The Kaskaskia College Board Monday night finalized a $24.5-million dollar bond issue and $900,000 in life safety bonds that will complete the needed financing for a $30-million overhaul of the main college campus on Shattuc Road.
President George Evans says the passage of the bond issues without opposition completes 18 to 24 months of planning.
“I am very confident that this is going to continue to keep the college at a very high level for our students and staff moving forward. This really will take care of the infrastructure needs of our institution for the next 20 years to come.”
The work includes the renovation of the second-story classrooms in the college’s health and business building. The student services area on the first floor of the building will also receive an overhaul. All parking lots will be resurfaced and heating and air conditioning units installed. Evans says the project also includes demolition of the existing three-story gym and construction of a new facility.
“Right now we can move with the green light to move with additional designs. But unfortunately, some of these projects won’t be up and running until late next year. Our goal is to at least have our 2nd-floor classrooms renovated for our students next year that is our biggest priority. It depends on #1 if we can get material’s and two it’s a very competitive market to try and get contractors to work on it.”
Evans says the construction of the new gym will be in the final phase. He reports the college will have to find new locations for activities for the year when the old gym is torn down and the new one is being constructed. The goal is to have graduation in the new gym in the Spring of 2024.
Evans says another phase of the project that will be completed with $1.5-million in federal COVID-19 relief funding will be a major enhancement to the college’s IT infrastructure.
The project is expected to take three to four years to complete.
In other action, the board announced they will soon close on the $350,000 sale of the former WorkForce building at 325 South Poplar across from the Centralia Post Office. Under the provisions of the agreement, the name of the new owner cannot be released until the deal is closed.
The board passed its annual tax levies. Evans says for the fourth year in a row the college’s overall tax rate will be down. He notes they will reduce the levy for risk management since it has a large surplus. The board award the property and casualty insurance bid to Kane Insurance of Salem at a cost of $379,495. They submitted one of the three complete bids.
In personnel action, the board employed Connor Pollmann as Assistant Professor of Business and Kevin Wheeler as Automotive Work-Based Coordinator. Resignations were accepted from Heather Jourdan as Instructional Deans Coordinator, Alex Koopmann IT support technician, and Rebecca Hamker as Financial Aid Specialist.
Retirements were approved for Perkins Project Coordinator Patricia Mefford and Director of Institutional Advancement Suzanne Christ effective December 31st. Evans thanked them for their many years of service to the college.
