Creston— The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met for their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 5:30 p.m., in the Administration Center board room.
The board held a public hearing regarding approval of the plans, specification, form of contract, and cost estimate for the SWCC ag building CDL training addition project. No oral or written comments were received.
The board moved into a public hearing for consideration of the fiscal year 2025 budget. Again, no oral or written comments were received.
Brian Crawford of Denovo Construction Solutions, the construction manager for the CDL addition project, explained the bid process. Crawford said there were six bids total, but for various reasons four bids dropped out, ending with two qualified bids. He explained the bids did come in higher than the projected project cost.
The lowest bid was received from Premier Commercial Services of Urbandale, at $416,730. Crawford said he received a number of references for the work of Premier, three of which he knew personally. Following his research, Crawford made a recommendation to the SWCC board to offer a contract to Premier Commercial Services.
Wayne Pantini, SWCC vice president of economic development, then explained to the board due to the bids coming in higher than the projected cost, the college’s administrative cabinet was seeking approval of the board for an increase of $70,000 from the Fund 2 Economic Development Administration funds, bringing the total project budget to approximately $1.1 million. Pantini said the increase will allow for purchase of the CDL trailer, as well as create a project contingency of $20,000.
Following Pantini’s request, the board approved the bid and CDL training project as presented.
Brandi Shay, SWCC chief financial officer, spoke to the board regarding the fiscal year 2025 budget. Shay said the total proposed levy rate is $1.02568 and has a proposed spending authority of $34.883 million. The board approved the budget as presented.
Shay then moved into the consideration of tuition and fees for the 2024-25 academic year. She said the administrative cabinet was requesting a $7 increase in tuition. She said the $7 range is what is being looked at across the state at community colleges. Shay said SWCC is in the upper third overall with community colleges for tuition rate.
Dr. John Franklin, SWCC interim vice president of instruction, then explained some increases in college fees, for example increases in professional music fees, electrical technology fees, and nursing fees.
The board approved all increases for tuition and fees.
Next, Franklin talked to the board about three new certificate options for students, including a paraeducator certificate, pesticide application certificate, and auto collision repair/refinish certificate. All certificates were approved and will be offered beginning with the fall 2024 semester.
In personnel, the board approved the resignation of Rebecca Pearce, RN, BSN, as nursing instructor at the end of the academic year.
Dr. Michael Johnson was approved as a professional music instructor for the 2024-25 academic year. Johnson has been a professor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston since 2008.
Dr. Paul Johnson was approved as a mathematics instructor for the 2024-25 academic year. Johnson has taught mathematics for Graceland University in Lamoni since 2007.
During the president’s report, Lindsay Stoaks, SWCC president, reminded the board of the athletic department’s 24th Annual 4-Person Best Shot Golf Tournament, this Friday, May 17, at Crestmoor Golf Club in Creston.
Stoaks introduced Emily Shields, executive director of the Community Colleges for Iowa, who spoke to the board regarding recent changes in the community college funding formula. Shields said earlier this week Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed off on the bill related to this year’s funding formula. The long-term plan among community college presidents is to adopt a formula to be used for approximately five years. The goal is to keep the formula relatively simple and not let the gap in tuition across the state get larger than it currently is.
Sue Stearns, SWCC board member and SWCC’s representative on the Community Colleges for Iowa board, spoke briefly regarding the recruitment of trustees across the state. She said at the state level they are discussing ways to make recruitment easier for colleges. Shields reiterated the concern for recruitment of trustees.
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