Vote for EITC community college to be on May ballot

May 16 could be a big day for the future of higher education in eastern Idaho. The Bonneville County Commissioners voted Friday morning to put an issue on the May ballot that could make Eastern Idaho Technical College a community college.

The “Citizens for Affordable Higher Education” group started a petition in 2015 to get the issue on the May 16 ballot. After a petition gained more than 2,000 verified signatures and approval from the state board of education, people in Bonneville County will get the chance to make a decision on whether a community college should be in eastern Idaho.

“As commissioners. we’ve done our best to stay fairly impartial on this and, just do what we’re required by statute and that is put it on the ballot. We wanted to do that at the earliest date possible after receiving the recommendation from the state so that it gets the information out there for everybody and so they can start the debate and discussing what the benefits and the concerns would be,” said Bryon Reed, county commissioner District 3.