Brandy Chasteen

Key discussions during the meeting included a report from the ICCTA Representative detailing new legislation requiring elected trustees to take an oath, legislative planning, and upcoming budget address discussions amid projected financial deficits. The Student Government Representative reported on the Fall 2025 academic honor lists and the start of the Spring 2026 semester. The Spoon River College Foundation reported on recent deposits, scholarship applications, and planning for their next giving day. Board members discussed an ongoing collaboration with the Macomb School District to create a career and technical education center, potentially utilizing college property. The President's report covered a slight increase in Spring 2026 enrollment compared to the previous year, noting an increase in male enrollment and a decrease in female enrollment. The Board reviewed and authorized January 2026 payments totaling $1,532,936.21. The FY25 General Audit was accepted, receiving a clean opinion on financial statements but a qualified opinion regarding the Student Financial Aid Cluster's Special Tests and Provisions (specifically NSLDS Reporting, where 11 out of 25 tested students had incorrect enrollment status reporting). The Board also adjourned to Closed Session to discuss collective negotiating matters concerning salary schedules.

The meeting agenda included General Functions such as the Pledge of Allegiance and Public Comment, followed by reports from the ICCTA Representative, Student Government Representative, and Spoon River College Foundation. The President's Report covered business and finance matters, specifically authorizing total payments of $1,228,681.38 for February 2026 expenses, and setting in-district, out-of-district, out-of-state, online, and Commercial Driving Training Program tuition and fees effective for the Fall 2026 semester. Additional items involved approving a contract with the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) to lead the Executive Search for the next President and approving a $75,000 transfer from the Education Fund Reserve to cover Presidential search estimated costs. The Board also planned to adjourn to Closed Session to discuss matters related to employee employment, negotiations, property acquisition, and property sales.

The agenda for the meeting included general functions such as a welcome of guests and public comment, and action items related to the approval of the December 17, 2025 Regular Board Meeting Minutes and the Regular Board of Trustees Meeting schedule for the upcoming period. The President's Report covered communications and the Business and Finance Report, which included authorizing specific payments totaling $1,532,936.21 for January 2026. Possible action involved accepting the General Audit for FY25, and an action item was designated to accept a Job Order Contract proposal from CORE Construction for flexible learning classrooms on the Macomb campus, pending federal funding approval. The agenda concluded with provisions for a Closed Session to discuss personnel matters, real property, or collective negotiating items, followed by adjournment.

The Board meeting included reports from the ICCTA Representative regarding the tentative legislative calendar for 2026, nomination deadlines, and upcoming trustee education seminars covering Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. The Student Government Representative reported on recent theatre productions, a successful food drive, a health topic campaign by a student association, and updates on winter break schedules. The Spoon River College Foundation reported on recent deposits, the success of Giving Spoon Day, the posting of Fellheimer Fall awards, and the opening of the main scholarship application. President Oldfield reported on new hires, including instructors and a new Financial Aid Director, and provided an update on Community Outreach, noting comparable enrollment to 2024, significant services like test proctoring, the continuation of the ICCB Non-Credit Workforce Training Grant, and successful programs such as Fiber Optics training. The Board authorized total payments of $3,635,583.23 for December 2025, adopted a resolution to open new bank accounts transferring funds to MidAmerica, and approved an extension of tenure for Hannah Stinocher by one additional semester. Finally, the Board adopted the Resolution Directing Tax Levy and the Certificate of Compliance with the Truth in Taxation Act, reflecting a proposed 4.9% increase under the 5% Truth in Taxation Levy.

The Board of Trustees meeting included reports from the ICCTA representative, Student Government representative, and Spoon River College Foundation. The board authorized payments for November 2025, adopted the PHS Project Resolution for tuckpointing at the Canton Campus, approved a job order contract for the Macomb HVAC Lab construction, and approved the purchase of welding equipment for the Macomb Campus Welding Lab. An assessment report was presented, and discussions were held regarding co-curricular assessment and institutional planning.