July 15, 2025 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 Tuesday, July 15, 2025 in the Board Room (C307) at Illinois Valley Community College.
Members Physically Present
Jay K. McCracken, Chair
Angela M. Stevenson, Vice Chair
Maureen O. Rebholz, Secretary
Everett J. Solon
Rebecca Donna
William F. Hunt
Lynda Marlene Moshage
Members Virtually Present
Members Telephonically Present
Members Absent
Danica E. Scoma, Student Trustee
Others Physically Present
Kathy Ross, Vice President for Business Services and Finance
Vicki Trier, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Mary Beth Herron, Director of Human Resources
Walt Zukowski, Attorney
Others Virtually Present
Tracy Morris, President
MOMENT OF SILENCE
A moment of silence was held to remember Wilber “Bill” Anderson, a former volunteer tutor in DePue ESL classes and brother-in-law of Sandra Woest in Adult Education; William R. Kaiser, a member of the LPO-IVCC Hall of Fame; Charles E. Ritter, grandfather of faculty member Kaity Ritter Teason; Betty Dzierzynski, mother-in-law of faculty member Carmen Hartford, mother of the late Connie Skerston, and organizer of a scholarship in her daughter’s name; Richard “Dick” Fricke, a former faculty member in the welding department; Fran Borio, wife of retired dean Lou Borio; and Carolyn Cutcher, mother-in-law of Board Chair Jay McCracken.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to approve the agenda.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
It was moved by Dr. Rebholz and seconded by Mr. Hunt to approve the consent agenda, as presented.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
The following items were approved in the consent agenda:
Approval of Minutes – June 10, 2025 Facilities Committee Meeting; June 17,2025 Board Meeting; and June 24, 2025 Audit Finance Committee Meeting.
Approval of Bills - $2,218,260.38
Education Fund - $1,283,850.63; Operations and Maintenance Fund - $136,345.47; Operations and Maintenance (Restricted) - $575,235.33; Auxiliary Fund - $47,566.34; Restricted Fund - $98,853.79; Liability, Protection, and Settlement Fund - $76,408.82.
Treasurer’s Report
Personnel
Approved stipends for pay periods ending June 14, 2025 and June 28, 2025, and Part-Time Faculty and Staff Appointments for June 2025.
Purchase Requests
- Consortia Purchase for Elevator Maintenance
- Consortia Purchases for Janitorial Supplies
- Fuel for Truck Driver Training Program
STUDENT TRUSTEE’S REPORT
Ms. Scoma sent campus updates that the Student Activities Department is sponsoring the annual Student Planner for students and employees. It includes a calendar of events, policies and procedures, a directory of all student organizations, and will be available to all students and employees in the fall. The Student Government Association will meet at the end of the month to discuss the 2025-2026 Student Activities Budget. The Volleyball Team hosted its annual clinic with more than 100 participants attending. IVCC has once again partnered with OSF to host Sports Physical Day on Friday, July 18.
The Summer Study Abroad program highlighted that Ms. Scoma and Valerie Valdez finished their summer term in Seville, Spain; Conlan Cwikla finished his summer term in Costa Rica; and Hope Baratta just arrived in South Korea.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Morris highlighted an Open Court Publishing historical display located in the library and updated technology in multiple rooms in the Community Technology Center. Continued branding initiatives led by Marketing and Communications include the addition of welcome branding at the two main entrances of the buildings.
Senator Chris Balkema and a representative from Representative Jason Bunting’s office visited campus recently. Students met with them to share their struggles, journeys, dreams, and how IVCC is a part of their stories.
A Dual Credit Orientation was held for high school dual credit instructors to help them get engaged with campus and learn about our systems. The Foundation Office team implemented a new software for system for scholarships. Their work, along with the Marketing Department’s efforts, resulted in more students applying, more receiving scholarships, more money awarded, and scholarship awards announced earlier compared to 2024.
The Distance Learning Grant progressed with the installation of technology at the Ottawa Center and completion of the Huddle Room. The final six classrooms are currently being worked on and once completed, the work required for the grant will be finished.
David Kuester, Chad Brokaw, and Don Grant Zellmer contributed a little over $5,000 to their theatre scholarship. Otis Dungan and his family, in memory of his wife, donated $20,000 for a scholarship for her memory. Dr. Morris attended a ribbon cutting at a new pawn shop in Spring Valley on behalf of the IVAC Board. Crystal Credi, Ashley Fitzpatrick, and their team recognized the Hall Township Food Pantry for their mentorship and assistance with connecting IVCC with River Bend Food Bank and other resources.
Dr. Morris highlighted external events including attending an information session at Marquis Energy on the new carbon capture program; was selected to be a member of IVAC Board; will be participating on a panel for the Chronicle of Higher Education on student basic needs and student housing needs at the end of the month, and will be the guest MC at the Hegeler Carus Mansion summer concert on August 21.
Monthly Update on enrollment for Fall included an increase of 4.91% in headcount and 5.34% in credit hours compared to Fall 2024. We are at 87.55% of budgeted hours and 83.01% of actual prior 10th day hours for Fall. We are at 50.8% of the total annual budgeted credit hours.
Dr. Morris updated the Board on the Illinois Community College Marketing Collaborative (ICCMC) formed in 2019 to share best practices among district marketing professionals and create and manage a comprehensive, state-wide community college brand. Their FY25 strategies and FY25 priorities were reviewed.
Eagles Peak data for Quarter 4 of FY25 show there were 301 visits, 77 unduplicated household, 172 children in household, and 505 total in household. A FY24 to FY25 comparison shows a 291% increase in the number of visits, 75% increase in unduplicated households, 311% increase in children in household, and 207% increase in total in household.
Federal Legislative Updates include continuing to monitor executive orders; TRIO Funding was received for the next five years; impacts of the Big Bill continue to be watched, and 24 states and the District of Columbia sued Secretary McMahon and OMB Director Vought in Federal District Court in Rhode Island, requesting the release of FY25 K-12 and Adult Education Funds being withheld under a programmatic review.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Ms. Hunt stated the Audit Finance Committee met in June and again today. Ms. Ross noted today’s meeting was to further discuss the scenarios presented at the June meeting on the possibility of issuing Working Cash Bonds. Mr. Hunt stated the committee is recommending one of the scenarios presented. Ms. Ross stated a resolution to issue Working Cash Bonds will be on the Board agenda in August.
FY2026 TENTATIVE BUDGET
It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Mr. Solon to adopt the Resolution approving the FY2026 Tentative Budget as presented.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
It was moved by Dr. Rebholz and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to authorize publication of the Notice of Public Hearing.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
FY2026 RAMP CAPITAL REQUEST
It was moved by Mr. Hunt and seconded by Mr. Solon to approve the submittal of the Academic Support Center/Library RAMP for a total cost of $7,255,900 with local funding of $1,814,000.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
It was moved by Dr. Rebholz and seconded by Ms. Moshage to approve submittal of the Nursing Program Expansion RAMP for a total cost of $3,006,300 with local funding of $751,600.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
STUDENT ATHLETIC INSURANCE RENEWALS
It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to accept the proposal from Wellfleet Insurance Company for the blanket student athletic insurance coverage at $77,830.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Mr. Hunt to accept the proposal from Gallagher for the student athletic catastrophic insurance coverage with Zurich at $6,520.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
PURCHASE REQUEST – COURSEDOG RENEWAL
It was moved by Dr. Rebholz and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to authorize the renewal of the Coursedog Event Schedule, Class Schedule, and Demand Analytics in the amount of $66,852.00.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
PURCHASE REQUEST – MICROSOFT SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT
It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Ms. Moshage to authorize the renewal of the Microsoft A3 Software Maintenance and Support Agreement in the amount of $38,124.23 for the FY2026 budget year.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
APPROVAL – BOARD POLICY 02.23 RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
It was moved by Dr. Donna and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to approve the Board Policy, as presented.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
FACULTY APPOINTMENT – DR. WAYNE DUERKES, TRANSFER COORDINATOR
It was moved by Mr. Hunt and seconded by Mr. Solon to appoint Dr. Wayne Duerkes as Transfer Coordinator effective July 28, 2025 at Step G-1, an annualized salary of $63,176.00 on the 2024/2025 faculty salary schedule; pro-rated for the current, partial academic year. Dr. Duerkes’ annualized salary on the 2025/2026 faculty salary schedule will be $63,795.00 which will begin in alignment with the current contract terms and timeline.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
FACULTY APPOINTMENT – SCOTT GRUBAR, WELDING INSTRUCTOR
It was moved by Ms. Moshage and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to appoint Scott Grubar as Welding Instructor effective August 14, 2025, at Step A-2, an annualized salary of $46,263.00 on the 2025/2026 faculty salary schedule. The administration also recommends that tenure be contingent upon Scott Grubar obtaining certification as a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
PURCHASE REQUEST – CLASSROOM FURNITURE FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS
It was moved by Dr. Rebholz and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to authorize purchase of classroom furniture for Health Professions program from KI, Green Bay, WI through the IPHEC purchasing cooperative at a cost of $72,595.36. This purchase will be paid for with PATH Grant monies.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
Mr. McCracken pointed out the information items on pages 63-72 of the Board book.
TRUSTEE COMMENT
Ms. Moshage stated she is so appreciative of remarkable work of Eagles Peak and the philosophy of student support at IVCC in anticipation of future legislative impacts ramifications on our local area.
CLOSED SESSION
Mr. McCracken requested a motion and a roll call vote at 5:21 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 and imminent litigation; and 3) closed session minutes.
It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Mr. Hunt to enter into a closed session.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
The Board entered closed session at 5:25 p.m.
It was moved by Dr. Donna and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to return to the regular meeting.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
The regular meeting resumed at 5:45 p.m.
APPROVAL – VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM APPLICANT(S)
It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Mr. Hunt to approve the 6 individuals for the Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program for Fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028, as outlined in the documentation provided, contingent upon their acceptance.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
APPROVAL – RETIREMENT PLANNING PROGRAM EXTENSION APPLICANT(S)
It was moved by Dr. Rebholz and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to approve the one individual for the Retirement Planning Program Extension as outlined in the documentation provided, contingent upon their acceptance.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
POSSIBLE APPROVAL – EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR
It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Ms. Moshage to appoint Valerie Kreiser as Early Childhood Education Instructor effective August 14, 2025 at Step E-4, an annualized salary of $57,756.00 on the 2025/2026 faculty salary schedule.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
It was moved by Ms. Moshage and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to approve and retain the closed session minutes of the June 17, 2025 Board Meeting.
Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Rebholz, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Moshage, Dr. Donna, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Solon, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.
OTHER
Dr. Morris stated updates to the Naming Rights policy will come to Board in August. Contact her with questions.
Dr. Morris read an email from Maggie Yang, the Paul Simon Essay Contest winner and Spring 2025 graduate, thanking her instructors, administrators, and support staff for all their assistance during her time at IVCC.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. McCracken declared the meeting adjourned at 5:52 p.m.