October 2014 Board Report

The Illinois Valley Community College board approved a four-year contract with faculty Thursday. It had earlier been accepted by 83 instructors and counselors represented by the American Federation of Teachers Local 1810.

“This agreement provides for real economic salary increases, includes a revised salary schedule and merges various letters of agreement and understanding into the contract,” said IVCC President Jerry Corcoran.

Estimated cost to the district averages 2.5 percent per year over the length of the contract that expires at the end of the summer session in 2018, Corcoran said.

The agreement does not add to the salary base nor does it provide for step movement the first three years; however, the starting salary does increase each year through the elimination of a step. All contracted employees will move to the high-deductible health plan by Jan. 1, 2016 and employees who remain on plans 1 or 2 in 2015 will have an additional premium share.

Following closed session, the board approved a 2.5 percent increase in part-time faculty pay, a 2 percent increase for Cheryl Roelfsema, Vice President for Business Services and Finance, variable increases for employees not affected by labor agreements, a 1 percent increase to the salary schedule for coaches and a $3,000 stipend for men’s and women’s tennis coach Julie Milota.

In other action, the board approved:

• The appointment of Scott Curley as Director of Facilities. Curley had been serving as interim director since March 1 and was supervisor of facilities before that.
• Preparation of the 2014 tax levy by President Corcoran. A tentative levy will be presented in November with final approval set for December.
• The purchase of four virtual reality arc welding trainers for $80,164 from Airgas of Peru.

In other business, the board learned:

• Stephanie King has been appointed public services librarian. King has a master’s in library and information science from the University of Wisconsin Madison.
• Shipping and receiving clerk Loree Kellett left the college Oct. 2 for full-time employment.
• IVCC has revised its administrative procedures for posting and filling interim appointments.
• Phase 3 construction of student life space, a cyber café and Emergency Medical Service and forensics classrooms and labs is expected to be completed by late November 2015, Corcoran announced.  He credited Rep. Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley) and Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) for their role in helping IVCC receive a $300,000 special appropriation “for this extraordinary project.”
• An estimated 350 people, including 126 scholarship recipients, attended the Foundation’s Sept. 18 scholarship recognition event in the gym.
• Continuing Education Center employee Jennifer Sowers was inducted into the Small Business Development Center’s 40 Under 40 class and instructors Kim Radek and Delores Robinson were recognized by the Sigma Kappa Delta for their work promoting the English Honor Society’s mission.
• A total of 14 students participated in the Oct. 7 Phi Theta Kappa Induction and 45-50 are expected to enroll in the honor society by the end of the semester.
• Illinois community college presidents are endorsing a plan to offer bachelor’s degrees in applied science and nursing to increase educational attainment and completion, enhance affordability and access, strengthen workforce development, keep students in state and allow location-bound students to continue their education.