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Board approves Iowa Western MOU; district flags higher college-course fees for students
Summary
Trustees approved the district’s MOU with Iowa Western Community College for 2025–26; the college is raising shared-cost rates and course-material fees that will increase district costs for dual-credit offerings.
The Lewis Central board on May 19 approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iowa Western Community College for the 2025–26 school year, while district staff warned trustees that the community college is increasing its fees and shared-cost rates for dual-credit courses.
Facilities or curriculum staff explained that some tuition-share rates for courses taught on Iowa Western’s campus will change from the district paying 75% of tuition to paying 90%, and online course reimbursement will increase from 75% to 80%. The district also highlighted a major rise in course-material fees: the college will increase the per‑student course‑materials fee from $30 to $85 per course.
Superintendent-level staff noted the impact on recent graduates: the current senior class earned roughly 3,800 college credits over two years, and staff estimated the materials-fee increase could materially raise district and student costs if replicated across large enrollments. District staff described course materials as a blended category that can include textbooks, online platforms and other required supplies.
Trustees discussed that the changes are systemwide and applied to all sending districts. The motion to approve the MOU for 2025–26 passed with recorded yes votes by trustees present.
District staff said they will work with Iowa Western to manage materials usage and explore options to reuse materials where possible; they also noted that dual-credit access remains a major benefit for students despite higher costs.
