Michael Beavers

Key discussions and action items for the meeting included the College's 60th Anniversary Celebration Plans, proposed resolution approving participation in the Coles County Enterprise Zone, growth of Criminal Justice Programs, updates on Tableau Data Visualization Tools, presentation on converting to Ellucian SaaS, the Spring Census Enrollment Report, and review of grant opportunities. Action items involved approval of Special Event Tuition Waivers, approval of the recommendation for the Clem Phipps Exemplary Trustee Award and naming of the Main Entrance Plaza after Mike Sullivan, approval of a purchase for a Manikin Simulator for the Nursing Program, acceptance of grants and financial statements, declaration of surplus items, approval of annual board meeting schedule, approval of course fees, and approval of necessary policy revisions concerning Military Leave, Additional Protected Leave Policies, and academic requirements (Degrees and Awards, General Education, Graduation Requirements). An action item also addressed the approval of a bid for an Electric Vehicle Charger Station at the Effingham Technology Center, and personnel matters were handled following a closed session, including the appointment of a Director of Strategic Initiatives and approval of the Human Resources Report.

The primary meeting discussed includes routine items, committee reports, and business items. Key action items for the January 12, 2026, Regular Meeting include the approval of the agenda, payment of bills, acceptance of grants from ICCB for mental health support and trade pathways, financial statement acceptance (November 2025), declaration of surplus items (including a 2020 Ford Escape), policy revisions concerning the Freedom of Information Act and Grade Exclusion, approval of a resolution to abate tax for debt service on General Obligation Refunding Bonds, authorization for the tentative budget preparation for FY 2027, approval of the Certificate of Tax Levy for 2025, approval of a new student organization (Epsilon Sigma Alpha), approval of a major contract upgrade with Ellucian for SaaS software, and approval of professional services for the SaaS conversion. Non-action items include the Quarterly Investment Report, Annual Assessment Report, updates on lab renovations, data visualization tools, and a recommendation for posthumously naming the new main entrance plaza after Mike Sullivan. The document also references the minutes from the December 8, 2025, Regular Meeting and the January 8, 2026, Special Board of Trustees Meeting.

The meeting included the approval of several consent items, excluding previous meeting minutes, such as bills for payment, travel expenses, and the destruction of a tape recording from a June 2024 closed session. Key discussions involved committee reports, with the Foundation highlighting scholarship recipient events and the opening of the 2026-2027 scholarship application. The Student Government Association (SGA) reported on club funds distribution, election process discussions, and strategic plan input. The President reported on outstanding payments from the State of Illinois and the Department of Corrections, and noted the college received approval for its first competency-based education programs. Action items included accepting three ICCB grants totaling $537,390.63 for mental health, trades pathways, and transition programs; approving the October 2025 Financial Statements; and declaring surplus a 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid, various technology items, and miscellaneous furniture. The Board approved revisions to Board Policy 02.16 regarding the Freedom of Information Act, approved a resolution to abate the tax levied for debt service on General Obligation Refunding Bonds Series 2016B, and authorized the preparation of the tentative FY 2027 Budget. Further action included approving the Certificate of Tax Levy for the 2025 levy year, approving the new student organization Epsilon Sigma Alpha, and approving a 5+ year agreement not to exceed $4,497,957 for Ellucian SaaS software conversion, alongside professional services up to $1,452,786 for the transition. The Board also approved the renewal of Circa Compliance Services for three years and waived the second reading to approve revisions to Board Policy 06.54 (Grade Exclusion) to reduce the non-enrollment requirement from five to two years. Policy revisions for Board Policy 07.01 (Admission of Students) and 07.01.02 were also approved. Following a closed session to discuss personnel matters, the Board approved the release of specific closed session minutes from previous meetings and approved the Human Resources Report, which included recommendations for FMLA leave, new hires, and employee transfers.

The meeting commenced with a call to order and roll call. Following the hearing of citizens, faculty, and staff, during which there were no public comments, the primary action item was the appointment of Ms. Misty Stone to the full-time, tenure-track nursing instructor position, effective January 9, 2026. The motion to appoint was carried. The meeting concluded with an adjournment.

The agenda for the regular meeting included routine items such as the approval of bills for payment and travel expenses, and the discussion of destruction of a tape recording from a previous closed session. Business items covered several actions, including the acceptance of multiple grants (ICCB Noncredit Strategies at Work, IBHE Nursing School Grant, ICCB Strengthening Mental Health Supports, ICCB Taking Back the Trades, and ICCB Innovative Bridge and Transitions Program), acceptance of the October 2025 Financial Statements, declaration of surplus equipment, approval of proposed revisions to Board Policies regarding the Freedom of Information Act and Student Trustee roles, authorization for tax levy certification resolutions, and approval of contracts for Ellucian SaaS software conversion and Circa Compliance Services. Additionally, the Board reviewed non-action items such as Navigator News awards, the Post Issuance Tax Compliance Report, and the monthly data point discussion on Fall 2025 Survey Results.