BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- The Idaho House has backed a bill that would require community college trustees to be elected from designated zones inside the existing districts.
The measure would divide college districts into five zones with equal populations. Currently, college trustees can be elected to a board so long as they live within the current district.
Republican Rep. Greg Chaney of Caldwell says the proposal would give rural taxpayers more input in the direction of their local community colleges.
However, opponents of the measure say the bill furthers an existing divide between rural and urban areas. They also argue that the Legislature is rushing the bill without gathering input from community college stakeholders.
The measure passed the House on a 55-15 vote Thursday. It must now pass the Senate before it reaches Gov. C. L. "Butch" Otter's desk.
