Southern Illinois News

Kaskaskia Community College District #501 Board of Trustees met Jan. 27.

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 Monday, January 27, 2025, 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 Jim Beasley, Craig Finke, Bill Hawley, Bryan Holthaus, Louis Kalert, Linda Stover, and Laura Wedekemper. Student Trustee Connor Wademan was also present.

Kevin Noll, Legal Counsel from Robbins Schwartz attended the meeting in person.

College staff members attending in person were George Evans, Alan Boerngen, Cary Day, Joy Fitts, Sara Hanks, Kellie Henegar, Chris Holloway, George Kriss, Staci Palm, Karol Potter, Shawn Richards, Craig Roper, Jeff Thomas, Nathan Wilkins, and Amy Zanton.

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 and introduced those in attendance.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

CONSENT AGENDA

Items on the Consent Agenda included

December 16, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes

Ratification and approval of disbursements and payrolls for December 2024 which includes travel reimbursements for board members and College employees if any requested reimbursement exceeds maximum allowable costs, Treasurer Report, Budget Report, Personnel Report, Kaskaskia College Foundation Report, and Kaskaskia College Friends of Fine Arts Report. Administrative Reports include the Executive Services Report, Administrative Services Report, Institutional Support and Technology Services Report, Instructional Services Report, and Student Services Report.

Motion by Brian Holthaus to accept the Consent Agenda.

Approved 02/24/25

Roll call:

Jim Beasley yes Louis Kalert yes

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Connor Wademan yes

Motion was approved.

OLD UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

CLOSED SESSION

Motion by Linda Stover to enter Closed Session in accordance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act, and pursuant to Section 2(c) of the Act, the specific reasons for conducting an executive session meeting are as follows:

The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), and

Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2), and

Student disciplinary cases 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9).

Roll call:

Jim Beasley yes Louis Kalert yes

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Connor Wademan yes

Motion was approved and the meeting entered closed session at 6:33 p.m. Motion by Jim Beasley to end closed session and resume open session.

Roll call:

Jim Beasley yes Louis Kalert yes

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Connor Wademan yes

Motion was approved and closed session ended, and open session resumed at 7:23 p.m.

APPROVAL OF REVISIONS TO COURSE LAB FEES FOR 2025-2026 Motion by Jim Beasley to approve the proposed changes to course/lab fees as presented for the 2025-2026 Academic Year.

Roll call:

Jim Beasley yes Louis Kalert yes

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Connor Wademan yes

Motion was approved.

RESOLUTION 25-01

RESOLUTION TO RENAME THE KASKASKIA COLLEGE HARRY L. CRISP TECHNOLOGY CENTER TO THE KASKASKIA COLLEGE HARRY L. CRISP MANUFACTURING AND TRADES CENTER

Motion by Bryan Holthaus to adopt Resolution 25-01 to whole-heartedly approve the renaming of the Kaskaskia College Harry L. Crisp Technology Center to the Harry L. Crisp Manufacturing and Trades Center in recognition of Harry L. Crisp’s instrumental contributions to education, workforce development, and community service.

Roll call:

Jim Beasley yes Louis Kalert yes

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Connor Wademan yes

Motion was approved.

RESOLUTION 25-02

RESOLUTION TO APPROVE CONTRACTOR FOR EMERGENCY REPLACEMENT OF A SECTION OF THE TRENTON EDUCATION CENTER ROOF (100% INSTITUTIONAL FUNDING)

Motion by Linda Stover to adopt Resolution 25-02 approving Martin Roofing & Solar of Mascoutah, IL for the emergency replacement of a section of the roof at the Trenton Education Center at a cost of $55,705.00.

Roll call:

Jim Beasley yes Louis Kalert yes

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Connor Wademan yes

Motion was approved.

RESOLUTION 25-03

RESOLUTION FOR DISPOSITION OF COLLEGE PROPERTY

Motion by Bryan Holthaus adopting Resolution 25-03 declaring the equipment listed as “no longer needed for College purposes” and that the 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 Connor Wademan yes

Motion was approved.

APPROVAL OF RESIGNATION OF DIRECTOR OF TITLE III

Motion by Jim Beasley to accept the resignation of Tabitha Welch as the Director of Title III effective January 17, 2025.

Roll call:

Jim Beasley yes Louis Kalert yes

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Connor Wademan yes

Motion was approved.

APPROVAL OF RESIGNATION OF POLICE OFFICER

Motion by Bryan Holthaus to accept the resignation of Robert Thompson as Police Officer effective January 15, 2025.

Roll call:

Jim Beasley yes Louis Kalert yes

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Connor Wademan yes

Motion was approved.

APPROVAL OF EMPLOYMENT BUILDINGS & GROUNDS TECHNICIAN (REPLACEMENT POSITION)

Motion by Bryan olthaus to approve the employment of Shannon Harris as a Buildings and Grounds Technician at a rate of $16.08 per hour with a tentative start date of February 10, 2025.

Roll call:

Jim Beasley yes Louis Kalert yes

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Connor Wademan yes

Motion was approved.

FIRST READING – REVISIONS TO CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING POLICY 6.0800 The First Reading of revisions to Credit for Prior Learning Policy 6.0800 was presented. The final reading and approval will be at the February 2025 meeting.

FIRST READING – REVISIONS TO FACILITY RENTAL POLICY 2.6003 The First Reading of revisions to Facility Rental Policy 2.6003 was presented. The final reading and approval will be at the February 2025 meeting.

FIRST READING – REVISIONS TO PUBLIC PERFORMANCES, PRESENTATIONS, AND EXHIBITS POLICY 6.0502

The First Reading of revisions to Public Performances, Presentations, and Exhibits Policy 6.0502 was presented. The final reading and approval will be at the February 2025 meeting.

FIRST READING – REVISIONS TO INDEPENDENT STUDY POLICY 6.0700 The First Reading of revisions to Independent Study Policy 6.0700 was presented. The final reading and approval will be at the February 2025 meeting.

FIRST READING – REVISIONS TO CLASS AND PROGRAM SCHEDULING POLICY 6.1101

The First Reading of revisions to Class and Program Scheduling Policy 6.1101 was presented. The final reading and approval will be at the February 2025 meeting.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

A. Approval of Repairs to Nashville Education Center

B. Approval of Employment of Instructional Services Precision Agriculture Facilitator C. Approval of Restructure of Human Resources Department

D. Establish 2025-2026 Tuition Rates

TRUSTEE AND PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS AND REPORTS

STUDENT TRUSTEE REPORT

Student Trustee Connor Wademan presented an oral report to the Board which summarized the following:

• On January 9, 2025, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members were given the opportunity to assist with judging at the Southeastern Area High School FBLA Conference.

• Students returned to campus on January 13, 2025, for the spring semester.

• On January 17, 2025, Student Trustee Wademan attended a Student Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting at Heartland Community College. Jim Reed, Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association spoke on legislative priorities, advocacy work, and maximizing partnerships. The group also discussed potential lobby day topics and how to prepare for lobby day.

• Student Congress met on January 22, 2025. Student Trustees Wademan shared the topics discussed at the SAC meeting. The Congress discussed the upcoming Welcome Back Breakfast.

PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS

• President Evans acknowledged the College's remarkable achievement in securing all six grant applications submitted. He extended his congratulations and gratitude to everyone involved in this success, emphasizing the importance of these grants in providing funding relief in various areas for the upcoming year.

• Governor J.B. Pritzker's budget address is set for February 19, 2025. The Illinois Council of Community College Presidents is working to sustain positive funding momentum amid potential state deficits. Despite these challenges, President Evans remains cautiously optimistic that community colleges will avoid budget cuts, thanks to their strong reputation in higher education and ongoing advocacy efforts.

• President Evans announced that the College has been awarded the Southern Illinois Advocacy Award by the Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois, in collaboration with Madison County, St. Clair County, and Scott Airforce Base. This recognition is for the College's contributions to military affairs and its involvement with the Agriculture and Education Committees. The award will be presented at the banquet in March.

• President Evans acknowledged Mr. Craig Roper's retirement after 39 years of service, sharing remarks in recognition of his many contributions and dedication during his tenure.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Jim Beasley to adjourn. All members voted yes by voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m.

https://www.kaskaskia.edu/media/web-assets/documents/board-minutes-amp-agendas/january/01-27-25-APPROVED-Minutes-w-Resolutions-for-Posting.pdf