The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of trustees met on Tues., August 12, 2014, at 5:30 p.m. in the board room of the college’s Administration Center.
In personnel, the board accepted two faculty resignations, as well as the employment of two new faculty members:
• The board accepted the resignation of Amanda Mohr, nursing instructor. Mohr had been employed by the college since January 2005.
• The board accepted the resignation of Mike Holmes, physical education instructor. Holmes, who was also the men’s head basketball coach, had been at the college for seven years.
• The board approved the employment of Pedro Hernandez as physical education instructor. Hernandez was hired for a 167-day contract with a salary of $34,750. Hernandez, who recently became SWCC’s head baseball coach, came to Creston from Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, where he served as a TRIO Student Support Services academic advisor, adjunct physical education instructor, and assistant baseball coach.
• The board approved the employment of Rumy Kabir as information technology systems networking instructor for a 202-day contract with a salary of $43,848. Kabir is currently the administrative software system manager for the college. He has been employed at SWCC since 2011.
Tom Lesan, SWCC vice president of economic development, reviewed the college’s Five Year Facilities Plan with the board. Lesan discussed recent improvements being made on campus such as the carpeting being replaced in the Learning Resource Center and the 200 bay of classrooms receiving new paint and carpet. Following Lesan’s report, the board approved the Five Year Facilities Plan as presented.
The board appointed Mary Jo Skarda, board secretary, as interim board treasurer. This position was vacated with the resignation of Teresa Krejci, chief financial officer. Skarda will serve as interim board treasurer until the new chief financial officer is hired and appointed to the position.
No comments or questions were received during the discussion of monitoring process.
Lesan reported to the board on progress being made in the construction of Spartan Court, the new three-story residence hall on campus. Lesan said the state fire marshal was at Spartan Court on Monday. He noted a few minor issues, which were corrected by the end of the work day on Wednesday, August 13. Due to the fire marshal’s schedule, he will not be back to campus to review the issues again until Friday, August 15. According to Lesan, if all goes as planned, the building should be ready for occupancy by afternoon on Fri., August 15.
Jerry Smith, board member from Osceola and SWCC Iowa Association of Community College Trustees (IACCT) representative, reported he had attended the recent IACCT meeting in Des Moines. Smith said MJ Dolan, IACCT executive director, plans to attend the college’s September board meeting. Dave Palmer and Jerry Fitzgerald, community college liaisons, plan to visit the board in October to provide updates from the State Capitol.
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