During 1978-1979 representatives from the Lynchburg Area Association for Retarded Citizens met with the superintendents of schools of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Campbell, and Lynchburg and representatives from the Virginia Department of Education to discuss the fate of the LAARC School which had been serving area handicapped students since 1972.  As a result of several meetings of the established Transition Committee, a Document of Agreement was signed. This provided for the continued operation of the school during 1979-80 under LAARC

sponsorship with participating divisions bearing all costs.  A $50,000 grant funded by the State Department of Education provided for a 1979 feasibility study, findings of which recommended the establishment of an area regional program.  The first meeting of the Regional School Board took place on February 25, 1980, and on March 24, 1980 witnessed the signing of the Constitution and Bylaws of the new LAUREL Regional Program.

The following persons have contributed significantly to the establishment and successful operation of the LAUREL Regional Program.

Dr. Ernest Martin, Special Advisory

Mr. Bob Lawrence, Consultant, Virginia Department of Education