North Egypt News

Rend Lake College Board of Trustees met May 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER Chairman Larry Manning called the regular Board of Trustees meeting to order at 6:34 PM in the Rend Lake College Event Center.

ROLL CALL Mr. Brian Dorris, Acting Secretary, called the roll.

Those present were:

Dr. David Asbery

Mr. Joe Coy

Mr. Ron Daniels

Mr. Brian Dorris

Mr. Larry Manning

Mr. Tony Wielt

Mr. Henry Meinert (Student Trustee)

Those absent were:

Mr. Jeff Jones

Others present were:

Mr. Terry Wilkerson, Mr. Chad Copple, Mrs. Kim Wilkerson, Mrs. Lori Ragland, Mr. Henry “Buster” Leeck, Mr. John Gulley, Mr. Donnie Millenbine, Mrs. Cathy DeJarnette, Mrs. Andrea Banach, Mr. Nathan Wheeler, Ms. Kendra Gregory, Mr. Kent McKown, Ms. Shari Carpenter, Mrs. Bria Robinson, Mr. Mark Jornd, Mr. Greg Hollmannn, Mrs. Amy Epplin, Mr. Chris Edwards

PRESENTATION-ICCTA DIRECTOR, MR. JIM REED

ICCTA Director, Mr. Jim Reed gave a presentation on the role of a College Board of Trustees as well as the benefits and assistance the ICCTA provides to the colleges, various organizations, and the Trustees.

GENERAL INFORMATION

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Thursday, May 15, 2025; 11:30am

Radiology Pinning

RLC Theater

2. Thursday, May 15, 2025; 3:00pm

ADN Pinning

Event Center

3. Thursday, May 15, 2025; 5:00pm

CNA Pinning

RLC Theater

4. Friday, May 16, 2025; 10:00am

PreK Graduation

RLC Theater

5. Saturday, May 17, 2025

Rend Lake College Graduation

8:30am-AA/AS/AES/AFA

11:00am AAS/Certificate

Outdoors at the Track

6. Thursday June 5, 2025; 12:00pm

RLC Foundation Board of Directors Meeting

Murphy-Wall Campus

7. Saturday June 7, 2025, 10:00am – 4:00pm

SIMA FEST

Southern IL Manufacturing Academy

MarketPlace

8. Saturday, August 16, 2025; 9:00am – 12:00pm

Fall Warrior Days

Theater

9. Monday, August 18, 2025

First Day of Fall Classes

All Campuses

GENERAL INFORMATION

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Thursday, May 15, 2025; 11:30am

Radiology Pinning

RLC Theater

2. Thursday, May 15, 2025; 3:00pm

ADN Pinning

Event Center

3. Thursday, May 15, 2025; 5:00pm

CNA Pinning

RLC Theater

4. Friday, May 16, 2025; 10:00am

PreK Graduation

RLC Theater

5. Saturday, May 17, 2025

Rend Lake College Graduation

8:30am-AA/AS/AES/AFA

11:00am AAS/Certificate

Outdoors at the Track

6. Thursday June 5, 2025; 12:00pm

RLC Foundation Board of Directors Meeting

Murphy-Wall Campus

7. Saturday June 7, 2025, 10:00am – 4:00pm

SIMA FEST

Southern IL Manufacturing Academy

MarketPlace

8. Saturday, August 16, 2025; 9:00am – 12:00pm

Fall Warrior Days

Theater

9. Monday, August 18, 2025

First Day of Fall Classes

All Campuses

MOTION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION

Chairman Manning asked for a motion to move into Executive Session pursuant to Section 2(c)(1)(21). Mr. Wielt made a motion; seconded by Mr. Coy. On a roll call vote, all voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes. The Board went into executive session at 7:15 PM

RESUME OPEN MEETING

Chairman Manning asked for a motion to reopen the public meeting; Mr. Daniels motioned; seconded by Mr. Coy. On a roll call vote, all voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes. At 8:17 PM, Chairman Manning reconvened the open session of tonight’s meeting.

CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Wilkerson recommended approving the Consent Agenda, which included the following items:

1. April 22, 2025 Executive Session*;

2. April 22, 2025 Board of Trustee Meeting*;

3. Approval of Course/Curriculum*;

4. Approval of 2025-2026 Handbooks*;

5. Approval of Revisions to Rend Lake College Policy

& Procedure 5.1205 – Payment of Bills*;

6. Approval of Revisions to Rend Lake College Board

Policy & Procedure 4.1115 – Fees*;

Mr. Meinert made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as recommend; seconded by Mr. Coy. On a roll call vote, all present voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes. Those items marked with an asterisk (*) are a part of these minutes.

NEW BUSINESS

APPROVAL OF REVISIONS TO REND LAKE COLLEGE BOARD POLICY & PROCEDURE 6.1010 – USE OF FORCE (FIRST READING)

Mr. Wilkerson recommended to approve revisions to Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 6.1010 – Use of Force as presented, first reading, effective June 10, 2025.

As recommended, Mr. Meinert made a motion to approve revisions to Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 6.1010 – Use of Force as presented, first reading, effective June 10, 2025. This motion was seconded by Mr. Wielt. On a roll call vote, all voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.

PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE AND ACCEPT BIDS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE ROOF AT THE REND LAKE COLLEGE MURPHY-WALL PINCKNEYVILLE CAMPUS

Mr. Wilkerson recommended to grant permission to advertise and accept bids to replace the roof at the Rend Lake College Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus.

As recommended, Mr. Dorris made a motion to advertise and accept bids to replace the roof at the Rend Lake College Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus. This motion was seconded by Mr. Daniels. On a roll call vote, all voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.

PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS AND AWARD PURCHASE OF A VAN FOR THE COLLEGE FLEET

Mr. Wilkerson recommended to grant permission to advertise for bids and award for the purchase of a 7- passenger van for the college fleet.

As recommended, Mr. Meinert made a motion to grant permission to advertise for bids and award for the purchase of a 7-passenger van for the college fleet. This motion was seconded by Mr. Dorris. On a roll call vote, all voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.

PERSONNEL

RESIGNATIONPOLICE OFFICER

Mr. Wilkerson recommended to accept with regret the resignation of Mr. Trace King, Police Officer, effective May 17, 2025.

As recommended, Mr. Dorris made a motion to accept with regret the resignation of Mr. Trace King, Police Officer, effective May 17, 2025. This motion was seconded by Mr. Wielt. On a roll call vote, all voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.

APPOINTMENT OF SHINE DIRECTOR AND REVISE JOB DESCRIPTION (TO BE PROVIDED)

Mr. Wilkerson recommended to appoint Ms. Mindy Reach as SHINE Director on a full-time, 50-week, non-tenure track, grant-funded contract at an annual salary of $55,000, prorated for the remainder of the fiscal year, pending a successful background check, and revise job description effective June 2, 2025.

As recommended, Mr. Dorris. made a motion to Mr. Wilkerson recommended to appoint Ms. Mindy Reach as SHINE Director on a full-time, 50-week, non-tenure track, grant-funded contract at an annual salary of $55,000, prorated for the remainder of the fiscal year, pending a successful background check, and revise job description effective June 2, 2025. This motion was seconded by Mr. Meinert. On a roll call vote, all voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.

APPOINTMENT OF UPWARD BOUND PROJECT ADVISOR

Mr. Wilkerson recommended to appoint Ms. Emily Kovarik as Upward Bound Project Advisor on a full-time, 50-week, grant funded, non-tenure track contract at an annual salary of $37,000 prorated for the remainder of the fiscal year, pending a successful background check, effective May 27, 2025.

As recommended, Mr. Meinert made a motion to appoint Ms. Emily Kovarik as Upward Bound Project Advisor on a full-time, 50-week, grant funded, nontenure track contract at an annual salary of $37,000 prorated for the remainder of the fiscal year, pending a successful background check, effective May 27, 2025. This motion was seconded by Mr. Wielt. On a roll call vote, all voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.

PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE AND RATIFY APPOINTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR OF RLC FOUNDATION

Mr. Wilkerson recommended to grant permission to advertise for and ratify the appointment of Development Coordinator of the RLC Foundation at the June 10, 2025 meeting, effective May 13, 2025.

As recommended, Mr. Wielt made a motion to grant permission to advertise for and ratify the appointment of Development Coordinator of the RLC Foundation at the June 10, 2025 meeting, effective May 13, 2025.This motion was seconded by Mr. Meinert. On a roll call, all voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.

PERMISSION TO CREATE THE POSITION AND JOB DESCRIPTION AND TRANSFER COMMUNITY AND CORPORATE EDUCATION SPECIALIST TO COORDINATOR OF COMMUNITY AND CORPORATE EDUCATION

Mr. Wilkerson recommended to create the position and job description and transfer Ms. Charlotte Loss from Community and Corporate Education Specialist to Community and Corporate Education Coordinator on a full-time, 49-week, nontenure contract with an annual salary of $48,000, prorated for the remainder of the fiscal year, effective May 16, 2025. This individual is not eligible for a salary increase in FY 2026.

As recommended, Mr. Dorris made a motion to create the position and job description and transfer Ms. Charlotte Loss from Community and Corporate Education Specialist to Community and Corporate Education Coordinator on a fulltime, 49-week, non-tenure contract with an annual salary of $48,000, prorated for the remainder of the fiscal year, effective May 16, 2025. This individual is not eligible for a salary increase in FY 2026.This motion was seconded by Mr. Meinert. On a roll call, all voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.

APPROVAL TO GRANT UNPAID LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Mr. Wilkerson recommended to grant approval of an unpaid leave of absence for Mrs. Brandee Tate ending June 01, 2025.

Mr. Wielt made a motion to grant approval of an unpaid leave of absence for Mrs. Brandee Tate ending June 01, 2025. This motion was seconded by Dr. Asbury. On a roll call, Mr. Coy & Mr. Daniels voted no, all others voted yes. Student Trustee abstained.

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 May 13, 2025.

As recommended Mr. Daniels made a motion to ratify the payment of college expenses including travel expense reimbursements as presented, effective May 13, 2025. This motion was seconded by Mr. Coy. On a roll call vote, all voted yes. Student Trustee voted yes.

REPORTS

ACADEMIC COUNCIL

Mr. Mark Jornd reported that three CSCI courses were withdrawn due to inactivity.

ICCTA REPRESENTATIVE

Mr. Ron Daniels reported the yearly ICCTA Conference will be held in June.

RLC FOUNDATION

Executive Director of Administrative Services, Cathy DeJarnette, reported that approximately 160 students have been awarded scholarships for Fall 2025 so far, and there are still about 20 nursing scholarships to be awarded in the coming weeks. The scholarship application is open until June 1 and there are additional scholarship monies available.

The next Foundation Board meeting will be held on June 5th at the Pinckneyville Campus.

The Game Plan campaign continues. The brick/paver campaign has kicked off, and a flyer was provided. There are still a few major gift asks on the table. Construction is going well, and the project is still on schedule to complete end of August.

ACCREDITATION

Dr. Chad Copple reported the Federal administration issued an executive order that directs the Education Department to provide programming free from discrimination, reduce barriers to completion, prioritize intellectual diversity, etc. It orders a focus on improvement of student outcomes without reference to race, ethnicity or sex; faster methods for new accreditors to be recognized by the government; easier methods for colleges and universities to switch accreditors; etc. In a letter issued, the administration basically stated the college would be approved to switch accreditors upon notification, unless that institution has been subject to a sanction within the last two years.

ERP

Dr. Chad Copple reported we are looking to schedule our project close-out meeting. Our latest contract reconciliation shows us about $100,000 to the good. We will then be transitioned over to a cloud services manager, who we will meet with occasionally and to whom we’ll reach out if needed.

OBSOLETE EQUIPMENT

Mr. Donnie Millenbine reported on some items we are no longer needing that will be receiving new homes such as two scoreboards and the sound system from the theater.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS

President Wilkerson gave his time to Mrs. Kim Wilkerson to report on the IGEN handout she provided on the grant projects. The Solar Radar Signage, Solar Array Install, and LED Lighting Upgrade projects have all been completed, and we are now applying for supplemental funding. She also stated that a future project may include more energy efficient windows at the Student Center.

Mrs. Cathy DeJarnette then reminded the Trustees to attend RLC Graduation this Saturday, May 17, 2025.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no other business, at 8:35 PM all Trustees present voted aye in favor of adjourning.

The motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Meinert and seconded by Mr. Coy.

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