Please contact the Marketing & Communications Department at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1223 or by email if you have questions or need information.
Board of Trustees Meeting - February 11, 2025
Meeting Highlights
Under New Business, the Board:
- Approved the withdrawal of courses and to authorize their submission to the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) for action effective on the dates listed below.
- Course Withdrawal - ENGL 1204 - Selected Topics in Liberal Arts
Effective 2/1/2025 - Course Withdrawal - ENGL 1205 - Selected Topics in English & Literature
Effective 2/1/2025 - Course Withdrawal - PHSC 1201 - Selected Topics in Science
Effective 2/1/2025 - Course Withdrawal - MATH 1203 - Selected Topics in Mathematics
Effective 2/1/2025
RATIONALE: The above items have been approved by the Curriculum Committee and Academic Council. These course and curriculum requests improve the college's educational offerings and support efforts to enhance the quality of instruction.
- Course Withdrawal - ENGL 1204 - Selected Topics in Liberal Arts
- Approved Revisions to Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 4.1115 – Fees, effective the Fall Term 2025.
RATIONALE: Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 4.1115 – Fees needs to be updated to better reflect the needs of the college. - Approved Revisions to Rend Lake College Board Policy & Procedure 3.1205 – Performance Evaluation and Tenure of Faculty Members as presented, effective February 11, 2025.
RATIONALE: The tenured/tenure track faculty seniority list is updated each February and October as needed and requires Board approval for revisions. - Approved Revisions to Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 4.1500 – Collection of Student Fees and Debts, effective February 11, 2025.
RATIONALE: Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 4.1500 – Collection of Student Fees and Debts, needs to be updated to better reflect the needs of the college. - Approved Revisions to Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 2.1200 – Addressing Discrimination and Harassment (to Include Sexual Assault, Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking), first reading, effective January 31, 2025.
RATIONALE: Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 2.1200 – Addressing Discrimination and Harassment (to Include Sexual Assault, Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking) needs to be updated due to the most recent Title IX regulations, which took effect August 1, 2024, being struck down in U.S. District Court. RLC’s policy will revert back, with minor revisions, to the one in effect prior to August 1, 2024. This policy and procedure change will be retroactive to January 31, 2025, which is when the court’s decision was rendered. - Approved Tuition Rates for FY 2026, effective Summer 2025 term.
RATIONALE: At this time, the College feels that it will be able to maintain a strong financial position and meet the forecasted budgetary needs of the College without increasing our tuition rates. - Accepted the fiscal year 2024 audit and annual comprehensive financial report.
RATIONALE: The audit and financial statements have been reviewed with the independent auditors, and management believes that they are fairly presented. - Approved Resolution in Support of the Extension of the Route 15 Interstate 57 Tax Increment Financing District, effective February 11, 2025.
RATIONALE: The Route 15 Interstate 57 Tax Increment Financing District has been an effective tool for attracting private investment in the City of Mt. Vernon and the Rend Lake College District. - Approved Resolution in Support of the Extension of the Industrial park Conservation Tax Increment Financing District, effective February 11, 2025.
RATIONALE: The Industrial Park Conservation Tax Increment Financing District has been an effective tool for attracting private investment in the City of Mt. Vernon and the Rend Lake College District. - Granted Permission to Request Proposals for Audit Services for Rend Lake College District 521 and the Rend Lake College Foundation for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2025, through June 30, 2027, effective February 11, 2025.
RATIONALE: The College’s contract with our current audit firm—Kemper CPA Group—expired with the conclusion of the FY 2024 audit. The administration intends to complete the bid process in March 2025 and seek board approval of the bids at the March 2025 board meeting. Since the Foundation is a component unit of the college, the audit will be combined into a single engagement. - Permission to Amend and Fund Trust Agreement for CDB Project #810-078-029, effective February 11, 2025.
RATIONALE: The cost of this project has escalated beyond its original estimate. Additional deferred maintenance funds have been appropriated by the Illinois Community College Board, and this requires Rend Lake College to increase its local match. - Granted Permission to Bid Purchase of a Semi-Tractor, effective February 11, 2025.
RATIONALE: The College’s current semi-tractors are of an age where they need significant repairs and cause down time during class offerings. An additional semi-tractor would support the increase in CDL offerings and high demand for drivers in the industry currently exist. - Granted permission to award the replacement of the Bleachers in the Rend Lake College James "Hummer" Waugh Gymnasium, effective February 11, 2025.
RATIONALE: In response to the advertisement for competitive bids, the college received three competitive bids. Based on the bid specifications, Heartland Seating, Inc. was the lowest bidder at $252,296.00.
Under Personnel, the Board:
- Accepted with regret the resignation of Kendall Kaskie, Retention & Career Services Specialist, effective January 29, 2025.
- Accepted with regret the retirement resignation of Cary Hottes, Subsidy Services Coordinator at Rend Lake College Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR), effective June 30, 2025.
- Appointed Roger Erthall as Police Officer, effective February 16, 2025.
- Appointed Shanda Anthis as Security Officer for the RLC MarketPlace, effective February 16, 2025.
- Appointed Sarah Tepovich as Retention & Career Services Specialist, effective February 12, 2025.
- Ratified the appointment of Haley Miller as Lead Teacher in the Toddler Room for the Rend Lake College Foundation Children’s Center, effective January 16, 2025.
- Granted tenure to Andrew Chambliss, Industrial Electronics & Maintenance Instructor, effective February 11, 2025.
- Granted tenure to Zach Hostetter, Nursing Instructor, effective February 11, 2025.
- Granted permission to create the position and job description and advertise for an Event Coordinator, effective February 11, 2025.
- Approved a first reading of the President Designee's Contract with Lori Ragland, Executive Vice President and President Designee.
Under Financial Information, the Board:
- Approved ratification of the Payment of College Expenses including Travel Expense Reimbursements.
Mark Your Calendars
Tuesday, February 18, 2025; 8am-3pm
In-Service
RLC Ina Campus
Tuesday, February 18, 2025; 4pm
RLC Open House
Event Center
Thursday, February 27, 2025; 5:30pm
Annual RLC Foundation Scholarship Dinner
Event Center
Thursday, March 6, 2025; 8:00am
Transition Summit
Event Center
Tuesday, March 11, 2025; 6:30pm
RLC Board of Trustee Meeting
Event Center
Tuesday, March 18, 2025; 5:00pm
Advisory Committee Meetings
Event Center and Breakout Rooms
Thursday, March 20, 2025; 5pm-9pm
Art Show Reception and Awards
Theater
Each Thursday, March 20 through May 1st
Culinary Showcases
Reservations begin 3/3/2025
Tuesday, March 25, 2025; 8am-4:30pm
ACEN Site Visit
Various Buildings on the Ina Campus
Thursday, March 27, 2025; 5pm-7pm
Auto Open House
Vocational Building Auto Shop & Lab
Thursday - Saturday, April 3 - 5, 2025; 7:00pm & Matinee Sunday, April 6; 2:00pm
Spring Musical “Legally Blonde”
Theater
Tuesday, April 8, 2025; 6:30pm
RLC Board of Trustee Meeting
Event Center
Thursday & Friday, April 10 & 11, 2025; 8:00am
Kickstart Your Journey
Event Center
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’s Center
Friday, April 24, 2025; 9am-1pm
Kindergarten Day
Event Center and Various Breakout Rooms
Friday, May 2, 2025; 8am-1pm
Career Connections (8th graders)
Event Center
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Rend Lake College Graduation
8:30am – AA/AS/AES/AFA
11:00am – AAS/Certificate
Outdoors at the Track
Resources
By: Kendra Gregory
, gregoryk@rlc.edu
