November 2017 Board Report

Illinois Valley Community College trustees Thursday approved a tentative $11.8 million tax levy for 2017, up less than five percent over the actual 2016 levy of $11.3 million.

As a result of the levy, the owner of a $120,000 home can expect taxes equal to or slightly less than 2016, said IVCC Vice President for Business Services and Finance Cheryl Roelfsema.

At an October audit-finance committee meeting, Roelfsema said the levy “would assure us of being at the full tax rate for education and operations and maintenance, two funds that are crucial for our daily operations.”

She added it is likely there will be a slight increase in the district’s equalized assessed valuation due to Marquis Energy’s Hennepin plant adding $18 million in EAV and preliminary numbers from La Salle County, the district’s largest county, showing a 2 percent increase in EAV. Exelon’s La Salle Station nuclear power plant assessment remained at $430 million but will rise to $435 million in 2018 and $460 million in 2019.

The board will move for final approval at its Dec. 14 meeting. IVCC draws taxes from all or parts of eight counties: La Salle, Bureau, Putnam, Marshall, Lee, Livingston, Grundy and DeKalb.

In other business, the board learned of an academic division reorganization led by Deborah Anderson that includes disbanding the English, Math and Education division. Effective in January, math will be become part of the new Business, Math and Natural Sciences division.

English and education will join Humanities, Fine Arts and Social Sciences and academic support departments such as Disability Services, Assessment Center, Peer Tutoring and Writing Center will become part of the new Learning Resources department. With Learning Technologies becoming Learning Resources, there will be an opportunity for creation of an Academic Support Center.

The Health Professions division will be replaced by a Nursing division comprised of nursing, CNA and phlebotomy. Dental Assisting, EMS and Massage Therapy will be assigned to the Workforce Development division.

The board also approved:

  • The addition of Indian Valley Vocational Center to offer career and technical education as dual credit or articulated credit. Indian Valley serves district high schools Earlville and Serena; the agreement allows students at those schools to take nursing and early childhood education courses.
  • The resignation of nursing instructor Jody Lowe effective Oct. 11.
  • A proposal from United Analytical Services for asbestos inspection services. United’s $17,670 proposal includes inspection of Building D for $8,990, Building G (gym) for $7,560 and the college barn for $1,120.
  • Extension of the five-year contract with Blackboard for Learning Management System software for $53,000 for fiscal 2019 and $54,590 for fiscal 2020.

The board learned:

  • Judy Day of Ottawa will replace Jeanne Hayden as executive assistant to the president. “Since 1985, Judy has served IVCC with distinction as an administrative assistant to two deans and four vice presidents,” said IVCC President Jerry Corcoran. Day is expected to be appointed board secretary Dec. 14.
  • IVCC’s Foundation has awarded over $1 million in scholarships to more than 950 students the past four years combined. In his campus update to the board, Fran Brolley, director of community relations and development, said this year alone the Foundation will award $268,950 to 225 applicants and an additional $400,000 for building enhancements, instructional equipment, student assistance and faculty development. 
  • Dental assistant instructor Heather Seghi will be granted tenure in January and recognized with other newly-tenured faculty in March. 
  • Crystal Credi has been appointed full-time administrative assistant II for the student services department and Jennifer Sowers was named full-time training specialist for the Business Training Center.
  • William Pitsenbarger announced his retirement as custodian effective Dec. 31.
  • Jacobs Library was recognized for five years of service as a Funding Information Network partner with the Foundation Center.
  • The Oct. 26 Discover Manufacturing Career Expo attracted 300 high school students who are now “far more aware of what careers in manufacturing are available to them,” said Corcoran.
  • Monday’s etiquette dinner was attended by 35 students and representatives from six employers.