ISU Extension downsizing, city officials support regional center in Le Mars

The action came in the wake of comments by Carol Schneider, Plymouth County Extension director, during the city council meeting.

She said as a result of the recently announced "downsizing" of its parent state agency, the local Extension office likely won't go forward with a planned move into facilities in the Le Mars Convention Center, on the former Westmar College campus.

The council earlier this spring approved a lease with the Plymouth County organization to relocate to the Westmar site.

The state Extension restructuring, resulting from a $4.2 million cut in Iowa State University spending, brings with it termination of jobs for 97 county education directors, including Schneider.

With the restructuring, 20 Extension regions have been established -- initial information indicates the Plymouth, Woodbury and Monona County offices will be combined under one Extension regional director.

While specific details of the change are yet to be determined, plans state a regional director will be established for each of those regions.

That director will be located in one of the three counties' Extension office.

Schneider, who has worked 20 years with Plymouth County's Extension office, will have the opportunity to apply for one of those positions.

"I am interested in maintaining our Extension program and our partnership with the Plymouth County fair," she said.

In light of the cutbacks, Schneider told the council moving to the Le Mars Convention Center wasn't on the forefront of the local Extension office's priorities.

"We no longer feel comfortable moving ahead with our earlier plans," Schneider said speaking on behalf of the Plymouth County's nine-member Extension Council.

She also indicated the Extension Council was at present not interested in serving as a regional site but rather focusing on "fully staffing" the existing county office, paid for by a county property tax levy, to serve its users.

Le Mars City Administrator Scott Langel was quick to suggest, however, that the city give its support to the local Extension organization terming it "a big, long-term player in the community."

"The future won't look nearly as bright here without Extension," Langel said. "We need to be jumping on the bandwagon to do all we can to keep it here."

Losing the organization, he noted, could strongly impact the community, most noticeably the Plymouth County Fair and fair activities.

The mayor and city council, who also supported the idea, agreed to meet with members of the Extension Council to determine the group's interest in working to secure the regional center in Le Mars.

Council members have also suggested garnering additional local support for the regional office from the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce, local organizations and economic development representatives.

Schneider shared with council members that at present Sioux City is most likely seen as the leading contender for the future northwest regional site.

Accepting the city's offer of support, Schneider said she will set up the meeting between the city council and Extension Council.

Langel and city representatives said they will proceed with plans to meet with Jack Payne, Iowa State University Vice President for Extension and Outreach, during his planned May 11 visit to Sioux City.

Payne and a team of Extension leaders created the restructuring plan.

The council, following Tuesday's discussion, voted to table action to nullify the current city-Extension lease agreement for part of the Le Mars Convention Center pending further developments.