Southern Illinois News

Kaskaskia Community College District #501 Board of Trustees met April 28.

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, April 28, 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 Craig Finke, Bill Hawley, Bryan Holthaus, Louis Kalert, Linda Stover, Laura Wedekemper, and Student Trustee Connor Wademan. Trustee Jim Beasley was absent.

College staff members attending in person were George Evans, Cary Day, Joy Fitts, Steven Foutch, Sara Hanks, Chris Holloway, George Kriss, Kali Michael, Karol Potter, Shawn Richards, Lisa Ring, Greg Schwartz, Garland Simmons, Jeff Thomas, and Amy Zanton.

Kevin Noll, Legal Counsel from Robbins Schwartz attended the meeting in person. Media attending in person was Steven Stilt of WJBD radio.

Jim Mahlandt and Lesley Mahlandt attended the meeting in person.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Chair Hawley led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

RECOGNITION

President Evans welcomed everyone and introduced new employees Garland Simmons, Police Officer and Greg Schwartz, Maintenance Specialist. President Evans also recognized Student Trustee Elect Meagan Mahlandt and her parents, Jim and Lesley Mahlandt.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

RESOLUTION 25-13

RECOGNIZING HONORING STUDENT TRUSTEE

Motion by Louis Kalert to Adopt Resolution 25-13 expressing sincere appreciation and recognizing Connor Wademan for serving as Student Trustee for April 2024 – April 2025.

Roll call:

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Connor Wademan yes

Louis Kalert yes

Motion was approved.

SEATING OF 2025-2026 STUDENT TRUSTEE / OATH OF OFFICE

Newly elected Student Trustee Meagan Mahlandt came forward and took the oath of office from Chair Hawley. Student Trustee Mahlandt then took a seat at the table and the meeting continued.

RESOLUTION 25-14

KASKASKIA COLLEGE – COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT 501 RESOLUTION ACCEPTING RESULTS OF ELECTION

Motion by Laura Wedekemper to Adopt Resolution 25-14 accepting the results of the April 1, 2025 Consolidated Election thereby electing Linda Stover and John W. “Bill” Hawley to fill six-year terms and Craig Finke to fill an unexpired two-year term to the Kaskaskia College Community College District 501 Board of Trustees.

Roll call:

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Meagan Mahlandt yes

Louis Kalert yes

Motion was approved.

OATH OF OFFICE FOR ELECTED TRUSTEES

John W. “Bill” Hawley, Linda Stover, and Craig Finke came forward and repeated the Oath of Office administered by President George Evans. Mr. Hawley, Mrs. Stover, and Mr. Finke took their seat at the table.

SELECTION OF PRESIDENT PRO TEM

Motion by Linda Stover to nominate President George Evans as the President Pro Tem of the Board of Trustees of Kaskaskia College Community College District 501.

All members voted yes by voice vote.

President Evans was nominated as President Pro Tem and took the gavel.

SELECTION OF SECRETARY PRO TEM

Motion by Bryan Holthaus to nominate Karol Potter as the Secretary Pro Tem of the Board of Trustees Kaskaskia College Community College District 501.

All members voted yes by voice vote.

Karol Potter was nominated as Secretary Pro Tem.

REORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2025-2026

CHAIR

President Evans asked for nominations for the position of Chair of the Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees. Trustee Bryan Holthaus nominated Bill Hawley for Chair. With no additional nominations received, President Evans closed nominations and asked for a voice vote.

All members voted yes by voice vote.

Bill Hawley was elected Chair of the Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees. Chair Hawley took the gavel, and the meeting continued.

VICE CHAIR

Chair Hawley asked for nominations for Vice President of the Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees. Trustee Laura Wedekemper nominated Linda Stover for Vice Chair. With no additional nominations received, Chair Hawley closed nominations and asked for a voice vote.

All members voted yes by voice vote.

Linda Stover was elected Vice Chair of the Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees.

SECRETARY

Chair Hawley asked for nominations for Secretary to the Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees. Trustee Linda Stover nominated Laura Wedekemper for Secretary. With no additional nominations received, Chair Hawley closed the nominations and asked for a voice vote.

All members voted yes by voice vote.

Laura Wedekemper was elected Secretary of the Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees.

APPOINTMENT OF BOARD RECORDING SECRETARY

Chair Hawley asked for nominations for Board Recording Secretary to the Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees. Trustee Louis Kalert nominated Karol Potter for Board Recording Secretary. With no additional nominations, Chair Hawley closed the nominations and asked for a voice vote.

All members voted yes by voice vote.

Karol Potter was elected Board Recording Secretary.

APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR 2025-2026

This agenda item was tabled until the next meeting.

ESTABLISH DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF REGULAR MEETINGS

Motion by Bryan Holthaus to continue holding the meetings of the Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Kaskaskia College.

Roll call:

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Meagan Mahlandt yes

Louis Kalert yes

Motion was approved.

CONSENT AGENDA

Items on the Consent Agenda included

March 24, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes

Ratification and approval of disbursements and payrolls for March 2025 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 Bryan Holthaus to accept the Consent Agenda.

Roll call:

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Meagan Mahlandt yes

Louis Kalert yes

Motion was approved.

OLD UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

CLOSED SESSION

A Closed Session was not held.

RESOLUTION 25-15

RESOLUTION TO APPROVE CAPITAL PROJECT AND MATCHING FUNDS REQUIRED FOR CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD PROJECT (75% CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD FUNDS AND 25% COLLEGE OPERATING FUNDS)

Motion by Linda Stover to adopt Resolution 25-15 approving CDB Capital Project 810-052-020 – Water Distribution Upgrades and approving the use of operating funds to finance CDB match requirements for the project.

Roll call:

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Meagan Mahlandt yes

Louis Kalert yes

Motion was approved.

RESOLUTION 25-16

RESOLUTION ON REAPPOINTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL/MANAGERIAL AND EXECUTIVE/MANAGERIAL EMPLOYEES

Motion by Bryan Holthaus to Adopt Resolution 25-16 approving the recommendation of reappointment for 2025-2026 of the full-time Kaskaskia College Professional/ Managerial and Executive/Managerial employees listed in the Resolution, subject to terms and conditions of the individual personnel contracts/notices issued by the President of the College to each employee.

Roll call:

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Meagan Mahlandt yes

Louis Kalert yes

Motion was approved.

RESOLUTION 25-17

RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF LED LIGHT FIXTURES FOR RETROFITTING THE MAIN CAMPUS (100% IGEN GRANT FUNDED)

Motion by Bryan Holthaus to adopt Resolution 25-17 approving the purchase of the LED light fixtures from Springfield Electric of Mt. Vernon, Illinois in the amount of $38,500.93.

Roll call:

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Meagan Mahlandt yes

Louis Kalert yes

Motion was approved.

RESOLUTION 25-18

RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF LOUNGE FURNITURE FOR THE HARRY L. CRISP MANUFACTURING AND TRADES CENTER (55% INSTITUTIONAL AND 45% MENTAL HEALTH EXPANSION GRANT FUNDED)

Motion by Bryan Holthaus to adopt Resolution 25-18 approving the purchase of furniture for the Lounge area at the Harry L. Crisp Manufacturing and Trades Center from KI Furniture of St. Louis, MO in the amount of $48,800.22.

Roll call:

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Meagan Mahlandt yes

Louis Kalert yes

Motion was approved.

RESOLUTION 25-19

RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT DONATION OF EQUIPMENT TO THE INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM AT THE HARRY L. CRISP MANUFACTURING & TRADES CENTER

Motion by Louis Kalert to adopt Resolution 25-19 accepting the donation of the PLCs, touchscreens, cameras, and sensors from Grupo Antolin, and extending the Board’s sincere appreciation to Grupon Antolin for the donation.

Roll call:

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Meagan Mahlandt yes

Louis Kalert yes

Motion was approved.

RESOLUTION 25-20

RESOLUTION TO RENAME CLASSROOM L104 THE JOSEPH H. HEIMANN CLASSROOM Motion by Bryan Holthaus to adopt Resolution 25-20 naming Library Classroom 104 as the Joseph H. Heimann Classroom in honor of his exceptional service, leadership, and commitment to Kaskaskia College.

Roll call:

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Meagan Mahlandt yes

Louis Kalert yes

Motion was approved.

RESOLUTION 25-21

RESOLUTION TO APPROVE VENDOR FOR VIRTUAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING Motion by Louis Kalert to adopt Resolution 25-21 authorizing the College administration to enter into a two-year agreement with Timely Telehealth LLC of Fort Worth, TX for a total cost of $99,826.38 with funding for year one provided by the FY2025 Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act Appropriation and the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Support Expansion Grant and 100% institutional funding for year two, with the expectation of Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act funding becoming available for use prior to payment for year two.

Roll call:

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Meagan Mahlandt yes

Louis Kalert yes

Motion was approved.

RESOLUTION 25-22

RESOLUTION FOR DISPOSITION OF COLLEGE PROPERTY

Motion by Bryan Holthaus to adopt Resolution 25-22 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:

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Meagan Mahlandt yes

Louis Kalert yes

Motion was approved.

APPROVAL OF CARPENTERS’ UNION CONTRACT EXTENSION

Motion by Linda Stover to authorize the President of Kaskaskia College to enter into a one year extension, of the Agreement between St. Louis-Kansas City Carpenter’s Regional Council and Kaskaskia College Community College District 501, thus extending the current terms of the contract for one additional year, and ending on July 1, 2026.

Roll call:

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Meagan Mahlandt yes

Louis Kalert yes

Motion was approved.

APPROVAL OF FACULTY RANK PROMOTION RECOMMENDATIONS Motion by Louis Kalert to approve the recommendations for faculty rank promotion in accordance with Article XV of the Kaskaskia College Federation of Teachers contract as follows:

From Assistant Professor to Associate Professor

Marsha Baro

From Associate Professor to Professor

Eric Jones

Robert Rhymes

William Waggoner

Roll call:

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Meagan Mahlandt yes

Louis Kalert yes

Motion was approved.

APPROVAL OF RETIREMENT OF PROFESSOR OF CONSTRUCTION OCCUPATIONS Motion by Bryan Holthaus to accept the retirement of Pete Donnelly as the Professor of Construction Occupations effective May 17, 2026.

Roll call:

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Meagan Mahlandt yes

Louis Kalert yes

Motion was approved.

APPROVAL OF RESIGNATION OF BUILDINGS & GROUNDS TECHNICIAN Motion by Louis Kalert to accept the resignation of Randal Dean Meredith as a Buildings and Grounds Technician effective April 14, 2025.

Roll call:

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Meagan Mahlandt yes

Louis Kalert yes

Motion was approved.

APPROVAL OF TERMINATION OF BUILDINGS & GROUNDS TECHNICIAN Motion by Bryan Holthaus to terminate for cause Ms. Angela Meyers’ employment as a Buildings and Grounds Technician effective immediately.

Roll call:

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley yes Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Meagan Mahlandt yes

Louis Kalert yes

Motion was approved.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

A. Approval of Repairs to Nashville Education Center

B. Emergency Repairs at Salem Education Center Due to Flood Damage

C. Approval of Employment of Instructional Services Precision Agriculture Facilitator

D. Approval of Restructure of Human Resources Department

E. Approval of Probationary Faculty Movement

F. First Reading – Revisions to Guarantee of Competency for Occupational Programs Policy 6.1104

G. First Reading – Revisions to Guarantee of Course Transferability for Associate in Arts and Associate in Science Degree Policy 6.1105

TRUSTEE AND PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS AND REPORTS

STUDENT TRUSTEE REPORT

Student Trustee Megan Mahlandt presented an oral report to the Board which summarized the following:

• On April 14th -16th, 2025, an Easter egg hunt was held for students. Miss Mahlandt thanked Kali Michael for organizing this event as the students loved it.

• On April 15, 2025, the annual spring concert was held.

• KC Explore Career Day was held on April 4th. Students from high schools all over the district visited the college and participated in this day.

• Registration has started for summer camps. Camps are offered for softball, baseball, basketball, volleyball, cross country, tennis, and soccer.

• On April 14, 2025, PTK held the annual induction ceremony.

• On April 25, 2025, the Theatre and Arts Program put on the Shakespeare play.

• On April 25, 2025, a high school art show was hosted on main campus.

• Professor Cory Wellen and the welding students completed the installation of a bus stop on main campus.

• The Engineering club is making progress on the T-shirt project which they plan to complete with finals in two weeks.

• The winners of the poetry contest were announced. First place was awarded to Mike Warden. Second place was awarded to Byron Keller. Third place was awarded to Ema Johnson. Travis Alexander, Joanna Fogg, and Mike Warden received honorable mentions.

• The annual spring picnic will be held on April 29th. PTK will be recycling in respect of Earth Day. Students will be offered a free lunch from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Games and activities will be available. A kick ball tournament between staff and student teams will take place in the afternoon. The Criminal Justice Department students will be arresting people for $1.

• On April 30, 2025, the ACE will hold a writing workshop from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. for students who are interested in improving their writing skills.

• On April 30, 2025, an Apprenticeship Workshop where students will learn about local apprenticeship opportunities will be held at the Harry L. Crisp Technology Center. The workshop will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

• Finals will be held April 12th – 15th.

PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS

• President Evans recognized outgoing Student Trustee Connor Wademan and welcomed incoming Student Trustee Megan Mahlandt.

• President Evans thanked everyone who represented Kaskaskia College at the Student Lobby Day in Springfield on April 9, 2025. It was clear community colleges were out in force by the level of participation of Student Trustees from community colleges across Illinois.

• President Evans highlighted that the spring concerts and plays are currently in full swing, emphasizing the excellence of the Fine Arts Department. He expressed confidence that the College has the right individuals with positive attitudes in key positions. The public perception of the Fine Arts program has become increasingly positive, a transformation that has taken just a couple of years.

• Professor Corey Wellen and the students in the welding program designed and fabricated the bus stop recently installed at the main campus.

• Professor Chris Wellen and students in the carpentry program at the Centralia Correctional Center constructed a butterfly house which will be on display during the Illinois state fair in Springfield.

• Graduation is scheduled for May 16, 2025. This will be the last graduation ceremony held in the old Gymnasium.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Bryan Holthaus to adjourn. All members voted yes by voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

https://www.kaskaskia.edu/media/web-assets/documents/board-minutes-amp-agendas/april/04-28-25-Approved-Minutes-w-Resolutions-for-Posting.pdf