At a recent meeting, the Illinois Valley Community College District No. 513 Board discussed a plan to lease campus office space to the Economic Development Corporation of North Central Illinois.
Below are the minutes from this meeting, as provided by the board.
July 14, 2016 Minutes of Regular Meeting
The Board of Trustees of Illinois Valley Community College District No. 513 convened a regular session at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2016 in the Board Room (C307) at Illinois Valley Community College.
Members Physically Present:
Melissa M. Olivero, Chair
Michael C. Driscoll, Vice Chair
Larry D. Huffman, Secretary
Jane E. Goetz
Everett J. Solon
Sarah J. Tipton, Student Trustee
Members Absent:
Laurie A. Bonucci
Members Present Telephonically:
David O. Mallery
Others Physically Present:
Jerry Corcoran, President
Cheryl Roelfsema, Vice President for Business Services and Finance
Deborah Anderson, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Sue Isermann, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Mark Grzybowski, Associate Vice President for Student Services
Walt Zukowski, Attorney
MOMENT OF SILENCE
Ms. Olivero invited everyone to join her in a moment of silence in memory of John and Betty Fassig of Mendota who passed away. They are the parents of Paula Hallock who has worked at the College for 18 years.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Dr. Huffman to approve the agenda, as presented. Motion passed by voice vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Dr. Anderson stated that this was the last board meeting that would be attended by Sue Isermann in her role as the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. Sue has served the College for 35 years with almost two generations of students having passed through the doors during her tenure. It has been an honor and a privilege for Dr. Anderson to work with Sue for the past two years as she has transitioned to her role as Chief Academic Officer. Sue’s knowledge, expertise, and loyalty to IVCC has been truly inspirational to Dr. Anderson who still considers herself new to the institution. Dr. Anderson wanted to publically thank Sue for her mentoring and friendship. Dr. Anderson invited everyone to join her in thanking Sue for her dedicated and exemplary service to IVCC. Sue noted it has been a long ride and a great ride. She took a leap of faith when graduating from ISU and coming to IVCC as a part-time faculty member. She appreciated all the opportunities she has received at IVCC.
CONSENT AGENDA
It was moved by Dr. Driscoll and seconded by Dr. Huffman to approve the consent agenda, as presented. Motion passed by voice vote.
The following items were approved in the consent agenda:
Approval of Minutes – June 9, 2016 Board Meeting and June 28, 2016 Closed Session Minutes Committee Meeting
Approval of Bills - $943,453.71
Education Fund - $542,085.90; Operations & Maintenance Fund - $101,613.59; Operations & Maintenance (Restricted Fund) - $195,002.34; Bond & Interest Fund - $3,312.50; Auxiliary Fund - $47,667.54; Restricted Fund - $33,664.60; Audit Fund - $2,525.00 and Liability, Protection & Settlement Fund - $17,582.24
Personnel
Approved the stipends for pay periods ending May 28, 2016; June 11, 2016; and June 25, 2016
Student Athletic and Catastrophic Student Athletic Insurance Renewals
Accepted the recommendation of the insurance consultant to accept the renewal from Guarantee Trust Life for the student athletic insurance coverage with 1st Agency at $39,400 and accepted the recommendation of the insurance consultant to accept the renewal from Axis Insurance for the student athletic catastrophic insurance coverage with Ramza Insurance Group at $3,251.
Bid Results – Hunter Alignment System
Accepted the bid from Tri-State Technologies as the lowest, most responsible bid for a Hunter Alignment System in the amount of $29,170.
Proposal Results – Waste Disposal & Recycle Material Collection
Accepted Republic Service Inc.’s proposal for waste disposal and recycle material collection.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
In the same way as Dr. Anderson recognized Sue Isermann for her fine work over a 35-year career, Dr. Corcoran wanted to also mention two other IVCC veterans whom he is convinced are ready to move into key positions of leadership: Bonnie Campbell and Jennifer Scheri (who combined have given 41 years of their life to the College) are being recommended to assume the positions of Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of Continuing Education respectively. Dr. Corcoran is sure that it must be satisfying for Sue to know that these positions will be in very good hands as she departs. There are two other critical teaching positions being recommended to be filled: Eris Simons to join the Nursing faculty and Willard Mott to lead the Agriculture program expansion efforts. Dr. Corcoran told Mr. Mott, in the same way that Nursing and Truck Driver Training are often amongst the first career programs people think of when mentioning IVCC, thanks to tremendous support from the University of Illinois Extension and the 36-member program advisory committee, IVCC’s Agriculture program will someday rise to the same level with his influence, and the College will do everything it can to support him. Congratulations to Sara Escatel and her staff for the fine job they did of recognizing High School Equivalency graduates, U.S. Citizenship passers, and completers of the Bridge to Manufacturing program at a very nice event in the Cultural Centre on June 16th. It was a great night for students and their loved ones. Dr. Corcoran commended Jane Goetz and Mike Driscoll for representing the Board of Trustees and O.J. Stoutner for the ongoing support of the Foundation Board of Directors. As noted in a recent press release, IVCC has once again earned national recognition by Interactive Health as one of the healthiest companies in America. Criteria for such recognition include participation in wellness initiatives and low-risk health scores. Dr. Corcoran thanked the Human Resources staff for the work they always put into leading these efforts and helping the College achieve impressive results. As a reminder, the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) graduation is scheduled for Monday, July 25 at 5 p.m. in the Cultural Centre. Twenty-eight graduates will be recognized.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Dr. Huffman reported the Audit/Finance Committee met and reviewed the annual summary of the Information Technology department as well as the plan for the year ahead. Dr. Huffman commended the IT department for having done an excellent job of trying to meet the needs of the numerous students enrolled at IVCC. The Committee reviewed the possibility of doing some maneuvering to cooperate with the Department of Labor changes affected by the overtime regulations between now and November. The administration will be meeting with the people who are affected by this. This will be presented to the Board in November. There will be a change in the administrative procedure for the board policy relating to the Fitness Center. Tuition and fees have been waived for employees and their spouses who enroll in a twenty-sequence series of courses. After the series is completed they will be charged a fee to continue to use the Fitness Center. The administration has worked out this change with the Fitness Center coordinator and Dean. The tentative budget and the Dual Credit Enhancement Pilot Projects are on the agenda for tonight’s meeting.
Mr. Solon reported the Closed Session Minutes Committee met and action will be taken from that meeting tonight.
FY2017 TENTATIVE BUDGET
It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Ms. Goetz to adopt the Resolution approving the FY2017 Tentative Budget as presented and to authorize publication of the Notice of Public Hearing. Mr. Mallery questioned whether the tentative budget included dollars for the completion of the new collective bargaining unit and any resolution of any potential Unfair Labor Claim. The tentative budget does include an increase for the Support Staff and legal fees yet to be incurred. There are no monies allocated for an Unfair Labor Practice. Dr. Corcoran appreciated the feedback from the Audit/Finance Committee regarding MAP grants. IVCC covered the MAP grants for last year and did not lose anything. The administration modified the tentative budget as long as there is a reasonable expectation that MAP funds will be included in the state budget for the fall and spring semesters. This amount is reflected in the tentative budget to be voted upon. Motion passed by voice vote with Mr. Mallery voting “naye.”
STAFF APPOINTMENT – BONNIE BENNETT-CAMPBELL, ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND DEAN OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
It was moved by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Dr. Driscoll to approve the appointment of Bonnie Bennett-Campbell as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at an annualized salary of $95,000. Motion passed by voice vote.
STAFF APPOINTMENT – JENNIFER SCHERI, DIRECTOR OF CONTINUING EDUCATION AND BUSINESS SERVICES
It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Dr. Huffman to approve the appointment of Jennifer Scheri as Director of Continuing Education and Business Services at an annualized salary of $71,500. Motion passed by voice vote.
FACULTY APPOINTMENT – WILLARD MOTT, AGRICULTURE PROGRAM COORDINATOR/INSTRUCTOR
It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Dr. Driscoll to appoint Willard Mott as Agriculture Program Coordinator/Instructor at A-15, an annualized salary of $60,086 on the 2016/2017 faculty salary schedule. Mr. Mallery noted he has heard good things about Mr. Mott, but he was not comfortable with his placement of A-15 on the salary schedule. Mr. Mallery noted the College had a policy for years that instructors were not placed over level eight on the salary schedule for teaching experience, but that has since been amended. Mr. Mallery believes the placement is escalated. Dr. Corcoran noted that Mr. Mott was given credit for his experience and his work toward a master’s degree. If he would complete his master’s degree in the next year his annualized salary would be at $64,000. Mr. Mott has 34 hours of graduate level courses beyond his bachelor's degree. After 11 years of teaching at Bureau County and his summer hours, Dr. Corcoran believes he deserved to be at this particular end of the faculty schedule. He is working on his master’s in agronomy and the administration is excited to hire an individual of this caliber at this rate of pay. Dr. Corcoran stood with what was presented. Mr. Mott’s salary is comparable with other flag programs for this institution. Mr. Mallery asked if there is a projected plan for enrollments and there is: 25 students the first year, 50 students the second year, and 75 students the third year. Motion passed by voice vote.
FACULTY RESIGNATION – KARIE STECKEN, NURSING INSTRUCTOR
It was moved by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Dr. Huffman to accept with regret Karie Stecken’s resignation effective August 12, 2016 and wish her success in her new endeavor. Motion passed by voice vote.
FACULTY APPOINTMENT – ERIS SIMONS, NURSING INSTRUCTOR
It was moved by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Ms. Tipton to accept the appointment of Eris Simons as Nursing Instructor at B-5, an annualized salary of $46,792 on the 2016/2017 faculty salary schedule. Motion passed by voice vote.
DUAL CREDIT ENHANCEMENT PILOT PROJECTS
It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Ms. Tipton to approve the Dual Credit Pilot Project whereby high school students eligible for the free and reduced lunch program may have tuition waived so long as the course meets the requirements and also to approve the Dual Credit Pilot Project whereby full-time matriculating students who have completed 30 credit hours of dual credit and/or dual enrollment through IVCC will receive the dual credit tuition discount up to the completion of a credential so long as they remain full-time students. Dr. Corcoran has felt strongly about this for quite a while. He has reached out to a number of high school superintendents to give them an opportunity to speak to their support of this project. He received glowing recommendations from eight superintendents and the LaSalle County Regional Office of Education complementing the College for rolling this out. This project will immediately affect the lives of 100 students and that is the College’s mission. Mr. Mallery did not like the fact that $370,000 would be left on the table and not adding to the College’s revenues. He has compassion for the free and reduced lunch students but he also cares about all of the other stakeholders at the College. Mr. Mallery asked what the internal stakeholders had to say. Dr. Corcoran noted that this proposal was discussed with the Audit/Finance Committee, Cabinet, faculty leadership, and the Strategic Leadership Planning Council. The proposal was discussed in staff debriefing sessions and is perfectly aligned with the College’s KPIs. Mr. Mallery noted the Foundation would have the ability to reach these same students. The expense could be shifted from athletics to free scholarships and the mission would be focused more on students. Dr. Huffman did not agree with the assumption of leaving $370,000 on the table. That is only lost revenue if the assumption is that the students would have taken the courses and matriculated to IVCC without the proposed opportunity. Motion passed by voice vote with Mr. Mallery voting “naye.”
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS (EDCNCI) AND ILLINOIS VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE AGREEMENT
It was moved by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Dr. Huffman to authorize the administration to work with the College’s attorney on a three-year contract with the Economic Development Corporation of North Central Illinois that will allow Corporation staff to occupy approximately 700 sq. ft. of office space on campus and pay $14 per sq. ft. plus $19 per month for each phone line. Mr. Mallery questioned the rent cost. Cheryl Roelfsema noted the rent was comparable with rent for this area. It is consistent with what the College has paid the City of Ottawa for the Ottawa Center. Motion passed by voice vote.
SEMI-ANNUAL REVIEW OF CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Dr. Driscoll to approve to release closed session minutes of the November 12, 2015 (Closed Session Minutes Committee); April 14, 2016 (Student Discipline); and May 12, 2016 (President’s Contact, Vice Presidents’ Contracts, Employees Not Affected by a Negotiated Labor Agreement and Coaches Salary Schedule) board meetings. Motion passed voice vote
TRUSTEE COMMENT
None.
CLOSED SESSION
It was moved by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Dr. Huffman to convene a closed session at 7:06 p.m. to discuss 1) litigation; 2) collective negotiations; and 3) closed session minutes. Motion passed by voice vote.
After a short break, the Board entered closed session at 7:17 p.m. On a motion by Mr. Solon and seconded by Dr. Huffman, the regular meeting resumed at 8:05 p.m. Motion passed by voice vote.
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
It was moved by Ms. Goetz and seconded by Dr. Driscoll to approve and retain the closed session minutes of the June 9, 2016 Board meeting. Motion passed by voice vote.
OTHER
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Olivero declared the meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
Alerts Sign-up