Illinois Community College District No. 521 Board of Trustees met Nov. 17.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Randy Rubenacker called the regular
Board of Trustees meeting to order at 6:35 PM.
ROLL CALL
Mr. Brian Dorris, Secretary, called the roll.
Those present were:
Dr. David Asbery
Mr. Randall Crocker
Mr. Brian Dorris
Mr. Jeff Jones
Mr. John Kabat
Mr. Randy Rubenacker
Mr. Dakota Tate (Student Trustee)
Those absent were:
Mr. Larry Manning
Others present were:
Mr. Terry Wilkerson, Mrs. Angie Kistner, Mrs. Lori
Ragland, Mr. Chad Copple, Mrs. Kim Wilkerson, Mr.
Henry “Buster” Leeck, , Mr. Nathan Wheeler, Mr. John Gulley, Mr. Donnie Millenbine, Mrs. Gabby Farner, Mrs. Kay Zibby-Damron, Mr. Joe Ervin, Ms. Tami Knight (Kemper CPA Group), and Mrs. Cathy DeJarnette
Under authority of Executive Order 2020-71 President Wilkerson announced that he has determined an in-person meeting is not practical nor prudent at this time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and recent increases in local positive cases, as well as increased mitigation restrictions for the region.
AUDIT PRESENTATION
Ms. Tami Knight, representative of the auditing firm Kemper CPA Group LLC, provided an overview of the fiscal year 2020 audit results. This will be their first audit performed for Rend Lake College. Ms. Knight presented 5 audit reports resulting unqualified on all reports.
Mr. Rubenacker asked for a motion to accept the fiscal year 2020 audit, to be provided as a separate document. Mr. Crocker made a motion to accept the fiscal year 2020 audit, as recommended, seconded by Mr. Dorris. On a roll call vote, those present voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Mon – Thur, November 16 – 19, 2020
Fall 2020 Faculty / Staff In-Service
Virtually via Zoom
2. Thursday, November 19, 2020; 6-8pm
RLC Virtual Open House
Zoom
3. Wednesday & Friday, December 2 & 4, 2020
Virtual CTE Career Days
Whova
MOTION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION
NO EXECUTIVE SESSION
RESUME OPEN MEETING
NA
CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. Wilkerson recommended approving the Consent Agenda, which included the following items:
1. October 20, 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes;*
2. October 20, 2020 Executive Session Minutes;*
3. Approval of Revisions to Job Descriptions;*
4. Approval of Revisions to Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 4.1600 – Criteria for Awarding Credit*
Mr. Jones made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as recommended; seconded by Mr. Kabat. On a roll call vote, those present voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes. Those items marked with an asterisk (*) are a part of these minutes.
NEW BUSINESS
APPROVAL OF 2021 – 2022 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Mr. Wilkerson recommended to approve the 2021 – 2022 Academic Calendar as presented, effective November 17, 2020.
As recommended, Mr. Kabat made a motion to approve the 2021 – 2022 Academic Calendar as presented, effective November 17, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Crocker. On a roll call vote, those present voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.
PERMISSION TO ENTER INTO A SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE FOR ADULT EDUCATION AND LITERACY SERVICES
Mr. Wilkerson recommended to grant permission to enter into a subrecipient agreement with Southeastern Illinois College for adult education and literacy services, as presented, effective November 17, 2020.
As recommended, Mr. Dorris made a motion to grant permission to enter into a subrecipient agreement with Southeastern Illinois College for adult education and literacy services, as presented, effective November 17, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Jones. On a roll call vote, those present voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.
PERMISSION TO ENTER INTO A SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE FOR FUNDING FROM THE CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND (CURES)
Mr. Wilkerson recommended to grant permission to enter into a subrecipient agreement with Southeastern Illinois College for funding from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CURES), as presented, effective November 17, 2020.
As recommended, Mr. Kabat made a motion to grant permission to enter into a subrecipient agreement with Southeastern Illinois College for funding from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CURES), as presented, effective November 17, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Tate. On a roll call vote, those present voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.
APPROVAL TO CREATE RAISE A WARRIOR MICROSCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Mr. Wilkerson recommended to approve the Raise A Warrior Micro-scholarship program, as presented, effective November 17, 2020.
As recommended, Mr. Dorris made a motion to approve the Raise A Warrior Micro-scholarship program, as presented, effective November 17, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Jones. On a roll call vote, those present voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.
PERMISSION TO CREATE REND LAKE COLLEGE POLICY & PROCEDURE 5.1010 – PREPARING AND UPDATING FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES (FIRST READING)
Mr. Wilkerson recommended to grant permission to create Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 5.1010 – Preparing and Updating Financial Disclosures, first reading, as presented, effective December 8, 2020.
As recommended, Dr. Asbery made a motion to grant permission to create Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 5.1010 – Preparing and Updating Financial Disclosures, first reading, as presented, effective December 8, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Crocker. On a roll call vote, those present voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.
APPROVAL OF REVISIONS
TO REND LAKE COLLEGE POLICY 5.1000 – INVESTMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS (FIRST READING)
Mr. Wilkerson recommended to approve revisions to Rend Lake College Policy 5.1000 – Investment of Public Funds, first reading, as presented, effective December 8, 2020.
As recommended, Mr. Kabat made a motion to approve revisions to Rend Lake College Policy 5.1000 – Investment of Public Funds, first reading, as presented, effective December 8, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Jones. On a roll call vote, those present voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.
APPROVAL OF REVISIONS TO REND LAKE COLLEGE POLICY & PROCEDURE 4.1440 – STUDENT ATTENDANCE IN CLASS (FIRST READING)
Mr. Wilkerson recommended to approve revisions to Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 4.1440 – Student Attendance in Class, first reading, as presented, effective December 8, 2020.
As recommended, Mr. Dorris made a motion to approve revisions to Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 4.1440 – Student Attendance in Class, first reading, as presented, effective December 8, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Tate. On a roll call vote, those present voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.
PERMISSION TO CREATE REND LAKE COLLEGE POLICY & PROCEDURE 4.1615 – STUDENT WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASS (FIRST READING)
Mr. Wilkerson recommended to grant permission to create Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 4.1615 – Student Withdrawal from Class, first reading, as presented, effective December 8, 2020.
As recommended, Mr. Kabat made a motion to grant permission to create Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 4.1615 – Student Withdrawal from Class, first reading, as presented, effective December 8, 2020.The motion was seconded by Mr. Jones. On a roll call vote, those present voted yes, Student Trustee voted yes.
APPROVAL OF PROGRAM ARTICULATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN REND LAKE COLLEGE, DISTRICT #521 AND MCKENDREE UNIVERSITY
Mr. Wilkerson recommended to approve the nursing program articulation agreement between Rend Lake College District #521 and McKendree University, as presented, effective November 18, 2020.
As recommended, Mr. Crocker made a motion to approve the nursing program articulation agreement between Rend Lake College District #521 and McKendree University, as presented, effective November 18, 2020. The motion was seconded by Dr. Asbery. On a roll call vote, those present voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.
PERSONNEL
ACCEPTANCE OF RETIREMENT RESIGNATION – CULINARY ARTS INSTRUCTOR
Mr. Wilkerson recommended to accept with regret, the retirement resignation of Mr. Robert Wilson, Culinary Arts Instructor, effective June 01, 2021.
As recommended, Dr. Asbery made a motion to accept with regret, the retirement resignation of Mr. Robert Wilson, Culinary Arts Instructor, effective June 01, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Jones. On a roll call vote, those present voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.
RATIFY THE ACCEPTANCE OF RESIGNATION OF COORDINATOR – DEVELOPMENT OF THE REND LAKE COLLEGE FOUNDATION
Mr. Wilkerson recommended to accept with regret the resignation of Mr. Britt Fullerton, Development Coordinator of the Rend Lake College Foundation effective November 13, 2020.
As recommended, Dr. Asbery made a motion to accept with regret the resignation of Mr. Britt Fullerton, Development Coordinator of the Rend Lake College Foundation effective November 13, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kabat. On a roll call vote, those present voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.
APPOINTMENT OF SPECIALIST – PUBLIC INFORMATION (TO BE PROVIDED)
Mr. Wilkerson recommended to appoint Ms. Leah Williams as Public Information Specialist on a full- time,50-week, non-tenure track contract at an annual salary of $31,000 prorated for the remainder of the fiscal year, effective November 17, 2020, pending a successful background check.
As recommended, Mr. Crocker made a motion to appoint Ms. Leah Williams as Public Information Specialist on a full-time,50-week, non-tenure track contract at an annual salary of $31,000 prorated for the remainder of the fiscal year, effective November 17, 2020, pending a successful background check.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Jones. On a roll call vote, all voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
RATIFICATION OF THE PAYMENT OF COLLEGE EXPENSES INCLUDING TRAVEL EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS
Mr. Wilkerson recommended to ratify the payment of college expenses including travel expense reimbursements as presented effective November 17, 2020.
As recommended Mr. Dorris made a motion to ratify the payment of college expenses including travel expense reimbursements as presented effective October 20, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kabat. On a roll call vote, those present voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.
REPORTS
ACADEMIC COUNCIL
No report
ICCTA REPRESENTATIVE
Mr. John Kabat reported reading reports of:
• Enrollment decreases of 9.5% in community colleges across the state.
• Community Colleges going fully remote after Thanksgiving.
REND LAKE COLLEGE FOUNDATION
No report
ACCREDITATION
Mr. Chad Copple reported that the college is still waiting to hear from HLC with a confirmed date choice for the assurance review in 2022/2023. He noted the response to the college's interim report, in which the HLC commended the college for the significant progress it has made on multiculturalism in such a short time. HLC also noted the college's commitment to equity and inclusion through its focus on planning and budgeting. Chad thanked the report's writer, Rob Little, for his efforts and for the work he has done to advance multiculturalism.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS
President Wilkerson provided a Covid update. He reported that the instruction plan went well for the Fall semester and that we are completing the semester with remote instruction, as planned. He went on to discuss how the Governor’s plan to move the state to Tier 3 mitigation does not impact the college. He noted the tremendous work that has gone into Covid tracking for both employees and students.
Mr. Wilkerson spoke about the Progressive Tax bill that did not pass and will lead to cuts in higher education, although some cuts were inevitable.
Vice President of Finance and Administration, Angie Kistner reported that the college recently received an A+ bond rating from Standard & Poor’s, which is excellent. The college was commended for having already positioned themselves well to handle the current situation. Standard & Poor’s was impressed with the college’s mitigation plans and how we did not push off expenses to students.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business, at 7:13 PM all trustees present voiced aye in favor of adjourning.
The motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Crocker and seconded by Mr. Kabat.
https://www.rlc.edu/phocadownload/board-of-trustees/Minutes/2020/03_2020-11-17_Minutes.pdf
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