January 18, 2024 Minutes of Regular Meeting

The Board of Trustees of Illinois Valley Community College District No. 513 convened a regular session at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 18, 2024 in the Board Room (C307) at Illinois Valley Community College.

Members Physically Present

Jay K. McCracken, Vice Chair

Angela M. Stevenson, Secretary

Amy L. Boyles

Rebecca Donna

Jane E. Goetz

Maureen O. Rebholz

Elizabeth G. Boyles, Student Trustee

Members Virtually Present

Members Telephonically Present

Members Absent

Everett Solon, Chair

Others Physically Present

Tracy Morris, President

Gary Roberts, Vice President for Academic Affairs

Mark Grzybowski, Vice President for Student Services

Kathy Ross, Vice President for Business Services and Finance

Mary Beth Herron, Director of Human Resources

Walt Zukowski, Attorney

Others Virtually Present

MOMENT OF SILENCE

There was a moment of silence to remember John Paul Tomaska Jr. of Carlinville, father of former Trustee Melissa Olivero; John Lee Lundahl of Merrimac, Wisconsin, husband of former IVCC employee and Trustee Lori Scroggs; Diana Panizzi of Spring Valley, who worked in the IVCC Registration and Records office for 20 years; and Josh Turner of Tonica.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Dr. Donna to approve the agenda.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

AGRICULTURE BUILDING UPDATE

Kathy Ross, Vice President for Business Services and Finance, updated the Board on the Agricultural Education Center Project. Kathy noted our partners on this project are Demonica Kemper Architects (DKA) and Chamlin and Associates, Inc. The presentation included a site drawing of the building. Kathy noted the building will have views of the surrounding fields and will include a drop-off location for buses. A floor plan with the location of classroom/labs, common areas, facilities/support, and office/conference areas was shown. Architectural renderings of the outside views of each side of the building and courtyard, inside views of the lobby, innovation lab, conference room, classroom, lab space, student lounge, and donor wall were highlighted. The building will include a space for future growth. The current project timeline and the cost estimation/funding sources were reviewed.

Trustee Goetz entered the meeting at 6:17 p.m.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

It was moved by Dr. Rebholz and seconded by Dr. Boyles to approve the consent agenda, as presented.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

The following items were approved in the consent agenda:

Approval of Minutes – December 6, 2023 Planning Committee Meeting; December 7, 2023 Closed Session Minutes Review Committee Meeting; and December 14, 2023 Decennial Committee Meeting and Board Meeting.

Approval of Bills - $1,741,598.18

Education Fund - $869,534.35; Operations and Maintenance Fund - $89,198.89; Operations and Maintenance (Restricted Fund) - $367,653.96; Auxiliary Fund - $354,577.21; Restricted Fund - $13,320.83; and Liability, Protection, and Settlement Fund - $47,312.94.

Treasurer’s Report

Personnel

Approved stipends for pay periods ending December 2, 2023, December 16, 2023, and December 30, 2023, and Part-Time Faculty and Staff Appointments December 2023.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Morris stated the holiday breakfast basket raffle raised $1,800 for the Foundation’s Student Emergency Fund with a total of 35 baskets donated by employees and departments. The Arbor Management team provided a great breakfast.

The overall Athletic Department GPA for Fall 2023 was 3.10. Eagles Peak served 24 households in December with 85 people in the households, including 19 children. YMCA Little Eagles was slow in December and the schedule is set for the Spring semester. Eagles Peak received donations of a chest freezer from Tom Ganiere and a refrigerator from Ronnie Uebel in memory of her husband Bill Uebel. Crystal Credi has updated our licensing so that we can use the refrigerator and freezer to better provide options for our students.

Prior to the initial drop for non-payment date, there were 793 students on the list. The deadline was extended to 1/3/24 and resulted in a total of 137 students being dropped for non-payment. Kudos to the Cashier’s Office, Admissions and Records, Financial Aid, Special Populations and Transition Specialist, Counseling, and Accounting for all their efforts. Kudos to Payroll, Accounting, and Human Resources for their work over break and during snow days to update all employee benefits, make adjustments to payroll benefits, and ensure payroll was processed. Kudos to the Facilities team over break and on snow days who worked tirelessly to clean up our campus and to the Marketing and Social Media team for getting out notifications in a timely manner on snow days. Kudos to the team that planned the in-service and part-time faculty development day. Thank you to everyone who donated to the drive for our local Veteran’s Home. A total of 517 items were collected.

Events and happenings highlights include classes have begun with Cocoa Crawls held around campus and Project Success had a soup and chili bar for their students. Foundation Scholarship applications are available to high school seniors, current IVCC students and anyone planning to enroll at IVCC in Fall 2024. The application deadline is February 8 and scholarships range in value from $500 to $4500. Dental clinics start on January 26^th. As part of the 100^th anniversary events, a “Souper” Bowl drive for canned soup for Eagles Peak will be held on February 9^th. Nursing applications, including LPN to RN Bridge, are due on March 1^st. CETLA will move into D201 in February. The 25^th Annual Softball Clinic will take place on February 17^th and 18^th in the gym.

Monthly updates include an enrollment update that showed across the board increases of 8.06% in headcount and 2.69% in credit hours compared to Spring 2023. Enrollment numbers showed an increase in credit hours for dual credit, IBEW, online blended, and virtual class meeting courses. There were decreases in traditional credit hours, Ottawa Center hours, online web hours, and online dual credit hours. The Facility Master Plan Update indicated a summary was received from DKA and share with the Steering Committee and Operations Committee. Next steps are to determine planning objectives and discuss institutional priorities to inform the concept alternatives so DKA can build the first draft of the plan. Finally, the Decennial Committee draft plan was sent to the committee along with a survey. The final meeting will be held in late February or early March to complete the report.

STUDENT TRUSTEE’S REPORT

Ms. Boyles mentioned the impressive athletic GPAs highlighted by Dr. Morris. Men’s basketball has a record of 6-10 and are playing a home game tonight with a lot of games remaining in their season. Softball practice began last Thursday and will kick off the season in Florida, an annual, fully fundraised trip. The 25^th Annual Softball Clinic will be held on February 17 and 18. Registrations forms are available on the website or by calling the Athletic Office. Baseball held its first practice the first week of January and will start their season over spring break in Myrtle Beach, which is also an annual fundraised trip. The golf team are getting together for group workouts and are using local simulators. The Student Government Association is reevaluating meeting times for this semester. More Student Government Association information will be shared next month. Student Government Association Secretary, Riker Fesperman, is working to get the Gay/Straight Alliance more involved with the Student Government Association. A meeting is scheduled next week so more information to come. Ms. Boyles will be joining the Student Success Committee this semester while Drew Knipper is studying abroad in Spain. The first committee meeting is set for next Wednesday. Students are saying they are ready to be back at school.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Ms. Goetz noted the Planning Committee minutes are including the Board book. Dr. Morris has been very organized in our reviews of policies, and it is appreciated.

BOARD POLICY 01.06 CORE VALUES, VISION, MISSION, PURPOSES, PRINCIPLES, AND GOALS

It was moved by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to approve Board Policy 01.06, as presented.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

BOARD POLICY 01.09 ELECTION OF OFFICERS

It was moved by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to approve Board Policy 01.09, as presented.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

BOARD POLICY 01.11 DUTIES OF THE VICE CHAIR

It was moved by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to approve Board Policy 01.11, as presented.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

BOARD POLICY 02.05 ACCREDITATION

It was moved by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Dr. Boyles to approve Board Policy 02.05, as presented.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

BOARD POLICY 02.11 DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES

It was moved by Dr. Donna and seconded by Ms. Goetz to approve Board Policy 02.11, as presented.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

BOARD POLICY 02.25 TUITION AND FEES

It was moved by Dr. Rebholz and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to approve Board Policy 02.25, as presented.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION FOR REVISED USE OF BOND FUNDS

It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to adopt the resolution as presented to authorize a portion of the proceeds of the Debt Certificates, Series 2011 to assist financing the cost of building the Agricultural Education Center.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

STAFF RESIGNATION – PATRICE HESS, DIRECTOR OF LEARNING RESOURCES

It was moved by Dr. Boyles and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to accept, with regret the resignation of Dr. Patrice Hess, Director of Learning Resources, effective December 31, 2023.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

STAFF RESIGNATION – GARY ROBERTS, VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

It was moved by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Dr. Donna to accept, with regret the resignation of Dr. Gary Roberts, Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective March 1, 2024.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

STAFF RESIGNATION – SHANE LANGE, DEAN OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

It was moved by Dr. Rebholz and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to accept, with regret the resignation of Dr. Shane Lange, Dean of Workforce Development, effective June 30, 2024.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

STAFF APPOINTMENT – ISAMAR TAYLOR, DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID

It was moved by Dr. Rebholz and seconded by Dr. Boyles to approve the appointment of Isamar Taylor as Director of Financial Aid at an annualized salary of $71,500, effective January 22, 2024.

Ms. Taylor expressed her thanks for the opportunity, and she is honored and excited to be the next Director of Financial Aid.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

REVISED BOARD MEETING DATE – SEPTEMBER 2024

It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Ms. Goetz to approve the updated CY 24 meeting dates and times, as presented. All meetings will take place at the designated time in Room C-307 (the Board Room) on the campus of Illinois Valley Community College, 815 North Orlando Smith Road, Oglesby, Illinois.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried. Dr. Morris noted the Audit Finance Committee will meet on February 8, 2024 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Tenure presentations will begin at 4:30 p.m. so those Trustees not attending the Audit/Finance Committee meeting can come early for the tenure event.

ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

Mr. McCracken pointed out the information items on pages 69-87 of the Board book.

Dr. Boyles stated she is impressed with the Athletic Department GPAs. She is pleased to see that while they are here to play sports, they are serious about being students first. Overall, they did very well last semester.

TRUSTEE COMMENT

None

CLOSED SESSION

Mr. McCracken requested a motion and a roll call vote at 6:56 p.m. to enter into a closed session to discuss: 1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body; 2) pending or imminent litigation; and 3) closed session minutes. 

It was moved by Dr. Donna and seconded by Ms. Goetz to enter into a closed session.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried. The Board entered closed session at 7:01 p.m.

It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to return to the regular meeting.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried. The regular meeting resumed at 7:33 p.m.

POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF EMPLOYEE RETIREMENTS – RETIREMENT PLANNING PROGRAM

It was moved by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to approve those employees requesting to participate in the Retirement Planning Program, as listed and who submitted a request by the December 31, 2023 deadline as follows:

Full-Time Faculty – Elizabeth (Betsy) Klopcic, Vince Brolley, and LeeAnn Johnson.

Full-Time Administrative and Support Staff – Gary Talsky, Bonnie Jasiek, Cynthia Lock, Jeannette Phalen, Lauren Catalina, Angela Dunlap, and Jill Hejl.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

CLOSED SESSION MINUTES

It was moved by Dr. Boyles and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to approve and retain the closed session minutes of the December 7, 2023 Closed Session Minutes Review Committee Meeting and the December 14, 2023 Board Meeting.

Student Advisory Vote: “Aye” – Ms. Boyles.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Ms. Stevenson, Dr. Rebholz, Dr. Boyles, Ms. Goetz, Dr. Donna, and Mr. McCracken. “Nay” – none. Motion carried.

OTHER

Dr. Morris noted inside back cover of the Board book will be updated with the new mission, vision, and core values. We will be getting the word out to the campus that they were approved and she is excited about the next steps in the strategic plan with more updates next month.

ADJOURNMENT

Mr. McCracken declared the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.