Southern Illinois News

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees met May 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. Call to Order & Roll Call - Chairman Gary Carter called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. and directed Board Secretary Sonja Wease to call the roll.

Susan Batchelor: Present

Roger Browning: Present

Gary Carter: Present

Brenda Culver: Absent

John McLaughlin: Present

Jan Ridgely: Absent

Mireya Rose (Student Trustee): Present

Barbara Shimer: Present

Present: 5, Absent: 2.

2. Welcome from the Chair - Chairman Carter welcomed all who were present for the meeting.

3. Recognition of Visitors and Guests

3.A. Visitors and Guests - Chief Information Officer Paul Tait, Sharmila Kakac, Nixie Hnetkovsky, Mandy Grepares, & Tara Farleigh.

3.B. IECCEA Representative - Nixie Hnetkovsky thanked Dr. Edgren for all his hard work at Frontier Community College and wished him well in his retirement. Ms. Hnetkovsky also thanked Executive Director of Human Resources Andrea McDowell and Chief Financial Officer Ryan Hawkins for getting the retroactive pay to faculty members earlier than anticipated.

4. Bond Hearing

"Conduct of Public Hearing concerning the intent of the Board to sell $8,000,000 Funding

Bonds for the purpose of paying claims against the District and $2,500,000 Working Cash Fund Bonds for the purpose of increasing the working cash fund of the District" Document Registry 25-05-01

Motion to recess the regular meeting and reconvene immediately following the public hearing. This motion, made by Susan Batchelor and seconded by Roger Browning, Carried.

Brenda Culver: Absent, Jan Ridgely: Absent, Susan Batchelor: Yea, Roger Browning: Yea, Gary Carter: Yea, John McLaughlin: Yea, Mireya Rose (Student Trustee): Yea, Barbara Shimer: Yea Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 2

Motion to exit public hearing and re-enter regular session. This motion, made by Susan Batchelor and seconded by John McLaughlin, Carried.

Brenda Culver: Absent, Jan Ridgely: Absent, Susan Batchelor: Yea, Roger Browning: Yea, Gary Carter: Yea, John McLaughlin: Yea, Mireya Rose (Student Trustee): Yea, Barbara Shimer: Yea Yea: 5. Nay: 0, Absent: 2

Motion to approve a resolution to sell bonds of the District in an amount not to exceed $8,000,000 for the purpose of paying claims against the District and not to exceed $2,500,000 for the purpose of increasing the working cash fund of the District. This motion, made by Roger Browning and seconded by Susan Batchelor, Carried.

Brenda Culver: Absent, Jan Ridgely: Absent, Susan Batchelor: Yea, Roger Browning: Yea, Gary Carter: Yea, John McLaughlin: Yea, Mireya Rose (Student Trustee): Yea, Barbara Shimer: Yea Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 2

5. Public Comments - None

6. Reports

6.A. Trustees - None

6.B. Chancellor - No additional information to his previously sent report.

6.C. Presidents & Divisions - Reports were presented by the Presidents & Vice Chancellors of each division.

7. Approval of Consent Agenda

Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. This motion, made by John McLaughlin and seconded by Barbara Shimer, Carried.

Brenda Culver: Absent, Jan Ridgely: Absent, Susan Batchelor: Yea, Roger Browning: Yea, Gary Carter: Yea, John McLaughlin: Yea, Mireya Rose (Student Trustee): Yea, Barbara Shimer: Yea Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 2

7.A. Disposition of Minutes - Open meeting minutes as prepared for the regular meeting held on April 22, 2025 were presented for approval.

7.B. Policy 500.12 Student Mental Health Needs - The policy was revised to reflect changes in staffing and to continue adherence to Public Act 101-0251, the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act. The Board waived the second reading and approved Policy 500.12 as presented. Document Registry 25-05-02

7.C. Policy 800.12 Minors & Visitors in the Classroom - This new policy clarifies IECC's position regarding individuals in the classroom who are not enrolled in the course. The Board waived the second reading and approved Policy 800.12 as presented. Document Registry 25- 05-03

7.D. Paramedic and EMT Program Fees - Fee changes due to the reactivation of a Paramedic certificate. The three changes to fee assessment are: 1) Paramedic Certificate Program: Program Liability Insurance Fee at $15; 2) Paramedic Certificate Program: Uniform Purchase Fee at actual cost; 3) EMT Program: change the $38 fee for the EMT program uniform to a cost recovery fee.

7.E. Affiliation Agreements - Chancellor Gower recommended approval of the affiliation agreements 3C Therapy & Wellness; Harrisburg Medical Center, Inc.; Southern Illinois Hospital Services; and Southern Illinois Medical Services, NFP.

8. Action on Items Removed from Consent Agenda - None

9. Policy First Reading (and Possible Approval) - None

10. Policy Second Reading - None

11. Staff Recommendations for Approval

11.A. Calendar Year 2024 Report 403(b) Plan

Motion to approve the Calendar Year Report for the IECC 403(b) Plan as presented with a total of 149 participants and total assets of $7,062,052. This motion, made by Roger Browning and seconded by Susan Batchelor, Carried.

Brenda Culver: Absent, Jan Ridgely: Absent, Susan Batchelor: Yea, Roger Browning: Yea, Gary Carter: Yea, John McLaughlin: Yea, Mireya Rose (Student Trustee): Yea, Barbara Shimer: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 2

11.B. Redevelopment Agreement City of Olney

Motion to approve the Redevelopment Agreement with the City of Olney that includes a reimbursement for eligible costs for the plan development and site preparation of the new addition to Wattleworth Hall at Olney Central College dedicated to Allied Health. Document Registry 25-05-04 This motion, made by Barbara Shimer and seconded by Susan Batchelor, Carried.

Brenda Culver: Absent, Jan Ridgely: Absent, John McLaughlin: Abstain (With Conflict), Susan Batchelor: Yea, Roger Browning: Yea, Gary Carter: Yea, Mireya Rose (Student Trustee): Yea, Barbara Shimer: Yea

Yea: 4, Nay: 0, Absent: 2, Abstain (With Conflict): 1

11.C. FY 2026 Tentative Budget

Motion to approve the Budget Resolution and Tentative Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 as presented. Document Registry 25-05-05 This motion, made by Roger Browning and seconded by Barbara Shimer, Carried.

Brenda Culver: Absent, Jan Ridgely: Absent, Susan Batchelor: Yea, Roger Browning: Yea, Gary Carter: Yea, John McLaughlin: Yea, Mireya Rose (Student Trustee): Yea, Barbara Shimer: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 2

12. Bid Committee Report - None.

13. District Finance

13.A. Financial Report

13.B. Approval of Financial Obligations

Motion to approve payment of district obligations for April 2025 in the total amount of $1,759,481.80. This motion, made by Roger Browning and seconded by Barbara Shimer, Carried.

Brenda Culver: Absent, Jan Ridgely: Absent, Susan Batchelor: Yea, Roger Browning: Yea, Gary Carter: Yea, John McLaughlin: Yea, Mireya Rose (Student Trustee): Yea, Barbara Shimer: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 2

14. Executive Session - None

14.C. 2(c)(12) Litigation

15. Approval of Executive Session Minutes

Motion to approve the closed session minutes from the regular meeting held on April 22, 2025. This motion, made by Susan Batchelor and seconded by Mireya Rose, Carried.

Brenda Culver: Absent, Jan Ridgely: Absent, Susan Batchelor: Yea, Roger Browning: Yea, Gary Carter: Yea, John McLaughlin: Yea, Mireya Rose (Student Trustee): Yea, Barbara Shimer: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 2

16. Approval of Personnel Report

400.1 Employment of Personnel

1. Ben Morgan, Temporary, Full-time Automotive Instructor, OCC, Academic Affairs effective August 13, 2025 - May 14, 2026

2. Chad Killinger, Head Women's Basketball Coach, WVC effective June 2, 2025

400.2 Change in Status

1. Paul Tait, Manager of Technology Infrastructure, DO to Chief Information Officer, DO effective May 12, 2025

2. Chelsea Dulany, Business Office Assistant, FCC, Business Operations to Business Office Specialist, FCC, Business Operations effective June 2, 2025

3. Jennifer Dunn, Student Services Specialist, FCC, Student Affairs to Student Services Software Specialist, FCC, Student Affairs effective June 2, 2025.

4. Danyelle Ayres, Coordinator of ICAPS & Instruction to Director of ICAPS and Instruction & Transition effective June 2, 2025

5. Sharis Wilson, Coordinator of Adult Literacy to Director of Literacy and AE Operations effective June 2, 2025

400.3 Change of Status for Specific Positions Related to FLSA Legislation effective June 2, 2025

1. Julie Autuberry, TRIO Upward Bound Academic Coordinator

2. Kara Blanton, Academic Advisor

3. Derek Dunn, Coordinator of Marketing & Communications

4. Jennifer Jennings, Assistant Director, TRIO Upward Bound

5. Angel Kerner, Academic Advisor

6. Brady Martin, Academic Advisor

7. Christy Morley, TRIO Upward Bound Academic Coordinator

8. Amanda Nelson, Academic Advisor

9. Eric Resor, Academic Advisor

10. Jodi Schneider, Academic Advisor

11. Candice Young, TRIO Upward Bound Academic Coordinator

400.4 Educational Level Change

Name Angelia Williams

From MA+36

To MA+48

Amount $1,000

400.5 Retirement Ratification(s)

1. Calvin Melvin, MIT Instructor effective May 31, 2025

Motion to approve the personnel report as presented. This motion, made by John McLaughlin and seconded by Susan Batchelor, Carried.

Brenda Culver: Absent, Jan Ridgely: Absent, Susan Batchelor: Yea, Roger Browning: Yea, Gary Carter: Yea, John McLaughlin: Yea, Mireya Rose (Student Trustee): Yea, Barbara Shimer: Yea Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 2

17. Litigation - Chancellor Gower reported that the District has received a signed agreement with the court with a dismissal with prejudice regarding the Workforce Education lawsuit.

18. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn at 7:06 p.m. This motion, made by Mireya Rose and seconded by Barbara Shimer, Carried.

Brenda Culver: Absent, Jan Ridgely: Absent, Susan Batchelor: Yea, Roger Browning: Yea, Gary Carter: Yea, John McLaughlin: Yea, Mireya Rose (Student Trustee): Yea, Barbara Shimer: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 2

https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/CustomMinutesForMeeting/2652?meeting=691665