The Kaskaskia College Board approved adding a second instructor position to the residential electric program held at the Trenton Education Center.
President George Evans says the new position will assist the college in developing new renewable energy training programs and short-term credentials.
“Large amount of our grads have already gone on to electrical trades and we have already seen such an influx of interest, looks like we have over 22 students registered for fall, and when you are dealing with that type of high voltage you can’t just have one teacher in the classroom. This individual that the board just approved us to conduct a search for will allow us to continue to focus in the labs, but also have another set of eyes, but also help in recruiting.”
The board also learned donations have been made to two of its other vocational programs. Alpha-Omega Construction of Salem has donated $7,742 in roofing materials to the Carpentry Occupations Program. Koch Air, LLC of Maryland Heights, Missouri has donated equipment valued at $55,124 to the college’s HVAC program.
The board approved the selection of Richardet Floor Covering of Perryville Missouri to replace the flooring in the Lifelong Learning Center damaged by a waterline break in December. The board also approved the purchase of new fixed auditorium seating for the Kaskaskia Room as part of the Health and Business and Library Building renovation for $42,062 from KI of Green Bay, Wisconsin. The purchase includes 52 fixed auditorium seats with folding table arms and alternate seating consisting of tables and chairs to accommodate an additional 20 occupants.
The board promoted three faculty members to full professor. They are Associate Professors of Nursing Tessa Opfer, Kimberly Storm and Lisa Ring. The board promoted three others to Associate Professor. They are Assistant Professor of Agriculture Aaron Heinzmann, Assistant Professor of Radiologic Technology Candace Sloat and Assistant Professor of Industrial Technology Lyle Gross.
The board approved a separation agreement with Professor of Music Cliff Jourdan effective immediately. Evans says the college remains committed to the music program and will be hiring a replacement. He reports current students will be able to complete their course of study this semester.
In other personnel news, the board approved the resignation of Megan Holtmann as Dean of Health Services and Zach McGeehon as District Coordinator of Adult Education. The board accepted the retirement of Chris Browne as Assistant Professor of Cosmetology. The board hired Taryn Chesnek of Woodlawn as a Career and Technical Education Work Based Learning Coordinator and Tina Winkler as a full-time Staff Accountant.
