Buckeye Career Center purchasing truck driving school
NEW PHILADELPHIA – Buckeye Career Center is purchasing a local truck driving school. BCC officials Friday announced their board of education has agreed to purchase the American Professional Truck Driving School, also known as the Liberty Coach Truck Driving School, in Gnadenhutten.
The $1.4 million dollar purchase from Lewis and Geneva Higgenbotham is expected to close by July 1. According to Buckeye, so far this school year BCC has sent approximately 60 high school and adult education students to the driving school to earn a CDL license with BCC covering the cost.
Buckeye Superintendent Bob Alsept says the purchase aligns with the vocational school’s mission to prepare students of all ages for their future through career and technical education. He says it is an example of Buckeye’s commitment “to providing high-quality career education and hands-on training for in-demand industries.”
PRESS RELEASE FROM BUCKEYE CAREER CENTER:
BUCKEYE CAREER CENTER APPROVES PURCHASE OF AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL
New Philadelphia, OH (March 21, 2025) – The Buckeye Career Center (BCC) Board of Education has agreed to purchase the American Professional Truck Driving School, also known as the Liberty Coach Truck Driving School, located in Gnadenhutten, Ohio. The sale is expected to close by July 1, 2025, solidifying Buckeye Career Center’s commitment to providing high-quality career education and hands-on training for in-demand industries. The purchase was approved at the board’s March 18, 2025 meeting.
The purchase of American Professional Truck Driving School, from Lewis and Geneva Higgenbotham for $1,400,00.00, aligns with Buckeye Career Center’s mission to equip students with the skills and certifications necessary to succeed. To date this school year, BCC has sent approximately 60 high school and adult education students to the driving school to earn a CDL license, with BCC covering the cost. This purchase will allow BCC to expand these offerings to enrolled students, as well as adults from across the state.
“This opportunity presented itself in the fall of 2024 and we have been doing our due diligence to research and prepare for this purchase,” commented BCC Superintendent Bob Alsept. “We feel this acquisition aligns perfectly with the mission of Buckeye Career Center to serve the community by empowering people, of all ages, to discover their passion and prepare for their future through career and technical education.”
American Professional Truck Driving School has a strong reputation for preparing students for careers in the transportation industry. Through this transition, Buckeye Career Center will ensure a continuation of CDL training.
“We are thankful to the Higgenbotham family for their long partnership with BCC and we look forward to continuing their longstanding tradition of excellence,” said Alsept.
BCC and the HiggenhBthams hope to finalize the sale by early June 2025 to avoid any service or learning disruptions. Buckeye Career Center looks forward to further developing partnerships with local businesses and expanding training opportunities to meet workforce needs. More details on program offerings and enrollment opportunities will be shared in the coming weeks. Information will be available at www.BuckeyeCareerCenter.org.
