JASA SANTOS Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Friday, July 25, 2008 12:00 am
The Wyoming Community College Task Force took a leap forward Thursday, adopting a proposal that sets guidelines for the Wyoming Community College Commission's - as well as the state's - role in funding capital construction projects.
The proposal, which the task force will try to have adopted as state law, gives the Wyoming Community College Commission responsibility for development of capital construction requests on an annual basis.
It also places some funding responsibility on the state.
The task force was created by the Legislature during the 2008 budget session, and Gov. Dave Freudenthal appointed members to the group. It replaces the Blue Ribbon Commission and continues to study the state's seven community colleges.
Rep. Del McOmie, R-Lander, co-chairman for the Task Force, helped draft the proposal. McOmie said he intended the proposal as a framework for discussing how capital construction projects are funded, not as a document that says the state will pick up 100 percent of construction costs.
"I just brought something forward," McOmie said. "A starting point."
Executive director Jim Rose said the commission appreciates the proposal, since it helps clarify a process the commission has struggled with - prioritizing and funding capital construction at community colleges.
The commission voiced concerns over the proposal's prioritization process, since the commission's own process differs slightly from the proposal, Rose said.
"I think it's safe to say, in general principle, this is a major step forward for the commission," Rose said.
In the past, state funding for capital construction has been hit or miss for community colleges. The state required that officials prove projects would address a statewide need.
But last year, the state cut off capital construction funds completely, citing a lack of project prioritization and indicating some projects strayed from addressing state needs.
Sen. Hank Coe, R-Cody, co-chairman of the Task Force, said the proposal provides a mechanism to give direction to the community college commission in regards to capital construction.
"It's not saying that we're going to building all the buildings," Coe cautioned. "It's a big step forward in the three areas we agreed to look at - governance, funding and capital construction."
Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com.