Southern Illinois News

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees met Aug. 19.

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

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 – Robert Conn, Bobby Moyes, Jodi Peach, Tracy Hicks, Andy King, Linda Monge, Clare Roosevelt, & Nixie Hnetkovsky

3.B. IECCEA Representative – Nixie Hnetkovsky was present and reported faculty support for Guided Pathways and collaborative scheduling, noted student preference for face-to-face instruction, and raised concerns about course cancellations and reassignments.

4. Public Comments - None

5. Reports

5.A. Trustees:

• Trustee Shimer reported on a concern that had been referred to college personnel.

• Student Trustee Rose commented on student orientation and upcoming plans.

• Trustee McLaughlin raised a facilities concern, and President Simpson reported on steps being taken to address it.

5.B. Chancellor – Dr. Gower reported that the recent district-wide workshop was a exceptional. He also commended the Student Affairs Division and Enrollment Management on successful orientations throughout the district noting that the marketing of the events was outstanding. No additional information was added to his previously sent report.

5.C. Vice Chancellors – Reports were presented by Vice Chancellors of each division.

6. Approval of Consent Agenda

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

Susan Batchelor: Yea, Roger Browning: Yea, Gary Carter: Yea, Brenda Culver: Yea, John McLaughlin: Yea, Jan Ridgely: Yea, Mireya Rose (Student Trustee): Yea, Barbara Shimer: Yea Yea: 7, Nay: 0

6.A. Disposition of Minutes – Open meeting minutes as prepared for the regular meeting held on July 15, 2025 were presented for approval.

6.B. Affiliation Agreements – Chancellor Gower recommended approval of the affiliation agreements with the following:

6.B.i. Stone Bridge Memory Care

6.B.ii. Stone Bridge Senior Living

6.B.iii. Ferrell Hospital

6.B.iv. The Carle Foundation

6.B.v. WLC Management

6.B.vi. Axiom Healthcare of Flora

6.C. 2025 Program Review – The IECC Program Review Report FY25 was presented to the Board for acceptance and then to be submitted to the Illinois Community College Board.

6.D. PREVAIL Memorandum of Understanding – As required by the Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act, and referenced in IECC Policy 100.31, confidential advisors will be available for students or employees who experience sexual violence, should they choose to seek their services. This memorandum of understanding was submitted for approval. Document Registry 25-08-01

6.E. SAFE Memorandum of Understanding – This MOU with Sexual Assault and Family Emergencies (SAFE), Vandalia, IL is required by the Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act, and referenced in IECC Policy & Procedure 100.31, confidential advisors will be available for students or employees who experience sexual violence, should choose to seek their services. Document Registry 25-08-02

6.F. LTC Foundation Memorandum of Understanding – This agreement will provide the Foundation with a suitable and clearly defined location on the LTC campus while ensuring alignment with college operations and facilities management. Document Registry 25-08-03

7. Action on Items Removed from Consent Agenda - None

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

9. Policy Second Reading - None

10. Staff Recommendations for Approval

10.A. Appointment of Board Audit Committee

Motion to appoint Trustee Browning and Trustee Ridgely to serve as members of the Audit Committee to review the annual audit and complete the Audit Report. This motion, made by Susan Batchelor and seconded by Brenda Culver, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0

10.B. Cybersecurity Managed Detection and Response System

Motion to approve the purchase of Rapid7 Managed Threat Detection services through CDW G for a three-year term. This motion, made by Brenda Culver and seconded by Susan Batchelor, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0

10.C. ASTAR, Inc. License Agreement

Motion to approve a license agreement with ASTAR for the utilization of approximately 7,500 square feet of space at Wabash Valley College to train students in the Industrial Studies program. Document Registry 25-08-04 This motion, made by Barbara Shimer and seconded by John McLaughlin, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0

11. Bid Committee Report

Motion to approve the acceptance of the following bid committee recommendations: 1) Bevis Construction, Inc. for a total of $5,651,000 for the capital investment project of the Athletic Facility at Frontier Community College. 2) Murray Concrete, Inc. for a total of $29,750 for the new sidewalk included in the Lincoln Trail College Athletic Performance Center project. Document Registry 25-08-05 This motion, made by Jan Ridgely and seconded by Brenda Culver, Carried.

Susan Batchelor: Yea, Roger Browning: Yea, Gary Carter: Yea, Brenda Culver: Yea, John McLaughlin: Yea, Jan Ridgely: Yea, Mireya Rose (Student Trustee): Yea, Barbara Shimer: Yea Yea: 7, Nay: 0

12. District Finance

12.A. Financial Report

12.B. Approval of Financial Obligations

Motion to approve payment of district obligations for August 2025 in the total amount of $2,340,987.73. This motion, made by Jan Ridgely and seconded by Barbara Shimer, Carried.

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

Yea: 7, Nay: 0

13. Executive Session

Motion to enter executive session under Open Meetings Act Exceptions 2(c)(1) Employment Matters at 7:28 p.m.. This motion, made by Brenda Culver and seconded by John McLaughlin, Carried.

Susan Batchelor: Yea, Roger Browning: Yea, Gary Carter: Yea, Brenda Culver: Yea, John McLaughlin: Yea, Jan Ridgely: Yea, Mireya Rose (Student Trustee): Yea, Barbara Shimer: Yea Yea: 7, Nay: 0

Motion to exit the executive session held under Open Meetings Act Exceptions 2(c)(1) Employment Matters at 7:45 p.m. This motion, made by Brenda Culver and seconded by Roger Browning, Carried.

Susan Batchelor: Yea, Roger Browning: Yea, Gary Carter: Yea, Brenda Culver: Yea, John McLaughlin: Yea, Jan Ridgely: Yea, Mireya Rose (Student Trustee): Yea, Barbara Shimer: Yea Yea: 7, Nay: 0

14. Approval of Executive Session Minutes - None

15. Approval of Personnel Report

400.1 Employment of Personnel

1. Jared Price, Academic Advisor, WVC, Student Affairs effective September 8, 2025

2. Lora Smith, Custodian, LTC effective August 25, 2025

3. Dr. Emily Krajec, Medical Director, DO effective August 25, 2025

400.2 Change in Status

1. Chris Forde, Coordinator of Public Information & Marketing to Program Director of Marketing & Communications, Institutional Outreach effective August 25, 2025

2. Ken Pryor, Technology Systems Specialist to Technology Infrastructure Manager, District Office effective August 25, 2025

3. Mark Blevins, Technology Systems Specialist to Technology Infrastructure Manager, District Office effective August 25, 2025

4. Fawna Forrest, Part-time HR Assistant to HR Operations Specialist, District Office effective August 25, 2025

400.3 2025-26 Administration and Staff Salaries (Attachment)

400.4 Special Assignment (Attachment)

400.5 Resignation Ratification(s)

1. Autumn Hoalt, Custodian, LTC effective August 1, 2025

2. Annie Lankford, TRIO SSS Academic Advisor, FCC, Student Affairs effective August 7, 2025

3. Wade Baker, Music Instructor, OCC, Academic Affairs effective August 8, 2025

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

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

Yea Yea: 7, Nay: 0

16. Litigation - None

17. Other Items - None

18. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn at 7:54 p.m. This motion, made by Mireya Rose and seconded by Susan Batchelor, Carried.

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

Yea Yea: 7, Nay: 0

https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/WebViewer/2652?file=301254c4-5a97-4cbc-a34b-51244ca9eb52