Bethel School District receives funds to plan vocational skill center

OLYMPIA – The state Senate budget includes $6.5 million to launch a pilot project of four vocational skill centers in Washington, including one in Frederickson in the Bethel School District that will serve students in southern Pierce County, Sen. Marilyn Rasmussen, D-Eatonville, announced this week.

“We’ve placed $400,000 in the budget to plan four skill centers, including one in the Bethel School District,” Rasmussen said. “We’re providing $150 per student in all skill centers in Washington and $100 per student in vocational programs in our high schools. We’re not just talking about providing opportunities for students, we’re financially supporting these programs.”

Tom Siegel, Bethel School District superintendent, said the skill center appropriation will make a “huge difference” because “there’s nothing like this in the area.” He said the skill center would prepare students for living-wage jobs, providing highly trained workers for areas businesses.

The creation of the skill center would also provide for job shadowing and apprenticeship programs, Siegel said, noting that enthusiasm is already so high that seven area cities and towns and three community colleges have signed letters of interest in the center.

In other legislative activity:

• Washington schools will benefit from additional funds approved by the Senate to replace and upgrade equipment in vocational programs in high schools.
• The Senate passed a bill to create a Running Start program for vocational students in high schools.

Lastly, in an unrelated budget matter, Rasmussen said she hopes to gain capital funds for a public safety building in Orting. “We hope to see something as budget negotiations are completed before the Legislature adjourns,” she said.

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