1963
The U.S. Congress and Ohio General Assembly passed The Vocational Educational Act of 1963. Gov. James A. Rhodes, called the “father of vocational education in Ohio,” was often quoted as saying high school graduates should have a diploma in one hand and a job in the other.
1970
Ohio General Assembly deadline that all local, city and exempted village school districts must submit plans for providing vocational education, setting up jointures.
1970
The Allen County Joint Vocational School formed, including Ada, Allen East, Bath, Bluffton, Elida, Perry, Shawnee, Spencerville and Wapakoneta, for nine schools. First vote was to name it The Neil A. Armstrong Joint Vocational School District in October 1970.
1971-1972
Failed levies three times. Jointure was dissolved.
1973
Newly formed jointure voted to name the district Apollo Joint Vocational School, place a 2.25 mill levy on the ballot for construction and operations, find a suitable location and have it ready for use by 1975.
1973
On April 3, levy passed by 1,017 votes in four districts, Bath, Elida, Shawnee and Wapakoneta. Total cost for project was $5.6 million, with a 50-percent state share and 50-percent local share. In April 1973, the board passed resolutions accepting Ada, Allen East, Bluffton, Perry and Spencerville into the Apollo JVSD. Added Columbus Grove in 1981 and Hardin Northern in 1982.
1974
Construction began on the 52-acre site located on the corner of Shawnee and Reed Roads, purchased for $130,000 from an estate.
1976
Apollo opened its doors in September 1976, a year later than projected due to delays in state matching grants. On opening day, there were 51 staff members, including administration, vocational (21 training programs) and academic staff (offering English, government and math), classified staff and maintenance.
1977
Apollo’s second year housed 574 students in junior and senior programs.
2009
Taking a deep dive into the Great Recession, declining enrollments in high school program offerings forced closing of some programs and the first detailed look at options for renovating aging infrastructure, technology upgrades, obsolete electrical, HVAC, plumbing and water lines.
2010
Apollo moved to No. 1 position for state funding through Ohio School Facilities Commission, provided the district could get taxpayer approval for a local match. Decision to commit to OSFC project requirements postponed until input from business advisory committee members and various corporate leaders gathered.
2011
After consulting with community leaders and business/industry groups, the decision was made to pursue a renovation and construction project to use state money from OSFC. Pre-planning and design phase, study of population growth in the next decade and current/future workforce needs were a year-long process. The end result was an offer of $23 million from OSFC, but the local share of the project (since none of the state dollars could be used for adult education facilities) needed to meet the needs of the community was $30 million. Total project costs $53 million.
2011-12
Levy campaign and strategies planned, including selection of co-chairs and steering committee members. First attempt for a 1-mill bond and permanent improvement levy to generate the $30 million went with two strategies: Choose Apollo/Change the Future campaign slogan, and a 30-30-30 tag line ($30 million will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $30 a year for 30 years).
November 2012 levy failed in first attempt, with approximately 55 percent against/45 percent for in six county precincts/region.
2012-2013
Refined levy strategies and ran essentially 11 small mini campaigns in 11 school districts, headed by board members and employees who lived in each district. Levy passed in second attempt in May 2013, at 58 percent for and 42 percent against.
2013
Began design phase, selecting architects Garmann/Miller and Construction Manager Shook-Touchstone. Peterson selected as general contractor.
June 2, 2014
Groundbreaking, and construction begins.
Sept. 29, 2016
Grand opening to the community.
