Southern Illinois News

Kaskaskia Community College District #501 Board of Trustees met July. 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, July 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 Jim Beasley, Craig Finke, Bill Hawley, Bryan Holthaus, Louis Kalert, Linda Stover, Laura Wedekemper and Student Trustee Meagan Mahlandt.

College staff members attending in person were George Evans, Michael Christensen, Cary Day, Tena Elliott, Sara Hanks, Chris Holloway, George Kriss, Geonessa Lange, Traci Masau, Julie Obermark, Karol Potter, Shawn Richards, Jeff Thomas, Nathan Wilkins, Kylee Williams, and Amy Zanton.

Lucas Buchmiller from Bayer Crop Science attended the meeting in person in recognition of the precision agriculture donation.

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.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Jim Beasley, addressing the audience as a public citizen, commended the Chairman, the Board of Trustees, and President George Evans for the advancements the College has achieved for students, individuals, and the communities served by the College’s district, as highlighted in the President’s Report to the Community.

CONSENT AGENDA

Items on the Consent Agenda included

June 23, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes

June 30, 2025 Community Meeting – Greenville Education Center

July 8, 2025 Community Meeting – Trenton Education Center

July 15, 2025 Community Meeting – Vandalia Education Center

Ratification and approval of disbursements and payrolls for June 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 Jim Beasley to accept the Consent Agenda.

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.

OLD UNFINISHED BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

CLOSED SESSION

Motion by Jim Beasley to enter into Closed Session in accordance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act, and pursuant to Section 2(c) of the Act, with the specific reason for conducting an executive session meeting is 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).

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 and the meeting entered closed session at 6:35 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 Meagan Mahlandt yes

Motion was approved and closed session ended, and open session resumed at 7:07 p.m.

APPROVAL OF COLLEGE PRESIDENT TO PROCEED WITH PROCURING SERVICES OF LOBBYIST IN PURSUIT OF CAPITAL FUNDS FOR DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND CAPITAL PROJECTS

Motion by Linda Stover to approve the College President proceed with procuring services of Eric Madiar of Madiar Government Relations, not to exceed $60,000 per year, to assist Kaskaskia College in securing state and federal capital funds for deferred maintenance and institutional modernization projects.

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 25-39

RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (RAMP) APPLICATION

Motion by Bryan Holthaus to adopt Resolution 25-39 approving the College submits a Resource Allocation Management Program (RAMP) capital request for Fiscal Year 2027 to the Illinois Community College Board to seek funding for the following proposed projects:

• Priority #1: HVAC Systems and Controls Upgrade Project at an estimated cost of $1,033,000

• Priority #2: Elevator Replacement(s)at an estimated cost of $700,800 • Priority #3: Comprehensive Roofing Replacement Project at an estimated cost of $5,549,000

The cumulative total of the above requested projects is $7,282,800.

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 25-40

RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A GYMNASIUM FLOOR COVER AND ACCESSORIES (100% COLLEGE INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS RETURNED FROM THE CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD WEST PARKING LOT PROJECT HELD IN THEPROTECTION, HEALTH, AND SAFETY FUND)

Motion by Bryan Holthaus to adopt Resolution 25-40 approving the purchase of a new gymnasium floor cover from Missouri Floor Company, in Maryland Heights, Missouri, in the amount of $30,115.

Roll call:

Jim Beasley no Louis Kalert no

Craig Finke yes Linda Stover yes

Bill Hawley no Laura Wedekemper yes

Bryan Holthaus yes Meagan Mahlandt yes

Motion was approved.

RESOLUTION 25-41

RESOLUTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE OF COMPUTER LAB DESKTOP STATIONS (100% INSTITUTIONAL FUNDING)

Motion by Bryan Holthaus to adopt Resolution 25-41 approving the purchase of Computer Lab Desktop Stations from Data Center Warehouse, of Laguna Hills, CA, which will be fully funded by institutional funds, in the amount of $48,871.90.

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.

RECOMMENDATION FOR RENEWAL OF HEALTH INSURANCE WITH BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD

Motion by Louis Kalert to approve the renewal of the BlueCross BlueShield insurance coverage at an increase of 15.3% for the health, dental, and vision insurance effective September 1, 2025. Approximately 20% of the premium cost is paid through employees’ payroll contributions.

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 25-42

RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT DONATION OF PRECISION AGRICULTURE EQUIPMENT FROM BAYER

Motion by Linda Stover to adopt Resolution 25-42 formally accepting the donation of precision agriculture equipment from Bayer expressing sincere gratitude to Bayer for their generosity and continued support of agricultural education and authorizing the President of Kaskaskia College or their designee to execute any documents necessary to complete the transfer and acceptance of said equipment.

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.

NATURAL GAS AND ELECTRICITY PRICING AND CONTRACTS UPDATE Informational update only.

APPROVAL OF EMPLOYMENT OF CONTROLLER

Motion by Bryan Holthaus to approve the hire of Laura Huge as the Controller with a tentative effective date of August 4, 2025, with a salary of $90,000 with eligibility for fringe benefits.

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 OF WEI WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP COORDINATOR Motion by Jim Beasley to accept the resignation of Reece Rutland as WEI Workforce Partnership Coordinator effective July 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 RESIGNATION OF EVENING COORDINATOR TRENTON EDUCATION CENTER

Motion by Jim Beasley to accept the resignation of Jenna Astroth as Evening Coordinator at Trenton Education Center effective July 25, 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 RESIGNATION OF KCFT MEMBER

Motion by Bryan Holthaus to accept the resignation of Robert Rhymes as Professor of Culinary Arts effective July 24, 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.

FIRST READING - INFORMATION SECURITY POLICY 2.4000

The First Reading of revisions to Information Security Policy 2.4000 was presented. The final reading and approval will be at the August 2025 meeting.

SECOND READING - REVISION TO AND RENAMING OF EMAIL POLICY TO ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION POLICY 2.4002

Motion by Linda Stover to approve the final reading and renaming of Email Policy 2.4002 to Electronic Communication Policy 2.4002 as presented.

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.

SECOND READING - NEW - WORKING CASH POLICY 3.5002

Motion by Bryan Holthaus to approve the final reading of Working Cash Policy 3.5002 as presented.

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.

SECOND READING - REVISION TO AND RENAMING OF OVERTIME COMPENSATION FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO OVERTIME COMPENSATION FOR POLICE OFFICERS & CARPENTER’S UNION POLICY 4.3004

Motion by Bryan Holthaus to approve the final reading and renaming of Overtime Compensation for Police Officers to Overtime Compensation for Police Officers & Carpenter’s Union Policy 4.3004 as presented.

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.

SECOND READING - NEW - PAID LEAVE FOR ALL ACT - ADJUNCT FACULTY POLICY 4.3102

Motion by Bryan Holthaus to approve the final reading of Paid Leave for All Act – Adjunct Faculty Policy 4.3102 as presented.

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. Approval of FY2026 Strategic Plan Action Items (August)

B. Approval of Repairs to Nashville Education Center

C. Emergency Repairs at Salem Education Center Due to Flood Damage D. Master Facilities and Improvement Plan (MFIP) Update

TRUSTEE AND PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS AND REPORTS

STUDENT TRUSTEE REPORT

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

• The sports camps are nearing their conclusion.

• FCA organized a Power Camp, allowing young community members to explore the connection between faith and sports. Several KC students had the chance to lead discussions and demonstrations for these kids.

• Every member of the Radiologic Technology Program graduating class of 2025 has successfully obtained their credentials as Registered Radiological Technologists.

• The KICK summer program has been in full swing this month, offering children aged 7-13 classes in art, language, robotics, and LEGO.

• The Computer Information Technology program hosted a Cybersecurity Career Camp, where participants learned about hacker mindsets and system protection. • The cosmetology department also conducted a camp where students acquired skills in nail techniques and various hairstyles.

• Summer classes are ending with finals finishing this week.

PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS

• President Evans advised everyone is preparing for the start of the Fall semester. • The Kaskaskia College Golf Scramble held on June 27, 2025, was a huge success.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Jim Beasley to adjourn. All members voted yes by voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m.

https://www.kaskaskia.edu/media/web-assets/documents/board-minutes-amp-agendas/july/07-28-25-Approved-Board-Minutes-w-Resolutions-for-Posting.pdf