The vote was held the same day BOCES welcomed parents and the public to its open house.

Adirondack Educational Center principal Rick Swanston said that although the state Education Department takes 32 months to review and approve capital projects, if all goes well, building could begin in spring 2019.

“We feel confident that having our vote right now gets us in line in good time,” Swanston said. “We’re hoping to be able to put it out for bid by December 2018.”

Enrollment at BOCES has held steady or grown every year, Swanston said.

Brooke Tuttle prepares deep fried macaroni and cheese for guests at the open house at at the Adirondack Educational Center in Saranac Lake Thursday night. (Enterprise photo — Glynis Hart)

“It’s a recognition not only in our region but nationwide that these tech skills are essential.”

Juniors Skylan Begar and Ryan White donned chef's whites for the open house at FEH-BOCES Thursday night. (Enterprise photo — Glynis Hart)

Crag LaBrake, left, is a new student in Adam Barse's Game Design and Development class at FEH-BOCES. Elise and Andrew LaBrake (left) watch the commercials students made last year for the games they designed in class. (Enterprise photo — Glynis Hart)

Marissa Durham, a cosmetology student, and her father Michael Durham, taking a tour of the auto shop class during the open house at FEH-BOCES Thursday night. (Enterprise photo — Glynis Hart)