RLC Board Of Trustees Meeting Highlights April 8, 2025

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Board of Trustees Meeting - April 8, 2025

Meeting Highlights

Notable News:

Outgoing Rend Lake College Student Trustee Wyatt Hamson (left) and new Student Trustee Henry Meinert

Current Student Trustee Wyatt Hamson (Belle Rive) completed his 2024-25 term and turned the seat over to new Student Trustee Henry Meinert (Benton). Meinert is on track to graduate from RLC in 2026 from the agricultural production & management program, and will serve as as student trustee for the 2025-26 term.

RLC President Terry Wilkerson presents Hamson with a commemorative plaque for his service to the RLC Board of Trustees. 

Hamson offered some advice to his successor. He focused on the word student in the position's title. 

"Student. The students have put their trust in you and the board has put their trust in you. Don't take that lightly," Hamson said. "The word student, to some, is indicative of your age. But a student's job is to always learn. Why you are here, learn from these people. ... [This board] has many examples of success in different fields. They can teach you a lot. And then, when you are standing here [like me] in a year, you can say the same." 

Meinert thanked everyone, saying, "I hope it's a good experience and I can build more relationships with the people on this board, and become a good business leader."

Flanked by fellow Jefferson County CEO students, Alisa Pak (Woodlawn) talks about her business plan with the Board of Trustees Tuesday night. 
Franklin County EDGE students, along with Jefferson County CEO students, were joined by their facilitators Lee Messersmith and Nealy Hamson in presenting the businesses they've chosen this year during the very popular entrepreneurship programs. Board members learned about some challenges a few of the students overcame in building their business models and what their plans are after high school.

The Franklin County EDGE Expo is from 5-8 p.m. April 28 at the Benton Civic Center. In addition to the student businesses, this year's event will feature something new. Each student will be giving an "EDGE Talk" about a topic they believe audiences will find interesting.

CEO students talked about the Titanic Gala fundraiser held last fall, including some highlights and challenges. Members also talked about their business plans - ranging from DIY family seashell kits and tallow skin balm, to exercise supplement Boba pearls, Asian food and homemade candy.

Jefferson County students will present their businesses at the CEO Trade Show from 4-7 p.m. April 24 at the Southern Illinois Manufacturing Academy, located at the Rend Lake College MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon.

Under New Business, the Board:

• Approved a new course, withdrawal of a course, changes to existing curriculum and to authorize their submission to the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) for action effective on the dates listed below.
  • Course Approved - IST 2260 lntegrated Mechatronics Systems
    Effective 8/1/2025
  • Withdraw Approved - IST 2258 Automated Control Systems
    Effective 8/1/2025
  • Change Approved - IST 0035 lndustrial Mechatronics and Maintenance
    Effective 8/1/2025

• Approved Revisions to Job Description, Coordinator – Child Care Assistance Program, effective April 8, 2025.
  RATIONALE: This job description revision is needed to better meet the needs of the institution.
• Approved Gym Floor Design, effective April 8, 2025.
  RATIONALE: This will allow for the design of the gymnasium floor to be refurbished and updated in conjunction with the completion of the Banterra Sports Complex addition and renovation. The floor itself still has many years of servability; so refinishing the floor is more practical than replacement.
• Granted Permission to o Update FY25 PHS Levy Project, Bid and Award, effective April 8, 2025.
  RATIONALE: Air handler unit 12 recently had significant issues which necessitate immediate replacement.

Under Personnel, the Board:

• Appointed Phillip Lynch as Custodian, effective April 14, 2025.
• Appointed Devin Frost as Custodian, effective April 14, 2025.
• Appointed John Downey as Grounds Technician, effective April 14, 2025.
• Appointed Lisa Bicanich as Childcare Assistance Program Coordinator at CCRR, effective July 1, 2025.

Under Financial Information, the Board:

• Approved ratification of the Payment of College Expenses including Travel Expense Reimbursements.

Mark Your Calendars

Thursday & Friday, April 10 & 11, 2025; 8:00am
Kickstart Your Journey
Event Center

Thursday, April 17, 2025; 6:00pm
Lake Arts Publication Reception
Off Campus

Tuesday, April 22, 2025; 12:00pm
RLC Board of Trustees Meeting
Administration Building

Thursday, April 24, 2025; 8am-1pm
Children’s Health Fair
Recreation Center

Thursday, April 24, 2025; 12:00pm
RLC Foundation Board of Directors Meeting
Student Center

Friday, April 24, 2025; 9am-1pm
Kindergarten Day
Event Center and Various Breakout Rooms

Tuesday, April 29, 2025; 6:00pm
Upward Bound Honors Banquet
Event Center

Friday, May 2, 2025; 8am-1pm
Career Connections 
Event Center

Saturday, May 3, 2025; 11:00am-3:00pm
Faculty/Staff Awards & Employee Appreciation
Event Center

Saturday, May 10, 2025; 5:30pm
Sports Hall of Fame Banquet
Student’s Center

Tuesday, May 13, 2025; 6:30pm
RLC Board of Trustees Meeting
Event Center

Thursday, May 15, 2025; 11:30am
Radiology Pinning
RLC Theater

Thursday, May 15, 2025; 3:00pm
ADN Pinning
Event Center

Thursday, May 15, 2025; 5:00pm
CNA Pinning
RLC Theater

Friday, May 16, 2025; 10:00am
PreK Graduation
RLC Theater

Saturday, May 17, 2025
Rend Lake College Graduation
8:30am – AA/AS/AES/AFA
11:00am – AAS/Certificate
Outdoors at the Track

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