Rend Lake College Board of Trustees meeting highlights

Board adopts 2018 tax levy

The board adopted the 2018 tax levy (payable 2019). The corporate and special purposes levy went from $3,547,797 in 2017 to $3,692,953 in 2018, an increase of 4.09 percent. The debt service levy went from $3,117,676 in 2017 to $3,180,426 in 2018, an increase of 2.01 percent. Because the corporate and special purposes levy is not greater than 105 percent of last year’s levy, no Truth in Taxation hearing is required.

Metzger retires from Math Division

The board accepted with regret the retirement resignation of Diane Metzger, Math Professor, effective November 1, 2018. Metzger was hired full-time in August of 1984 after working for the college part-time for four years. At the time of her retirement, Metzger sits on the top of the RLC unofficial seniority list. In her resignation letter, Metzger wrote, “I feel very fortunate to have had a career I love for over 34 years at Rend Lake College. I am grateful to my students for giving me the opportunity to learn as much from them as they learned from me. I am also grateful to my colleagues and co-workers for this cooperation and support, and to the administration and Board for allowing me to have my dream job.”

Two resignations approved

The board approved the resignation of two staff members with regret:

• Travis Thomason, Computer Technician, effective September 28, 2018. Thomason was hired full-time in May of 2014. In his resignation letter, Thomason wrote, “Rend Lake College has been a huge part of my life ever since I first started dual credit classes during my high school years, and I do regret to be leaving it now. I am very grateful to this college for everything it has taught me, both in pursuing my education and in furthering my career, and I’ll never forget my time spent here.”
• Liz Jennings, Rend Lake College Foundation Assistant Director, effective October 31, 2018. Jennings was hired in July of 2016. In her resignation letter, Jennings wrote, “I have loved my time at RLC and have had the opportunity to learn and grow professionally in my position. I am very proud of the work that I have been a part of within the Foundation.”

Accreditation update

The board heard an update on the college’s accreditation activities. The college had its comprehensive evaluation by a Higher Learning Commission peer review team last month. The team was on campus Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 24 & 25, and met with several groups of employees as well as students, community members and the Board of Trustees. Prior to their arrival, they had read the Assurance Argument and received feedback on our federal compliance filing from another reviewer. The reviewers will finalize their report, and in the coming weeks, should respond with a draft of their review. The final report will lead to an HLC action regarding the college’s accreditation.

In other business, the board …

• Ratified payment of college expenses including travel reimbursements.
• Approved the minutes of the September 11, 2018 Board of Trustees meeting.
• Received a presentation regarding enrollment from RLC Institutional Research.
• Approved the creation of Policy & Procedure 2.1300 – Informal Complaints (second reading).
• Approved revisions to Policy 3.1530 – Holidays (second reading).
• Approved revisions to Policy & Procedure 3.1205 – Performance Evaluation and Tenure of Faculty Members: Tenured / Tenure Track Faculty and Staff Seniority List.
• Ratified the approval of revisions to job descriptions.
• Approved the removal of Policy & Procedure 4.1240 – Posting of Signs on Campus Bulletin / Informational Boards (first reading).
• Approved permission to create the position, approve the job description, and advertise for Project Manager – Information Technology & Institutional Research.
• Tabled permission to advertise for bids and award for sidewalk replacement.

Mark your calendars …

• Career Days, Tuesday, Oct. 16 and Wednesday, Oct. 17, RLC Campus.
• RLC Foundation Scholarship Dinner, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, Benton Civic Center.
• Criminal Justice Roundup, 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22, Private Dining Area, Student Center.
• High School Administrator’s Breakfast, 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, PDA.
• Fall Play “The Nutcracker,” 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8 – Saturday, Nov. 9; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, RLC Theatre.
• Fall Concert, 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, RLC Theatre.
• Glo Bingo, 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, the Rec.
• Spoken Word & Open Mic Night, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, King City Books, Mt. Vernon.
• RLC Foundation Annual Dinner, 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, Doubletree Hotel, Mt. Vernon.
• RLC Faculty / Staff Holiday Luncheon, 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, Waugh Gymnasium.