Timeline
2021, EMCSD conducted community engagement meetings to discuss consolidating buildings with a K-12 at the EM high school campus in Malvern. The concept of a Regional Career and Technical Education Center at the EM Elementary Campus was presented to the EM voters as a solution to the EM Elementary building becoming vacant with the passing of a $22 million bond to convert the EM high school into a K-12 campus.
In late fall 2021, A committee was formed to take the Regional CTE Center from a vision to fruition. The committee conducted research to present to the EM Board in the spring of 2022. The committee determined the name SWITCH and then began creating a non-profit entity that would eventually become independent of the major stakeholders.
In August 2022, SWITCH filed paperwork with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the state of Iowa to begin becoming a non-profit entity.
In the fall of 2022, Director and Career Coach Kattie Lewis was hired to work with the major stakeholders, regional schools, communities, and businesses.
April 2023, Regional Site Center Study released showing the need for SWITCH in southwest Iowa
August 2023, SWITCH receives 501(c)(3) Non-Profit status from IRS
2023, Over $1 million in awards and grants have been awarded to SWITCH, EM, and IWCC to begin the construction at SWITCH for classes offered through IWCC starting in the fall of 2024.
From September 2023 through January 2024, the SWITCH Regional Strategic Planning Committee met to develop SWITCH's Strategic Plan. Green Hills Area Education Agency Facilitator Joni Ehm led a diverse group of leaders from Iowa and Nebraska, partnering with school districts, student representatives, and educational and business partners to develop the first SWITCH Strategic Plan. The Director presented the final plan that the SWITCH Advisory Board approved in January 2024.
January 2024, SWITCH's Strategic Plan is complete.
February 2024, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) welcomed SWITCH as an Iowa DOT Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Testing Site. Nothing can start until the East Mills Elementary students are no longer in the building and are housed at the PreK-12 Campus in Malvern. Also, SWITCH is working with IWCC to establish the elements necessary to get the project up and running.
March 2024, IWCC and SWITCH begin advertising for instructors for fall of 2024 classes.
April 2024, IWCC started construction at the SWITCH for the certification classes in the fall of 2024. The project is funded by the Career Academy Incentive Fund (CAIF). Regional school partners are enrolling students for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Electromechanical Technology starting in the fall of 2024.
