September 24, 2008 Board Meeting Minutes

The Board of Trustees of Illinois Valley Community College District No. 513 convened a regular session at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 in the Board Room (C307) at Illinois Valley Community College.

Members Physically Present

David L. Wilcoxson, Board Chair
Dennis N. Thompson, Vice Chair
Lori E. Scroggs, Secretary
Paula J. Endress
David O. Mallery
Thomas C. Setchell
Deborah L. Sweeden
Cassie Fuller, Student Trustee

Members Absent

Others Physically Present

Jerry Corcoran, President
Bob Marshall, Vice President for Student Services
Cheryl Roelfsema, Interim Vice President for Business Services and Finance
Sue Isermann, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs
Walt Zukowski, Attorney

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

It was moved by Mrs. Sweeden and seconded by Mr. Thompson to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed by voice vote.

CONSENT AGENDA

It was moved by Dr. Scroggs and seconded by Mrs. Endress to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion passed by voice vote.

The following items were approved in the consent agenda:

Approval of Minutes – August 4, 2008 special meeting; August 11, 2008 special meeting; and August 27, 2008 regular board meeting.

Approval of the Bills - $1,740,607.33

Education Fund - $1,002,634.71; Operation and Maintenance Fund - $82,788.57; Operation and Maintenance (Restricted Fund) - $18,450.00; Auxiliary Fund - $577,364.32; Restricted Fund - $34,041.60; Liability, Protection and Settlement Fund - $25,328.13.

Treasurer’s Report

Personnel

Approved the stipends for the pay periods ending August 9, 2008; August 23, 2008; and September 6, 2008 as presented.

Bid Request

Approved to seek bids for a Hunter Alignment System at an estimated cost of $45,000.

Bid Results

Accepted the bid of $24,182.00 from UC Paving, Inc.-Peru, Illinois for maintenance work to campus roadways and parking lots.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Jerry Corcoran reported construction on the east campus for the truck driver training building, skill path, and parking lot has begun. Planning with how do deal with some of the inconveniences that go along with projects of this magnitude has proven to be very effective. He thanked everyone involved especially the students for their patience as the project moves forward. Candidates for the U.S. Representative Congressional District 11 seat will be on campus on October 8 in the Cultural Centre for a candidates’ forum. The Student Government Association along with Cory Tomasson and Valery Calvetti have done a nice job in planning this event. Senator Debbie Halverson, Marty Orzinga, and Jason Wallace have committed to the event. The textbook rental program has been going very well and now has nine books covering a variety of subject areas. Dr. Corcoran thanked the faculty for their support in adding courses to the rental program and also thanked the administration for a job well done.

Mr. Mallery entered the meeting at 7:05 p.m.

One of the Board’s action items for this month includes a letter to the ICCB requesting "recognition continued" status for another 5-year cycle. The staff has been preparing a self-evaluation report to meet the Board of Higher Education standards in the following areas: degrees and certificates, articulation, dual credit, assessment plans, faculty qualifications, student services and academic support, credit hour claim verification, financial planning, financial compliance, facilities, general reporting requirements and program review/results. The next phase in the strategic planning cycle will be to invite approximately 90 community members to attend a forum on November 18 to hear everyone’s thoughts on trends and forces that will affect the IVCC district in the next three to five years. This information will then be shared with the Board Planning Committee in December. The goal is to place the College in the best possible position to respond to the emerging needs and trends.

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

Ms. Cassie Fuller reported the Student Government Association (SGA) has had two meetings. They have discussed a "Student of the Year" and "Advisor of the Year" banquet. Nominees will be recognized for their outstanding contributions for the year. The SGA also approved two new organizations, Honors and Runners Club. The Association has just finished the activities budget for the organizations. Freshmen elections were held with Kyle Wineinger being elected as freshman representative and Kati Tunget and Cheyenne Smith as freshman programming board members. Cassie will be attending an IBHE/ISAC meeting in Chicago on October 4 and 5 and the SGA will be attending a fall conference on October 24 and 25 in Springfield. Flag football and soccer intramurals have begun. Cassie attended the ICCB/SAC meeting and plans have begun for lobby day with a focus on funding, both operational and capital. Other topics were discussed with emphasis on betterment of services, textbooks, and college readiness. Cassie discovered that IVCC is not alone with low graduation attendance. The student trustee from Kaskaskia and Cassie are planning to work together to find ways to increase attendance. Also discussed was a state-wide charity event on advocacy for autism.

Mr. Wilcoxson attended the ICCTA Trustees meeting in Springfield. He attended the Board Chair Council meeting. This is not an official group, but is an ad hoc committee of chairs, prior board chairs, or anyone who would like to attend. Mr. Wilcoxson discussed IVCC’s fine financial report and his willingness to share with other colleges. Dashboards were also discussed as a quick picture of how things are going at their colleges. The group only meets four times a year and so they are going to try to accomplish more by email this year. Mr. Wilcoxson noted the article and picture of the IVCC support staff project in the September 18th issue of the News Tribune. The support staff acquired a large donation of 2,000 pounds of pet food for their project. He also noted the article published by Dr. Gomez in the September 9 issue of The Times – It’s a ‘great time’ to be an educator. Mr. Wilcoxson publicly thanked the faculty negotiating team of Sue Opsal, Steve Alvin, Bob Reese, and Kirk Lockwood and the administrative team of Sue Isermann, Cheryl Roelfsema, Ron Groleau, Glenna Jones, and Walt Zukowski, Board attorney for a job well done in negotiating the faculty contract. He also thanked the service employees negotiating team of Joe Bolelli, Mike Minnick, Dennis O’Shea, Rich Kowalczyk, and Tom Greathouse and the administrative team of Cheryl Roelfsema, Gary Johnson, Glenna Jones, and Walt Zukowski.

TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO SUPPORT ATHLETICS

It was moved by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Dr. Scroggs to approve the FY08 transfer of $153,392 from Auxiliary Enterprises Fund – Food Service to Auxiliary Enterprises Fund – Athletics. Mr. Mallery noted he would normally vote against this transfer, but he thinks this is a good use of the money and not taking it from the education fund makes it work well. The motion passed by voice vote.TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO SUPPORT ATHLETICS

TRANSFER OF FUNDS – EDUCATION FUND TO OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE FUND AND WORKING CASH FUND TO EDUCATION FUND

It was moved by Mr. Setchell and seconded by Mrs. Sweeden to transfer $400,000 from Fund 01 (Education Fund) to Fund 03 (Operations and Maintenance Fund [Restricted]) for future building needs, and transfer $200,000 from Fund 07 (Working Cash Fund) to Fund 01 (Education Fund). The motion passed by voice vote.

PROTECTION, HEALTH AND SAFETY PROJECTS FOR TAX YEAR 2008

It was moved by Mrs. Endress and seconded by Ms. Fuller to approve the four Protection, Health, and Safety projects as presented for a combined total cost of $1,484,489, and authorize the submission of the appropriate resolutions for each to the Illinois Community College Board. The motion passed by voice vote.

Restroom Modifications – Phase I

Project Costs - $723,831; Contingency - $108,575; A/E fees - $73,883; Total - $906,289

Elevator Cylinder & Power Unit Replacement

Project Costs - $250,000; Contingency - $25,000; A/E fees - $26,500; Total - $301,500

Building G Exterior Door Replacement

Project Costs - $149,500; Contingency - $14,950; A/E fees - $15,750; Total - $180,200

Security Surveillance Improvements

Project Costs - $80,000; Contingency - $8,000; A/E fees - $8,500; Total - $96,500

ELECTRICITY PURCHASING

It was moved by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Dr. Scroggs to authorize the administration to seek RFP’s for electric service for a one- or two-year period. The motion passed by voice vote.

It was moved by Mr. Setchell and seconded by Mr. Thompson to terminate the Aggregation Agreement dated May 25, 2006 between Midwest Energy Alliance, LLC and Illinois Valley Community College effective November 10, 2008. This agreement allowed Midwest Energy Alliance to exclusively negotiate with an Alternative Retail Electric Supplier on behalf of the College. The motion passed by voice vote.

BID RESULTS – ADA ACCESSIBILITY WORK

It was moved by Mrs. Sweeden and seconded by Ms. Fuller to accept Basalay, Cary & Alstadt Architects’ recommendation to reject the bid and re-bid with the Firestop Corridor Walls PHS project. The motion passed by voice vote.

BID RESULTS – CASH FARM LEASE

It was moved by Mr. Mallery and seconded by Mr. Setchell to accept the bid in the amount of $227.46 per acre from Randall Michelini, Grand Ridge, Illinois. The motion passed by voice vote.

LETTER OF CONTINUED RECOGNITION TO ICCB

It was moved by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Dr. Scroggs to authorize the Board Chair to submit a letter requesting the ICCB assign a status of "recognition continued" to Illinois Valley Community College District #513. The motion passed by voice vote.

APPOINTMENT OF A VOTING DELEGATE AND AN ALTERNATE – ACCT ANNUAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEADERSHIP CONGRESS

It was moved by Mr. Setchell and seconded by Dr. Scroggs to appoint Mr. Dave Wilcoxson as the voting delegate and Mr. Dennis Thompson as the alternate at the ACCT Annual Community College Leadership Congress. The motion passed by voice vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Sue Caley-Opsal, president of the American Federal of Teachers Local 1810, stated Local 1810 has 100 percent confidence in Tim Horger, a respected union member and leader at IVCC. She went on to say the faculty are aware of the concerns stated by Mr. Horger at the August Board meeting and intend to continue this dialogue at a future time. In addition, she continues to have open and honest conversations with the new president, Dr. Jerry Corcoran, and she has full confidence in him that he will provide the leadership necessary to restore the trust and collaboration which was once one of IVCC’s greatest attributes.

Steve Alvin, history instructor, commented on the article that appeared in the local newspaper on August 30 that dealt with the reactions from the Board of Trustees at the August Board meeting. Part of the article indicated the local union had been giving out misleading information regarding the timing of when the contracts were signed. An agreement had been reached on the past two contracts before or on the day the faculty returned for fall semester, but were not officially approved until the Board meeting, which in one case was not until September. The statement that the current contract was the first time since the mid 1990s that the faculty did not have a contract in place before the start of the fall semester was basically true. Mr. Alvin publically thanked Dr. Corcoran and stated through his efforts the negotiating teams found conclusion.

Mr. Wilcoxson stated he went back through the contracts after reading the newspaper. When there is an item in the newspaper that is not attributed to anyone, it is believed to be a given fact. Mr. Wilcoxson’s soul source was the newspaper article that attributed it without source. There was no thought in Mr. Wilcoxson’s mind that Local 1810 made that statement.

Mr. Thompson’s perspective was with the passing of Steve Charry, the initial process was slowed. He apologized to the Board’s negotiating team, and in his observation, the Board did not come to consensus to give the team the direction they needed which caused them to return to the Board on each issue thus slowing down the whole process. Mr. Thompson commended Dr. Corcoran for his efforts and direction.

Dr. Corcoran stated he has tremendous respect for the faculty and all employees at IVCC. His role is to bring everyone together to support each other and achieve the College’s mission. He stated as long as everyone does not lose sight of the College’s five core values, the College will move forward.

Mr. Setchell introduced Mr. Stephen Carlson, a LaSalle County Board member and a citizen of Mendota, who presented an overview on the Mendota TIF extension. Mr. Carlson and Mr. Setchell have discussed the ability of TIF districts to help communities economically, but also the cost and burden it creates on the taxing bodies. Because IVCC has a large number of TIF districts, Mr. Carlson has tried to academically approach TIF districts by creating a template for a better measurement of the real costs before agreements are extended. More discussion will take place on this subject at the Audit/Finance Committee meeting scheduled for next month.

Mr. David Bergsieker requested the dates of the upcoming Board election and the deadline dates for community members to petition for candidacy. Mrs. Sweeden shared these dates - the first day to circulate petitions is October 28, 2008; the filing period is January 19-26, 2009; and the election is April 7, 2009

TRUSTEE COMMENT

Dr. Scroggs noted House Bill 4189 was signed where community colleges are no longer state agencies but units of local government. She stated since the governance issue has been settled, the IVCC Board now has the opportunity to celebrate its own ethical actions and demonstrate to their constituents that they are, in fact, ethical board members. To insure ethical governance by each board member, she proposed incorporating a method by which board member roles are explicitly clear and board members are held ethically accountable. As Chair of the Board Planning Committee, Dr. Scroggs would like to call a meeting of this committee to work on ethical guidelines for board member roles. She would like to begin immediately and bring back a summary to the January Board meeting.

Mr. Mallery thanked the faculty for their generous gift of knowledge, time, and effort. As a former student and currently an adjunct faculty member at a university, he is able to draw upon their good examples. He values people who stand up openly and express their sentiments and concerns. He also values those who offer solutions. He challenged the faculty to work on solutions for lowering health care costs for the next contract.

Mrs. Sweeden noted that two seats will be open for the next election and she will not be running.

INFORMATION ITEMS

Jan Phillips has submitted her letter of retirement. Dr. Corcoran recognized Jan for her creativity, her expertise and her vast experience in the continuing education field which has made her a recognized leader in the state for lifelong learning programs. She is responsible for developing a viable and strong continuing education program by her tireless commitment and her strong advocacy for lifelong learning opportunities in the district.

Nicole Wiltse submitted her letter of resignation. Nicole began her service at IVCC as an ESL instructor and then was hired in the Dislocated Workers Center. She has helped hundreds of dislocated workers to find jobs, and dozens of area companies to fill their vacancies.

ICCTA Northwest Region Meeting
The ICCTA Northwest Region Meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 15 at Sauk Valley College beginning at 6 p.m. Board members planning to attend need to RSVP to Jeanne Hayden.

CLOSED SESSION

It was moved by Dr. Scroggs and seconded by Mrs. Endress to convene a closed session to discuss 1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body; 2) collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees; and 3) closed session minutes.

Student Advisory Vote: "Aye" – Ms. Fuller. Roll Call Vote: "Ayes" – Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Endress, Mr. Mallery, Dr. Scroggs, Mr. Setchell, Mrs. Sweeden, and Mr. Wilcoxson. "Nays" – None, motion carried.

The board recessed at 8:23 p.m. The Board entered closed session at 8:41 p.m.

On a motion by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mrs. Endress and carried unanimously, the regular meeting resumed at 10:10 p.m.

SEMI-ANNUAL REVIEW OF CLOSED SESSION MINUTES

It was moved by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Mr. Setchell to approve the Closed Session Minutes Committee’s recommendation to release a portion of the closed session minutes of April 21, 2004 regarding Bob Koopman’s request. Motion passed by voice vote.

APPROVAL OF CLOSED SESSION MINUTES

It was moved by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Mr. Mallery to approve and release the closed session minutes of August 27, 2008 of the Board Closed Session Committee Meeting, as amended. The motion passed by voice vote.

It was moved by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Mrs. Endress to approve and retain the minutes of the August 27, 2008 Board Closed Session Meeting. The motion passed by voice vote.

FACULTY CONTRACT

It was moved by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Dr. Scroggs to approve the collective bargaining agreement between the Board of Trustees of Illinois Valley Community College District No. 513 and the American Federation of Teachers Local 1810 for academic years 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011, as presented. Motion passed by voice vote.

INCREASE IN PART-TIME FACULTY PAY SCALE

It was moved by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Mr. Setchell to approve an increase in the Part-time Faculty Pay Scale by $20 per credit hour effective the fall semester of FY09. The motion passed by voice vote.

COMPENSATION FOR FY09 – EMPLOYEES NOT AFFECTED BY NEGOTIATED LABOR AGREEMENTS

It was moved by Dr. Scroggs and seconded by Mr. Mallery to approve a 4.0 percent general increase for all support staff employees not affected by negotiated labor agreements, contingent on acceptable performance evaluations and support from grants and outside contracts. The motion passed by voice vote.

It was moved by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Dr. Scroggs to approve a 3.5 percent general increase for all administrative employees not affected by negotiated labor agreements, contingent on acceptable performance evaluations and support from grants and outside contracts.

It was moved by Dr. Scroggs and seconded by Mrs. Sweeden to approve the special adjustments that remain from the compensation study in FY08 and the special adjustments for FY09 due to internal equity, increased workload or job responsibilities. The motion passed by voice vote.

VICE PRESIDENT CONTRACT

It was moved by Mr. Setchell and seconded by Dr. Scroggs to approve the FY09 employment contract for Robert P. Marshall, Vice President for Student Services, with a 3.5 percent salary increase and duties, benefits, and other conditions as outlined in his contract. The motion passed by voice vote.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Dr. Scroggs, seconded by Ms. Fuller, and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:18 p.m. Motion passed by voice vote.