Kaskaskia College’s new Health Information Technology Program that trains those for coding medical bills for payment has received a seven-year accreditation.
College President George Evans is thanking Professors Chris Rickoff and Nathan Wilkins working in conjunction with the deans for the accomplishment.
“Seven-year accreditation is the longest they offer and now it’s an opportunity for us to advertise this program as nationally accredited. And as I mentioned in the meeting, it’s going to be one of the first programs we have that is fully online for the most part teaching students to work fully online which is really what the insurance industry is doing.”
The board approved its annual tax levy. Vice President of Administrative Services Judy Hempker explained the property tax cost residents of the college district pay to support the institution.
“The overall levy of $1,344,554 is about $667,000 more than last year. For a taxpayer who has a home valued at $100,000, it would cost them about $190 annually which is virtually identical to where it was last year. And the overall tax rate per $100 is also very similar.”
The tax levy includes several Protection, Health, and Safety (PHS) projects earlier approved as part of a three-year major renovation and capital improvement project. They are the main campus HVAC replacements (including main campus heating, ventilation, and cooling upgrades to more modern, energy-efficient models), the admissions area renovation, and the Fine and Performing Arts floor abatement.
The board approved two purchases of equipment for the Mobile Training Trailer that will be able to travel around the district with vocational training and demonstrations. The FANU C Robot used widely by industry will cost $34,400 and a mobile Refrigeration trainer for HVAC training programs will cost $31,351. The cost of both is being covered by a $99,000 USDA grant. The training trailer is expected to arrive next April.
The board also approved air curtains at a cost of $33,000 for the nursing education center to try and reduce high humidity levels in the building.
In personnel matters, the board approved the hire of Shawn Connelly as the new Director of Campus Operations. Evans is excited to fill the position with a very experienced person. Sara Koopman was hired as the KC Pathway to Healthcare Careers Grant Coordinator and Allied Health Assistant.
The board accepted the resignation of Ryan Norrenberns as assistant professor of sociology.
The board also approved restructuring the vacant accounting manager and senior accountant positions into the new controller and assistant controller positions to streamline staff supervisory duties and facilitate business and budget processes.
