Creston— The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met on Tuesday, July 12, 2016, at 5:30 p.m. in the board room of the college’s Administration Center for their regular board meeting.
A public hearing was held on the remodeling project planned for room 220 of the Instructional Center. No oral or written objections or petitions were heard or submitted.
Tom Lesan explained to the board that one bid was received from Camblin Mechanical of Atlantic. The base bid was $609,350 and included three alternate bids that could be added to the project: Alternate bid 1 - $17,100 for replacement of existing doors and frames; Alternate bid 2 - $1,830 to install owner-provided auditorium seating; and Alternate bid 3 - $11,650 to install owner-provided carpet. Lesan said the college administration determined it would be beneficial to include Alternate bid 2 in the decision. Following discussion, the college’s board voted to approve the base bid, including Alternate bid 2, for a total of $611,180 as presented. Lesan stated the project should be completed by September 28, 2016.
Bill Taylor, SWCC vice president of instruction, then spoke to the board regarding the college’s ongoing partnership with the Decatur County Development Corporation (DCDC) for the Clarke/Central Decatur High School carpentry and building trades Career Academy program. With this proposal, a home will be constructed during the 2016-17 school year on DCDC-owned property at 207 NW 6th Street in Leon. DCDC will pay for all materials associated with construction of the home. After listening to Taylor’s presentation, the board authorized the SWCC administration to enter into a Building Partnership Contract with DCDC as presented.
In personnel, the board approved the employment of Ron Utley as a carpentry and building trades program instructor for the Clarke/Central Decatur High School Career Academy program. Utley has worked in the construction industry for more than 30 years.
Doug Greene, SWCC director of distance education, presented to the board regarding the college’s online course offerings. He noted eCollege, the Iowa Community College Online Consortium’s current online platform will no longer be available after the coming academic year and therefore ICCOC, of which SWCC is a part of, will be transitioning to a different company for software applications and support services.
Taylor talked to the board regarding some recent graduate success stories including:
• Daniel Leonard of Mount Ayr placed first in the nation in electrical construction wiring during the 2016 SkillsUSA competition in Louisville, KY. Leonard, who placed first in state competition qualifying him for the national competition, graduated with his Associate of Applied Science degree in electrical technology in June.
• Shelby Woods of Madison, MO, placed first at SkillsUSA state competition and 13th in the nation at the 2016 SkillsUSA competition in the automotive refinishing technology category. Woods earned her Associate of Applied Science degree in auto collision repair/refinish from SWCC in May.
• Theo Piniau, a May 2015 SWCC graduate, will compete in the men’s 200m dash at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Piniau, who is now a student at West Texas A&M in Canyon, TX, will compete for Papua New Guinea, his home country. Piniau ran for SWCC’s track and field team from August 2013-May 2015.
Jerry Smith, SWCC board member from Osceola and Iowa Association of Community College Trustees (IACCT) representative, talked briefly to the board about IACCT’s recent meeting. Smith stated discussion was held regarding amendments that have been made to the IACCT Defined Contribution TIAA 403(a) Plan and said these changes will be brought to the board in August or September for approval.
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