MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Legislature is close to approving a plan to borrow $50 million to replace outdated equipment in high school technology programs, which proponents said will help more students stay in school and get jobs when they graduate.

A bill authorizing a $50 million bond issue has moved through the Legislature with bipartisan support.

Proponents have won support by telling stories of students training on outdated equipment that is no longer used by employers, such as 40-year-old welding gear. The equipment problem hinders the State Board of Education from achieving its goal of having every student ready for a job or college upon graduation from high school.

The bond issue legislation cleared the House 93-1 and the Senate Finance and Taxation-Education Committee 10-0. It now awaits a vote in the Senate. Its sponsor, Rep. Mac Buttram, R-Cullman, said the bond proceeds will go exclusively for equipment used by students. “This is not for brick and mortar,” he said.

Philip Cleveland, workforce development and career tech director for the state Department of Education, said the state hasn’t provided money for new equipment since schools got $10 million in 2005. He said Alabama’s 134 city and county school systems will work with local industry to determine what equipment is needed to get jobs for graduates.

Some legislators have questioned the wisdom of selling bonds that will be paid off during 20 years to buy equipment that could be outdated before the state retires the bond debt. Proponents respond that it’s the only option in a tight economy.

It won’t be the first time the Legislature has approved a bond issue to buy equipment that might no longer be in use by the time the last bond is paid off. State officials approved $33 million in bonds last fall to buy school buses. The National Association of State Directors for Pupil Transportation Services recommends replacement of buses every 12 to 15 years, which is shorter than the life of the 20-year bonds.

The state Finance Department estimates that if the bonds for school equipment carry a 3.5 percent interest rate, the annual payments will be $3.7 million.

For some pushing the bonds, the question is not as much about money as graduation rates.

Tommy Glasscock, director of career technical education in Chilton County, said the students he gets are typically not doing well in traditional academic classes. But he sees their eyes light up when they try welding or auto repair, and they suddenly have a reason to want to learn.

“The problem with education is we are trying to teach the same way we did 20 years ago. These kids learn differently,” he said.

Glasscock said his program tracks students for three years after they finish, and 78 percent end up employed in their field of study or a related field.

Former State Board of Education member Gary Warren, of Haleyville, was a cheerleader for career tech programs before he retired from the school board in January.

He has continued his advocacy by visiting the Legislature to promote the bond issue. Like Glasscock, he tells stories about tech programs changing the attitudes of students who were at risk of dropping out.

Then he makes one promise to legislators if they will approve the bond issue: “You are going to see an awesome effect on the dropout rate.”

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