NWCCD: Focus on fall at Gillette College

Governor Mark Gordon has signed legislation authorizing the separation of Gillette College from the Northern Wyoming Community College District, but the district’s most important role right now, according to College District President Dr. Walt Tribley, is to make sure the district is ready to go with fall classes there.

Dr. Tribley provided an update on efforts to separate Gillette College from the Northern Wyoming Community College District at the district board meeting earlier this week. Governor Gordon signed the Senate bill into law on April 6, opening the way for the Campbell County clerk to officially call an election that will place the question of a separate Gillette College before Campbell County voters.

In a previous interview with Sheridan Media, Campbell County Commissioner Rusty Bell said the election will probably be set for the second Tuesday in August. At that time, voters will be asked to decide whether a separate Gillette College district will be formed and a levy of up to 4 mills implemented to help fund the district, and they will be asked to vote for a seven-member board of trustees for the new college.

In the meantime, Gillette College cannot issue degrees or certificates in its name until the college is accredited – a process, Dr. Tribley has said in the past, that could take three years or more. During that time, he said, the curriculum will be taught and degrees and certificates bestowed under the name of the Northern Wyoming Community College District.

Dr. Tribley said details of the transition from the community college district to a separate Gillette College remain to be worked out, but in the meantime, the college district’s goal is to go into the coming fall to serve the students of Gillette College as it has in the past.