In the 1960s, Dr. Martin Essex, the head of the State Department of Education, said he believes “general education has ceased to serve a purpose in our society.” He thought education should give the five out of six students who do not go to college “a marketable skill” by the time they graduate.
On July 13, 1966, the Knox County Joint Vocational School was established.
On July 15, 1968, groundbreaking at the site took place.
In September of 1968, Auto Technology classes began in a rented facility on Sandusky Street.
The first classes were held on September 3, 1969 at the 306 Martinsburg Road site. There were 15 vocational programs offered, and 324 students were accepted. Two Adult Education programs started in the fall.