IVCCD Board of Directors The Iowa Valley Community College District Board of Directors was recently honored during school board week. Shown L-R front row: Conrad Dejardin, Marshalltown, District #5; Deborah Jones, Clemons, District #4; Yvonne Mallory, Toledo, District #6; and Debra Johnson, Eldora, District #2. Back row: Paul Pohlson, Grinnell, District #7; Larry Johnson, Iowa Falls, District #1; and Delbert Kellogg, Marshalltown, District #3. Photo provided

MARSHALLTOWN (SPECIAL) – The Iowa Valley Community College District Board of Directors received information regarding a proposed paralegal program to be offered through Iowa Valley Community College Grinnell and distance learning when they met on May 12.

Paralegal Program to Begin this fall

Dr. Robin Shaffer Lilienthal, Provost of IVCC Grinnell presented a proposal for a new Paralegal Program that will be offered in both on-campus and on-line delivery formats. The paralegal career field is the seventh fastest growing job in Iowa with an anticipated 23% increase in employment openings through 2016. She noted that only four other Iowa community colleges offer the paralegal program and none offer the distance learning option. Dr. Lilienthal also documented several area employers who have expressed interest in training employees or hiring graduates of the program, including insurance companies, and law firms.

Two board members expressed very favorable response to the proposal. Yvonne Mallory appreciated the opportunity for distance learning, and attorney Larry Johnson said it is a great program whose end result will be the opportunity for employment. The Board approved moving forward with the new Paralegal program as an Associate in Arts (AA) degree program beginning in fall 2010. Next year, IVCCD will pursue Department of Education approval to also offer an Associate of Science-Career Option degree in paralegal studies.

Bid Approved for IVCC Grinnell Work

In action items the Board approved a bid for the 2010 Technology Lab Renovation and FEMA Wall Project at IVCC Grinnell from Welker Construction for $185,500 base bid plus Alternative 1 for a FEMA wall at $20,900, and Alternative 2 for painting ceiling at $2,650. This project will renovate IVCC Grinnell’s existing Industrial Maintenance Technology Lab and create new lab space to accommodate the new Automotive Technology program that will begin in fall 2011. It also includes the final phase of FEMA Mitigation that resulted from flood damage during July of 2008.

Agreements with High Schools

Contract agreements were approved for IVCCD to provide college level courses to students at Montezuma Community School, Grinnell-Newburg Community School District, BGM Community School District, and Lynnville-Sully Community School District.

Orpheum Theater Center Construction Substantially Complete

The Board approved the substantial completion of the IVCCD Orpheum Theater Renovation Project. Dr. Christopher Duree, as MCC Provost, noted the completion of this project was a long time coming. The Orpheum Theater Center Grand Opening Gala will be June 23-26 when the public will get its chance to see the work that has been done.

The Board also approved an amendment adding $5,000 to the Iowa Workforce Development budget; an agreement with Iowa Rivers Chapter of the American Red Cross and Iowa Valley Continuing Education as an authorized provider of Red Cross Health and Safety Education; an agreement with SirsiDynix for Symphony SaaS Software to upgrade library services for ECC and MCC students, including those off campus; a contract addendum with food service companies at both colleges for 2010-2011: Consolidated Management Company at ECC, and Treat America Food Services at MCC.

Continue to Pay for Board Member Internet Service?

By request of Board member Larry Johnson of Iowa Falls an item on the agenda asked the board to consider whether to continue the option for board members to have their internet service paid by the District. Larry Johnson explained, “You would have internet anyway, why should the public pay for your internet? We’ve asked our staff to tighten their belts, we should do the same.” Yvonne Mallory said other entities reduce costs by sending papers electronically, not paper copies. The cost for internet service was estimated at $30 a month per board member. In a vote on whether to change the policy, two board members voted yes, four voted no and one member abstained.

The motion failed. Larry Johnson said he would request this item be added to each month’s agenda until it passed.

IACCT Conference Budget

In July, Iowa Valley Community College District will host the 2010 Iowa Association of Community College Trustees (IACCT) annual Conference in Marshalltown. Board President Conrad Dejardin said members of the planning committee have been working long hours and have arranged 23 speakers for the event. The budget for the event was approved.

Automate ECC Bookstore

The Board approved a hardware/software system to automate the ECC bookstore; and a binary collection program with TekCollect to handle collections of outstanding student accounts throughout IVCCD.

Tuition Increase Approved for 2010-2011

The Board approved the recommendation to increase tuition $6 per credit. The recommendation was made after thorough evaluation of the financial situation, the estimated enrollment for fall and spring, additional expenses the District is facing, and a desire to pass a minimal amount on to the students.

Appoint New Chancellor of IVCCD

Following a closed session the Board announced the appointment of Dr. Christopher Duree as the Chancellor of Iowa Valley Community College District. Dr. Duree came to Iowa Valley as the Provost of Marshalltown Community College in November 2008. He was named Acting Chancellor of IVCCD in November 2009.