MONTGOMERY, Alabama — A proposed high school focused on health care sciences has been advocated by Gov. Kay Ivey for more than a year. invoice Recently submitted.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Cynthia Almond (R-Tuscaloosa) and Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) after the results of the school's feasibility study were released.Among the survey results, which legislators Asked for $500,000 In September last year, it was suggested that Demopolis would be the ideal location for the school, as Ivey had originally proposed.
“This is something that addresses the need for health care workers in the state, and it’s really trying to directly address the issue that we identified as a body,” Almond told the Alabama Daily News on Thursday. . “So I’m really excited to be able to do something to help address the issues that we have.”
Ivy was first mentioned in her time 2023 State of the State Addressthe boarding school accepts high school students and offers a diverse curriculum including science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical science courses.
The school will partner with Whitfield Regional Hospital, which will be built adjacent, to provide students with hands-on training and a path to a career in the medical industry. Ivey and the project's supporters tout the school as a valuable tool for increasing the number of health care workers, especially in rural Alabama. Decline in medical access For decades.
Under the legislation, the school, partially funded by the state, would open in the fall 2026 semester and would be eligible for enrollment to teens from across the state. The school will house a total of 400 students, 100 in each grade, and is estimated to be expensive. Approximately $62 million.
Ivey earmarked $30 million for the project in a supplemental education spending bill sent to lawmakers this month.
Trip Ambach, the consulting firm that conducted the study, conducted site visits and evaluations of seven communities in Alabama to determine ideal locations for the project.Ultimately, the company concluded that Demopolis was an ideal location, with the city's community support, partnerships with higher education institutions and healthcare providers, and $26.4 million commitment Protected by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Ivey proposed funding for the school in a spending bill last year, but Republican budget leaders in the Legislature first demanded a feasibility study. Some people haven't sold their proposal yet.
“The feasibility study certainly addressed previous concerns and answered some questions,” Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville) told the Alabama Daily News. He chairs the House Education Appropriations Committee. “This study also raised some new questions. I look forward to discussing the findings with the Governor's staff and members of the House and Senate budget committees and leaders.”
Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), chairman of the Senate Education Appropriations Committee, said the report is still under review.
“Members who studied the report have also pointed out discrepancies,” Orr said. “We have received a significant amount of feedback on this proposal from various members.”
Lawmakers from across western Alabama and beyond support the project.
“We need more nurses and health care facilities, especially in rural Alabama,” said bill co-sponsor Rep. Brian Brignac (R-Fayette). “Demopolis is a great place to establish this school and develop talent from the area. So it seemed like a good thing for West Alabama and the entire state.”
Rep. Bill Lamb (R-Tuscaloosa), another co-sponsor of the almond bill, told ADN on Thursday that he believes the health care worker shortage is the biggest issue facing Alabama today. He said he believes the tools to hire more workers in the industry come from Alabama. The state's rural areas were the best approach for such a project.
“I think it's important to start at the high school level and encourage participation and prepare the workforce for tomorrow, just like in math and science,” Lamb said. “When you think about black belts and the opportunities there, I think we need to expand that opportunity throughout the state, especially in western Alabama and rural areas.”
Rep. AJ McCampbell, D-Demopolis, another co-sponsor of the bill, also spoke out in favor of establishing a school in Demopolis, citing some concerns he has seen regarding the project's proposed location. He also touched on opposing opinions.
“If someone gets a degree in a (more urban) area, they will generally be exposed to that area and stay there rather than move back to the countryside, because people tend to value money more.” McCampbell says. he told ADN on Thursday.
“Now that this idea has been born, I haven't seen any (opposition) other than some people who really want it in their area.”
The bill would also create a board to govern the schools, which would be made up of lawmakers, education and health leaders.
“When you train people in rural areas, they tend to want to go back to rural areas, and that's a big need,” said Rep. Curtis Travis, D-Tuscaloosa, the bill's other co-sponsor.
“At the same time, if we can attract students from (rural) areas where there isn't much to do other than go fishing, and we can get people into health care careers, that would be a huge win for the state of Alabama.” I think Demopolis is a nice little town, a great place to raise a family, and an opportunity to help transform West Alabama. ”
Alabama Daily News Mary Sell contributed to this report.
