EHOVE seeks levy for building updates

EHOVE Career Center is asking voters in November to approve a 0.5-mill permanent improvement levy for building maintenance.

The vocational education center does not have other permanent improvement levies on the books, said Treasurer Tim Coffman.

If approved, by law the money could only be used for capital improvements that would last longer than five years, he said, and cannot be used for salaries, benefits or supplies.

The levy would raise $1.6 million a year and would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $16 a year, Coffman said.

EHOVE Superintendent Sharon Mastroianni said possible projects include expanding a culinary arts program to better fit the needs of the local tourism industry; expanding a public safety building for fire, EMT and criminal justice education; and looking closely at equipment.

The school uses original systems from 50 years ago, Coffman said, adding that rooftop air conditioners are approaching the end of life.

Lately the school has paid for capital improvements out of the general fund, but that takes money out of the classroom, he said.

“There is always a need for permanent improvements,” Coffman said.

The district covers 800 square miles in Erie, Huron, Ottawa, Sandusky and Seneca counties with very small parts of Lorain, Richland and Ashland counties, and 16 school districts including island and parochial schools, Mastroianni said.

Currently the school serves 870 high school students and about 2,500 adult students, for an equivalent of about 3,000 full-time students a year, she said.

“We hope that the voters will take a look at our levy information, and go to the polls with an eye for the needs we have,” Mastroianni said.