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Board hears legislative update; trustees urged to lobby for K-12 facilities and transportation funding in tomorrow’s appropriations hearing
Summary
Board chair Markland briefed trustees on state bills affecting district finance and facilities, including a high-stakes appropriations committee vote on HB259 that includes construction funding for County High School and the transportation facility; trustees discussed contingency steps should the bills fail.
Campbell County School District #1 board chair Markland told trustees that the state legislative session was moving multiple education-related measures and emphasized an urgent appropriations committee vote scheduled the following day that could determine whether supplemental construction funds for County High School and the district transportation facility advance.
Markland said the board was tracking roughly 66 bills with direct or indirect impact on the district and listed several of the higher-profile measures, including HB172 (repeal or modification of gun-free zone restrictions), HB259 (K–12 school facilities supplemental appropriations, which includes County High School and Transportation funding) and other files related to school finance, cash reserves and open enrollment policies. He said some bills have been enrolled and sit on the governor’s desk; others remain under committee review.
Why it matters: Markland described HB259 as “the first bill on the agenda” in the state Senate Appropriations Committee the next day and said five committee members will determine whether the projects advance. He named the committee chair and several members and urged concerned citizens to contact senators before the committee convenes: “There are five people … the chairman on the senate side is Tim Salazar,” Markland said, and he named Ogden Driscoll, Mike (Teton County), Dan Larson and Darren Smith as other key votes.
Board members discussed contingency planning should the funding fail. Trustees and administration noted that without construction dollars the County High School project and the transportation facility would be delayed at least a year; delays would increase cost due to inflation and could push back project schedules. Superintendent and board staff said the district would continue design work where feasible (interviews with design firms were scheduled) but that construction bidding could be postponed if appropriation fails.
Trustee Brewer asked whether short-term repairs or temporary measures could improve conditions at County High School while waiting for construction funding; district staff said they would analyze options but cautioned that temporary fixes represent an investment the district might not recoup if a new building is funded later.
Ending: Markland told trustees he would continue to monitor committee activity and urged community members to contact the Senate Appropriations Committee. No formal board action was taken at this meeting on the state bills; trustees discussed next steps and the district’s design schedule for the high school.
