Feb. 12, 2020, CRESTON, IOWA—The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. in the Administration Center on the Creston campus.
The board approved two resolutions, in separate motions, to enter Industrial New Jobs Training Agreements with the following companies: ZFS Creston, LLC of Creston in the amount of $950,000 and Weaver Meats, LLC of Afton in the amount of $110,000.
The board set a public hearing for review and approval of the college’s fiscal year 2021 budget. The public hearing was set for March 10, 2020, at 5:30 p.m., in the board room of the college’s Administration Center.
Following a short discussion, the board agreed to complete their annual CEO evaluation through an online survey. They will meet with Dr. Barb Crittenden, college president, to review the results of her evaluation during the March board meeting.
In personnel, the board approved the employment of Lindsay Stoaks of Lenox as the college’s vice president of instruction, upon the recommendation of Dr. Barb Crittenden, SWCC president. Stoaks will begin this position effective Feb. 17. She has been serving as interim vice president of instruction since November 2019.
During discussion of monitoring process, Fred Shearer, board member from Corning, asked for additional information regarding the summer concurrent enrollment programs in welding and health sciences to be offered for area high school students. Stoaks explained this is the second year SWCC has offered the welding program and the first year for health sciences.
Tom Lesan, SWCC vice president of economic development, updated the board on reconstruction progress at the Ag Site. During this reconstruction process classrooms/labs, offices, and a study area are being added to the main ag facility. Lesan said the college has seen $14,793.44 in change orders within the past month due primarily to design issues. Lesan said the first walk through is scheduled to take place on March 1 and he estimates ag courses will be meeting in the new classrooms by the middle of March.
Kim Bishop, SWCC dean of student services, reported to the board that spring 2020 enrollment is up 1 percent in head count and down 2 percent in total credit hours. The enrollment count for spring is 1,549 students, compared to 1,522 students during the spring 2019 semester.
Jerry Smith, SWCC board member from Osceola and Iowa Association of Community College Trustees (IACCT) representative, gave a brief report on the most recent IACCT meeting.
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