MADISON — Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College is facing a significant change as the Boone County Board of Education has decided not to renew the college’s lease for its Boone County campus.
This is an undated contributed photo of the Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College.
Courtesy photo
The lease, which has been in place for more than 20 years, allows Southern to operate out of the Boone Career and Technical Center, 3505 Daniel Boone Parkway in Foster. The decision was discussed during a special BOE meeting held on Aug. 27.
Space needs and enrollment shifts
Boone County Schools Superintendent Matt Riggs explained the reasoning behind the BOE’s decision, citing a decrease in the number of students attending Southern’s Boone County Campus, coupled with a rise in online enrollments.
He noted that the BOE has been interested in acquiring more space, particularly for expanding alternative education services and opportunities at the career center.
“It’s been noticeable that a lot of the classrooms just haven’t been used by Southern,†Riggs said.
‘Will not be leaving Boone County’
Despite the unexpected lease termination, Southern President Pamela Alderman said the college is committed to maintaining its presence in Boone County.
“We will be vacating that building but we will not be leaving Boone County. We are looking for another site right now,†Alderman said.
She expressed surprise at the BOE’s decision, noting that Southern has enjoyed a longstanding and positive relationship with Boone County Schools. While that relationship remains, the decision was still unexpected, she said.
Alderman also highlighted the impact of COVID-19, with about 60% of Southern’s students now opting for online classes.
“COVID changed everything. With our students and with students across the country, many are preferring online courses,†she said.
Exploring new opportunities
While the search for a new location is in its early stages, Alderman said she remains optimistic about the college’s future.
“We’ve been looking and one of our partners in Boone County gave us a call. We have met with them and are looking at a potential space right now,†she said.
Alderman also said the college is exploring the possibility of launching new programs in Boone County, particularly in areas like hospitality and tourism.
“It gave us an opportunity to step back, look at what we have done in the past, and look at what we could do in the future,†she said.
Despite nationwide trends of declining enrollment in community colleges, Southern is seeing its sixth straight semester of increased enrollments, Alderman said.
“We are not moving out of Boone County. We want to meet the needs and work with our partners throughout the county,†Alderman affirmed.
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