NEW CUMBERLAND — Hancock County voters have given their blessing to two levies appearing on their ballots as part of Tuesday’s election, passing both a bond levy for Hancock County Schools and renewing a long-time excess levy in support of the Hancock County Sheltered Workshop.

According to unofficial results, the new bond levy in support of security upgrades and other projects within Hancock County Schools received an approval by 56.63% of the vote, with 6,902 votes in favor of the levy and 5,285 votes against.

“I’m very grateful to the people of Hancock County,” Superintendent of Schools Dan Enich said.

The Hancock County Board of Education agreed in August to place the bond levy before county voters, with a goal of raising $10.65 million through the sale of bonds to fund a variety of security upgrades and other improvement projects within the school district.

“We’re very excited,” Enich said. “We plan to make the school system a safer place and a better place.”

Under the levy call, for each $100 of assessed value, Class I property will be taxed 3.82 cents, for Class II 7.64 cents, for Class III 15.28 cents, and Class IV 15.28 cents.

Oak Glen High will receive $2,096,728 for gymnasium and theater improvements, visitor identification systems, security vestibule upgrades, security camera installations, weapons detection systems, cell phone boosters, lunch table replacements, and upgrades to paving and parking lots, HVAC systems, elevator systems, signage, a storage building and fire alarms.

Weir High School will receive $2,150,352 toward gymnasium and theater improvements, visitor ID systems, security camera installations, weapons detection systems, cell phone boosters, lunch table replacements and other improvements to the paving and parking lots, HVAC, roof and skylights, signage, storage building, fencing, guardrails and fire alarm systems.

The John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center will receive $1,296,422 for visitor ID systems, security camera installations, weapons detection systems, security vestibule upgrades, security gates, cell phone boosters, improvements to paving and parking lots, elevator, signage, storage building and fire alarm systems.

Oak Glen Middle will receive $1,633,011 for gymnasium upgrades, security cameras, visitor ID systems, weapons detection systems, security vestibule upgrade, the pyrite remediation project at the school, a cell phone booster, lunch table replacements, paving and parking lots, HVAC, storage building and signage.

Weir Middle School will receive $1,173,417 toward gymnasium improvements, theater improvements, security cameras, visitor ID systems, weapons detection systems, cell phone boosters, lunch table replacements, paving and parking lots, HVAC, signage and fire alarms.

A.T. Allison Elementary will receive $530,220 for a new play yard, paving and parking improvements, security cameras, visitor ID systems, weapons detection system, cell phone booster, storage building and lunch table replacements.

New Manchester Elementary will receive $500,821 for a play yard, paving and parking lot improvements, security cameras, visitor ID systems, weapons detection systems, cell phone booster and lunch table replacements.

Weirton Elementary will receive $664,135 for a play yard, an additional access road, paving and parking lot improvements, visitor ID systems, weapons detection systems, security cameras, cell phone booster and lunch table replacements.

The Transportation and Maintenance Department will receive $444,894 for a new salt shed, security cameras and paving.

The Sheltered Workshop levy, meanwhile, received support from 61.99% of the vote, with 7,645 ballots cast for the levy and 4,687 cast against the levy.

To remain in effect, the levy needed an approval of at least 60% from the county’s votes Tuesday.

First approved by voters in Hancock County in 1992, the Hancock County Sheltered Workshop Levy provides $250,000 per year toward the operations of the Sheltered Workshop.

“The funds go toward transporting our clients to the workshop and home,” Sheltered Workshop Executive Director Michael Hagg explained prior to the election.

The Hancock County Sheltered Workshop, which opened its doors in 1958, provides a variety of training and job opportunities to individuals with disabilities, operating a commercial laundry with tasks suited to people of numerous skill and ability levels.

The Workshop also provides opportunities for clients to learn life skills as well as social interaction through events both at the Workshop and throughout the community.

The Hancock County Sheltered Workshop currently has 52 clients.

The levy will be in effect for four years, between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2029.

According to figures provided by the levy call, the taxation rates for use in the levy are established at 0.69 cents for $100 of assessed value on Class I properties, 1.29 cents per $100 on Class II properties, and $2.58 cents for $100 on both Class III and Class IV properties.

Any additional funds raised from the levy, beyond the $250,000 per year, will be put toward parks and recreations within the Hancock County Parks System, according to language included in the levy.