A community initiative to open a satellite college campus in Warrenton is nearly complete. A verbal agreement has been reached for Lindenwood University and East Central College to begin holding classes in January at the Warren County R-III School District's newly purchased Alpha Academy alternative school facility. During last Thursday's R-III school board meeting, members voted 5-0 to enter into an agreement to provide the space rent-free to the colleges. A formal announcement on the new satellite campus will be made during a ceremony scheduled to be held Friday, Sept. 23, at 10 a.m. The presidents from Lindenwood and ECC are both expected to attend and finalize the agreement with the school district at the Armory Road facility, located between Moser's and Agape's Hometown Thrift Store. Further details on the satellite campus and classes are expected to be announced then as well. Steve Etcher, Boonslick Regional Planning Commission executive director, said enrollment is expected to start soon for the first college classes that will be offered locally. He's hopeful the community takes advantage of being able to take college classes much closer to home rather than drive to the Lindenwood's main campus in St. Charles or attend ECC in Union. "It's a true godsend to have this facility," Etcher said. "For me, it's a perfect picture for when everyone works together." Last year, an ad hoc committee consisting of school district administrators, government officials and community members led the effort to lure colleges to Warrenton. As part of the proposal, the R-III school district, Warren County Commission, Warrenton and Truesdale city officials agreed to contribute funds as part of a package to entice the colleges to operate here. Since startup costs for the satellite campus will be reduced the school district and colleges will share the same building, Etcher said the funds that the local governments have allocated for the initiative could be used for signage on the building and maybe a billboard. In June, the district agreed to pay $321,640 for the Armory Road building and discussions began on sharing space with the colleges. The facility is currently being renovated and remodeled to provide classroom space. Once work is complete, the district is expected to relocate the Alpha Academy alternative school there later this year, with college classes beginning in January. The school district will utilize the building during the day for the alternative school, while college classes will be held in the evenings. R-II Superintendent Dr. Tom Muzzey said the agreement between the district and colleges will be a huge asset to the community. "What I was told by Lindenwood officials is that they're going to have a reduced tuition rate for people who attend classes at this location," he said. "They're reducing so much per credit hour that it's going to be about a 30 percent reduction in fees. "It's going to be a major plus for the community," Muzzey added. "People who are located here can stay here and participate in a learning opportunity here in town." Lindenwood to Donate Furniture Lindenwood University has agreed to donate furniture for the new Alpha Academy facility, which will be shared by the college. According to Muzzey, the donation will save the district approximately $14,000. It had originally planned to spend $23,264.67 for furniture to be purchased from Interior Investments and HON. "Obviously, this is going to help us financially," he said. "That's the biggest benefit for the district. It has allowed us to proceed with technology purchases that we'll need for the facility, which will be projectors with interactive technology for each of the classrooms. It's a win-win for us."