Shawnee Community College District #531 Board of Trustees met Feb. 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
SCC MAIN CAMPUS, RIVER ROOM
FEBRUARY 19, 2026 6:00 P.M.
A regular meeting of Shawnee Community College District No. 531 Board of Trustees was held February 19, 2026 in the River Room and via Zoom. The meeting was called to order @6pm by Chairperson Steve Heisner.
I. Call to Order
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. A Few Moments of Voluntary Prayer and Reflection
IV. Roll Call
TRUSTEE | TRUSTEE | |||
√ | Ms. Deborah Shelton-Yates | √ | Ms. Nancy Holt | |
√ | Ms. Andrea Witthoft | √ | Ms. April Moore | |
√ | Dr. John Earnhart | √ | Ms. Tiffany Schultz | |
√ | Mr. Landon Stafford (Advisory Vote) | √ | Mr. Steve Heisner |
Others in attendance will be noted on the sign-in sheet.
Dr. Tim Taylor, President
Dr. Melanie Pecord, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs
Chris Clark, Vice President of Administrative Services
Jeff McGoy, Vice President of Student Affairs
Felicia Rouse, Executive Director of Human Resources
Kevin Hunsperger, Executive Director of Public Information & Marketing
Kristy Stephenson, Dean of CTE
Samantha Wilcox, Welding Faculty
Dr. Kristin Shelby, Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness
Jesse Smith-Fulia, S.C.E.A. President, Faculty
Wendy Harris, S.C.E.A. Vice President, Faculty
Dr. Ryan Thornsberry, Faculty
Dwayne Fehrenbacher, Director of IT (via Zoom)
Jonathan Van Meter, Computer Services Specialist
John Schneider, Attorney
Becky Hawes, Recruiter/Advisor (via Zoom, joined 6:09pm)
Dr. Ian Nicolaides, Department Chair, Faculty
Kendra Parker, Administrative Assistant, Allied Health & Nursing
Tina Dudley, Executive Assistant to the President
Jackie Hamilton-Smith, Executive Assistant to VP of Student Affairs (via Zoom)
Rhiannon Martin, Human Resource Operations Specialist (via Zoom)
Steve Gavatorta, Consultant (via Zoom)
Donna Vassallo-Schlaner, Consultant (via Zoom)
V. Agenda & Addendums
ACTION – 1 A motion was made by Deborah Shelton-Yates and seconded by April Moore to approve the Agenda and Addendums as presented. On roll call vote, the members voted as follows: N. Holt, S. Heisner, T. Schultz, A. Moore, Dr. Earnhart, D. Shelton-Yates, and A Witthoft all voted Yea. The Chairperson declared the motion carried. |
VI. Recognition of Guests and Public Comment
⮚ Dr. Ian Nicolaides introduced Kendra Parker, Administrative Assistant, Allied Health & Nursing
⮚ Dean Kristy Stephenson introduced Samantha Wilcox, Welding Faculty
VII. Communications
• The Student Trustee report was provided in the Board Book.
• The Faculty report was previously provided, Jesse reiterated its content and added the in early February the Spring musical cast/crew banded together to raise funds and donate shoes/clothing for a fellow castmate who had experienced a housefire.Â
• The President’s report was previously provided.
• The College Senior Leadership reports were previously provided with no further updates provided.
• Trustee Witthoft noted dates had been released related to ICCTA Lobby Day and ACCT Leadership Congress Meetings (October 2026 in Chicago and 2027 will be held in Philadelphia). Also noteworthy, ICCB will be planning to have booths set up at State Fairs in 2026 in both Springfield and Du Quoin.
VIII. Monitoring Reports & Board Policy Review
A. None
IX. Consent Agenda
ACTION – 2 A motion was made by Andrea Witthoft and seconded by Deborah Shelton-Yates to approve the Consent Agenda as recited. On roll call vote, the members voted as follows: N. Holt, S. Heisner, A. Moore, T. Schultz, Dr. Earnhart, D. Shelton-Yates, and A Witthoft all voted Yea. The Chairperson declared the motion carried. |
A. Disposition of 12/18/25 Regular Board Meeting Minutes – APPROVEDÂ
B. Disposition of 01/15/26 Board Retreat Minutes – APPROVED
C. Disposition of 02/02/26 Board Finance Committee Meeting Minutes – APPROVEDÂ
D. Acceptance of Treasurer’s Report – APPROVED
E. Consideration for Ratification of December & January Bills – APPROVEDÂ
F. Acceptance of Personnel Report – APPROVED
G. Consideration of Approval of Shawnee Development Council Lease Agreement – APPROVED
H. Consideration of Termination of the Five County Lease Agreement – APPROVEDÂ
I. Consideration of Approval of the Guiding Principles – APPROVED
J. Consideration of Approval of Board Goals – APPROVED
K. Consideration of Acceptance of President Evaluation – APPROVED
L. Consideration of Approval of the AY27 College Catalog – APPROVEDÂ
M. Presentation of the Fall 2025 Graduates – APPROVED
N. Consideration for Approval of the ICCTA Faculty of the Year Nomination – APPROVEDÂ
O. Consideration for Approval of the Collective Bargaining Team – APPROVED
X. SHARED GOVERNANCE – No Motion Necessary
C. New/Revised Policy
i. None
D. New/Revised Operating Standard
i. A7400.60 Immigration Enforcement Activity & Law Enforcement Access Management
XI. A. PRESENTATION OF THE NEW FEEDBACK (YOUR VOICE MATTERS) LANDING WEBPAGE
No Motion
XI. B. BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE UPDATE
No Motion
XI. C. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF TENURE FACULTY REEMPLOYMENT
ACTION – 4 A motion was made by Nancy Holt and seconded by Deborah Shelton-Yates to approve the continued employment of the tenured faculty members listed for Academic Year 2027. On roll call vote, the members voted as follows: N. Holt, S. Heisner, A. Moore, T. Schultz, Dr. Earnhart, D. Shelton-Yates, and A Witthoft all voted Yea. The Chairperson declared the motion carried. |
XI. D. CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL NON-TENURED (PROBATIONARY) FACULTY REEMPLOYMENT
ACTION – 5 A motion was made by Deborah Shelton-Yates and seconded by Tiffany Schultz to approve the employment actions as presented for the 2026-2027 academic year. On roll call vote, the members voted as follows: N. Holt, S. Heisner, A. Moore, T. Schultz, D. Shelton-Yates, and A Witthoft all voted Yea. Dr.Earnhart abstained. The Chairperson declared the motion carried. |
XI. E. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL FOR FY27 TUITION & UNIVERSAL FEE RATES
ACTION – 6 A motion was made by April Moore and seconded by Deborah Shelton-Yates to approve the proposed tuition, universal fee, and high-cost program fee for FY27, effective Summer 2026. On roll call vote, the members voted as follows: N. Holt, S. Heisner, A. Moore, T. Schultz, Dr. Earnhart, D. Shelton-Yates, and A Witthoft all voted Yea. The Chairperson declared the motion carried. |
XI. F. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL FOR FY27 COURSE FEE RATES
ACTION – 7 A motion was made by Andrea Witthoft and seconded by Nancy Holt to ratify the FY27 course fees as presented, effective beginning with the Fall 2026 semester. On roll call vote, the members voted as follows: N. Holt, S. Heisner, A. Moore, T. Schultz, Dr. Earnhart, D. Shelton-Yates, and A Witthoft all voted Yea. The Chairperson declared the motion carried. |
XI. G. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL FOR EXTENDING FINANCIAL AID SERVICE AGREEMENT
ACTION – 8 A motion was made by Deborah Shelton-Yates and seconded by Tiffany Schultz to ratify expenditures exceeding the original not-to-exceed amount in the of $13,201.85; On roll call vote, the members voted as follows: N. Holt, S. Heisner, A. Moore, T. Schultz, Dr. Earnhart, D. Shelton-Yates, and A Witthoft all voted Yea. The Chairperson declared the motion carried. |
FURTHER,
ACTION – 9 A motion was made by Nancy Holt and seconded by April Moore to authorize the President to execute a continuation of contractor services for up to twelve (12) weeks, not to exceed $80,000. On roll call vote, the members voted as follows: N. Holt, S. Heisner, A. Moore, T. Schultz, Dr. Earnhart, D. Shelton-Yates, and A Witthoft all voted Yea. The Chairperson declared the motion carried. |
XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
ACTION – 10 A motion was made by Deborah Shelton-Yates and seconded by Nancy Holt to adjourn and go into Executive Session at 6:39 pm for the purpose of: A. Consideration of Extension, Alteration, Performance, or Compensation of Employees’ Employment pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1) B. Consideration of Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2 (c)(5) C. Consideration of Approval of Items That May Lead or Have Led to Litigation pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(11) D. Consideration of Self-Evaluation, Practices and Procedures or Professional Ethics pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(16) On roll call vote, the members voted as follows: N. Holt, S. Heisner, A. Moore, T. Schultz, Dr. Earnhart, D. Shelton-Yates, and A Witthoft all voted Yea. The Chairperson declared the motion carried. |
ACTION – 11 A motion was made by April Moore and seconded by Nancy Holt to adjourn out of Executive Session at 8:44pm. On roll call vote, the members voted as follows: N. Holt, S. Heisner, A. Moore, T. Schultz, Dr. Earnhart, D. Shelton-Yates, and A Witthoft all voted Yea. The Chairperson declared the motion carried. |
ACTION – 12 A motion was made by Andrea Witthoft and seconded by Deborah Shelton-Yates to approve the minutes of the Executive Session held on February 19, 2026. On roll call vote, the members voted as follows: N. Holt, S. Heisner, A. Moore, T. Schultz, Dr. Earnhart, D. Shelton-Yates, and A Witthoft all voted Yea. The Chairperson declared the motion carried. |
XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION ACTION ITEMS
There were no Executive Session action items.
XIV. TRUSTEE COMMENTS
There were no Trustee comments.
XV. ADJOURNMENT
ACTION – 13 A motion was made by April Moore and seconded by Nancy Holt to adjourn at 8:46pm. On roll call vote, the members voted as follows: N. Holt, S. Heisner, A. Moore, T. Schultz, Dr. Earnhart, D. Shelton-Yates, and A Witthoft all voted Yea. The Chairperson declared the motion carried. |
https://shawneecc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/26.03.19-BOARD-BOOK.pdf#page=40&zoom=100,93,96
