Gillette College bill goes to House committee

Senate File 83 – the bill that would allow Gillette College to form a district separate from the Northern Wyoming Community College District – is now in the hands of the House education committee.

The bill moved out of the Wyoming’s Senate and into the House of Representatives Thursday. Campbell County Commissioner Rusty Bell, one of the bill’s proponents, said he imagines committee members will consider the measure next week.

Bell said residents of Campbell County are watching the bill very closely.

The vote is the one put to Campbell County voters who make the final decision on whether a separate Gillette College district is to be formed. At that time, voters will be asked whether they want a separate Gillette College district and would accept a tax levy of up to 4 mills to finance college operations.

They also will be asked to vote for seven people to form the college district’s board of trustees.

Bell said at this point, an amendment has been added to the bill that would allow the Wyoming Community College Commission to oversee the transition for Gillette College from being part of the Northern Wyoming Community College District to being a college district accredited in its own right. During that time, Bell said, Gillette College would still be part of the Northern Wyoming college district.

Bell said it’s his understanding that once the bill passes, the measure goes to the Campbell County clerk to schedule an election, and it’s also his understanding that the next election date would be in August.