MOUNT VERNON — Knox County voters strongly rejected the career center’s 1.5 mill continuing permanent improvement levy Tuesday, according to final, unofficial results from the Knox County Boards of Election.

In Knox County, the totals included 8,796 for the levy’s approval, while 11,182 voted against its passage, representing a 2,386-vote margin.

“We are disappointed that our permanent improvement levy did not pass but understand that it is a difficult climate with the unknowns of re-evaluation with property taxes,” Career Center superintendent Kathy Greenich said.

“Our Board of Education and KCCC Administration will have to evaluate our next steps moving forward. We have aging buildings and systems and capacity issues that need to be addressed.

“Thank you to those who supported our levy. We know that KCCC makes a difference every day in the lives of students and businesses. We are appreciative of our levy committee, and Jane Marlow (Chair) and David Stuller (Treasurer), for all their hard work and efforts in supporting KCCC.”

The six other counties included in the career center district: Richland, Morrow, Licking, Coshocton, Holmes and Delaware echoed Knox County voters rejecting the PI levy.

According to final, unofficial votes from Richland County, 63.27% voted against the levy while 36.28% voted in favor; Morrow County had two votes (100%) voting no, with zero votes for the levy; Licking County had 62.96% voting no; with 37.04% voting yes; Coshocton County with 100% (three votes) voting no; and Holmes County with 76.47% voting no and 23.53% voting yes and Delaware County with 61.98% voting no and 38.02% voting yes.