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During its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees authorized the college to begin contract negotiations with the lowest bidders for its ag addition and science lab renovation. Contracts will not be made until June 1.
Tom Lesan said the college accepted open bids for the construction of an ag addition and science lab renovation Monday, all of which came in higher than expected. Following the intake of bids, Envision, the school’s architects, advised Lesan on ways to save money in the long run.
“The bottom line is, this is the new market rate. Costs are up. Materials are up,” said Lesan.
The difference is roughly $700,000 above their initial estimate.
After college officials reviewed the bids, the lowest bids were presented to the board.
The board agreed to enter into contract negotiations with the lowest bidders, not to exceed the following amounts:
• $1,270,000 by Grand Construction for the general construction of the ag addition.
• $268,000 by Keul Electric for the electrical portion of the ag addition.
• $296,500 by Camblin Mechanical for the mechanical portion of the ag addition.
• $760,000 by Grand Construction for the general construction of the science lab renovation.
• $246,000 by Keul Electric for the electrical portion of the science lab renovation.
• $482,300 by Camblin Mechanical for the mechanical portion of the science lab renovation.
The facility updates are scheduled to be completed in November and open for classes for the Spring 2020 semester.
Tuition increase
Tia Samo, chief financial officer at SWCC, proposed a tuition increase of $6 per credit hour, which the board approved.
The increase, which would take effect fall 2019, is based on considerations such as attracting and retaining quality instructors, enabling students to benefit from new technology, the need to make up increased costs and the need to maintain and improve services.
Additional fee proposals would be a $25 increase in the RN and LPN nursing fees, and $150 for international student processing. Fees for embedded, online content will be assessed.
Personnel
The board unanimously approved to extend the contracts of Bill Taylor, vice president of instruction, through June 30, 2020, with a salary increase of 2.5%; Lindsay Stoaks, assistant vice president of instruction, through June 30, 2020, with a salary increase of 2.5%; and Dr. Barb Crittenden, president, through June 20, 2020, with a salary increase of 2.5%.
In other SWCC board news, the board appointed Samo to fill the position of Mary Jo Skarda, who retires this month from her duties as board secretary until a permanent replacement is found.