PIERRE, S.D.(KELO)- South Dakota lawmakers need some extra time to work on the level of state support for expansion at the Ellsworth Air Force Base.

This year’s legislature rejected a five-million dollar package to help the Douglas School district prepare to receive the influx of students that will come with the expansion.

Senator Mike Rounds told a legislative committee Thursday that supporting the Douglas district is crucial.

He has already worked to get federal money.

About four-thousand service members will arrive with the B-21 Raider Bombers coming to Ellsworth over the next several years.

Rounds says providing an up-to-date school facility and strong education program for their children is an important first step.

It appears as though the South Dakota Legislature will face a 21-million dollar question next year related to the B-21 Raider Bomber project at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

That’s what is needed to go with 42-million dollars Senator Mike Rounds has included in the Federal budget to help the Douglas School District add buildings to educate children coming with the four-thousand airmen needed for the expansion project.

Yankton Senator Jean Hunhoff says the building is just a part of the picture.

Hunhoff of Yankton wants assurance of a healthy check and balance.

The expansion at Ellsworth is needed as it takes on the mission of being home for the new B-21 Raider Bomber.