room in the building,” Cheyney said. “They’ll have updated equipment and features to make room for future growth of the programs and students.”

The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission committed $10.8 million in state funding for renovations. SHP architects and Hammond Construction plan to cluster major programs in the school’s main building, with the former Ashland County Service Center becoming the adult education and administrative offices hub.

Cheyney said indoor renovations will start this summer and construction work will begin in the fall. He expects construction to be completed by October 2026. The adult education building will house academic classrooms during the construction process.

The Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center is located at 1783 State Route 60 in Ashland. Enrolled students largely come from Ashland, Holmes and Wayne counties. Cheyney said the school also draws a few open enrollment students from Richland, Knox and Lorain counties.

Adult education building to offer additional programs

Ashland and Holmes county voters passed a 1.1-mill continuing levy in November 2021 to support the career center’s expansion.

“It’s thanks to you, the taxpayers, for where we are today,” Cheyney said. “Our great staff have done all the hard work to educate these students, and they’ve been so gracious in working with us through renovations.

“Everyone’s doing their part and we really appreciate it.”

The Ashland County commissioners and ACWHCC board had negotiated the sale of the Ashland County Service Center next door for nearly a year. The boards finalized the sale in July 2022.

The service center houses most of the adult education programs.

Nancy Hall, director of the career center’s adult education department, said the additional space allows for expanded and additional programs.

Adult education provides diplomas, training and certificates to students older than age 20.

“Our phlebotomy program we used to only be able to offer at night, but with the building next door, now we can offer that day and night,” Hall said. “Once we fully take over that building, we’ll be able to add a lot more programs.

“I’d really like to add licensed practical nursing and CDL truck driving.”

Former superintendent says expansion was ‘long-term goal’

Former superintendent Mike McDaniel, who served as superintendent from 1979 to 2016, congratulated the school board and administration on Thursday.

“I’m looking at what you’ve got planned, and a lot of it has been a long-term dream,” he said. “We were talking about ‘if we could only do this,’ ‘if we could only do that’ for decades.

“I see that it’s all there now, so kudos to the board and the administration. You kept the promise and I wish you well for the future.”

Amasa Maynard, a senior in the mechanical engineering program, spoke at Thursday’s groundbreaking about the opportunities the career center has offered him and his classmates.

“All the different labs prepare you to go to college or to enter the workforce after you graduate,” he said. “Before I started the career center, I was completely unsure on what I wanted to do after graduation.

“I grew a large skill set that I wouldn’t have if I didn’t decide to go here. This not only gave me real-world experience, but it also let me get many certifications without having to pay the fees that I otherwise would have at other schools.”

Maynard has been accepted into a CNC apprenticeship at the Schaeffler Group in Wooster.

“Even only being at the career center two years, I’ve seen a sizable increase in students,” Maynard said. “Renovating the building will be fantastic for the students and teachers here.”

State Rep. Melanie Miller shared her own experience from the medical assisting program at the Polaris Career Center when she was in high school.

“I thank the teachers that invested in me as a student and I still remember those moments that I really hold near and dear to my heart,” she said.

Miller also presented Cheyney and the ACWHCC school board with a proclamation from the Ohio House of Representatives recognizing the career center as a school of excellence.

“When we look at the State of Ohio, where we’re seeing growth and waiting lists at our career and technical education centers,” she said. “So this expansion is truly needed and I’m so proud to celebrate this day with you.”