The Wyoming Community College Commission is "honored and thrilled" to share information and ideas with the Legislature-appointed Community College Task Force, said commission Chairman Ann Chambers Noble.

"The state is very committed to its education, and what this task force is charged with is making sure that the community colleges are part of the new work force development that's going to be happening," Noble said. "So for all of us to be working together is exciting and I think there's going to be some real positive output. It really is a joint effort on many parts."

The commission and the task force discussed their joint responsibilities during a commission meeting at Casper College on Tuesday.

Task force member Rep. Peter Jorgensen, D-Jackson, said the considerable portion of Wyoming's population living near border states could cause serious problems for education systems within the state.

"Education, in this state, is the most important thing we can do for our citizens," he said. "And community colleges have never received as much attention from the state from a funding standpoint."

Jorgensen encouraged the commission to share its views with the task force and requested that ideas be submitted in a written report.

"Give us your points of view from your experience and your sense," he said.

"You don't want the Legislature to decide what you need," said Rep. Del McOmie, R-Lander, chairman of the education committee and a member of the task force. "We want you to tell us what you think you need."

The task force, which was designed to help address governance issues and give the commission more authority, hopes to have the commission's reports by November. Once the task force reviews the information, it will inform the legislative education committee. The education committee, unlike the task force, has the power to draft legislation based on information received.

Noble said she's grateful that the Legislature wants input from the commission, and that as a team, the commission and task force will work more productively.

"We realize that the state is evolving quickly. We're in a big transition time, and our colleges want to respond to those changes. They are responding to those changes," she said. "And the Legislature is really making us a full partner in making sure the colleges are a part of all the transition."

The commissioners plan to come up with issues individually, then collectively create documents during an upcoming retreat in Saratoga, Noble said.

Contact reporter Megan Lee at (307) 266-0589 or megan.lee@trib.com