March 16, 2026 Minutes of Regular Meeting
The Board of Trustees of Illinois Valley Community College District No. 513 convened a regular session at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026 in Room CTC-124 at Illinois Valley Community College.
Members Physically Present
Jay K. McCracken, Chair
Angela M. Stevenson, Vice Chair
William F. Hunt
Lynda Marlene Moshage
Members Virtually Present
Rebecca Donna
Maureen O. Rebholz, Secretary
Danica E. Scoma, Student Trustee
Members Telephonically Present
Members Absent
Others Physically Present
Tracy Morris, President
Mary Beth Herron, Director of Human Resources
Walt Zukowski, Attorney
Others Virtually Present
Everett J. Solon
Kathy Ross, Vice President for Business Services and Finance
Mark Grzybowski, Vice President for Student Services
Vicki Trier, Vice President for Academic Affairs
MOMENT OF SILENCE
A moment of silence was held to remember Margaret Ross, mother-in-law of Kathy Ross and aunt of Sarah Goetz in Enrollment Services and Kim Koehler in Continuing Education; Dr. Clem Jasiek, a former Trustee for over 20 years; and Kankakee Community College and their community, who were impacted by the recent tornado.
Trustee Donna and Trustee Rebholz were determined to be eligible to participate in tonight’s meeting electronically in accordance with the Open Meetings Act and Board Policy.
Trustee Hunt was appointed Secretary Pro Tem in the absence of Trustee Rebholz.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was moved by Mr. Hunt and seconded by Ms. Moshage to approve the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
RECOGNITION OF EMERITUS/EMERITA STATUS RECIPIENTS
Due to the inclement weather, the recipients will be recognized at the Board of Trustees meeting on April 21st.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
It was moved by Dr. Rebholz and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to approve the consent agenda, as presented.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Scoma. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
The following items were approved in the consent agenda:
Approval of Minutes – February 11, 2026 Audit Finance Committee Meeting and February 17, 2026 Board Meeting.
Approval of Bills - $4,279,537.68
Education Fund - $2,519,945.67; Operations and Maintenance Fund - $395,994.67; Operations and Maintenance (Restricted) - $1,161,517.76; Auxiliary Fund - $95,150.99; Restricted Fund - $39,827.42; Audit Fund - $6,000.00; Liability, Protection, and Settlement Fund - $60,676.86; Grants, Loans, and Scholarships - $424.31.
Treasurer’s Report
Personnel
Approved stipends for pay periods ending February 7, 2026 and February 21, 2026.
Insurance Renewal
Accept the recommendation of the insurance consultant and proceed with a negotiated renewal for FY2027 coverage.
Dr. Donna entered the meeting virtually at 4:42 p.m.
STUDENT TRUSTEE’S REPORT
Ms. Scoma stated current campus activities include the Soul Food Buffet held on February 25th and the Red Cross Club blood drive scheduled for April 2nd.
The Peer Mentors hosted a Positive Post Its event with mental health resources with many students writing motivational messages for one another during midterm week.
Members of Project Success participated in the Polar Plunge at Lake Mendota. The 7-member team raised $3,217 for Special Olympics.
Ashlyn Emm and Jasmine Garman were named to the Women’s Basketball Arrowhead Conference 2nd Team. Ameer Anderson was named to the Men’s Basketball Arrowhead Conference 2nd Team.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Morris highlighted construction progress in the Assessment Center and the Microbiology classroom and lab. Construction in both areas is nearing completion.
Dr. Morris announced the 2026 DEI Contest winners with first place going to David Escobedo with an essay titled “More Than a Jersey”; second place to Danica Scoma’s essay titled “Privilege Beneath the Rug”; and third place to Cooper Lamps with an untitled essay. The 2026 Gandhi/King Essay Contest Winner is Cooper Lamps.
Dr. Morris announced that Danica Scoma was named the 2026 PTK New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar. Nominations were evaluated on academic achievement, leadership, service, and significant endeavors, and Danica received the highest score in the state in the Phi Theta Kappa Fall Scholarship competition. Danica was also named as a 2026 PTK All USA Academic Team member for outstanding intellectual achievement, leadership, and community and campus engagement. Support for the All-USA Academic Team is provided by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and Phi Theta Kappa.
Dr. Morris announced employee award recipients for 2026. The Stephen Charry Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence recipient is Dr. Jonathan Hubbell, Criminal Justice instructor. The Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Award recipient is M’Kenzee Smith, Nursing instructor. The Connie Skerston Support Staff Award for Distinguished Service recipient is Aseret Loveland, Project Success Counselor. In addition, student and employee Megen Berg is being nominated for the 2026 ICCTA Lifelong Learning Award.
Dr. Morris highlighted events that took place during Black History Month in February including Hip-Hop History with DJ Lee, a display highlighting IVCC employees, and the Soul Food Buffet.
Women’s History Month’s theme of “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future” will feature a podcast by Dr. Morris, features on some outstanding women of IVCC in media and social media, a Jacobs Library book display, and several on-campus presentations on various topics throughout March.
Dr. Morris stated the IVAC 40 Under 40 honorees includes Foundation Board member Edgar Lucero Castillo, Perona Peterlin & Associates. Honorees for the IVAC Community Cornerstone include retired IVCC employees Fran Brolley and Ron Groelau; Project Success Counselor Diane Scoma; and Trustee Lynda Marlene Moshage.
Dr. Morris noted many events, activities, and updates including the 20th Annual Edible Car Contest held on February 25 with 78 vehicles and 207 contestants; Development Day for all employees was held on March 6; Jen Sowers, Training Specialist, presented at Rotary meetings; the wired and wireless network upgrades are in progress; and there are six students who will be studying abroad this summer in the countries of Austria, Costa Rica, France, Ireland, and Spain. IVCC teams participated in the Coldest Night of the Year, the Polar Plunge in Mendota, and St. Patrick’s Day Parade in LaSalle. The College received recognition from IPEDS because our spring data was submitted and accurately so kudos to Kathy Hart and her team. Qualitative feedback sessions on PACE, our employee survey, were conducted by Institutional Effectiveness and quantified into a report and presented to the Strategic Leadership and Planning Council last month. A luncheon was held in early March for new employees and employees who transitioned to new positions.
Dr. Morris gave an update on the Marketing Plan for the first two quarters of the fiscal year. This data helps determine how our efforts are working. The entire Marketing department tracks through reach and this data supports our goal of making sure the community knows what IVCC is doing. Media impressions went from 2,376,000 in Quarter 1 to 22,372,642 in Quarter 2.
Kudos to Amber Fox, Dean of Natural Sciences and Business, who led the efforts to organize the Academic Challenge this year after Eastern Illinois University, who spearheaded it for a long time, decided not to continue. Eight local high schools attended the event. Lirim Neziroski, Dean of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Social Sciences, brought a group on campus for an Albanian Festival to spotlight their heritage. Over 200 adults and children were in attendance.
The IVCC Foundation will hold its Golden Celebration on March 27. A total of 665 Foundation Scholarship applications were received. This was an increase from the 570 applications received last year. Kudos to the Foundation team and the Marketing and Communications department.
Dr. Morris lauded the IVCC Early Childhood Advisory Meeting, and attended the Legislative Luncheon with Representative Briel, and the State of the City in Ottawa, as well as present at Lunch with Leaders, and IVAC Ribbon cuttings.
Monthly updates included information released from ICCB related to statewide enrollment. Spring 2026 opening headcount increased by 2.9 percent, and full time equivalent (FTE) enrollment grew by 2.1 percent compared to last year; a total of 294,197 students enrolled across Illinois community colleges at the close of regular registration, up from 285,840 in Spring 2025; and this marks the fourth consecutive year of enrollment growth and places Spring 2026 headcount above pre pandemic levels (Spring 2019 enrollment: 283,146).
Ag Forward Update highlighted ten of thirteen naming opportunities have been claimed; $1,661,058 has been pledged or donated representing 66% of our fundraising goal, as of 3/11/26; planning is underway for the public campaign to include Donor Wall recognition.
Federal legislative updates include U of I Extension SNAP-Education program concluding in February following the loss of federal funding. Proposed Workforce Pell rules were published in the Federal Register. The public has 30 days to comment on the rules and officials hope to have the final regulations published in May.
State legislative updates include Community College Baccalaureate, which continues to be a legislative priority (SB 4034 and HB 5319). Support was received from Eakas and Marquis Energy, as well as from the Streator Chamber of Commerce and the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce. PATH Grant Funding may be impacted or cut. It is critical funding in a number of in- demand health care programs in our community. Adult Education Funding bill is in the third reading. HB 4363 (Rep. Chung), would change how SURS determines if a Self-Managed Plan participant is "retired," will be heard in a House Committee on March 19. Under current law, SURS-SMP members are not “retired” unless they purchase an annuity with at least 50% of their retirement savings. This prevents them from participating in the College Insurance Program (CIP) managed by CMS; this is despite the fact that they are currently required to pay .95% of their salary (matched by their college employer) for the CIP benefit.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
None
STAFF APPOINTMENT – AVERIL MILES, DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES
It was moved by Mr. Hunt and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to approve the appointment of Averil Miles as Director of Facilities at an annualized salary of $90,316, effective March 23, 2026. The March 23, 2026 hire date will allow time for the transfer of institutional knowledge before the current Director’s retirement in June.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Scoma. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
STAFF RETIREMENT – DEWEY SCOTT CURLEY, DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES
It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Ms. Moshage to accept the retirement of Dewey Scott Curley, Director of Facilities, following his last day of work on June 30, 2026.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Scoma. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
FACULTY RETIREMENT – LEEANN JOHNSON, NATURAL SCIENCE LAB INSTRUCTOR
It was moved by Mr. Hunt and seconded by Dr. Donna to accept the retirement of LeeAnn Johnson, Natural Science Lab Instructor, with the conclusion of the Spring 2026 semester, effective May 16, 2026.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Scoma. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
FACULTY SABBATICAL REQUEST – TRACY LEE
It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Dr. Donna to approve the sabbatical for Tracy Lee for the Spring 2027 semester (January - May 2027). Said leave to be governed by the conditions stipulated in the agreement between the American Federation of Teachers Local 1810 and the Board of Trustees of Illinois Valley Community College District No. 513.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Scoma. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
AGREEMENT AND MORTGAGE DOCUMENT – EDA GRANT FOR THE DR. ALFRED E. WISGOSKI AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER
It was moved by Dr. Rebholz and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to authorize the Administration to enter into the Agreement and Mortgage Document, record it and provide to the EDA the original recorded mortgage, as required to accept EDA grant funds for the Dr. Alfred E. Wisgoski Agricultural Education Center as presented.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Scoma. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
Dr. Morris stated that after 20 years, IVCC will need to request a release of the federal interest related to the mortgage.
BID RESULTS – 2026 CAMPUS RENOVATIONS
It was moved by Ms. Moshage and seconded by Mr. Hunt to accept the base bid from Lite Construction, Inc., Montgomery, Illinois, in the amount of $3,547,000 for the 2026 Campus Renovations to be paid from Protection, Health and Safety (PHS) funds, working cash bond issuance, and fund balance reserves from the Education and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funds in accordance with Board Policy 04.09, Fund Balance.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Scoma. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
PURCHASE REQUEST – MIDWEST ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES
It was moved by Dr. Rebholz and seconded by Ms. Moshage to authorize the administration to enter into an agreement with Midwest Environmental Consulting Services for the asbestos project management and air quality testing for the 2026 Campus Renovation project in the amount of $40,112.50.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Scoma. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
PURCHASE REQUEST – ASBESTOS ABATEMENT – 2026 CAMPUS RENOVATIONS
It was moved by Ms. Moshage and seconded by Dr. Donna to accept the Base Bid from Husar Abatement, Ltd, Franklin Park, Illinois, in the amount of $157,878 for the Asbestos Abatement – 2026 Campus Renovations.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Scoma. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
PURCHASE REQUEST – LAB AND STAFF COMPUTERS
It was moved by Dr. Donna and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to approve the purchase of 229 computer systems to align with four-year technology refresh standards at a cost of $287,145.00, to be funded from the FY2026 IT Budget.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Scoma. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
PURCHASE REQUEST – SHUTTLE LEASE AGREEMENT
It was moved by Mr. Hunt and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to accept the agreement from Southern Bus and Mobility, Inc. to lease a 2026 E350 Turtle Top Van Terra XLT bus for 36 months, at an annual lease payment of $21,010.34, for a three-year total of $63,031.02.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Scoma. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
NAMING OF THE HALL OF GIVING IN THE DR. ALFRED E. WISGOSKI AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER
It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Dr. Donna to approve the naming of the Eureka Savings Bank Hall of Giving in the Dr. Alfred E. Wisgoski Agricultural Education Center.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Scoma. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
NAMING OF THE KITCHETTE IN THE DR. ALFRED E. WISGOSKI AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER
It was moved by Ms. Moshage and seconded by Mr. Hunt to approve the naming of the Hometown National Bank Kitchenette in the Dr. Alfred E. Wisgoski Agricultural Education Center.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Scoma. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
APPROVAL – DESIGNATION OF FACULTY EMERITUS – ROBERT BYRNE
It was moved by Dr. Rebholz and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to approve Robert Byrne for the posthumous designation of Faculty Emeritus, as presented.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Scoma. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
Mr. McCracken pointed out the information items on pages 83-92 of the Board book.
TRUSTEE COMMENT
Mr. Hunt stated he is very pleased with the positive press and attention received for the Dental Program recently.
Mr. McCracken stated he is looking forward to working with the new Ottawa Center Coordinator and is sure she will do a nice job. Denise Griffin, Information Specialist at the Ottawa Center, did a great job and will be missed.
CLOSED SESSION
Mr. McCracken requested a motion and a roll call vote at 5:37 p.m. to enter into a closed session to discuss: 1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body; 2) pending or imminent litigation; 3) collective bargaining; and 4) closed session minutes.
It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Mr. Hunt to enter into a closed session.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Scoma. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
The Board entered closed session at 5:40 p.m.
It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Mr. Hunt to return to the regular meeting.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Scoma. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
The regular meeting resumed at 6:31 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
It was moved by Mr. Hunt and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to approve and retain the closed session minutes of the February 17, 2026 Board Meeting.
Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Scoma. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
OTHER
None
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. McCracken declared the meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.