Southern Illinois News

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees met June 17.

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: Present

John McLaughlin: Present

Jan Ridgely: Present

Mireya Rose (Student Trustee): Present via TEAMS

Barbara Shimer: Present

Present: 7, Absent: 0.

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 – Carrie Brown, Kim Schucker, Chris Forde, Nixie Hnetkovsky, & Steve Hnetkovsky

3.B. IECCEA Representative – Nixie Hnetkovsky, no report

4. Honorable Recognition

4.A. President Tona Ambrose- Phi Theta Kappa Paragon Award – Professors Carrie Brown and Kim Schucker recognized President Tona Ambrose for being awarded the Phi Theta Kappa Paragon New President Award. The award is given to a new Community College President that has shown exceptional commitment to student development.

4.B. Dr. Gerald Edgren- Retiring FCC President/Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs – Chancellor Gower recognized Dr. Gerald “Jay” Edgren for his outstanding service to Illinois Eastern Community Colleges in light of his upcoming retirement.

4.C. Board Resolution Honoring Dr. Gerald "Jay" Edgren Document Registry 25-06-01 Motion to approve the resolution to recognize Dr. Gerald "Jay" Edgren. This motion, made by Brenda Culver and seconded by Roger Browning, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 0

5. Public Comments - None

6. Reports

6.A. Trustees – None

6.B. Chancellor – Dr. Gower asked Trustees to look at their calendars for the summer retreat and let him know their availability on August 4th.

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 Barbara Shimer and seconded by Susan Batchelor, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 0

7.A. Disposition of Minutes – Open meeting minutes as prepared for the regular meeting held on May 27, 2025 were presented for approval.

7.B. Inter-Fund Loans – A resolution to authorize inter-fund loans during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, allowing the District to loan dollars between funds provided the loans are repaid to the original fund within the academic year was presented for approval. Document Registry 25-06- 02

7.C. Building & Maintenance Fund Resolution – A resolution to authorize certain expenditures from the Operations and Maintenance Fund, such as utilities, O&M salaries and other soft expenses was presented. Document Registry 25-06-03

7.D. Policy 500.5 Credit for Prior Learning – Revisions to the Credit for Prior Learning Policy 500.5 were presented for approval to reflect the changes for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) entering the RN program to allow them to receive academic credit based on prior learning in academic or clinical settings. Document Registry 25-06-04

7.E. Affiliation Agreements – Chancellor Gower recommended approval of the affiliation agreements with Clay Co. Rehabilitation Center; CTF Illinois; Edwards Co. Health Office; Rehabilitation & Performance Institute; Stone Bridge Memory Care; Trilogy Rehab Services, LLC; Wabash Co. Health Department; Kid’s Kingdom Preschool Inc. Day Care Center; and SIHF Healthcare.

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. Payment of Accrued Bills

Motion to approve the payment of accrued bills for a short period following the end of the fiscal year June 30th. By July 30th all accrued bills received during this run-out period will be paid and a report given to the Board of Trustees the following month. This motion, made by Roger Browning and seconded by John McLaughlin, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 0

11.B. Working Cash Resolution

Motion to authorize the transfer of approximately up to $250,000 in interest earned in the Working Cash Fund to the General Fund and $1,500,000 from the Working Cash Fund to the Liability and Protection Fund on or before June 30, 2025. Document Registry 25-06-05 This motion, made by Roger Browning and seconded by John McLaughlin, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 0

11.C. Lease Agreements

Motion to approve the renewal of lease agreements between the District and certain locations and entities throughout the District. This motion, made by Brenda Culver and seconded by Susan Batchelor, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 0

11.D. Insurance Renewal

Motion to accept the current insurance renewals as presented and authorize the Chancellor to bind coverage with Wright Specialty for the District package liability coverage for period July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Document Registry 25-06-06 This motion, made by Roger Browning and seconded by Jan Ridgely, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 0

11.E. Bond Resolution- Resolution providing for the issue of $6,175,000 Taxable General Obligation Community College Bonds, Series 2025A, and $865,000 General Obligation Community College Bonds, Series 2025B, for the purpose of paying claims against and increasing the working cash fund of the District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof. Document Registry 25-06-07

Motion to adopt a resolution providing for the issue of $6,175,000 Taxable General Obligation Community College Bonds, Series 2025A, and $865,000 General Obligation Community College Bonds, Series 2025B, for the purpose of paying claims against and increasing the working cash fund of the District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds to the purchaser thereof. This motion, made by Roger Browning and seconded by John McLaughlin, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 0

11.F. CDB Trust Agreement

Motion to approve a Trust Agreement with First National Bank in Olney for the Capital Development Board Project replacing the roof of the John D. Stull theater and gymnasium at Olney Central College. The Board authorized the Chancellor to deposit the District’s local share of $265,000 into trust once the account is established. Document Registry 25-06-07 This motion, made by John McLaughlin and seconded by Susan Batchelor, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 0

11.G. OCC Emergency Repair

Motion to approve the authorization for an emergency repair project in the theater at Olney Central College. This motion, made by Susan Batchelor and seconded by Barbara Shimer, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 0

11.H. Bid Exception IBT FY '24 Grant

Motion to approve the purchase of three full Snap-on tool kits to be made available to students of the WVC Diesel Program. Funding will come through the FY24 Innovative Bridge & Transitions Grant Program. Document Registry 25-06-07 This motion, made by Barbara Shimer and seconded by Jan Ridgely, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 0

11.I. Bid Exception TRIO STEM Lab

Motion to approve the purchase of Upward Bound STEM Space Utilizing Cooperative Purchasing in the amount of $46,496.50, which includes professional installation. This motion, made by Barbara Shimer and seconded by Susan Batchelor, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 0

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 June 2025 in the total amount of $948,857.35. This motion, made by Jan Ridgely and seconded by Barbara Shimer, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 0

14. Executive Session - None

14.A. 2(c)(1) Employment/Appointment Matters

14.B. 2(c)(2) Collective Negotiating Matters

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

15. Approval of Executive Session Minutes

15.A. Written Executive Session Minutes

15.B. Audio Executive Session Minutes

15.C. Semi-Annual Review of Executive Session Minutes

Motion to approve the semi-annual review of executive session minutes as mandated by Section 2.06 of the Open Meetings Act as presented. This motion, made by Brenda Culver and seconded by Jan Ridgely, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 0

16. Approval of Personnel Report

400.1 Change in Status

1. Rob Jackman, Perkins Project Coordinator to Program Director of Perkins effective June 23, 2025

400.2 Assessment Stipend Special Assignment for FY26 (attachment)

400.3 Resignation Ratification(s)

1. Brady Martin, Academic Advisor, WVC effective June 6, 2025

400.4 Retirement Ratification(s)

1. Katy Head, Lead Custodian, WVC effective July 31, 2025

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

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 0

17. Litigation - None

18. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn at 7:15 p.m. This motion, made by Barbara Shimer and seconded by Brenda Culver, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 0

https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/CustomMinutesForMeeting/2652?meeting=694801