The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., in the Administration Center board room.

Fred Shearer of Corning, board vice president, conducted the meeting due to the absence of Dr. Tony Cass of Creston, board president.

Brandi Shay, Southwestern chief financial officer, talked to the board about the proposed FY2027 college budget. Shay said the college's administration has been able to keep the levy rate flat because valuations increased last year. According to the data, Shay said valuations increased 7.8 percent, moving from $4.280 billion to $4.615 billion. In addition, Shay said the total proposed levy rate has slightly decreased $.00298 (.2 percent), moving from $1.07216 to $1.06918. Shay said the college's proposed spending authority is $40.573 million, compared to $36.230 million the prior year.

Following Shay's presentation, the board set a public hearing for the FY2027 certified budget to be approved for filing and publication on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.

Shearer told the board it was time for the annual CEO evaluation for Lindsay Stoaks, college president. He said the survey would once again be distributed via SurveyMonkey.

Wayne Pantini, SWCC vice president of economic development, told the board the college is looking to purchase a shuttle bus due to the increasing maintenance necessary for an aging fleet. Pantini said the college has received three bids, with the lowest, $214,846, from Haugland Bus Co., based in Iowa.

Pantini said acquiring the shuttle will be a six-month process, so the purchase will be made in FY2027, with the funds coming from Fund 3, auxiliary services. Following Pantini's report, the college approved the purchase of a new shuttle bus in FY2027 for an amount not to exceed $225,000.

The board approved the renewal of the no-cost lease agreement for the operation and maintenance of the fine arts wing of the Crest Area Arts and Recreation Center, also known as the performing arts center, on the east side of campus.

In personnel, the board approved the resignation of Kori Zarzutzki, head women's basketball coach, effective March 2, 2026. Zarzutzki has coached the women's team the previous two seasons.

The board approved a contract for Madisyn Havermann, assistant volleyball coach, for the remainder of the 2025-26 academic year.

Havermann, a native of Elkhorn, played volleyball collegiately at Iowa Western, Mount Mercy University, and the College of Saint Mary. She earned an Associate of Arts in business administration from Iowa Western and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and management from the College of Saint Mary.

During the president's report, Kim Bishop, SWCC dean of student services, told the board spring commencement ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, May 8, 2026, at 4 p.m., nursing commencement, and 7 p.m., arts & sciences and career & technical education commencement, in the Student Center gymnasium.

Pantini told the board a trades building groundbreaking ceremony is being scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 10 a.m., at the construction site east of the Technical Center. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved inside to the welding lab area in the Technical Center.

During the board members' reports, Zach Gunsolley of Diagonal, board member, told the board he was resigning his position due to increasing family commitments. Shearer thanked Gunsolley for his 13-year commitment, 2013-2026, to the board.

Photo above (L to R): Fred Shearer of Corning, SWCC board vice president, and Zach Gunsolley of Diagonal, former SWCC board member.