Creston— The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of trustees met Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. in the Administration Center on the Creston campus.
The SWCC board heard a report from Devon Tyler-Leith of Tyler Insurance Services, Inc., Creston, concerning the college’s insurance coverage. Tyler noted the Worker’s Compensation Modification Factor decreased from 1.33 to .97. Tyler said the National Council on Compensation Insurance miscalculated rates for the state of Iowa on 2019 renewals, which will result in the college receiving a refund check for 2.3 percent of its premium for this particular renewal. She also noted the Iowa Association of School Boards negotiated a “group” price for the college’s Cyber Liability policy, saving the college $3,766.
Tom Lesan, SWCC vice president of economic development, reviewed the 260E Bond Trac report. Lesan stated the college has collected sufficient funds to pay off the obligations in the last 260E issuance by June 1, 2020.
Bill Taylor, SWCC vice president of instruction, 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 2018-19 academic year, instructors conducted five-year program reviews for the administrative office technology and graphic design 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 by SWCC for high school students. This fall, Southwestern has career academies in eight program areas: carpentry and building trades (32 enrolled), collision repair and refinish (one enrolled), health careers (59 enrolled), automotive repair technology (34 enrolled), electrical technology (six enrolled), business (9 enrolled), information technology systems networking (three enrolled), and welding technology (30 enrolled). There are 15 high schools participating in the academies.
Kim Bishop, SWCC’s dean of student services, reported preliminary fall 2019 enrollment is at 1,585 students. Bishop said this is up from 1,542 students in fall 2018. She will give the final fall 2019 enrollment report at the October board of trustees meeting.
Ann Schlapia, SWCC Workplace Learning Network (WLN) coordinator, presented to the SWCC board regarding the work-based learning activities provided to K-12 students in the school districts served by the WLN. Through relevant pathway information and workplace exploration, students who participate in the WLN make connections to business and industry professionals to formulate and develop career goals. School districts served by Southwestern's WLN include Bedford, Central Decatur, Clarke, Creston, Diagonal, East Union, Lamoni, Lenox, Mormon Trail, Mount Ayr, Murray, Nodaway Valley, Orient-Macksburg, Red Oak, Southwest Valley, and Stanton.
Tom Lesan, SWCC vice president for economic development, updated board of trustees’ members on the renovation underway in the science lab areas of the Instructional Center and the addition to SWCC’s ag site. Lesan said construction is progressing according to timeline. Both projects are slated for completion prior to the start of spring 2020 semester.
Jerry Smith, SWCC board member from Osceola, gave a brief report on the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees (IACCT). Smith distributed the fiscal year 2019 annual report from IACCT and said community college representatives will be meeting with Iowa legislators and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds this fall to discuss community college initiatives.
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