Board adopts Fiscal Year 2017 budget, determines tax levy
The board adopted the final budget for Fiscal Year 2017 Tuesday evening. As required by law, the budget has been available for public inspection for 30 days. A public hearing on the budget was held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, prior to the regular board meeting. No public comment was heard.
Also, the board accepted the 2016 tax levy, payable in 2017, which will be filed in accord with Truth in Taxation compliance laws. The corporate and special purpose levy was set at $3,379,083, an increase of 4.99 percent over the previous year's levy of $3,218,520. The debt service levy of $1,807,491 represents a 0.06 percent increase over last year's levy of $1,806,469. In aggregate, the combined levy of $5,186,574 is an increase of 3.22 percent over last year's aggregate of $5,024,989. Because the combined levy is not greater than 105 percent of last year's levy, no Truth in Taxation hearing is required.
Bond issue approved
The board approved a resolution to issue $5 million in taxable general obligation community college bonds for the purpose of paying claims against the district. The issue stems from recent board action to sell and immediately repurchase the RLC MarketPlace facility in Mt. Vernon. It will give the college access to $5 million in available cash reserves. The move was prompted by the state of Illinois' continuing budget issues.
RLC to discontinue participation in SICCM
The board approved a resolution to discontinue participation in the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market and give notice to be effective June 30, 2017. The college also will evaluate the continuation of SICCM programs - Veterinary Technician, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Medical Laboratory Technology and Surgical Technology - as to their practicality and productivity through gainful employment and profitability. The partnerships to continue offering students opportunities in our district exist between the individual institutions without the need for a physical presence of SICCM. Other members of the consortium include Southeastern Illinois College, Shawnee College, John A. Logan College, Kaskaskia College and Southern Illinois University. The consortium was created in 1973, but the viability of the model combined with the budget impasse of the state makes the current arrangement unnecessary.
Two PHS projects submitted to ICCB
The board granted permission to submit Protection, Health and Safety project applications to the Illinois Community College Board for HVAC upgrades in the Advance Technology Center; replacement of the roof, flashing and guttering on the Administration Building; and various gutter replacement across campus. Permission also was granted to bid these projects pending ICCB approval.
Articulation agreement for Early Childhood Education with SIUC receives approval
A program articulation agreement between RLC and Southern Illinois University Carbondale for Early Childhood Education was approved Tuesday. This agreement will allow students to complete an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education at Rend Lake College and transfer seamlessly to SIUC in good standing provided they have completed the agreed-upon coursework.
Phillips transfers to STARS, Page joins Liberal Arts
The board ratified the transfer of Jessica Phillips from Administrative Assistant for the Liberal Arts Division to Student Support Services Advisor effective Sept. 1. Her experience with students and staff while working in Liberal Arts and her familiarity with campus procedures make her an excellent choice for the position. She will be in the Student Transfer and Retention Support program of SSS.
In a related move, the board appointed Kelsey Page as Administrative Assistant for the Liberal Arts Division, effective Sept. 26. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Murray State University as well as Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees from RLC. She most recently worked in accounts payable for the Rend Lake Conservancy District.
Fullerton joins Foundation ranks
The board granted permission to create the position of RLC Foundation Development Coordinator, approved the accompanying job description and ratified the appointment of Britt Fullerton effective Sept. 26, pending concurrence with the RLC Foundation Board of Directors. The new position better fits the duties and will help meet the expectations of the Foundation. Fullerton holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and most recently worked as a staff accountant for National Railway Equipment.
Three retirements receive approval
The board accepted with regret three retirement resignations Tuesday.
- Jean Huie, Executive Assistant to Vice President of Academic Instruction, effective June 30, 2018. She has worked full-time for Rend Lake College since June 1989. "Working at Rend Lake College has been a very rewarding career. I am very grateful for all of the opportunities I have been given to grow professionally and am grateful to have worked with outstanding Board of Trustee members, administrators, staff, faculty and students," Huie wrote in her retirement letter. "Even though I will miss everyone associated with Rend Lake College, I will always be one of its biggest cheerleaders. Thank you all for making this such a fun job to come to every day."
- Leah Stallman, TRIO Director, effective Aug. 31, 2019. She has been with the college full-time since April 2008, and oversees the Student Transfer and Retention Support and Upward Bound programs. "I am proud to say that I believe that the support from the RLC Board of Trustees, administration, faculty and staff, in addition to the hard work of the TRIO staff, have made both Upward Bound and STARS two of the most successful TRIO programs in the nation," Stallman wrote in her retirement letter. "I appreciation the opportunities given to me at Rend Lake College and look forward to spending the last years of my professional career on a wonderful campus with so many people who have become not only my colleagues, but also my friends."
- Marcia Whitehead, TRIO Program Specialist, effective Aug. 31, 2019. She has worked full-time at RLC since October 2001. In her retirement letter, Whitehead writes that she has "approached each day with respect for Rend Lake College polices and enthusiasm for the educational environment.
Resignations from two
The board approved two resignations Tuesday.
- April McCormick, Financial Aid Specialist, effective Sept. 9. She had been employed full-time since June 2010. "My time at Rend Lake College has been one of the most rewarding experiences both personally and professionally," McCormick wrote in her resignation letter. "Thank you for the many opportunities that have been given to me."
- Macey Ellis, Business Office / Human Resources Specialist, effective Sept. 30. She had been with RLC full-time since July 2013. "It has been a great pleasure working with you and representing Rend Lake College," Ellis wrote in her resignation letter. "Thank you for this great learning opportunity."
In other business, the board ...
- Approved a new course, Human Development, and authorized its submission to the Illinois Community College Board for action.
- Adopted a resolution appointing Terry Wilkerson, RLC President, and Angie Kistner, Vice President of Finance and Administration, as representatives of the RLC Board Secretary for the purpose of accepting candidate nominating petitions.
- Approved revision to board policy and procedure concerning the workweek, travel and travel reimbursement (first reading).
- Approved revisions to the job description for Assistant Director of the RLC Foundation.
Mark your calendars …
- Visiting Artist Series, Kris Killman Photography, Sept. 9-Oct. 28, RLC Theatre Lobby.
- Fun Fest, Noon-3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, RLC Campus.
- RLC Foundation Annual Golf Outing, Thursday, Sept. 15, Rend Lake Golf Course.
- Host site of Illinois Workforce Investment Board meetings, Thursday, Sept. 15, RLC Ina campus.
- Illinois Regional College Fair, 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, Waugh Gymnasium.
- CTE Career Days, Sept. 21-22, RLC Ina campus.
- Upward Bound Banquet, Thursday, Sept. 29, James "Hummer" Waugh Gymnasium.
- Warrior Fest, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, RLC Ina campus. Car show, children's activities, food, vendors, games and more.
- Faculty / Staff In-Service, Monday, Oct. 10.
- RLC Preview Day, 3-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, all campuses. Faculty and staff on hand to provide information about programs and services; tours available; plus prizes, including an academic award worth up to 12 credit hours.
- Free Certified Nurse Assistant Conference, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, RLC Learning Resource Center.
- RLC Foundation 27th Annual Scholarship Banquet, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, Rend Lake Resort.
- ICCTA Southeast Region Trustees Meeting, Thursday, Nov. 3, Southeastern Illinois College.
