Frontier Community College Board of Trustees met November 21.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
Agenda #1 – “Call to Order & Roll Call” – Chairman G. Andrew Fischer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and directed the Board Secretary, Renee Smith, to call the roll.
Roll Call: The Secretary called the roll of members present and the following trustees answered to their names as called and were found to be present:
G. Andrew Fischer, John D. Brooks, Gary Carter, Brenda K. Culver, Alan Henager, James Lane, Jan Ridgely. Also present was Madison Ferreira, student trustee. Trustees absent: None. There being a quorum present, the Chair declared the Board of Trustees to be in open, public session for the transaction of business.
(Note: In accordance with Board of Trustees Policy No. 100.4, the student trustee shall have an advisory vote, to be recorded in the Board Minutes. The advisory vote may not be counted in declaring a motion to have passed or failed.)
Also present at this meeting, in addition to trustees:
Terry L. Bruce, Chief Executive Officer/Chief Operating Officer.
Jay Edgren, President of Frontier Community College.
Matt Fowler, President of Wabash Valley College.
Ryan Gower, President of Lincoln Trail College.
Rodney Ranes, President of Olney Central College.
Roger Browning, Chief Finance Officer/Treasurer.
Tara Buerster, Director of Human Resources.
Jeff Cutchin, Chief Academic Officer.
Renee Smith, Executive Assistant to CEO/Board Secretary.
Michael Thomas, Dean of Workforce Education.
Agenda #2 – “Disposition of Minutes” – Open meeting minutes of the Regular Meeting, Tuesday, October 17, 2017 were presented for disposition.
Board Action: Trustee James Lane made a motion to approve minutes of the foregoing meeting as prepared. Student Trustee Madison Ferreira seconded the motion. The Chair asked trustees in favor of the motion to say “Aye” and those opposed to say “No.” The voice vote was taken and the Chair declared the “Ayes” have it and the motion was adopted.
Agenda #3 - “Public Hearing on 2017 Tax Levy” -
1. Public Hearing: The Chairman announced that the next agenda item for the Board of Trustees was a public hearing to receive comments on the 2017 Tax Levy.
2. Motion to Recess Regular Meeting and Reconvene Following Hearing: “The Chair announced he would entertain a motion that the Board recess its regular meeting and reconvene immediately following the Tax Levy Hearing”
3. Public Hearing: Trustee Brenda Culver moved that the Board recess its regular meeting and reconvene immediately following the Tax Levy Hearing. Trustee Gary Carter seconded the motion. The Chair asked trustees in favor of the motion to say “Aye” and those opposed to say “No”. The voice vote was taken and the Chair declared the “Ayes” have it and the motion carried.
4. Motion to Convene Tax Levy Hearing: Trustee Brenda Culver made the following motion: “I move that Illinois Eastern Community College District 529, Counties of Richland, Clark, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland, Edwards, Hamilton, Jasper, Lawrence, Wabash, Wayne, and White now convene a Tax Levy Hearing on this 21st day of November, 2017. The purpose of the Tax Levy Hearing is to receive public comments on the 2017 Tax Levy.” Trustee James Lane seconded the motion. The Chair asked trustees in favor of the motion to say “Aye” and those opposed to say “No.” The voice vote was taken and the Chair declared the “Ayes” have it and the motion carried.
5. Public Hearing: The Chairman declared that the Board is now in a hearing on the 2017 Tax Levy. The Secretary was directed to call the roll for attendance. The roll call was taken and the following trustees answered to their names as called: John Brooks, Gary Carter, Brenda Culver, Andrew Fischer, Al Henager, James Lane, Jan Ridgely, and Madison Ferreira, student trustee. Trustees Absent: None.
6. Public Hearing: The Chairman declared that a quorum is present and the Tax Levy Hearing is now open.
7. Public Oral Testimony: The Chairman asked if any members of the public wished to provide oral testimony on the 2017 Tax Levy. There were none.
8. Public Written Testimony: The Chairman asked if any members of the public wished to provide written testimony concerning the 2017 Tax Levy. There were none.
9. Public Hearing Adjourned: The Chairman announced that all persons desiring to be heard have been given an opportunity to provide oral or written testimony with respect to the 2017 Tax Levy. Hearing no additional requests, the Chair asked for a motion to conclude and adjourn the hearing. Trustee Al Henager made a motion to conclude and adjourn the hearing. Trustee Brenda Culver seconded the motion. The Chair directed the Secretary to call the roll. The roll call was taken and the following trustees answered to their names as called: John Brooks, Gary Carter, Brenda Culver, Andrew Fischer, Al Henager, James Lane, Jan Ridgely, and Madison Ferreira, student trustee. Trustees Absent: None. The Chair declared the motion carried, and the Tax Levy Hearing was adjourned. The Chair stated that pursuant to the prior motion, the Board of Trustees was now in open, public session for the transaction of business, a quorum being present.
Agenda #4 – “Recognition of Visitors & Guests” –
#4-A. Visitors & Guests: Visitors & guests present were recognized, including several college staff members.
#4-B. IECEA Representative: John Kendall, IECEA President was present and expressed appreciation for the work of the Board of Trustees.
Agenda #5 – “Public Comment” - None.
Agenda #6 – “Reports” -
#6-A. Report from Trustees: - None.
#6-B. Report from Presidents: Electronic and written reports were presented by the Presidents.
#6-C. Report from Cabinet: - None.
Agenda #7 – “Policy First Reading (and Possible Approval) – None.
Agenda #8 – “Policy Second Reading” - None.
Agenda #9 – “Staff Recommendations for Approval” – The following staff recommendations were presented for approval.
#9-A. Certificate of Compliance with the Truth in Taxation Law: The CEO recommended approval for the Chairman to sign the Truth in Taxation Certificate of Compliance, containing the following statements relative to this community college district:
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that I am the presiding officer of Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 and as such presiding officer, I certify that the levy ordinance, a copy of which is attached, was adopted pursuant to, and in all respects in compliance with the provisions Sections 18-60 through 18-85 of the “Truth in Taxation” Law.
The taxing district published a notice in the newspaper and conducted a hearing, meeting the requirements of the Truth in Taxation Law. The certificate applies to the 2017 levy.
Board Action: Trustee Brenda Culver made a motion to approve the Certificate of Compliance with the Truth in Taxation Law as recommended. Trustee James Lane seconded the motion and on a recorded roll call vote ordered by the Chair, the following trustees voted yea: John Brooks, Gary Carter, Brenda Culver, Andrew Fischer, Al Henager, James lane, Jan Ridgely. Student advisory vote: Yea. Trustees voting nay: None. Trustees absent: None. The motion having received 7 yea votes and 0 nay votes, the Chair declared the motion carried.
#9-B. Certificate of Tax Levy for FY2019: Mr. Browning reviewed the Certificate of Tax Levy, showing the following sums to be levied on the taxable property of this community college district:
the sum of $ 2,712,500 to be levied as a tax for educational purposes (110 ILCS 805/3-1), and
the sum of $ 1,162,500 to be levied as a tax for operations and maintenance purposes (110 ILCS 805/3-1), and
the sum of $ 0 to be levied as an additional tax for educational and operations and maintenance purposes (110 ILCS 805/3-14.3), and
the sum of $ 450,000 to be levied as a special tax for purposes of the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/9-107), and
the sum of $ 200,000 to be levied as a special tax for Social Security and Medicare insurance purposes (40 ILCS 5/21-110 and 5/21-110.1), and
the sum of $ 80,000 to be levied as a special tax for financial audit purposes (50 ILCS 310/9), and
the sum of $ 0 to be levied as a special tax for protection, health and safety purposes (110 ILCS 805/3-20.3.01), and
the sum of $ 100,000 to be levied as a special tax for (specify) worker’s compensation & unemployment purposes, on the taxable property of our community college district for the year 2017. Number of bond issues of said community college district which have not been paid in full: 2. This certificate of tax levy shall be filed with the county clerk of each county in which any part of the community college district is located on or before the last Tuesday in December.
Board Action: Trustee James Lane made a motion to approve the Certificate of Tax Levy as recommended. Trustee Gary Carter seconded the motion and on a recorded roll call vote ordered by the Chair the following trustees voted yea: John Brooks, Gary Carter, Brenda Culver, Andrew Fischer, Al Henager, James Lane, Jan Ridgely. Student advisory vote: Yea. Trustees voting nay: None. Trustees absent: None. The motion having received 7 yea votes and 0 nay votes, the Chair declared the motion carried.
#9-C. GASB Designation of Tax Levy Year: Mr. Browning reviewed certain GASBE guidelines regarding tax levies. Under guidelines established by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), IECC may designate the fiscal year that the District’s tax levy is to be recognized as income. Currently, the Board of Trustees does a levy and extension for taxes based upon calendar years which overlap the District’s school year and the District’s fiscal year. The following resolution clarifies that under GASB guidelines, taxes levied by the District for calendar year 2017 will be collected late in calendar year 2018 and that income from the collection of such funds will be allocated 100% to Fiscal Year 2019 (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019).
Be it resolved by the Board of Trustees of Illinois Eastern Community College District #529, Counties of Clark, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland, Edwards, Hamilton, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne and White and State of Illinois, as follows:
That the Board hereby incorporates, by reference, all prior resolutions adopted in calendar year 2017 concerning tax levies and extensions
Be it further resolved by the Board of Trustees of Illinois Eastern Community College District #529, Counties of Clark, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland, Edwards, Hamilton, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne and White and State of Illinois, as follows:
That the sum of Two Million Seven Hundred Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,712,500) be levied as a tax for Educational purposes; and the sum of One Million One Hundred Sixty Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,162,500) be levied as a tax for Operations and Maintenance purposes; and the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) be levied as a special tax for Social Security and Medicare purposes; and the sum of Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000) be levied as a special tax for Financial Audit purposes; and the sum of Four Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($450,000) be levied as a special tax for purposes of the Local Government and Governmental Employees Tort Immunities Act; and the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) be levied as a special tax for Worker’s Compensation and Unemployment purposes on the equalized assessed value of the taxable property of Community College District #529, Counties of Clark, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland, Edwards, Hamilton, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne and White, State of Illinois, for the year 2017 to be collected in the year 2018; and that the income from the levy for the year 2018 be allocated 100% for Fiscal Year 2019.
Board Action: Trustee Al Henager made a motion to adopt the foregoing resolution regarding designation of the tax levy year as recommended. Trustee Brenda Culver seconded the motion and on a recorded roll call vote the following trustees voted yea: John Brooks, Gary Carter, Brenda Culver, Andrew Fischer, Al Henager, James Lane, Jan Ridgely. Student advisory vote: Yea. Trustees voting nay: None. Trustees absent: None. The motion having received 7 yea votes and 0 nay votes, the Chair declared the motion carried.
#9-D. Holiday Calendar 2018: The CEO recommended approval of the proposed holiday schedule for administrative, technical, professional/non-faculty, clerical, and maintenance staff for calendar year 2018 as presented.
Board Action: Trustee James Lane made a motion to approve the Holiday Calendar for Calendar Year 2018 as recommended. Student Trustee Madison Ferreira seconded the motion and on a recorded roll call vote ordered by the Chair the following trustees voted yea: John Brooks, Gary Carter, Brenda Culver, Andrew Fischer, Al Henager, James Lane, Jan Ridgely. Student advisory vote: Yea. Trustees voting nay: None. Trustees absent: None. The motion having received 7 yea votes and 0 nay votes, the Chair declared the motion carried.
#9-E. Apprenticeship Program Fee: The CEO recommended an apprenticeship fee of $3 per credit hour for all core courses in any particular program. This fee will assist in offsetting the cost of administering the apprenticeship process.
Board Action: Trustee Brenda Culver made a motion to approve the Apprenticeship Program fee of $3.00 per credit hour for all core courses in any particular program. Trustee Jan Ridgely seconded the motion and on a recorded roll call vote ordered by the Chair the following trustees voted yea: John Brooks, Gary Carter, Brenda Culver, Andrew Fischer, Al Henager, James Lane, Jan Ridgely. Student advisory vote: Yea. Trustees voting nay: None. Trustees absent: None. The motion having received 7 yea votes and 0 nay votes, the Chair declared the motion carried.
#9-F. Board Meeting Dates and Locations for 2018: The CEO recommended approval of the following Board Meeting Dates and Locations for 2018:
Tuesday, January 16, 2018, 7 p.m., Lincoln Trail College
Tuesday, February 20, 2018, 7 p.m., Olney Central College
Tuesday, March 20, 2018, 7 p.m., Wabash Valley College
Tuesday, April 17, 2018, 7 p.m., Frontier Community College
Tuesday, May 15, 2018, 7 p.m., Lincoln Trail College
Tuesday, June 19, 2018, 7 p.m., Olney Central College
Tuesday, July 17, 2018, 7 p.m., Wabash Valley College
Tuesday, August 21, 2018, 7 p.m., Frontier Community College
Tuesday, September 18, 2018, 7 p.m., Lincoln Trail College
Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 7 p.m., Olney Central College
Tuesday, November 20, 2018, 7 p.m., Wabash Valley College
Tuesday, December 11, 2018, 7 p.m., Frontier Community College
Board Action: Trustee Gary Carter made a motion to approve the Board Meeting Dates and Locations for 2018 as recommended. Trustee Al Henager seconded the motion and on a recorded roll call vote ordered by the Chair the following trustees voted yea: John Brooks, Gary Carter, Brenda Culver, Andrew Fischer, Al Henager, James Lane, Jan Ridgely. Student advisory vote: Yea. Trustees voting nay: None. Trustees absent: None. The motion having received 7 yea votes and 0 nay votes, the Chair declared the motion carried.
#9-G. Newton Power Plant Assessment: The CEO reviewed a draft of a settlement agreement for the Newton Power Plant’s Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV). The Newton Power Plant has two generating units. During the existing 3 year EAV agreement, Dynegy took Unit #2 out of service, which could reduce the value of the facility. Dynegy accepted a proposed EAV of $52,500,000. The taxing bodies agreed that the EAV would be $33,500,000 for the taxing years 18, 19 and 20. Dynegy agreed to make Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) to the taxing bodies on $19,000,000 with the payment on $33,500,000 and the PILOT of $19,000,000, the taxing bodies will receive tax revenues as if the EAV was $52,500,000. A few final details remain to be resolved, but taxing bodies have been asked to approve this portion of the settlement now. The CEO recommended approval of the proposed agreement. The final entire agreement will be presented for approval at a later Board meeting. Board Action: Trustee John Brooks made a motion to approve the agreement with Dynegy for the Newton Power Plant Assessment. Trustee James Lane seconded the motion and on a recorded roll call vote ordered by the Chair the following trustees voted yea: John Brooks, Gary Carter, Brenda Culver, Andrew Fischer, Al Henager, James Lane, Jan Ridgely. Student advisory vote: Yea. Trustees voting nay: None. Trustees absent: None. The motion having received 7 yea votes and 0 nay votes, the Chair declared the motion carried.
#9-H. Nursing TEAS Exam Requirement: Applicants to the IECC Associate Degree in Nursing program must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam prior to the ranking deadline. The test may be taken up to two times per ranking period and the scores are good for 24 months from the ranking deadline. It is recommended that the validity of the TEAS scores be extended to 36 months instead of the current 24 months. The CEO recommended approval of extending the TEAS scores for program admission from the current 24 months to 36 months. Board Action: Trustee Al Henager made a motion to extend the validity of the TEAS scores for the Associate Degree in Nursing Program to 36 months as recommended. Trustee James Lane seconded the motion and on a recorded roll call vote ordered by the Chair the following trustees voted yea: John Brooks, Gary Carter, Brenda Culver, Andrew Fischer, Al Henager, James Lane, Jan Ridgely. Student advisory vote: Yea. Trustees voting nay: None. Trustees absent: None. The motion having received 7 yea votes and 0 nay votes, the Chair declared the motion carried.
#9-I. CPR Course Fee: The CEO recommended elimination of the current CPR card fee and allow the program to utilize the current Cost Recovery Fee to recover the cost of the American Heart Association card fee and related required material as appropriate. Board Action: Trustee James Lane made a motion to eliminate the current CPR card fee and allow the program to utilize a Cost Recovery Fee to recover the cost of the American Heart Association card fee and related required material. Trustee Brenda Culver seconded the motion and on a recorded roll call vote ordered by the Chair the following trustees voted yea: John Brooks, Gary Carter, Brenda Culver, Andrew Fischer, Al Henager, James Lane, Jan Ridgely. Student advisory vote: Yea. Trustees voting nay: None. Trustees absent: None. The motion having received 7 yea votes and 0 nay votes, the Chair declared the motion carried.
#9-J. Memorandum of Understanding with Wabash Area Development: The CEO recommended approval of the following Memorandum of Understanding between the Wabash Area Development Head Start and Early Head Start Program and WVC’s Small World Day Care Center. Under this agreement, each party will work collaboratively to screen and select Pre-Kindergarten children and refer children to each other’s programs.
Memorandum Of Understanding And Linkage Agreement Between
Wabash Area Development Inc. Head Start/Early Head Start Program And Small World—Wabash Valley College Pre-K Agreement
*This is a collaborative agreement which describes the intentions for the above two entities to work in partnership to support early childhood care and education of the families with preschool age children in the community.
In order to support comprehensive services and support for these families both parties agree to:
1. Establish and maintain open lines of communication with each other.
2. After children have been screened, meet with Head Start for the selection process for appropriate placement.
3. If families selected for the school Pre-K program are already enrolled in Head Start, it will be explained to families that they need to remain in Head Start as both programs are collaborating with this Preschool for All/Pre-K program. Head Start can provide many services that Pre-K cannot (health, dental, vision, etc). The school can provide center-based services that Head Start does not.
4. Routinely refer children to each others program and share waiting lists with each other.
5. When applicable with parent consent, each partner will release development screening results, health screenings, medical information, etc. in order for families to receive services in each program.
Special Education Agreement:
The following agreement is for the purpose of promoting cooperation in serving families with children who may be in need of special education. It is not a legally binding contract. Head Start agrees to:
1. a. Screen all children enrolled for potential problems in the areas of physical and dental health within 90 days of enrollment.
b. Screen all children enrolled for potential problems in speech, vision, hearing and development within 45 days of enrollment.
c. Complete other assessments through observation and discussion with parents.
d. Obtain a child development history on each child.
2. All children failing any section of the developmental rescreen will be referred to the school district, with parent permission, for further evaluation. We will complete referral paperwork and include results from our screenings. We will assist parents with transportation to the school for evaluations and meetings. We will assist the school in contacting parents and relaying messages.
3. We wish to participate in all conferences including the IEP and Annual Review. Head Start staff that may attend will be the teacher/home visitor, health staff, or site supervisor depending on conditions and availability of staff.
4. Head Start will dual enroll children with the school district as deemed appropriate in the IEP. We will attempt to accommodate placement in our classroom or home based program. Head Start is willing to be a placement option for children eligible for Special Education and related service if deemed appropriate at the IEP and parents are in agreement.
5. We will conference with all teachers of dual enrolled children to ensure continuity of programs, building on and reinforcing the objectives set on the IEP.
6. Head Start will obtain written consents of parents to share all information to and from the school district. We will request copies of all evaluations done and all conferences including the IEP. We will observe confidentiality of the information shared.
7. We will notify you of any child in our Early Head Start program meeting disability criteria who turns three years old at least six months in advance of their turning three years of age.
8. Head Start will assist parents in understanding their rights under the provisions of Part B IDEA.
Head Start will participate in transition meetings with Early Intervention and the local school district for all children with disabilities entering the school systems. Head Start will prepare the child and parent for a smooth transition into the school system. Visiting and conference activities will be coordinated with the school personnel.
http://www.iecc.edu/files_user/DOBM/files/BoardBookDec2017.pdf
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