Creston— The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at 5:30 p.m. in the college’s Administration Center for their regular board meeting.
The board recessed early in the meeting to hold a Collective Bargaining Strategy Session.
When the board reconvened, Tom Lesan, SWCC vice president for economic development, presented to the board regarding the remodeling of room 220 in the college’s Instructional Center. Lesan noted the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimate of total cost have been received for the project. The bids will be opened July 11, 2016, with a project completion date of September 27, 2016. According to Lesan, as part of the project, nine HVAC units will be replaced with five energy efficient units, and planking and a walkway will be installed above the ceiling to enable future maintenance to be completed on the HVAC units. Following Lesan’s presentation, the SWCC board approved the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimate of total cost for the project and set a public hearing for July 12, 2016, at 5:30 p.m. in the board room of the Administration Center.
Next, the board approved a two-year contract with Consolidated Management Company of Des Moines for food service in the Spartan Café, SWCC’s dining center. Prior to the vote, Crittenden explained to the board the contract would have an option to renew for two, two-year extensions. Crittenden said the contract, which will begin on July 1, 2016, will be similar to the college’s previous contract with Creston Hy-Vee and will continue with the current system for declining balance cards for student meal plans. It is mandatory for students to sign up for a meal plan with their student housing contract.
Lesan reported to the board that a collective bargaining agreement was reached between the Southwestern Community College Education Association and Southwestern Community College. The board ratified the agreement, which included a wage increase of 3.2 percent, as well as an increase of $1,000 in the minimum hiring base for each level. In addition, as part of the agreement, language clarifications were made to the college’s faculty Leave Policy and Supplemental Pay policy.
Contracts were approved and extended, with a 3.2 percent salary increase, through June 30, 2017, for Dr. Barb Crittenden, SWCC president; Bill Taylor, vice president of instruction; and Lindsay Stoaks, assistant vice president of instruction.
Uncollectible account write-offs were approved as presented. Crittenden told the board the majority of the accounts being recommended for write-off were from fiscal years 2012 and 2013 and had been at collections with little or no activity for 18 months or more. Crittenden explained although the account balances are written-off, students’ transcripts are held and students cannot register for additional classes until the balances are paid. Crittenden noted the college utilizes two collection agencies, as well as the state of Iowa Offset Program, to attempt to collect the accounts after write-off.
During the president’s report, Crittenden reminded the board summer commencement will be held Fri., June 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the Student Center gymnasium.
Beth Kulow, SWCC dean of student services, gave the summer enrollment report. Kulow stated summer enrollment at the college is at 503 students and 2,608 credit hours for the two summer sessions. This is slightly down from summer 2015.
The board was informed about the Iowa Association for Community College Trustees (IACCT) next regular meeting, which will be held June 16 in Des Moines and then the meeting was adjourned.
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