Jefferson Center (Toledo, Ohio)

The Jefferson Center for Vocational Rehabilitation (or Jefferson Center for short) was a skills center in Toledo, Ohio from 1970 until its closure by Toledo Public Schools in June 2000.  It was created to serve troubled high school juniors, seniors and dropouts within Toledo's school district that may have had physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral issues.

History
Created in 1970, the Jefferson Center moved into the old U.S. Post Office building at 1300 Jefferson Avenue in 1972.  The school hoped to be a trendsetter nationally and aimed at TPS students that had issues with their home schools.  Instead of having principals, teachers, students, and a separate set of rules for adults and children, the school was set up with the titles of director, supervisors, evaluators, and trainees.   After much renovation to equip the building for instruction, the school was able to provide programs in building maintenance, child care, fabric service, food service, health care, manufacturing and construction, merchandising, office services, and warehousing.

Despite its intentions to serve troubled teens, the Jefferson Center still had problems with attendance and graduation rates throughout its history.  After a short debate on whether it was living up to its original expectations, the school was spared from closure in 1989 along with Macomber-Whitney High School.

The Jefferson Center remained open until June 2000 when TPS decided to save $15.2 million by cutting the alternative school, along with Old Orchard Junior High and 67 teaching jobs.  The Head Start program moved into the building the following year.

In April 2011, TPS considered demolishing the building unless an alternative use for it could be found.  A majority of the school board has voiced opinion in favor of keeping the historic 1911 building standing.

In March 2019, the Toledo Board of Education sold the building to ProMedica Health Systems for $1.2 million.

References 

Category:Defunct schools in Ohio
Category:High schools in Toledo, Ohio
Category:Vocational rehabilitation