September 2016 Board Report

Illinois Valley Community College and 40 support staff represented by AFT/IFT Local No. 6561 have reached an agreement resulting in withdrawal of an unfair labor practice charge filed by the union.

Following closed session at its monthly meeting Thursday, IVCC board members agreed to a retroactive 2.5 percent increase for fiscal 2016 and a 2 percent raise this year for union support staff. The retroactive payment will be included in the Sept. 22 payroll.

In exchange, the union will withdraw its charges before the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board and allow IELRB to conduct an on-site union certification election.

“Both parties agree that an election to resolve certification is in the best interest of both parties,” the agreement states.

In other business, the campaign to build the college’s scholarship endowment has exceeded its $500,000 goal, President Jerry Corcoran said.

“One of the goals the board and I agreed to last year was to establish an endowment to offer more scholarships, particularly to those with unmet financial need. We set our initial target at $500,000 and have achieved that goal thanks to 106 generous supporters of our college’s mission,” Corcoran said.

More than $512,000 has been raised and an estimated 80 students have already received assistance from the financial aid office ranging from $333 to $357 each.

Specific populations targeted for assistance are: GED and ESL students in healthcare and manufacturing “bridge” programs; middle class students who qualify for very little, if any, financial aid; returning students seeking a certificate or degree; and returning summer students who have exhausted their financial aid.

A campaign donor wall, similar to the display for the $2.1 million Community Technology Center capital campaign, will be installed near the main entrance.

“We remain true to our mission and focused on doing everything we can to give district residents every opportunity to receive a quality education,” said Corcoran, adding, “It’s also why we’re in the minority again (among Illinois community colleges) by covering MAP grants this year.”

The campaign was launched in January 2015 with a $150,000 lead gift from 1951 IVCC alumnus Ralph Scriba of Palos Verdes Peninsula, Cal. His pledge was soon followed by a $50,000 matching gift from alumni William and Dian Taylor of Winnetka.

Trustees also approved:

  • The appointment of Diann Jabusch as Director of Information Technology Services to replace the retiring Harold Barnes. Jabusch has 18 years-experience in Illinois community colleges (Rock Valley, McHenry County and Spoon River) and holds a master’s in instructional technology and telecommunications from Western Illinois and a bachelor’s in mathematics and computer science from the University of Illinois.
  • Purchase of 280 tons of rock salt from Cargill for $63.36 per ton or a total of $17,740.
  • Seeking bids for a Simulaids SMART STAT Basic patient simulator for the Emergency Medical Services program for an estimated $11,000. The equipment allows EMS students to practice advanced life support skills.
  • The date, time and place for filing petitions for the April 4 trustee election. Petitions for six-year terms on the board must be filed with Board Secretary Jeanne Hayden in Room C301 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Dec. 12-16 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19.

The board learned:

  • Part-time criminal justice instructor Gary Gnidovec and Assessment Center Assistant Kathleen Finklea have resigned.
  • A total of 160 summer graduates, including 28 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) graduates, earned 186 degrees and certificates. That compares to 190 graduates earning 222 degrees and certificates in summer 2015.
  • Geology instructor Mike Phillips recently published an online teaching module titled “Mapping the Environment with Sensory Perception,” as part of a National Science Foundation funded InTeGrate STEP Center activity.