A county-by-county look at lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in Southern Illinois, updated daily. Last updated: 10:30 p.m., Thursday, August 12.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Southern Illinois business impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for financial assistance through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s new “Back to Business” grant program.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Board of Trustees Meeting

Meeting Highlights

Under New Business, the Board:

Approved revisions to Rend Lake College Policy 3.1110 – Computation of Hourly Rate of Pay for Part-Time Employees (Second Reading) as presented, to be effective August 10, 2021.

RATIONALE: In revising this policy, consideration was given to the following:
1. The college’s financial condition;
2. State averages for comparable positions; and,
3. Local salaries.
4. Salary adjustments made to align with current market conditions
5. Increasing minimum wage requirements in the State of Illinois

Approved revisions to Rend Lake College Policy and Procedure 4.1505 – Textbooks (second reading) effective for Summer 2022 term.

RATIONALE: Following a review of potential proposals by outside vendors, Administration believes that the College should continue to own and operate our Bookstore. However, the Administration also believes that to remain competitive changes need to be made to the way students are charged for textbooks. Following careful consideration and analysis, the Administration proposes a system in which students are assessed a fee on a per credit hour basis which includes in part the costs of texts. This assessment of fees will allow student to better prepare and budget for the costs of textbooks. Students will not be charged any additional fees for textbooks above the assessed fees.

Approved revisions to Rend Lake College Policy and Procedure 3.1530 – Holidays, first reading, effective September 14, 2021.

RATIONALE: JUNETEENTH (June 19) is now recognized as a holiday by the federal government.

Approved a Joint Agreement for Dual Credit between Rend Lake College, District #521 and John A. Logan College, District #530, as presented, effective August 10, 2021.

RATIONALE: This Joint Agreement will allow the community colleges listed above to provide additional educational programs to the high school students of each district.

Approved the tentative FY 2022 budget as presented.

RATIONALE: Provided as a separate document, the FY 2022 budget will be presented in a tentative form at the August meeting. As required by law, the proposed budget will be available for public inspection for thirty (30) days and a public hearing on the budget will be held at 6:00 p.m. prior to the regular board meeting which is to be held on September 14, 2021.

Granted permission to create the stipend position and job description for American Heart Association Training Center (AHA TC) Coordinator, as presented, effective August 10, 2021. This stipend position will be in the amount of $2,000 annually.

RATIONALE: This stipend position is necessary in order to partially fulfill the duties available due to the recent resignation of Jo Ann Dick who oversaw the AHA Center at the MarketPlace.

Approved the 2021-2022 Instructor Reference Guide as provided.

RATIONALE: The provided Instructor Reference Guide has been updated to reflect revisions to board policy & procedure, internal processes, contact information, and faculty resources.

Under Personnel, the Board:
Accepted the resignation of Jacey Donoho, Toddler Room Lead Child Care Provider of the Rend Lake College Foundation Children’s Center, effective August 12, 2021.

Accepted with regret the resignation of Jo Ann Dick, Coordinator of Special Projects, effective August 10, 2021.

Appointed Andrea Davey as Institutional Research and Analysis Coordinator, effective August 16, 2021.

RATIONALE: Ms. Davey has the necessary education, experience, and enthusiasm for the Institutional Research and Analysis Coordinator position. She also adds her experience working with RL-Cares and the Student Success Department. Davey is currently a Recruitment & Student Success Specialist at RLC. She holds associate degrees from RLC and a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

Appointed Chelsey Thompson as Lead Teacher Infant Room for the Rend Lake College Foundation Children’s Center, effective August 2, 2021.

RATIONALE: Ms. Thompson has been employed by the College as an Assistant Pre-K teacher since 2013. During that time, she has proven herself to be qualified to provide quality care to the children in her classroom. She holds an Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education from RLC.

Appointed Christy Jean as Director of the Rend Lake College Foundation Children’s Center, effective July 26, 2021.

RATIONALE: Ms. Jean possesses the prior work experience and the education needed to be qualified as the Director per DCFS and ISBE guidelines. Jean holds an A.A. in Early Childhood Education from RLC, a B.S. in Human Services from University of Phoenix and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from University of Phoenix. She served as the Early Education Support Provider for the San Diego County Office of Education from 2004 to 2020.

Granted permission to revise the contract length and salary of Rene Crouse, Pre-K Room Lead Child Care Provider for the Rend Lake College Foundation Children’s Center, effective August 16, 2021.

RATIONALE: In light of current salaries being paid for comparable positions in our area, the salaries of our current Child Center staff need to be adjusted. Mrs. Crouse currently works on a 12-month contract and is the Lead Teacher for the Pre-K grant which is 9-month grant program. This change in contract length will better align with the needs of the grant program and the College.

Granted permission to revise the salary of Nichole Martie, Pre-K Room Lead Child Care Provider for the Rend Lake College Foundation Children’s Center, effective August 1, 2021.

RATIONALE: In light of current salaries being paid for comparable positions in our area, the salaries of our current Child Center staff need to be adjusted. Ms. Martie holds a Bachelor’s Degree and during the five years that she has been employed at the Center she has proven to be a valued employee who provides quality care for the children in the classroom.

Appointed Bailey Lindsey as Lead Teacher Toddler Room for the Rend Lake College Foundation Children’s Center, effective August 16, 2021, subject to DCFS approval.

RATIONALE: Mrs. Lindsey possesses the necessary skills to fill this position. She holds an associate degree in early childhood education and a Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She currently serves as a preschool teacher at Dr. Andy Hall School in Mt. Vernon. Prior to that, she was a pre-Kindergarten teacher at Openair Academy and The Learning Experience, both in Colorado.

Granted permission to transfer Walker Bullington from Academic Advisor with Baseball to Student Success & Recruitment Specialist with Baseball and revise the job description, effective August 16, 2021.

RATIONALE: In light of the recent appointment of Ms. Andrea Davey who served as Student Success & Recruitment Specialist, Walker Bullington will transfer to this position. To better fit the needs of the college, Mr. Bullington’s position as head baseball coach is being included in his new primary role as Student Success & Recruitment Specialist.

Granted permission to transfer Sean Carley from Web and Social Media Specialist to Academic Advisor, effective August 16, 2021.

RATIONALE: In light of the recent transfer of Mr. Walker Bullington who was to serve as Academic Advisor with Baseball, Mr. Carley will transfer to this position.

Additional Highlights:

Reports —

A presentation on the all-inclusive textbook program from Bookstore and Copy Center Manager Casey Rhine and Assistant Manager Hannah Webb.
An ICCTA report from Trustee John Kabat.
An accreditation report from Associate Vice President of Institutional Outreach Chad Copple.
President Terry Wilkerson reported on updates to COVID-19 protocol at RLC campuses, completion of the Slankard Learning Resource Center renovation, the final stages of upgrades at the Academic Building, and the beginning of construction at the new Event Center.

Mark your calendars …

Warrior Days Workshop, Saturday, Aug. 14, Rend Lake College campus, 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Annual RLC Foundation Golf Outing, Thursday, Sept. 9, Rend Lake Golf Course, noon shotgun start.
Fun Fest, Wednesday, Sept. 15, Rend Lake College Ina campus, noon to 3 p.m.
Auto Show, Saturday, Oct. 9, Rend Lake College campus.
Faculty/Staff In-Service, Tuesday, Oct. 12, Rend Lake College Theater.
College Fair, Wednesday, Oct. 13, Rend Lake College Gymnasium, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
RLCF Annual Scholarship Dinner, Thursday, Oct. 21, Benton Civic Center, 6-8 p.m.
Southeast Region Trustee Meeting, Thursday, Nov. 4, John A. Logan College, TBD.