Petition launched to include Bingham County in College of Eastern Idaho

The Bingham County Republican Central Committee voted 14 to 1 Thursday night to support an initiative that would include Bingham County in the College of Eastern Idaho community college district. Committee Chairman Dan Cravens said the committee felt strongly that participation in the district would be very good for Bingham County and its youth. He said the college could increase access to dual enrollment courses for Bingham County students at the high school level. But he said it would be particularly helpful for older students in their 30’s and 40’s who might benefit from additional training and job skills. Craven said that would create a stronger workforce, attract new employers, and serve as a valuable economic development tool. Once included in the district, he said the county would anticipate courses being offered in the local community as well as the Idaho Falls campus. He projects several hundred county residents will eventually enroll. If Bingham County remains outside the district, the county would have to pay $50 per credit hour for up to 10 credits per semester in out-of-district costs for each student. If they were part of the district, Bingham County students would not face those additional charges. The Republican Central Committee said that, if approved by voters, the district would cost the average Bingham County homeowner a property tax increase of $11 to $12 per year. The committee will go door-to-door to collect enough signatures to support the petition. If the petition is accepted by the State Board of Education, voters in Bingham County would vote on joining the community college district in November. Approval would require a simple majority. Craven said Bingham Republicans have been discussing the proposal with Steve Taggart of the Idaho Falls YES campaign and Eastern Idaho Technical College President Rick Amen since shortly after Bonneville County approved creation of the community college district May 16.