SWWC announced a partnership with Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) and Marshall Public Schools to open a new Educational Learning Center (ELC) in Marshall, serving students with severe learning and/or behavioral issues who meet the criteria for a federal setting IV special education placement.  

Under the new partnership, SMSU will lease space to SWWC to house a space for up to 42 students and a similar number of staff. The new space will provide a positive, safe environment for students to learn. Students attending the ELC will come from area school districts within a 30-60 mile radius of Marshall.

SMSU will continue to own the building and lease it to SWWC for use. Marshall Public Schools will also occupy part of the same building to be used for their Alternative Learning Center. Districts who send students to the ELC are the primary source of funding for ELCs in addition to subsidies from the State’s special education budget.

The existing ELC in Belview closed at the end of the 2023-24 school year as the building was outdated and no longer fit for serving students. BCI Construction led the project, which was completed the summer of 2024 just in time for students to begin the 2024-25 school year.