The Campbell County School District is planning to change its status with the state so it will be on the receiving end of funding rather than giving more to the state.
Campbell County School District has been a recapture district since the 1980s, meaning it sends money to the state to be distributed to other school districts. Over nearly four decades, the county has sent close to a billion dollars to other schools thanks to the energy industry.
But now, for the 2021-2022 school year, the Campbell County School District will likely be moving from being a recapture district to the entitlement phase due to weak economic forecasts, meaning they will be on the receiving end from the state for the first time.
The district's Associate Superintendent Dennis Holmes said it's an effect of the lack of production in the energy industry.
"It's certainly been a luxury. I don't want to downplay it," he said "It's just a true sign of the economy and what's going on. It's unfortunate that we're not able to do that.
Holmes added the change shouldn't have a large effect on how the district does business. The Gillette News Record reported that officials are concerned about what it means for the state.
The district won't make it official until the budget is approved in July, but Holmes said barring any significant changes to the county's assessed valuation, the change will likely happen for the next school year.