2014 tax levy adopted
The board adopted the 2014 tax levy (payable 2015). The levy represents a slight increase - 1.39 percent - over last year. The Corporate and Special Purpose levy went from $3,003,038 last year to $3,083,318 this year, a increase of 2.67 percent. The Debt Service levy dropped from $1,820,902 last year to $1,807,794 this year, a decrease of 0.72 percent. The total of the two levies rose slightly, from $4,823,940 last year to $4,891,112, an increase of 1.39 percent.
Because the total of the proposed Corporate and Special Purpose and Debt Service levies is not greater than 105 percent of last year's levy, no Truth in Taxation hearing was required.
New curricula, courses approved
Two new occupational certificates - Emergency Medical Technician Basic and Personal Care Aide - were approved and authorized for submission to the Illinois Community College Board for action. In addition, two new classes, Selected Topics in Health Information Technology and Selected Topics in Medical Coding, received similar approval, and a change in the credit hours to the EMT Paramedic program was approved.
Resolution supporting Franklin County enterprise zone adopted
The board adopted a resolution to support the Franklin County I-57 Enterprise Zone. Various representatives from entities within Franklin County have reached out to the college to support its efforts to compete for a new enterprise zone designation. The mission of the zone will be to create and retain jobs and spark investment within this area. Having the new enterprise zone designation along this section of I-57 will allow for further investment of capital, creation and retention of jobs and overall stimulation of sales and property tax in this area.
Young moving on
Accepted with regret the resignation of Keith Young, Programmer / Analyst, effective Oct. 15. "I appreciate my time working with Rend Lake College and the duties and responsibilities that have been provided me during my employment. I have enjoyed being a part of the team and I hope my time here has been valuable," Young wrote in his resignation letter.
College to seek Academic Coordinator
The board granted permission to create the position and accompanying job description and advertise for an Academic Coordinator. This will be a grant-funded position with the Illinois Community College Board's Adult Education and Family Literacy program. This person will assist in developing a career-specific bridge program for the college and will teach designated classes upon implementation of the bridge course. This person also will ensure that high school equivalency instructors receive the needed professional development to effectively prepare students to take the HSE tests.
In other business, the board ...
- Approved revisions to board policy concerning job descriptions.
Mark your calendars …
- Warrior Fest, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, RLC campus.
- Criminal Justice Scholarship Roundup, 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, Rend Lake Resort, $25 per person, hors d'oeuvres, cash bar.
- Southeast Region Trustees Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, John A. Logan College.
- Halloween Concert and Party, Thursday, Oct. 30, Theatre and Student Center; 6 p.m concert, 7 p.m. party.
- Fall Play, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Rend Lake College Theatre, 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 6-8; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9; tickets $12, call 618-437-5321, Ext. 1467.