The Kaskaskia College Board has approved a tentative budget and a workforce pay adjustment for 85 positions.
The board Monday night placed its tentative budget on file prior to a public hearing at its September meeting. Vice President of Administrative Services Judy Hempker says projected revenue increased to $ 29.2 million dollars and projected expenses to $ 30.2 million.
“It is showing a deficit of just under a million dollars, but the college continues its very conservative budgeting philosophy. In 2023 our operating results were significantly better than our budget, and with our continued focus on our mission and strategic plan as well as being physically responsible, we will strive for those results in fiscal 24.”
College President George Evans says the budget includes $204,000 to fund the workforce pay adjustment.
“The wage adjustments were an institution-wide analysis we did to take a look at all the positions we have. To make sure the college is treating our employees fairly and maintaining our competitive edge. As a result of that we recommended a three-phased approach to adjust some of the wages to at least 85 employees across the board to make sure we are maintaining our competitive edge and the college is in the 50th percentile in employee wages for those specific job classifications by year three.”
For the first time Evans is aware, the college also entered into three-year contracts with all of the college’s Vice Presidents. Evans called it an amazing team that has successfully led the college out of the COVID pandemic. He hopes the contract gives the Vice Presidents peace of mind and allows him reassurance they will be sticking around.
Evans reported so far the college’s fall enrollment headcount is up 2.6 percent and there is an 800-hour increase in credit hours. He’s optimistic about reaching their overall goal of a one-percent increase in headcount once fall enrollment is complete.
Evans says the majority of the first-floor renovation work in the HB and L buildings is now complete and he’s hopeful for almost completion by early November when the college hosts its Enduring Freedom Celebration to honor veterans.
In personnel items, the board approved the request to transition Rachel Hartmann from the ACE Library Specialist position to a newly restructured ACE Library and Student Success Specialist Position. David Miller was hired as the new WEI Workforce Partnership Coordinator, and Rayne Niederhofer was hired as a new Accounts Receivable Specialist.
Resignations included Stephen Durbin (Paramedicine Coordinator), Paige Reese (Student Success Coach), Denise VanFleet (Associate Professor of Health Information Technology), and Chane Lyons (Buildings and Grounds Technician).
Julie Littrell (Professor of Biology) submitted her letter of intent to retire in August 2024.
The board also approved a new Assistant Professor of Psychology position.
KC Board meets Monday nigyht in just renovated room in HB Building. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Work is underway on the north front parking lot of Kaskaskia College which has been torn out and is being put into place. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
