March 11, 2021 Minutes of Regular Meeting
The Board of Trustees of Illinois Valley Community College District No. 513 convened a regular session at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, 2021 in the Board Room (C307) at Illinois Valley Community College.
Members Physically Present
Jane E. Goetz, Chair
Everett J. Solon, Vice Chair
Amy L. Boyles
Jay K. McCracken
Members Virtually Present
David O. Mallery
Maureen O. Rebholz
Naomi Ochuba, Student Trustee
Members Telephonically Present
Members Absent
Angela M. Stevenson, Secretary
Others Physically Present
Jerry Corcoran, President
Chris Dunlap, Director of Information Technology Services
Walt Zukowski, Attorney
Others Virtually Present
Deborah Anderson, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Bonnie Campbell, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Leslie Hofer, Director of Human Resources
Shane Lange, Dean of Workforce Development
Scott Curley, Director of Facilities
Ms. Goetz informed of the following: 1) The provisions related to the Open Meetings Act allowing for Board meetings to be virtual continue due to Governor Pritzker’s most recent disaster proclamation and 2) it is the custom and practice of the college to record Board meetings and the meeting was being recorded both audio and video.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Mr. McCracken to approve the agenda, as presented.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
It was moved by Mr. McCracken and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to approve the consent agenda, as presented.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
The following items were approved in the consent agenda:
Approval of Minutes – February 11, 2021 Board Meeting.
Approval of Bills - $2,080,293.03
Education Fund - $1,717,098.07; Operations & Maintenance Fund - $80,300.79; Operations & Maintenance (Restricted Fund) - $55,357.57; Auxiliary Fund - $176,209.00; Restricted Fund - $12,465.34; Liability, Protection & Settlement Fund - $37,802.26; and Grants, Loans & Scholarships - $250.00.
Treasurer’s Report
Personnel
Approved stipends for pay periods ending January 30, 2021; February 13, 2021; and February 27, 2021 & Part-time Faculty and Staff Appointments of February 2021.
APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY PRO-TEM
Ms. Goetz appointed Dr. Boyles as secretary pro-tem in the absence of Ms. Stevenson.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Corcoran informed that Director of Financial Aid Eric Johnson reported recently that the college’s student loan default rate has dropped from 8.9 percent to 7.9 percent, and extended many thanks to Eric and his dedicated staff on a job well done. Dr. Corcoran reported that Fran Brolley let us know recently that once all of the Foundation scholarship numbers were in, 299 students were awarded a grand total of $343,900 for the 2020-2021 academic year.
This compares favorably to
2018-19 286 students awarded $334,100
2019-20 271 students awarded $339,780, and
2020-21 299 students awarded $343,900
Dr. Corcoran commented that it is no secret that Fran and his staff do great work and he noted he is proud of them. Dr. Corcoran added that as many of you have seen across the news outlets recently, we continue to hear about the problems Illinois superintendents are having filling open teaching positions with qualified teachers and finding substitute teachers. He informed that IVCC is working with Illinois State University and a consortium of community colleges to address this matter. The group includes Heartland Community College, Spoon River College, Carl Sandburg College, and Illinois Central College. The program is entitled ISU’s CommuniTeach: Community Partner Pathway Program – a teacher education program designed to cultivate local talent to become teachers who return to their local communities. Dr. Corcoran added that the overarching goal is to increase access for place-bound students to complete a bachelor’s degree and teacher licensure through local coursework with community colleges, followed by limited trips to ISU’s campus. Dr. Corcoran reported that we believe that ISU’s coursework will be ideal for part-time students since much of it will be online and hybrid with face-to-face instruction held on campus only 2-3 Saturdays per semester. It is designed for working professionals and non-traditional students. Dr. Corcoran noted that each of the community colleges had their respective chief academic officers play a major role in the pathway program’s design, so kudos to Dr. Anderson and her colleagues on a job well done. He informed that paraprofessionals and substitutes will be encouraged to be part of the first cohort of students. Over the next year, students will be taking the necessary coursework at their community colleges. ISU coursework will begin in the Fall of 2022. Students will graduate and take teaching positions in the fall of 2025. Dr. Corcoran extended congratulations to Carey Burns and Kim Herout on the nice story that appeared recently in the news about the work they and their team members put into making their drive-through event for the distribution of food bags to 16 IVCC needy students. Funding to underwrite the costs came from the most recent Support Staff Service Project Craft Fair. Dr. Corcoran noted that team members who assisted Carey and Kim included Janice Corrigan, Donna Swiskoski, Gracelyn Quesse, Aseret Loveland, Sandy Beard, and Susan Monroe. He added that departments that contributed to the cause included Project Success, Student Services, IVCC’s bookstore, Hall High School’s Food Pantry, and BEST. Dr. Corcoran thanked everyone for a job well done.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Audit Finance Committee minutes from the February 11, 2021 meeting are in the Board book.
BID RESULTS – FIREPLACE LOUNGE ACCESSIBILITY UPGRADES
It was moved by Dr. Boyles and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to accept the bid from Lite Construction, Inc., Montgomery, Illinois, in the amount of $108,700 for the Fireplace Lounge Accessibility Upgrades, as presented.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes”– Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
BID RESULTS – KEY CARD ACCESS UPGRADES
It was moved by Mr. McCracken and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to accept the bid from Tri-Electronics, Inc., Hammond, Indiana, in the amount of $288,165 for the Key Card Access Upgrades, as presented. Mr. Curley advised that Tri-Electronics would have a supervisor on site. Mr. Curley would serve as the on-site point person representing the college, as he usually does for most all projects. He noted that all involved have reviewed the design in detail, done extensive research on what is required and there are no major changes anticipated to the project.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes”– Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
APPROVAL – MAINTENANCE CERTIFICATE
It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Dr. Boyles to approve the Certificate in Maintenance, as presented.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
REQUEST FOR INACTIVATION – THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE PROGRAM
It was moved by Dr. Boyles and seconded by Mr. Solon to approve the inactivation of the Therapeutic Massage Program with a one-year teach-out for students wishing to complete their studies, as presented. Dr. Anderson advised that the teach-out would allow students an opportunity to finish their studies in therapeutic massage by offering classes for one year to do so. Dr. Lange noted that we have begun discussions about the possibility of offering continuing education credits for therapeutic massage as well as the opportunity for therapeutic massage students to return and obtain the advanced degree.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
Congratulations were extended by the Board members to Dr. Maureen Rebholz on the nomination for the ICCTA 2021 Distinguished Alumnus Award.
TRUSTEE COMMENT
Mr. McCracken thanked Dr. Corcoran on behalf of area superintendents and expressed appreciation for his work with ISU and a consortium of community colleges in the Community Partner Pathway Program to address the problems of filling open teaching positions with qualified teachers and finding substitute teachers. Mr. McCracken noted that the teacher shortage is very real.
Dr. Boyles commended the faculty and staff with the One Book One College initiative. Dr. Boyles noted that the book being discussed is How to Be an Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and information regarding the book discussion can be found on the Jacobs Library website.
CLOSED SESSION
Ms. Goetz requested a motion and a roll call vote at 6:54 p.m. to enter into a closed session to discuss: 1) pending or imminent litigation; 2) security procedures, school building safety and security; 3) complaint lodged against an official or employee of the public body; 4) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body; 5) collective negotiations; and 6) closed session minutes. Motion made by Mr. McCracken and seconded by Dr. Boyles to enter into a closed session.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried. The Board immediately entered closed session at 6:56 p.m.
Motion made by Dr. Boyles and seconded by Mr. McCracken to return to the regular meeting.
Student Advisory Vote – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried. The regular meeting resumed at 8:37 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to approve and retain the closed session minutes of February 11, 2021.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
APPROVAL – INACTIVATION OF THE FITNESS CENTER DIRECTOR POSITION & REASSIGNMENT OF CURRENT FITNESS CENTER DIRECTOR TO INSTRUCTIONAL DUTIES
It was moved by Dr. Boyles and seconded by Mr. McCracken to approve the inactivation of the Fitness Center Director position and reassignment of current Fitness Center Director instructional duties.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
APPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION’S PLAN TO REEVALUATE FACULTY STAFFING NEEDS ACROSS THE BOARD, ESPECIALLY WITHIN THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
It was moved by Dr. Rebholz and seconded by Mr. Mallery to approve the administration’s plan to reevaluate faculty staffing needs across the board, especially within the English Department.
Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Ms. Ochuba. Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz and Ms. Goetz. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
OTHER
None
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Goetz declared the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.