December 2005 Board Meeting Report

The Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees approved Wednesday the 2005 tax levy, which is based on a projected tax rate of 43.71 per $100 assessed valuation, or 2.2 percent less than last year’s actual tax rate of 44.68 cents. "Our actual extension last year was approximately $10.5 million which compares to this year's projected extension of approximately $10.8 million, based on EAV growth of slightly under five percent. Although the district's EAV may end up growing by more than five percent, our objective for the last few years has been to prepare a levy that maximizes what we need in property tax revenue for operating funds without exceeding five percent in the aggregate,” stated Dr. Jerry Corcoran, vice-president for business services and finance/treasurer.

In other financial matters, the board authorized the administration to proceed with the preparation of specifications for audit services and to seek bids for fiscal years 2007 and beyond. In addition, they heard a first reading considering the revision of IVCC’s banking and investment policy so that it remains in compliance with the Illinois Public Funds Investment Act and offers more flexibility in investment matters.

Cathy Bangert, director of institutional research and Dr. Harriet Custer, vice-president for academic affairs, presented a report to the board on IVCC students who transfer to four-year college and universities. Data indicated that IVCC students who transfer to state universities perform exceptionally well. The presentation covering research data from fall 2000 through fall 2004 by the Illinois state universities indicated that IVCC transfer students earned higher grade point averages than other community college transfers at several state universities. Over three-quarters of IVCC transfer students attend either Illinois State University or Northern Illinois University.

Based on the recommendation of the board of trustees members of the presidential search advisory committee were appointed with faculty, students, administration, support staff, community members, foundation board members and the board all volunteering to serve. Appointed were: Donald Aleski, Steve Alvin, Hans Andrews, M. Blouke Carus, Stephen Charry, Diane Christianson, Megan Guilfoyle, Tracy Malcom, Pam Mammano, Robert Marshall, Jane Sack, Lori Scroggs, Everett Solon, O.J. Stoutner, Dennis Thompson, and Rhonda Veit. In addition to the members of the advisory committee, the charge to the committee was further stipulated.

The board, upon review of the contract with IVCC and Voluntary Action Center approved an addendum to the current lease which automatically extends the contract each year until terminated by either party at an amount of $1,080 per month and approved an agreement with Exelon Corporation as submitted.

The Information Technology Strategic Plan was approved by the board for fiscal year 2006 along with the recommended equipment and software purchases required to carry out the plan through a formal RFP process. The board further authorized the use of $61,659 of the fund balance in the auxiliary fund in the instructional technology account.

Since January of 2005 IVCC has been in communication with Sauk Valley Community College about the possibility of IVCC providing the truck driver training program at SVCC. Currently, SVCC is contracting with a college in Iowa to provide the training and wishes to upgrade their program and enter into agreement with a new provider. The board approved an agreement for IVCC to provided truck driver training instruction for SVCC.

At Wednesday night’s meeting the board was made aware of teachers at IVCC who are recognized for educational excellence and are honored in the “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, 2004/2005. Recipients of the honor noted as the most influential educators include the following professors: Michael Pecherek, LeeAnn Johnson, Merri Mattison, Kirk Lockwood, Sue Caley-Opsal, Wesley Black, Charles Stocker, and Dr. Rose Marie Lynch.

The board authorized the business office:

To accept a bid of $9,652 from Klaus Company, Peoria for ten room control systems.
To accept a bid of $40,750 from Granville Floor Covering, Granville for carpet tiles to be installed in the upper and lower corridors and offices in the gymnasium, entrance and corridors in Building F, Room F-113 and F-114.
To accept a bid of $18,709 from Airgas-North Central, Peru for welding lab instructional equipment.
To renew the cash farm lease with Roger and Chris Ploch at $90 per acre (8.43 acres) for the year 2006.
To purchase a Dimension 3D Printer from J.B.H. Technologies, Inc. Glenview, as the sole proprietor paid through NSF grant dollars.

In other business, the board:

Approved the appointment of Charles S. Kwiatkowski as the computer science/networking instructor, assigned to the division of Occupational Technologies beginning the spring semester of the 2005-2006 academic year.
Learned of the appointment of D. Scott Curley as supervisor of facilities.
Was informed the college was awarded a grant, Violent Crimes Against Women on Campus from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women in the amount of $197,903.
Heard the National Association for the Education of Young Children awarded accreditation to the IVCC Learning Ladder Early Childhood Center from Oct. 31, 2005 – Oct. 31, 2010.
Received commendation from the Illinois Community College Board for IVCC through Dr. Robert P. Marshall, vice-president for student services, for his participation on the Baccalaureate Access Task Force.