The
following
is
a
brief
chronology
of
events
of
the
concept
approval,
design
and
development
of
the
Howard
Dean
Education
Center
in
Springfield,
VT:
Winter
of
1995
-
1996.
VT
Department
of
Education
commissions
study
and
Springfield’s
Technical
Center
is
determined
in
greatest
need
of
improvements.
Summer
of
1996.
A
joint
committee
of
the
Vermont
legislature
(chaired
by
Richard
McCormack)
studies
the
existing
Technical
Education
system
and
determines
that
Springfield
is
in
need
of
major
renovations,
and
recommends
the
Vermont
legislature
should
support
the
building
project
in
Springfield.
Spring
of
1997.
The
Vermont
Legislature
allocates
$100,000
to
begin
the
initial
design
and
development
of
the
Technical
Center
at
Springfield
project.
January
of
1998.
Leaders
in
Education,
Business
and
Industry,
and
legislative
representatives
meet
with
Governor
Dean
to
gain
support
of
a
fully
integrated
education
and
training
system.
Fall
of
1998.
Governor
Dean
publicly
supports
the
building
concept
proposed
delivery
model,
and
fully
integrated
system
at
$9,900,000
that
includes
the
Center,
Vermont
State
Colleges,
University
of
Vermont,
Vermont
Interactive
Television,
School
To
Work
and
other
partners.
Spring
of
1999.
The
House
supports
the
9.9
million
dollar
project.
While
in
the
Senate
Institutions
Committee,
additions
to
the
project
(that
include
emergency
management,
wood
chip
fuel
system,
support
of
Public
Access
Television)
are
made
with
no
additional
resources.
The
project
is
assigned
to
the
Vermont
State
Department
Building
and
General
Services.
Fall
of
1999.
Project
estimates
are
presented
to
the
Governor's
Office
and
the
Vermont
Department
of
Education.
An
additional
$3.5
million
is
supported
by
the
Department
of
Education.
Three
million
dollars
are
supported
in
the
Governor’s
budget.
Senator
Jeffords
supports
1
million
dollar
Department
of
Labor
consortium
building
grant
to
develop
a
seamless
partnership
between
co-location
partners.
July
of
2000.
Ground
breaking
of
the
River
Valley
Education
Center.
Senator
Jeffords
supports
1.85
million
dollar
Department
of
Labor
grant
to
develop
and
deliver
programs
intended
to
meet
the
needs
of
the
Regional
Workforce
Investments
Board's
strategic
plan.
September
of
2001.
River
Valley
Technical
Center
programs
begin
in
the
new
River
Valley
Education
Center.
October
of
2001.
The
River
Valley
Education
Center
Board
of
Directors
unanimously
supports
renaming
the
Center,
THE
HOWARD
DEAN
EDUCATION
CENTER.
November
of
2001.
CCV,
VIT
and
UVM
move
to
The
Dean
Center.
January
14,
2002.
The
HOWARD
DEAN
EDUCATION
CENTER
is
dedicated.
February,
2003.
First
year
anniversary
of
the
Howard
Dean
Education
Center
celebrating
workforce
education
and
training.
