Creston— The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met electronically on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at 7:30 a.m. in the president’s office in the college’s Administration Center for their regular board meeting.
The board approved the hiring of Brooke Owen, nursing instructor, and Josh Keul, electrical technology instructor, for the 2017-18 academic year.
Owen, who has been at the college since 2015, is currently serving in the role of nursing simulation lab coordinator. Prior to 2015, she was employed at Greater Regional Medical Center as a registered nurse.
Keul comes to SWCC from Seneca Companies in Grandview, MO, where he has been an electrical division manager. He has been with Seneca Companies since 2013. Keul, a fourth generation electrician, has more than 13 years of work experience as a professional electrician. He is a Master Class A electrician in Iowa.
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. This will be the second year for this joint project. With this agreement, a home will be constructed during the 2017-18 school year on DCDC-owned property at 25311 Quest Road in Leon. DCDC will pay for all materials associated with construction of the home. After listening to Taylor’s report, the board authorized the SWCC administration to enter into a Building Partnership Contract with DCDC as presented.
Tom Lesan, SWCC vice president of economic development, reported to the board that the college’s six-cent levy will be on the September 12 ballot. This levy has been in place since 2007. Funds from the levy may only be used for instructional equipment at the college. According to Lesan, billboards have been reserved starting the end of July and speaking engagements are being booked to inform people about the levy.
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.
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