Board approves new nursing program

By Rachel Kramer

Using funds obtained from a Department of Labor grant, the MHCCD Board Wednesday unanimously approved the creation of a new program to provide training to achieve a Licensed Practical Nursing Certificate.

The grant, which according to Paula Gubrud-Howe, a former MHCC dean who has been closely involved in the project, totals $351,000, will cover the first two years of the program, with the option to apply for a third year of funding.

Following approval from the state board, the program is planned to begin spring 2007.

“This is an industry request,” Gubrud-Howe said. “This would be the only publicly funded program in the area.”

According to Gubrud-Howe, the program will take place at the Bruning Center on weekends and evenings, with openings for 24 students.

“We will be targeting incumbent workers,” she said.

According to Robert Silverman, MHCC president, the program would be a stepping-stone to move forward.

“We hope this [program] will help people move up the scale,” Silverman said.

In other business, the Middle College proposal also was discussed Wednesday, with a draft of the proposed inter-agency agreement presented.

According to the draft, the program would begin in Fall 2007.

Reynolds High School would pay for all the tuition and fees, as well as pay an additional $500 per student enrolled, and buy all textbooks for the students.

Duke Shepard, MHCCD vice chair, expressed concern over the lack of an “out clause.”

According to Paul Hill, MHCC vice president of student learning, the long-term contract should have one, but for a pilot program, it should be left out, in order to not disrupt participating students.

Dave Shields, MHCCD board member, commented that he wanted an agreement to do an annual evaluation added to the proposal.

“This is a new program,” he said. “We need to evaluate the student outcome and get a financial analysis.”

The Reynolds School District Board is also considering the draft proposal.

According to Silverman, the agreement should be finalized by December at the latest.

The following also occurred at the meeting Wednesday:

• Following discussion, Shepard proposed discussing discontinuing ties with the Oregon Community College Association at the December board meeting.

“It doesn’t seem worth the money we pay,” he said.

• Silverman expressed his approval of bond campaign efforts so far, including the 40 presentations to the public and ads on cable television.

• Steve Wilent, part-time natural resources technology instructor, was recognized for receiving the Part-Time Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award.

“[Wilent] is a standard to which all should strive,” Silverman said.