From Classrooms to Careers: CTC's Impact on the Community's Future
Recorded on September 30, 2024 Watch the full video here
Key Highlights
- History & Name Change: The CTC was previously known as the Joint Vocational School (JVS). It rebranded 20 years ago to stay updated with modern programming and technology.
- Service Area: CTC serves students from all Clark County schools. Priority is given to local students, but students from other counties can also apply for unique programs.
- Programs & Demand: CTC offers 23 programs on its main campus, plus additional programs at Northwestern and Shawnee. Programs such as Welding, Veterinary Science, Electrical Trades, and Criminal Justice often have waitlists due to high demand.
- Facilities Challenges: Built in the 1960s and 70s, the current campus struggles with outdated infrastructure, smaller classrooms, and limited expansion space. Upgrades are needed to accommodate both academic requirements and program growth.
- November Ballot Initiative: The upcoming ballot measure proposes a new $90 million facility, with the state contributing $38.7 million. The initiative includes 1.4 mills, costing $49 annually for every $100,000 property valuation.
Why CTC Matters
Patrick emphasized the importance of career technical education for preparing students for careers, college, and life. Recent CTC graduates collectively earned $2.2 million while still in high school. “CTC graduates are everywhere—in health care, industry, and local businesses,” she noted. “It’s an investment that pays back to the community.”
What’s at Stake
If approved, the November ballot initiative will secure the necessary funding for a new state-of-the-art facility. Without it, CTC risks losing the $38.7 million in state funding, which would be a missed opportunity for the entire community.
Final Thoughts
Brian Heck concluded by emphasizing the importance of CTC to the region’s workforce development and economic growth. “Schools are vital to the quality of life in our community,” Heck said. “We need to protect and invest in CTC for the future of Springfield and Clark County.”
Transcript: A Word with the City Manager - Springfield-Clark CTC
Date: September 30, 2024
Video recording accessible at: Watch the video on Facebook
Brian Heck: Good morning, Springfield, and welcome to another edition of A Word with the City Manager. My name is Brian Heck, and I’m the city manager for the city of Springfield, Ohio. Today, I have a special guest with me. She is the principal, director, Superintendent, executive director—whatever your role is, I’ll let you share that—but Michelle Patrick with Springfield-Clark Career Technical Center. So welcome today, Michelle.
Michelle Patrick: Thanks so much, Brian. And yes, it is Superintendent.
Brian: You wear many hats in your role, so it’s a little bit different than a traditional school district.
Michelle: Absolutely.
Brian: So, let’s talk about Springfield-Clark CTC. I went to school at Tecumseh—I'm a county graduate—and it was JVS back then, the Joint Vocational School. Is it the same thing today?
Michelle: Yes, we do have a bit of a name identity crisis. JVS changed about 20 years ago to the Career Technology Center, or CTC. We are the same organization—just updated with new programming, technology, and a modern look to stay current.
Brian: And career centers like CTC aren’t unique to Clark County, right? There are others across Ohio.
Michelle: Yes, there are 49 joint vocational school districts across Ohio. What makes us unique is that we pull from every school in Clark County—both city and rural schools.
Brian: So, you serve the entire county?
Michelle: Correct. Any Clark County student can apply to us and gets priority. Occasionally, students from other counties apply if they see a program here that’s not available in their district, but they only get in after all Clark County students are considered.
Brian: What makes CTC essential to the workforce, especially in today's economy?
Michelle: Career technical education is vital. Students leave us more career-ready, college-ready, and life-ready. They have multiple options—entering the workforce, going to college, joining the military, or combining pathways—while graduating debt-free and ready for life.
Brian: How many programs does CTC offer?
Michelle: We have 23 programs on our main campus and additional career-awareness programs at Shawnee and Northwestern schools.
Brian: What are the most popular programs?
Michelle: It varies, but welding and vet science almost always have waitlists. Electrical trades, carpentry, cosmetology, and criminal justice have also seen surges in interest. Our ag program, just eight years old, typically gets around 75 applicants.
Brian: How many applicants did you have this year?
Michelle: We had about 847 applicants for 460 spots.
Brian: Tell me about your campus. How old are the facilities?
Michelle: Our buildings date back to the 1960s. The community saw the need for workforce development early, so we were the first career tech center in Ohio. However, the buildings are now outdated and not designed to meet today’s academic and program needs.
Brian: What challenges do the facilities pose?
Michelle: Academic requirements today are higher than in the 60s, so we’ve had to convert closets and other spaces into classrooms. Ideally, classrooms should be 900 square feet, but ours are about 550 square feet, limiting capacity and program expansion.
Brian: You’ve talked about the cost differences between renovating your current facilities and building new ones. Can you elaborate?
Michelle: Re-roofing our existing facilities would cost $4.7 million, with a 30-year guarantee. A new facility, with 30,000 more square feet, would cost about $5.1 million. And, if we pass the levy in November, the state will cover 60% of the new building’s cost.
Brian: How significant is the November ballot issue?
Michelle: This is our last chance to secure state funding—nearly $39 million. It’s a unique opportunity because new facilities for joint vocational schools are rare. Most receive renovations, not new builds.
Brian: What impact does CTC have on the local economy?
Michelle: In the last two years, our students earned $2.2 million through internships and work-based learning. CTC graduates are employed across all sectors—health care, trades, and local businesses—making a significant return on investment for the community.
Brian: What do you want voters to know about the ballot issue?
Michelle: It’s 1.4 mills, with part maturing in 37 years and a small portion as permanent improvement. The total cost is $49 annually for every $100,000 of property value—just $4.08 a month. The total project cost is $90 million, with the state covering $38.7 million.
Brian: Thank you, Michelle, for joining me. CTC plays a vital role in preparing students for life and supporting the local economy. I encourage everyone to vote and support the future of our community.
Michelle: Thank you, Brian. I appreciate the opportunity to share this message.