In a surprising development with the newly named Western Regional Innovation and Learning Center (see accompanying article in this edition), Treasure Valley Community College informed officials in the week of Jan. 21 that they would be cease offering their services to Lake County when their contract expires on June 30.
As Klamath Community College looked to install a branch in Lakeview, in concert with the Center’s plan, Lake County School District No. 7 Supt. and Center steering committee member Sean Gallagher said that amicable talks had commenced with TVCC and it was understood that they would leave the area at an indeterminate time.
“It’s just a question of geography,” Gallagher said, pointing out the proximity of KCC as opposed to Treasure Valley.
What they did not explicitly anticipate was for TVCC to let their contract expire this year. Gallagher said that it was in good faith and not egregious, just unexpected. “We had to scramble around for a few days,” he said. Then, since the institutions have been working closely together to establish the Center, KCC stepped in.
KCC’s President Dr. Roberto Gutierrez had said that they fully planned to offer “something” to Lake County in the fall, but with the departure of TVCC, they said that they would provide the vacating services beginning on July 1. “We have to give credit to KCC with just their willingness to step up,” Gallagher said. “It will be a very smooth transition with no lack of services