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Board of Trustees Meeting - December 12, 2023
Meeting Highlights
Under New Business, the Board:
- approved a new course, the online development of a course, and authorized submission to the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) for action effective on the dates listed in the December Board Packet, effective December 12, 2023.
RATIONALE: The above items have been approved by the Curriculum Committee and Academic Council. These additions improve the college's educational offerings and support efforts to enhance the quality of instruction.
- revised job descriptions for: Director of Learning Innovation & Design, Food Services Associate (Part-Time), and Special Projects Coordinator, effective December 12, 2023.
RATIONALE: These job description revisions are needed to better meet the needs of the institution.
- approved the schedule of meetings of the Rend Lake College Board of Trustees for calendar year 2024, effective December 12, 2023.
RATIONALE: The calendar year 2024 schedule provides for the Board of Trustees to meet on Tuesdays each month in the Event Center Warrior Lounge on the Rend Lake College campus
- accepted the fiscal year 2023 audit and annual comprehensive financial report, effective December 12, 2023.
RATIONALE: The audit and financial statements have been reviewed with the independent auditors, and management believes that they are fairly presented.
- approved the 2024-2025, 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 Academic Calendars, effective December 12, 2023.
RATIONALE: The attached calendars fulfill the requirements set forth for Rend Lake College by both the Illinois Community College Board, RLC Board policy, and the faculty contract.
- approved the 2024 - 2025 Rend Lake College Catalog as provided and to authorize addendum as needed, effective December 12, 2023.
RATIONALE: The catalog contains information related to academic standards, program requirements, and student policieis which cover admission, instruction and graduation.
- accepted the bid from Sunvolt Solar for the base bid in the amount of $2.056 per watt DC for a total cost of $125,000 to purchase and install a second Solar Panel Array and system in accordance with the award from the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN), effective December 12, 2023.
RATIONALE: The grant opportunity provides for potential curriculum integration, educational exposure for students, and a supplemental electrical source for the campus.
- sought approval from the Higher Learning Commission to develop and implement instructional programs as competency-based education, effective December 12, 2023.
RATIONALE: In an effort to remain relevant and fulfill our mission of providing educational opportunities across cultural and economic boundaries to the diverse student population we serve, RLC continues to work closely with an ICCB consortium of community colleges, as well as receive consulting and training from the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN) to develop CBE programs using C-BEN’s quality framework. The purpose of developing credit-based CBE
programs is to meet industry needs by generating a talent pipeline through expedited training determined by prior experience and transparency of specific skills and competencies mastered according to employer guidelines and standards. The goal is enhanced entry and exit points, flexible scheduling, less time to completion, and high-touch student success strategies. HLC requires institutions seeking approval to offer competency-based education programs to complete and submit a substantive change application for the first two CBE programs. The first program to be approved is welding, with additional programs to follow.
- approved the Program Purchase Agreement between Rend Lake College and EAB Global, Inc., effective December 12, 2023.
RATIONALE: The five-year Program Purchase Agreement with EAB Global, Inc. will allow Rend Lake College access to the LMS Integration program scope set forth in the presented contract. This program was approved and partially funded through the Title III Grant.
- awarded the bid from Mole Street LLC in the amount of $97,500 for the development of Rend Lake College's new website, effective December 12, 2023.
RATIONALE: Mole Street was selected based on a high combined score across several key categories.
- approved the Statement of Support for the Proposed Shawnee National Park and Climate Preserve, as presented, effective December 12, 2023.
RATIONALE: This statement of support endorses the initiative to transfer the federally owned Shawnee National Forest land out of the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service oversight and into the Department of Interior Park Service to become the Shawnee National Park and Climate Preserve.
Under Personnel, the Board:
- renewed the contract of Terry Wilkerson as President of Rend Lake College at the terms and length agreed upon between the President and the Board of Trustees per 110 ILCS 805/3-65. The contract represents a one-year extension to June 30, 2025, effective December 12, 2023.
- accepted the resignation of Lynsey Sims, Web & Social Media Specialist, effective December 31, 2023.
- accepted the retirement resignation of Terry Wilkerson, President, effective June 30, 2025.
- ratified the appointment of Tommy Hall as Lead Teacher Infant Room for the Rend Lake College Foundation Children’s Center on a full-time, 50-week, non-tenure track contract, effective November 20, 2023.
- approved the appointment of Emily DeForest as Coordinator - Special Projects on a full-time, 49-week, non-tenure track contract, effective January 1, 2024.
- appointed Jared Roberts as Coordinator - Digital Media & Marketing on a full-time, 50-week, non-tenure track contract, pending a successful background check, effective December 13, 2023.
- approved the appointment of Justin (Dean) Mandrell as Director of Land of Lincoln AmeriCorps, on a full-time, 50-week, non-tenure track, grant-funded contract, pending a successful background check, effective December 13, 2023.
- granted permission to transfer Lori Ragland from Vice President of Instruction and Student Affairs to Executive Vice President, and revise job description.
Under New Business / Personnel, the Board:
- approved the organizational restructure/executive transition of the administration, staff, and support staff of Rend Lake College. This recommendation includes the changes to organizational chart (Policy & Procedure 1.5000), promotion of staff, changes to titles and accompanying job descriptions, including those impacted by these changes, as well as respective salaries, prorated for the remainder of the fiscal year, effective January 01, 2024, as provided.
RATIONALE: With the anticipated retirement of President Wilkerson, the college is implementing an Executive Transition Plan to better align efforts of the existing leadership. The college is taking proactive steps to insure a seamless transition. These individuals will assume additional responsibilities and roles to allow the flexibility for improved operations of the college.
Under Financial Information, the Board:
- ratified the payment of college expenses including travel expense reimbursements as presented in the December board packet, effective December 12, 2023.
Mark Your Calendars
December 14, 2023 | 6:00 pm
Adult Education Celebration
Event Center
December 15, 2023 | 6:00 pm
Culinary Trivia Night
PDA
January 5, 2024 | 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Student Success Day
Learning Resource Center and PDA
January 13, 2024 | 9:00 am Registration
Archery Bags Tournament
Event Center
February 7, 2024 | 4:00 pm
RLC Open House
Event Center
February 7 & 14, 2024 | 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
ACES 2024 Competition
Event Center
February 20, 2024 | 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
In-Service
RLC Ina Campus
February 29, 2024 | 5:30 pm
Annual RLC Foundation Scholarship Dinner
Event Center
Resources
Board of Trustees Members