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 - June 10, 2025
Meeting Highlights
Notable News:
It was Terry Wilkerson's final Board of Trustees meeting as President of the college. Wilkerson announced at the end of 2023 that he would be retiring June 30 of this year. Executive Vice President Lori Ragland was named the college's next president in March.
"Thanks for the fun ride," Wilkerson told the board. "All the boards [throughout the years] have been very good. They've been focused on the institution ... and also open-minded and understanding in dealing with the changing landscape of education. The boards have been great to work with and I've had a great staff — people around me who have supported me personally and professionally. ... I've had fun. I'll be rooting for you guys."
In meeting action, John D. Aiken of Benton was appointed to the board to fill the position vacated by Jeff Jones. Aiken will serve the remainder of Jones' term that expires in 2027. Jones, of Whittington, has served the district as a board member since 2017 and worked multiple years as Secretary for the board. Aiken has served as the chairman of the City of Benton, Illinois Fire and Police Commissioners, and the Rotary Club of Benton. Board member Tony Wielt was voted in as the new secretary.
Under New Business, the Board:
- Approved the changes to an existing course and authorized its submission to the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) for action effective on the dates listed below.
- AGAT 1201 Ag Tech Software Applications
(Current: Credit Hours- 4 Lecture Hours- 3 Lab Hours- 2)
(Proposed: Credit Hours- 4 Lecture Hours- 4 Lab Hours-0)
Effective 8/1/2025
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.
- Approved Revisions to Rend Lake College Board Policy & Procedure 6.1010 – Use of Force, SECOND READING, effective June 10, 2025.
RATIONALE: This policy revision is required to better meet the needs of the institution.
- Approved Revisions to Job Descriptions, effective June 10, 2025.
RATIONALE: These job description revisions are needed to better meet the needs of the institution.
- Approved Revisions to Rend Lake College Board Policy & Procedure 3.1115 – Stipends, effective June 10, 2025.
RATIONALE: The stipend list reflects revisions to better meet the needs of the college.
- Approved Revisions to Rend Lake College Board Policy & Procedure 5.1215 – Travel Reimbursement, FIRST READING, effective July 8, 2025.
RATIONALE: Revisions to this procedure are needed to better align with IRS guidelines.
- Approved Revisions to Rend Lake College Board Policy & Procedure 2.1720 – Community Use of College Facilities, FIRST READING, effective July 8, 2025.
RATIONALE: These revisions are needed to better meet the needs of the college.
- Approved 2025 - 2026 RLCF Children's Center Handbook, effective June 10, 2025.
RATIONALE: The RLCF Children's Center Handbook has been updated to reflect revisions to board policy & procedure and/or updates to processes that have changed within the program.
- Ratified Award for Purchase of a 2025 Chrysler Voyager LX Van for the college fleet for the amount of $40,092.70 (including fees), effective June 10, 2025.
RATIONALE: In response to the advertisements for competitive bids and the bid specifications, Greg Weeks Benton, Inc was the low bidder.
- Approved 2025 - 2026 Treasurer’s Bond, effective July 1, 2025.
RATIONALE: 110 ILCS 805/3-19 requires that the College execute and obtain a surety bond from a recognized agent for the Treasurer of the district. The amount required must be for an amount no less than 25% of the total of all
bonds, notes, mortgages, moneys, and effects of which the Treasurer is to have custody. After a review of the current cash balances, investments held, and bonds outstanding it has been determined that the College needs a surety bond
in an amount no less than $17,720,376.50 to meet the legal requirement for the protection of the District’s counties and the State of Illinois.
- Approved Engagement Letter for FY 2025 Audit, effective July 1, 2025.
RATIONALE: In March 2025, the Board of Trustees agreed to a three-year engagement for the providing of audit services with Sikich CPA LLC. The college’s portion of the cost of these services for FY 25 will be $67,500.
- Approved Resolution Directing Treasurer to Transfer FY25 Working Cash Investment Interest to Operations and Maintenance Fund, effective June 30, 2025.
RATIONALE: 110 ILCS 805/3-33.6 permits community colleges to transfer funds earned as interest from the investment of the working cash fund to the operations and maintenance fund without any requirement of repayment, upon the authority of the board by separate resolution.
- Approved Payment of Additional FY2025 Health Insurance Expenses, effective June 10, 2025.
RATIONALE: In FY25, our monthly, self-funded health insurance premiums were $840 per-employee, per-month. This discrepancy between our premium and our actual costs has required us to use health insurance reserve funds to pay medical claims.
- Approved Revisions to Memorandum of Understanding between Rend Lake College and Rend Lake
College Foundation, effective June 10, 2025.
RATIONALE: This Memorandum of Understanding updates and clarifies the relationship of the Rend Lake College Foundation to the College; as it aligns with previous action by both boards.
- Approved Joint Agreement for Dual Credit Educational Cooperation Between Rend Lake College, District #521 and
John A. Logan College, District #530, effective June 10, 2025.
RATIONALE: This Joint Agreement will allow the community colleges to provide additional educational programs to the high school students of each district.
Under Personnel, the Board:
- Ratified acceptance of the retirement resignation of John "Pat" Petro, Maintenance Technician, effective July 31, 2025.
- Appointed Rachel Lewis as Development Coordinator of the RLC Foundation and Approved Revisions to the Job Description, effective June 23, 2025.
- Approved the non-renewal of the employment contract of Non-Tenured Land of Lincoln AmeriCorps Director, effective June 30, 2025.
- Granted Permission to Create the Position, Job Description, and Transfer Mallory Howell from Controller to Bursar and Director of Accounting, effective June 16, 2025.
- Granted Permission to Create the Position and Job Description and Transfer Amy Epplin from Director of Institutional Compliance & Research to Dean of Institutional Research, effective June 16, 2025.
- Granted Permission to Create the Position and Job Description, and Advertise for Director of Financial Aid.
- Granted Permission to Create a $5,000 Stipend and Job Description for Coordinator of Sustainability and Renewable Energy, effective July 1, 2025.
- Granted Permission to Create a Stipend and Job Description for Entrepreneurship Coordinator, effective July 1, 2025. This stipend position will be in the amount of three equated load hours per semester (Fall/Spring).
- Approved FY 2026 salaries for administration, academic support, office support, police department, and physical plant personnel as provided, and authorized the administration to set appropriate contract lengths as they see fit, not to exceed one year.
Under Financial Information, the Board:
- Approved ratification of the Payment of College Expenses including Travel Expense Reimbursements.
Mark Your Calendars
Thursday, June 12, 2025; 11am – 1pm
President Wilkerson’s Retirement Celebration
Event Center
June 13, 17, and 21, 2025; 9am-12pm
Blastoff! Kids Camp
Science 115
Tuesday, June 17, 2025; 5:30pm-7:30pm
Fraud Defense with Banterra
SIMA 431
Thursday, June 26, 2025; 2pm-3pm
LPN Pinning
Theater
Monday-Wednesday, June 30-July 2, 2025
Lego Kids Camps
Student Center, Time Varies (schedule online)
Tuesday, July 8, 2025; 6:30pm
Board of Trustees Meeting
Event Center
Friday, July 25, 2025
Last Day of Summer Classes
All Campuses
Monday-Thursday, July 28-31, 2025
Outdoor Life Kids Camp
Agronomy Innovation Center 107A
Wednesday, July 30, 2025; 9am-12pm
Warrior Days
Event Center
Wednesday, August 6, 2025; 9am-12pm
Warrior Days
Event Center
Thursday, August 7, 2025; 12:00pm
RLC Foundation Board of Director’s Meeting
Student Center 110
Tuesday, August 12, 2025; 6:30pm
RLC Board of Trustees Meeting
Event Center
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Super Saturday - Warrior Days
Event Center 9:00am – 12:00pm
Admin, ACA 12:00 – 2:00pm
Monday, August 18, 2025
First Day of Fall Classes
All Campuses
Thursday, September 4, 2025; 12pm Start
RLCF 45th Annual Golf Outing
Rend Lake Golf Course
Resources