Kaskaskia Community College District #501 Board of Trustees met Feb. 3.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
ROLL CALL/ATTENDANCE
Chair Bill Hawley convened a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees (Board) on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Lifelong Learning Center on the Kaskaskia College (College) main campus.
Trustees present at the meeting in person were Craig Finke, Bill Hawley, Bryan Holthaus, Louis Kalert, Linda Stover, and Laura Wedekemper. Student Trustee Meagan Mahlandt was present. Trustee Jim Beasley arrived at 6:44 p.m.
Kevin Noll, Legal Counsel from Robbins Schwartz attended the meeting in person.
College staff members attending in person were President George Evans, Alan Boerngen, Cary Day, Bruce Finke, Steven Foutch, Sara Hanks, Cynthia Hoffman, Chris Holloway, Laura Huge, George Kriss, Amanda Miller, Julie Obermark, Staci Palm, Karol Potter, Shawn Richards, Lisa Ring, Jeff Thomas, Kylee Williams, and Amy Zanton.
Attending the meeting in person in support of their uncle, Chairman Bill Hawley, were Lisa Pontious and Kent Hawley.
Media attending in person was Steven Stilt of WJBD radio.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairman Hawley led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
RECOGNITION
President Evans welcomed everyone present and introduced Turning Point U.S.A. Club Sponsor, Bruce Finke, and club members Rachel Donoho, Andolini Gray, and Katelyn Klipp.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Bryan Holthaus to accept the Consent Agenda which includes the December 15, 2025 regular meeting minutes, financial reports for the period ending December 31, 2025; disbursements and payroll reports for December 2025, the personnel, Friends of Fine Arts, and Administrative Reports for January 2026; and the quarterly Strategic Plan update for the period of October 2025 – December 2025.
Roll Call:
Jim Beasley not present  Louis Kalert yes
Craig Finke yes         Linda Stover yes
Bill Hawley yes         Laura Wedekemper yes
Bryan Holthaus yes      Meagan Mahlandt yes
Motion was approved.
OLD UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
CLOSED SESSION
No closed session was held.
APPROVAL OF NEW STUDENT CLUB CHARTER – TURNING POINT USA Motion by Linda Stover to approve the charter and formation of the Kaskaskia College Turning Point USA student club. Club President Rachel Donoho addressed the Board thanking them for the opportunity to offer the club to Kaskaskia College students.
Roll Call:
Jim Beasley not present  Louis Kalert yes
Craig Finke yes         Linda Stover yes
Bill Hawley yes         Laura Wedekemper yes
Bryan Holthaus yes      Meagan Mahlandt yes
Motion was approved.
APPROVAL OF LAB FEE CHANGES 2026-2027
Motion by Louis Kalert to approve the proposed changes to course lab fees as presented for the 2026-2027 Academic Year.
Roll Call:
Jim Beasley not present  Louis Kalert yes
Craig Finke yes         Linda Stover yes
Bill Hawley yes         Laura Wedekemper yes
Bryan Holthaus yes      Meagan Mahlandt yes
Motion was approved.
RESOLUTION 26-01
RESOLUTION TO NAME THE BASKETBALL COURT IN THE NEW KASKASKIA COLLEGE GYMNASIUM BILL HAWLEY COURT
Motion by Laura Wedekemper to adopt Resolution 26-01 approving that the basketball court in the new Kaskaskia College gymnasium be officially named Bill Hawley Court, in recognition of his extraordinary leadership, service, and enduring impact on Kaskaskia College and the region it serves. Upon voice vote, Trustees Finke, Holthaus, Kalert, Wedekemper, Stover, and Student Trustee Mahlandt voted aye. Trustees Beasley and Hawley did not cast votes. Motion was approved.
Trustee Jim Beasley arrived at this point in the meeting at 6:44 p.m.
RESOLUTION 26-02
RESOLUTION TO RATIFY EMERGENCY PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS FOR THE MAIN CAMPUS
Motion by Bryan Holthaus to adopt Resolution 26-02 ratifying the following actions: 1. The purchase of high amperage circuit breakers from Echo Electric of Mount Vernon, IL, in the amount of $33,855.45.
2. The installation of the high amperage circuit breakers by Clinton Electric of Bonnie, IL, in the amount of $739.00.
For a total amount of $34,594.45.
Roll Call:
Jim Beasley abstain  Louis Kalert yes
Craig Finke yes      Linda Stover yes
Bill Hawley yes      Laura Wedekemper yes
Bryan Holthaus yes   Meagan Mahlandt yes
Motion was approved.
RESOLUTION 26-03
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE OF A REFURBISHED MEDICAL ULTRASOUND SYSTEM (100% PATH GRAND FUNDED)
Motion by Linda Stover to adopt Resolution 26-03 approving the purchase of a refurbished medical ultrasound system from Midwest Imaging Corp. of St. Charles, MO in the amount of $29,750.00.
Roll Call:
Jim Beasley yes     Louis Kalert yes
Craig Finke yes      Linda Stover yes
Bill Hawley yes      Laura Wedekemper yes
Bryan Holthaus yes   Meagan Mahlandt yes
Motion was approved.
RESOLUTION 26-04
RESOLUTION TO RATIFY PURCHASE OF A USED SKID STEER
Motion by Bryan Holthaus to adopt Resolution 26-04 ratifying the purchase of a used skid steer from John Fabic Tractor Company, located in Fenton, Missouri in the amount of $58,850.
Roll Call:
Jim Beasley yes     Louis Kalert yes
Craig Finke yes      Linda Stover yes
Bill Hawley yes      Laura Wedekemper yes
Bryan Holthaus yes   Meagan Mahlandt yes
Motion was approved.
RESOLUTION 26-05
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE RENEWAL OF VMWARE (INSTITUTIONALLY FUNDED) Motion by Bryan Holthaus to adopt Resolution 26-05 authorizing the Information Technology Department to renew the VMware licensing for a three‑year term at a cost not to exceed $42,747.84, purchased from Data Center Warehouse, Laguna Hills, CA.
Roll Call:
Jim Beasley yes     Louis Kalert yes
Craig Finke yes      Linda Stover yes
Bill Hawley yes      Laura Wedekemper yes
Bryan Holthaus yes   Meagan Mahlandt yes
Motion was approved.
RESOLUTION 26-06
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE OF TITLE II/ADA SOFTWARE (INSTITUTIONALLY FUNDED)
Motion by Bryan Holthaus to adopt Resolution 26-06 approving the purchase of Yuja Panorama and Panopto from Yuja, Inc. and Panopto, Inc. for a total amount not to exceed $50,907.42.
Roll Call:
Jim Beasley yes     Louis Kalert yes
Craig Finke yes      Linda Stover yes
Bill Hawley yes      Laura Wedekemper yes
Bryan Holthaus yes   Meagan Mahlandt yes
Motion was approved.
RESOLUTION 26-07
RESOLUTION FOR DISPOSITION OF COLLEGE PROPERTY
Motion by Jim Beasley to adopt Resolution 26-07 declaring the equipment listed as no longer needed for College purposes, and approving College administration dispose of such equipment in accordance with College Policy #2.6001.
Roll Call:
Jim Beasley yes     Louis Kalert yes
Craig Finke yes      Linda Stover yes
Bill Hawley yes      Laura Wedekemper yes
Bryan Holthaus yes   Meagan Mahlandt yes
Motion was approved.
APPROVAL OF RESIGNATION-WEI WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP COORDINATOR Motion by Bryan Holthaus to accept the resignation of Brittany Hunter as Workforce Empowerment Initiative (WEI) Coach/Workforce Partnership Coordinator effective December 31, 2025.
Roll Call:
Jim Beasley yes     Louis Kalert yes
Craig Finke yes      Linda Stover yes
Bill Hawley yes      Laura Wedekemper yes
Bryan Holthaus yes   Meagan Mahlandt yes
Motion was approved.
APPROVAL OF EMPLOYMENT-WEI WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP COORDINATOR (REPLACEMENT POSITION)
Motion by Louis Kalert to hire Alexus Tate as Workforce Empowerment Initiative (WEI) Coach/ Workforce Partnership Coordinator effective February 9, 2026, at an annual salary of $54,000. This position is funded through the Workforce Empowerment Initiative (WEI) grant.
Roll Call:
Jim Beasley yes     Louis Kalert yes
Craig Finke yes      Linda Stover yes
Bill Hawley yes      Laura Wedekemper yes
Bryan Holthaus yes   Meagan Mahlandt yes
Motion was approved.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
A. Resolution to Approve the Purchase of Plasma Table (100% Perkins Leadership Funded)
B. Resolution Establishing Tuition and Fee Rates for Academic Year 2026-2027 (Fiscal Year 2027)
STUDENT TRUSTEE REPORT
Student Trustee Meagan Mahlandt presented an oral report to the Board which summarized the following:
• Spring enrollment opened in January, accompanied by a registration event on January 10, 2026 to help students sign up for their classes.
• The Theatre Arts & Public Speaking Workshop for youth was held on January 10, 2026, providing students with opportunities to develop their performance and communication skills.
• On January 20, 2026, the MLK celebration event took place. Dr. Tron Young delivered a speech, and students participated in a lunch and workshop focused on the legacy and leadership values of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• On January 23, 2026, an SAC meeting was held at Parkland College. During this meeting, student trustees from across the state discussed common challenges within their colleges and explored ways to improve them.
• The Health Sciences Pinning Ceremony was held December 18, 2025. • On January 29, 2026, the Collegiate Farm Bureau had a meeting, continuing their work in agricultural leadership and advocacy.
• The Physical Therapist Assistant program launched a merchandise sale to raise funds for their program, supporting student activities and resources.
• The welcome breakfast is scheduled for February 12, 2026, offering a chance for students to connect and meet all the clubs on campus.
PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS
• President Evans congratulated Mr. Hawley on behalf of himself and the Kaskaskia College faculty and staff.
• The Centralia Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026 in the Lifelong Learning Center. Kaskaskia College will be recognized for its 85th anniversary.
• The Leadership Council of Southwest Illinois hosted an Ag Summit at Kaskaskia College last week. The Ag Summit was very positive, drawing strong leadership from across the state and nation for the agricultural community. The discussions focused on tariff impacts and global market considerations, highlighted advances in agricultural education, and underscored the strategic importance of Mississippi River logistics and America’s Central Port for regional agricultural commerce.
• President Evans recognized Chris Holloway and the Campus Operations team for their outstanding work during last week’s snow events. The team ensured sidewalks were shoveled, salt was applied, and the roads and parking areas were plowed, keeping the campus accessible and safe for everyone when we returned. The team willingly drove to the campus while conditions were still challenging, acting as unsung heroes who prioritize safety and continuity for students and staff.
• On February 24, 2026, Kaskaskia College will formally sign an agreement with Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to offer bachelor’s degrees in agriculture at the John D. Cavaletto Agricultural Center, with in-person instruction from SIU-C faculty. The initiative has been two years in the making and reflects extensive team effort. It is envisioned as the first of many such partnerships as higher education continues to move toward expanded collaboration.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Bryan Holthaus to adjourn. All members voted yes by voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
https://www.kaskaskia.edu/media/web-assets/documents/board-minutes-amp-agendas/february/02-03-26-APPROVED-Board-of-Trustees-Minutes-w-Resolutions-for-Posting.pdf
