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Regional Learning Center Gets Approval
Rep. Foster Wins House Support for Rural Education Initiative

(JUNEAU) – Secondary students in rural Alaska could have the opportunity to attend a regional learning center for career-enhancing training and education unavailable in their home communities, under House Bill 239, which passed the House unanimously on Sunday.

Republican Majority Whip Rep. Richard Foster (D-Nome) sponsored HB 239 to establish a regional learning center as a four-year pilot program, to see if such centers would be an effective and attractive alternative for rural Alaskans whose schools may not offer all the education options they need.

"There are opportunities right now in rural Alaska for people with training in education, health care, transportation, and law enforcement," said Foster. "Regional learning centers could help the young people of our region get the education they need to start good careers in these and other areas."

The concept of a regional learning center arose after a study by the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee that found strong support for the concept in rural Alaska. The first such center could be located in a former vocational education center at Nome’s Beltz School, which would have the capability to house and feed the students, as well.

The center would expand the range of students’ educational opportunities; allow use of currently underutilized facilities; complement the programs of community schools without duplicating existing services; help students become more independent and responsible; and provide significant opportunities for financial support from the federal government.

The bill calls on the state to review the center’s performance at the end of four years. If the concept of regional learning centers proved successful, the state could expand on it and establish similar centers in other rural areas of the state, Foster said.

"We need to be looking at creative ways to give our students every opportunity to build their career awareness and skills so they can go back to their home towns ready to work," Foster said.

HB 239 moves next to the Senate for consideration.

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