OLYMPIA - The Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees met with legislators at the capitol Tuesday to discuss legislative priorities.

The board met with Representatives Bruce Chandler (R-Granger), Bryan Sandlin (R-Zillah), Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy), Joe Schmick (R-Colfax), Tom Dent (R-Moses Lake), Alex Ybarra (R-Quincy) and Senators Mark Schoesler (R-Ritzville), Nikki Torres (R-Pasco) and Judy Warnick (R-Moses Lake).

A discussion itinerary, provided by a representative of BBCC, highlights Big Bend’s efforts to remove barriers to education for prospective students who live in smaller, rural cities on the borders of its service districts.

The itinerary also addresses that Big Bend is asking local legislators to support efforts to expand access to postsecondary credentials for students through bills like HB 1013 and HB 1003.

“These efforts, if planned strategically, could have a positive impact on high school students in small, rural, low-income districts,” the itinerary stated.

The itinerary also states the importance of community colleges, like Big Bend, in providing opportunities for students to earn postsecondary credit or degrees.

“In every bill, please make sure that community colleges are included as mandatory partners at the table helping to create opportunities for high school students,” the itinerary closes with.