Southwestern's board of trustees holds October 2024 meeting

Creston- The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the college's Administration Center for its regular board meeting.

The consent agenda was approved as presented.

Brandi Shay, SWCC chief financial officer, presented the board with a list of financial institutions the college can deposit its funds into. The board approved the depository resolution as presented.

Following discussion about the bid process for the college's electronic access control system project, the board voted to reject all bids for the project. Shay said only one eligible bid was received, and after receiving feedback from several contractors, it was recommended the college adjust the scope of the project and seek bids again.

The board approved two board policies - the annual board planning cycle and monitoring executive performance. Dr. Tony Cass, SWCC board president, said due to the timing of insurance and asset protection, the board has changed its annual planning cycle, and has changed when the CEO evaluation takes place.

The board approved appointments to the SWCC Education Foundation Board as presented.

During the president's report, Lindsay Stoaks, SWCC president, and Kim Bishop, SWCC dean of student services, presented the board with information on the college's Master Facilities Plan top priority projects. Stoaks gave an update on the Transportation Training Center and then gave the board information on a proposed Skilled Trades Center which would house SWCC's carpentry and building trades program, SWCC's electrical technology program, and have a bay for the EMS program's ambulance.

Stoaks then presented a four-phase plan to improve the college's athletic facilities. Phases one and two would include upgrades at the baseball and softball fields to include turf fields, new fencing and dugouts, new sidewalks, a restroom and concession building, as well as a potential safe room. Phases three and four include the building of a wrestling and weight room. Bishop provided insight into the construction of a fieldhouse with a track, turf, and sport court, which would follow the wrestling and weight room. Stoaks said this would be a 7- to 10-year plan.

Stoaks provided the board with an update on the college's work toward creating its strategic plan for the 2025-2029 academic years. Stoaks said the strategic planning committee identified five initiatives that simplify the college's strategic plan and play into the college's recently developed "We Are One" marketing campaign.

Bishop reminded the board of the college's upcoming Athletic Fundraiser, being held Thursday, Nov. 7, in the SWCC Student Center gymnasium.

Stoaks recognized Holly Booth, SWCC business instructor, who attended the board meeting as faculty representative.

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