November 2016 Board Report

The Illinois Valley Community College’s board Thursday gave final approval to an $11.6 million tentative tax levy.

Vice President for Business Services and Finance Cheryl Roelfsema said the levy will maximize Education and Operations and Maintenance funds based on an estimated EAV of approximately $3.1 billion, a 4.99 percent increase over the 2015 EAV.

The $11.6 million levy is a 2.5 percent increase from the actual 2015 tax extension, Roelfsema said.

However, the estimated tax rate of 36 cents marks a 2.4 percent decrease from 2015 due to the Community Technology Center bond being paid off in December. As a result, the owner of a $200,000 home can expect a decrease of about $5 in the IVCC levy, Roelfsema said.

In other business, trustees approved:

  • The resignation of nursing instructor Samantha Whiteaker effective Jan. 10. Whiteaker will be going to work at the University of St. Francis in Joliet. In her letter of resignation, Whiteacker said, “It has been a privilege to be a part of this team.”
  • The appointment of English and reading instructor Jean Forst following the retirement of English instructor Kaushalya Jagasia and reading instructor Linda Thomas. Forst, a part-time tutor in the English and Writing Center, holds a Ph.D. and masters in English, both from the University of Illinois.

The board also learned:

  • The women’s tennis team that finished third at the NJCAA Division III National Tournament in Peachtree, Ga., was welcomed by the board. Coach Julie Milota’s squad included Taylor Pappas, Maria Robinson, Allison Vargo, Hannah Warwick, Savannah Weitzel, Abbey Ruppert and Ali Kutz.
  • I-Read Literacy Program Coordinator Angela Dunlap has been appointed campus and community tutoring coordinator – a new position combining the full-time literacy manager and part-time peer tutoring coordinator positions.
  • The Oct. 27 Discover Manufacturing Career Expo featured local manufacturers opening their doors for tours and demonstrations for hundreds of high school students. Participants included Allegion, Black Bros., Carus Corporation, Eakas, Flint Hills, James Hardie, SABIC and Vactor Manufacturing. Larry Kiest, of LMK Technologies was the keynote speaker.
  • The second annual athletic department trivia night attracted 320 players, 40 volunteers and raised $11,100 to support all ten of the college’s teams and the 140 student athletes who participate on them.
  •  Ottawa Center’s Nov. 5 “Jump Start” program assisted 23 students in completing the FAFSA and placement exams and offered the opportunity to meet with a counselor.
  • Tuesday night’s Fall Open House attracted 120 prospective students and their parents.