TORRINGTON – The Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, March 11, for a work session followed by the regular monthly board meeting. Present at the meeting were chairman Jackie Van Mark and board members Rick Vonburg, Katherine Patrick, Randy Adams, Robert Baumgartner, Kurt Sittner, and Jim Willox. Van Mark called the meeting to order.

After the minutes and agenda were approved, and the floor was given to Dr. Jeffery Hawes for his report. Hawes informed the board of the status of the 2026-2030 strategic plan, specifically phase II, a survey for college stakeholders, has been completed. Phase III has started which will include listening sessions around the EWC district, starting with one at Gurensey High School. Phase III will continue until May, at which time an updated plan will be presented to the board of trustees. Hawes also discussed the ongoing review of transcripts. The review is intended to ensure previously accepted high school transcripts met the requirements of the college at the time which the transcript was accepted. The review is ongoing.

Next, vice president John Hansen and vice president Dr. Margaret Farley reviewed recommendations for fee increases. College staff have evaluated the costs of supplies used in each course, and institutional fees and course fees are recommended to be adjusted to actual costs. 

Currently, the college is subsidizing some course supplies, affecting the bottom-line financial sustainability of the school. Vice presidents Hansen and Farley stated many of the course fees have not been updated in many years, and a new process is being introduced to review the fees annually to ensure upwards and downwards adjustments are being made regularly to reflect actual costs. Reviewing housing fees, the staff recommended no changes to the dormitory fees other than an increase for private rooms to reflect the premium nature of the private rooms. The most significant changes were to food service fees, which were proposed to increase 32% from $1,554 to $2,300 per semester. Food service costs have increased recently, most drastically in the labor costs for food service staff. Later in the meeting, each change was approved by the board. Chairperson Van Mark commented it was especially important the college recoup all costs which are appropriate in light of the recent bills passed by the state legislature which will reduce the funds received by the college from property tax revenue by almost $60,000. Hawes also remarked when comparing fees at EWC to other Wyoming community colleges, EWC is often among the lowest fees in the state.

CFO Kwin Wilkes gave a financial report. He stated both expenses and revenue are approximately in line with budgeted estimates. Other than upcoming anticipated reimbursements from the state, the college’s financial status is as expected for this point in the year. 

Dean Darryl Spitzer and Workforce Development Director Ed Kimes gave a report on the Workforce Development Department, specifically the CDL training program. Kimes reported more than 75 students have successfully graduated with a CDL license. The program prepares students for all types of truck driving including hauling of supplies, animals, and passengers. Students train on traditional trucks and in a school bus. Kimes stated the program has had the opportunity to take on high school students. High School students also present a challenge with state age requirements. The board praised the program for increasing enrollment and for providing practical skills training for students.

With no additional department reports or trustee topics, the meeting was adjourned.