TRUSTEES PROCEED WITH SUSTAINABLE ENERGY EDUCATION CENTER

The Trustees of Iowa Lakes Community College decided Tuesday to proceed with two phases of expansion to house the Wind Energy and Turbine Technology program.

The college held a public hearing on two building phases for the Sustainable Energy Education Center to house the Wind Energy and Turbine Technology program’s ever-increasing numbers of students.

The Trustees voted to proceed with both phases along with alternatives 1, 3 and 4 at a cost of $1.4 million. The facility will be environmentally friendly with geothermal heating and cooling. Construction is expected to begin in early May.

During the Iowa Lakes report, shared programs in Algona were featured at the Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday afternoon.

Shawn Klemm teaches Automotive Technology at Algona High School. He talked about the value of offering this option to high school students. Students taking classes both their junior and senior years will complete their first year of college-level Auto Technology. Career Academy classes are designed to enable high school students to explore career options and gain specific employment skills. Students may earn both college and high school credit while enrolled in high school.

Phil Stein also addressed the Trustees. He teaches anatomy and physiology dual enrollment classes at Algona High School. Dual enrollment allows students to earn college and high school credit. The goal of dual enrollment is to expand and enhance the high school curriculum.

The Trustees also voted to enhance the college’s computer network and phone connectivity by installing some fiber optic lines as well as to enter into a contract with the Estherville Lincoln Central school district to use four strands of their existing fiber optic lines.

A board policy amendment passed its first of three readings Tuesday. The slight alteration allows for bills over $5,000 to be paid in advance of the board meeting if they meet certain criteria.

And, a supplemental resolution allowing the college to participate in ISCAP (Iowa School Anticipation Program) was approved. It allows Iowa Lakes to pool its funds with other ISCAP members to combine temporary cash flow borrowing needs in a safe, cost-effective program. The college has participated in this program in the past.

The meeting wrapped up with several reports given by the Trustees.

The college year is beginning to wind down. Spring Commencement will be Friday, May 11. The next meeting of the Iowa Lakes Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, May 15 in Spirit Lake.