The Kaskaskia College Board Monday night approved a budget with $ 54 million in revenue and $ 60 million in expenses.
Vice President of Administrative Services Judy Hemker says the reason for expenditures well over revenue is the college’s current capital improvement plan that is spending down money this year that was received last year.
“The college fiscally is very strong. We have over nine months of operating reserves as of June 30th. Now those are not audited numbers. If the budget comes to pass as it was presented this evening, we expect 8 months of operating reserves as of June 30th, 2023. We have been able to have a flat or reduction in our property tax levy for the past five years.”
The board approved the restructuring of the Enrollment Services Department. Recently appointed Vice President of Student Services Amy Troutt says the change does away with her former Dean of Enrollment position and splits up the responsibility among other employees of the department. Troutt says there may be a new position of Director of Admissions created in the future.
After the meeting, Troutt said the college’s enrollment for the fall semester shows a headcount three-percent higher and the number of credit hours down four-tenths of a percent. She reports enrollment is still underway for classes that start in October.
The board approved a resolution to ratify new one-year contracts for natural gas and electricity with Mansfield Power and Gas. College President George Evans says the rates are about 40 percent higher than what the college is currently paying.
The board approved the purchase of 245 desktop computers from Dell Technologies for $158,564 to complete the modernization of technology equipment in the college’s computer labs. The new equipment allows increased flexibility in new classroom spaces for remote and hybrid learning, plus standardized hardware to decrease repair and security issues. It is being paid for through federal COVID-19 recovery grants
The board approved the purchase of an electric reach truck and HVAC trainers to be used in the vocational programs at the Centralia Correctional Center. While the college will initially pay for the equipment, they will be reimbursed by the Illinois Department of Corrections.
In personnel action
- Christine Wheeler was hired as Director of the Trenton Education Center
- Eric Howard was employed as Industrial Trades and Manufacturing Programs Coordinator
- Robert Thompson was employed as a Police Officer for the KC Police Force
- Katy Knolhoff was hired as Nursing Program Success Coach
- Margo Wagner was employed as Early Childhood Consortium Grant Director
- Misti Pawlisa joins the college as a Staff Accountant II
