Creston— The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of trustees met Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. in the Administration Center on the Creston campus.
Following approval of the minutes, Bill Taylor, SWCC vice president of instruction, spoke about a proposed project between the college’s carpentry and building trades program and Sonntag Development, LLC to construct a townhome in the Cottonwood Estates subdivision in Creston. This would be the third year for a joint project between the college and Sonntag Development. Taylor said the project would allow the college to provide required lab experience for students without incurring the expense and risk associated with building a spec home. Through the agreement, Sonntag Development, LLC will pay for all permits and materials necessary for the construction project. Following Taylor’s report, the SWCC board approved the project as presented.
Next, the board held a short discussion concerning the statewide curriculum management system, ESL, and HiSET programs at the college.
The SWCC board then heard a report from Phil Tyler, owner of Tyler Insurance Services, Inc., Creston, concerning the college’s insurance coverage. Tyler noted that last year the college’s property deductible was increased from $500 to $2,500, which reduced the property insurance premium by $13,000. In addition, he noted the Worker’s Compensation Modification Factor remained at 1.33.
Tom Lesan, SWCC vice president of economic development, reviewed the 260E Bond Trac report. Lesan stated this is the college’s last 260E issuance and the numbers in the report were reported as of June 30, 2018. Lesan said the agreements will be paid off by their call date of June 30, 2020. According to Lesan, in addition to the 260E program, the college continues to offer training for existing employees under the 260F program.
Taylor reported to the board regarding the program evaluation process, put in place to meet the requirements of the Iowa Community Colleges Program Review and Evaluation System developed by the Iowa Department of Education. Taylor told the board all of SWCC’s career and technical education programs complete an intensive internal review every five years.
During the 2017-18 academic year, instructors conducted five-year program reviews for the industrial technology, electrical technology, business administration, and accounting and information technology programs. Using information from advisory committee members, graduate satisfaction surveys, assessment and placement data, and job market trends, instructors and program evaluation committee members identified goals for improvement for each program.
Taylor also spoke about the career academy programs being offered at SWCC for high school students. This fall, Southwestern has career academies in six program areas: carpentry and building trades (16 enrolled), collision repair and refinish (three enrolled), health careers (62 enrolled), automotive repair technology (24 enrolled), electrical technology (three enrolled), business (29 enrolled), and welding technology (23 enrolled). There are 15 high schools participating in the academies.
Beth Kulow, SWCC’s dean of student services, reported preliminary fall 2018 enrollment is at 1,548 students and 14,903 credit hours. Kulow said this is down 1.6 percent from fall 2017. She will give the final fall 2018 enrollment report at the October board of trustees meeting.
Jerry Smith, SWCC board member from Osceola, gave a brief report on the recent Iowa Association of Community College Trustees (IACCT) meeting in Des Moines.
Following adjournment, board members toured the college’s ag site.
###