Prairie State College

The key discussion point involved the 2025 tentative property tax levy for Cook County and Will County. A motion was made to approve the tentative levy in the amount of $17,510,000, representing a 1.96 percent increase in specific funds. The total levy amount, including debt service, is $19,735,150. The board discussed the timing of this action, noting it was typically done in October, and established that the final vote to approve the levy would occur at a subsequent special meeting on December 11th, where the impact on the average taxpayer would also be quantified for discussion.

Key discussions included accepting the resignation of Student Trustee Charles Tate, with procedures outlined to fill the vacancy. Students presented public comments expressing concern over the upcoming resignation of two instructors for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program and uncertainty regarding the final semester's instruction and clinical oversight. The PSC Foundation presented its Schedule of Commensurate Return for fiscal year 2024 and preliminary reports for fiscal year 2025, noting significant increases in net support to the College. Action items involved approving faculty overload pay and adjunct salaries for Fall 2025 credit courses, approving the FY2026 List of Bills Payable for September, approving two new Board policies on First Reading (Non-Discrimination and Crime Awareness), approving a five-year contract with Brightspace by Desire2Learn (D2L) for the Learning Management System, approving a new Clinical Medical Assisting Certificate program, and approving the drop of several Physical Education programs (Fitness and Exercise A.A.S., Group Fitness Instructor Certificate, and Personal Trainer Certificate). The purchase of welding instructional tools and two forklifts was tabled until the December meeting. Budget transfers for September 2025 were also approved. Reports covered the President's cabinet update, the Monthly Financial Report, future college events, and updates from the ICCTA/ACCT conference regarding Artificial Intelligence trends in higher education. The SGA President reported on finalizing the SGA Constitution edits, hosting a survey event regarding the college cafe, raising funds for homelessness support, and bringing awareness to accessibility issues on the third and fourth floors of the college.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included a presentation on the success of the first in-person New Student Orientation, highlighting student engagement and retention metrics. The Board approved several consent items, including the FY2026 List of Bills Payable for August. Action items covered the final reading and approval of Board Policies A-3, A-8, A-11, and A-13 concerning Board duties and organization. The Board also reviewed and determined non-release of Closed Session minutes and retention of verbatim recordings. Financial actions involved approving the purchase of upgraded equipment and instructional tools using grant funds, approving an engagement letter for professional accounting services with CBIZ Advisors, LLC, and approving a new Programmable Logic Controller Technician Certificate program. The Board approved the fifth amendment to the agreement with Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC regarding bookstore services and concluded by voting down a proposed contract with Sikich LLC for training and accounting services. Budget transfers for August 2025 were also approved. Reports included updates on college events, foundation activities, and student government association renewals and elections.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included the seating of a new student trustee and the introduction of the Interim CFO, Christina Williams. Consent items involved the approval of faculty overload and adjunct faculty salaries for the Spring 2026 term, totaling $1,125,003.12, and approval of the FY2026 List of Bills Payable for January 2026. Action items covered tenure determinations, specifically awarding tenure to Dr. Aparna Palakodeti and determining not to grant tenure to Diane Anderson and Katrina Washington, as well as the non-renewal of Dr. Torri Crosby Martin's contract. The Board also approved the award of annual contracts for eligible tenure track faculty for the 2026-2027 academic year, the appointment of Dr. Anita Moore-Bohannon as Acting Board Treasurer, the final reading approval of Board Policy C-26 regarding Immigration Authorities, the elimination of several Board policies (B-7, D-13, F-23, G-30, G-34), approval of a new Certificate in Data Analytics program, the drop of the PTA 1000 program, approval of a resolution regarding signature authority for banking and investment, authorization for college personnel to approve consortium pricing for electricity procurement, and approval of budget transfers for January 2026.

The primary focus of the special meeting was the final approval of the 2025 property tax levy for Cook County and Will County, set at $17,510,000, representing a 1.96 percent increase over the 2024 levy. The Board also authorized the issuance of $5,630,000 in Taxable 2025 Educational Purposes Tax Anticipation Warrants to secure immediate funds, which will be repaid via a tax intercept through June 2026. The President provided an update on the college's financial restructuring, citing high labor costs and low revenue streams as fundamental issues. Efforts to address this include examining current vendor contracts, exploring grant opportunities to shift existing employee salaries from the general fund, and reviewing tuition and fee rates. Furthermore, there is legislative action pending that could yield new state funds for the college. The President noted that personnel cuts for the calendar year are concluded, and praised staff and management for offering to forgo earned raises to support the institution.