History

In April 1965, a community survey initiated by the Montgomery County Board of Education concluded that many of the county's school districts were unable to provide students with sufficient vocational training. This was true for high school students as well as adults. 

A committee formed by Dr. Kenneth Crim, then Montgomery County school superintendent, considered the matter further. In 1966, the committee urged the county board of education to assume responsibility for organizing a joint vocational district.

In 1966, the county board of education employed Dale Baughman to work with the county superintendent to develop a plan for a joint vocational school. The committee approved the plan, subject to the provision that the county superintendent would also serve as the superintendent of the joint vocational district.

This approved plan was then forwarded to the Ohio State Department of Education for its endorsement. These events occurred during the 1966-1967 school year. With the state department's and several boards of education's approval of the plan, the Montgomery County Joint Vocational School District was formed, and its board of education was organized in November 1967.

This board of education then proceeded with plans to construct the facilities. In May 1968, a bond issue and operating levy were submitted to the electorate of the district, but both issues were narrowly defeated. The board authorized a second issue to be submitted at a special election that took place on June 25, 1968. This was a single, multi-purpose issue since a new law had become effective that permitted joint vocational districts to submit an issue that would provide for the construction of facilities and operating expenses. This time, the voters approved the two-mill levy with a forty-four-vote margin.

Later in 1968, a site consisting of about 200 acres was purchased by the board of education for $1,500 per acre. This property is located on Hoke Road, just south of Interstate 70. Initially, two buildings were constructed and are now known as the East and West Buildings.  

The construction is unique in that there are no load-bearing walls, and the outside walls are made of precast concrete.

These walls were cast in Indianapolis and transported to the site by semi-trailers. It was designed as an open space school. However, with the type of construction used, that concept could be altered with little difficulty, and as this is being written, the school is about 50-50 open space versus conventional.

The school was open for adult classes in the spring of 1971 and for high school students that fall. By 1974, additional districts had voted to join the Vocational District, necessitating the construction of the South Building.

With the retirement of Dr. Crim in 1976, it was decided that the dual position of the superintendency of the Montgomery County School and the Montgomery County Joint Vocational School should be discontinued. Dr. Baughman, the director of the school since its formal organization, then became the superintendent of the school.

The seventeen members of the MCJVS board of education are appointed by the county, the exempted village, and the city boards of education.

The school currently enrolls high school and adult students from the following Montgomery County school districts: Brookville, Huber Heights, Jefferson Township, Miamisburg, New Lebanon, Northmont, Northridge, Trotwood-Madison, Valley View, Vandalia-Butler, and West Carrollton. In addition, six districts of Darke County, four districts of Miami County, five districts in Preble County, and one district of Warren County are also part of the MCJVS district.

The effective tax rate for the JVS district has never exceeded 2.00 mills. Until the late 1970s, revenue was raised by this tax rate, and the money received from the state and federal governments covered all operating expenditures of the school as well as the purchase of land, construction costs, and equipment. However, the "reduction factor" as enacted via House Bill 920 made it necessary to pass a 4/10 mill levy in 1979. The current total millage is 1.98 (as of 1990).

The East Building was expanded in 1978, the West Building in 1979, and the South Building in 1986. There are currently over 400,000 square feet (more than nine acres) under roof in these three buildings. Also on the site is an aircraft hangar (the school has two planes) and two farm buildings. In 1991, the board of education purchased the Reinicke farm located directly across the road (west) from the JVS campus. The agriculture classes farm the school's 125 tillable acres.

In March 1982, a lightning-induced power surge set off a devastating fire in the East building. MCJVS staff members responded quickly to ensure that classes would proceed with as few interruptions as possible. Sinclair Community College and Meadowdale High School were very cooperative in their offer of classrooms and laboratories for JVS use.

There was very little disruption of classes. Danis Construction Company moved quickly with the reconstruction work, completing the $6,000,000 project in six months, in time for students in September.

From its opening in 1971 with a total staff of 122, the program has grown to where 250 employees were needed in 1990-91.

The school, through its certified staff, offers one of the most comprehensive vocational education programs in the U.S., including fifty-four separate vocational courses in the following fields of study:

• Agriculture, seven courses
• Business education, eleven
• Health and home economics, eleven
• Marketing, one
• Trade and Industry, twenty-four

Included in the latter group are FAA-certified airframe and power plant programs and a cluster of building trades classes from which students have constructed twenty homes.

In 1985, the school incorporated "applied academics" into the school's curriculum for most of its vocational courses. Testimony as to the quality and comprehensiveness of the school's program is provided in a recent Fortune magazine article entitled, "The New, Improved Vocational School."

The school maintains many clubs, but the students also participate in extracurricular activities at their home [partner] schools: sports, drama, music, and other activities. They receive diplomas from their local school, whose board of education has the responsibility for transporting them to the JVS.

MCJVS students have received so many awards for their demonstrated skills and other abilities at state and national contests that the school is frequently referred to as "Monopoly County JVS."

One thing about the school that students like is that each student is, in a sense, starting over. A student in business education stated this concept rather succinctly when she said, "There are no cliques or groups who run the place. It's like having a fresh start on high school."

During the early 1960s, area educators expressed concern that traditional high school programs were, in many instances, failing to meet the needs of a large percentage of the young people enrolled in high school.  The Montgomery County Joint Vocational School was created to help meet those needs.  Listed below are events significant to the development of the MCVJS/MVCTC district.

1965	A community survey on vocational education revealed a significant gap between existing school programs and the skills students needed to compete in the workforce. Dr. Kenneth Crim, Montgomery County school superintendent, formed a committee to tackle the issue
1966	The Montgomery County Board of Education hired a vocational education supervisor to lead the development of a more comprehensive program.
1967	Progress accelerated: February: Superintendents from 13 districts began meeting regularly to discuss vocational education needs. April: Representatives from Dayton-area businesses, industries, and lay members from participating school districts formed an advisory committee to guide planning for a joint vocational school (JVS). August: The Joint Vocational School Plan was completed and submitted to the State Board of Education. September: The plan was officially approved by the State Board of Education.
1968	Key foundational steps were taken: March: The architectural firm Van Buren and Firestone was hired to design the school. June: A two-mill, five-year levy was narrowly passed by just 40 votes. August: Carlisle and Miami East school districts joined the JVS district. October: A 200-acre site for the JVS was purchased on Hoke Road.
1969	The project began taking shape: May: Groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the new facility. Summer: Supervisory staff members were hired to lead operations. December: The Northmont school district joined the JVS district, further expanding its reach.

1970	Eaton, Preble Shawnee, and Twin Valley South became a part of the JVS District.
1971	March - The JVS was opened for adult education classes. August - East and West Buildings were completed. September - High school classes began with an enrollment of 1,200 students and 102 employees.
1973	Contracts were awarded for construction of the South Building.
1974	South Building construction marked expansion as additional districts joined, including Ansonia, Arcanum, Franklin Monroe, Mississinawa Valley, C.R. Coblenz, Tri Village, and Versailles.
1978	East Building expansion completed.
1979	West Building expansion completed. A.4 mill additional tax levy, and in October MCJVS hosted visitors from Jamaica and England.

1980	The Board of Education approved district participation in the school-to-apprentice program, enhancing career pathways for students.
1981	April: A banquet and awards ceremony celebrated the school’s first decade, honoring 47 employees with ten years of continuous service. December: The first FFA Auction was held, raising $140 for the Dayton Ronald McDonald House through a creative hat auction featuring 35 hats.
1982	March: A severe electrical storm caused a devastating fire in the East Building, destroying the office area, TV studio, and eight laboratory spaces. The remaining building areas suffered soot and smoke damage. September: The East Building was fully rebuilt and reopened in time for the 1982-83 school year, demonstrating the school’s resilience and commitment to its mission.
1983	May: MCJVS introduced a computer literacy program, providing students and staff access to a cutting-edge computer lab equipped with 25 IBM PCs and four graphic printers, housed in a small gym. June: A 1.58-mill replacement levy passed with 60% voter approval, ensuring continued funding for the school’s programs and services.
1988	The South Building addition was completed, expanding the campus and providing new facilities to accommodate the growing needs of students and programs.

1990	April: The school expanded its facilities by purchasing a 40-acre farm across Hoke Road. Summer: Hosted the first-ever Summer Career Camp, introducing career exploration opportunities for students during summer break. October: Held the inaugural All Advisory Committee Meeting and Dinner, fostering collaboration with industry advisors.
1991	February: The first MCJVS Hall of Fame Induction honored 12 outstanding alumni, celebrating their accomplishments. Summer: The MCJVS Education Foundation was established to assist students in completing their education. December: MCJVS joined the Miami Valley Tech Prep Consortium, emphasizing collaboration with local schools and colleges to promote career pathways.
1992	Summer school classes were offered for the first time, expanding educational opportunities for students.
1993	February: The operating levy failed in the 27-partner school districts, creating challenges for funding. May: The levy passed after being reintroduced on the ballot, securing necessary resources for school operations.
1994	January: The school officially changed its name to Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) to reflect its service to all member communities across five counties and its focus on technology in careers. February: Partnered with the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Ohio Valley Chapter, for an apprenticeship program.
1995	Initiated a three-year American-Russian student and staff exchange program with Khabarovsk, fostering international collaboration.
1996	The first MVCTC Foundation Golf Outing raised $3,400 to support students. Inducted 12 more alumni into the MVCTC Hall of Fame, recognizing their contributions.
1997	July: Superintendent Dale Baughman retired. August: John Boggess became the school’s third superintendent. November: The MVCTC Apprenticeship Program earned the “Exemplary Innovative Apprenticeship Program” National Award.
1998	July: A Strategic Plan was created, complete with a new mission statement and four committees to shape the school’s future goals. November: The Auto Mentorship Tech Prep program received national recognition, winning 2nd place in the Exemplary Work Site Learning competition sponsored by Caterpillar Corporation.
1999	The Class of 1999 was awarded more than $201,398 in scholarships, showcasing the academic and career success of MVCTC students.