August 2014 Board Report

The Illinois Valley Community College board Thursday gave final approval to its fiscal 2015 budget following a public hearing.

The budget projects operating revenue of $21.5 million, down $187,404 from the previous year including a 1.2 percent drop in EAV. It will be balanced by not filling 11 full- and part-time positions and a nearly 12 percent decrease in utility expenses due to low rates, among other factors.

The overall budget, which includes $2 million for ongoing construction, contains $36.1 million in revenues – a 13 percent decrease – and $38.5 million in expenditures – an 11 percent decrease.

In other business, 52 of IVCC’s 82 faculty union Local 1810 members attended to demonstrate support for a new contract agreement prior to classes beginning Aug. 18.

In a prepared statement, union President Mike Phillips said, “We are here because we are concerned that we may begin the semester without an agreement on our contract. Our relationship with the administration and board has been and remains both positive and productive, and we are looking forward to returning to the classroom and our students on Monday. 

“It is our hope the board will grant its team the authority necessary to bring negotiations to a prompt and successful conclusion, perhaps as soon as tomorrow. My team and I will remain available during the closed session in the event you have any questions for us,” said Phillips.

In other action, the board approved:

  • Insurance coverage renewals for property, liability, commercial auto, workers’ compensation and more for a total of $317,172. All lines will be rebid next year for coverage beginning Sept. 1, 2015.
  • Billboard advertising contracts for fiscal 2015 with Key Outdoor of La Salle for $29,250.
  • The hiring of Emily Lesman as a developmental mathematics instructor. Lesman earned her bachelor’s from Olivet Nazarene University and her master’s in adult education from the University of Phoenix.
  • Accepted the resignation of Amy Smith, institutional research director, effective Aug. 7.
  • Change of status from full-time to part-time for Chris Warren, adult education literacy specialist, due to a reduction in funding for Adult Education.
  • The $26,800 bid of Shearer Tree Service of Ottawa for removal of 45 dead Ash trees across campus
  • The hiring of an additional security officer through G4S to staff the information desk at an hourly rate of $18.46 for 20 hours per week. There will now be a security officer at the desk from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

In other business, the board learned:

  • Ian Reddy, collection development and access librarian will resign effective Aug. 22 and financial aid administrative assistant Melissa McBride resigned effective July 31. Reddy will be replaced by Rebekah Dean.
  • Custodian Nick Lower resigned effective July 23 and lead academic support technologist Angie Hartman resigned effective Aug. 7.
  • The Business Office has again earned the Government Finance Officers Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting for fiscal 2013.
  • In his report, IVCC President Jerry Corcoran said bid documents for the ADA parking lot near the front of the Peter Miller Community Technology Center and resurfacing of Lot 1 are being finalized by engineers at Chamlin and Associates.
  • The Continuing Education Center recently completed another successful summer offering for children age 5 to 14, primarily in fine arts and STEM-related courses. Overall, the CEC served 490 students including 85 in the Outdoor Ed’Venture Day Camp. “We believe our investment in these programs pay dividends as some of these students’ make IVCC their first choice for college,” said Corcoran.