Rockford Sun

Illinois Community College District #511 Board of Trustees Met June 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order

The Special meeting of the Board of Trustees of Community College District No. 511, Winnebago, Boone, DeKalb, McHenry, Ogle, and Stephenson Counties, Illinois, convened via remote video conference at 930 a.m. Board Chair Jarid Funderburg called the meeting to order.

Roll Call

The following trustees were present:

Mr. Jarid Funderburg

Mr. Paul Gorski

Ms. Gloria Cudia

Mr. Bob Trojan 

Mr. John Nelson 

Ms. Lynn Kearney

Student Trustee Evelyn Molina

The following trustee was absent: Ms. Crystal Soltow

Also in attendance: Dr. Howard Spearman, President; Mr. Ron Geary, Vice President Academic Affairs and Campus Safety; Mr. Jim Handley, Vice President Human Resources; Ms. Heather Snider, Vice President Institutional Effectiveness and Communications; Ms. Ellen Olson, Executive Director Finance/Interim Chief Financial Officer; Dr. Amanda Smith, Associate Vice President Liberal Arts and Adult Education; Ms. Kathy Jones, Purchasing Manager; Ms. Ann Kerwitz; Assistant to the President; Ms. Kris Fuchs, Assistant to the President; Attorney Joe Perkoski, Robbins Schwartz; Attorney Matt Gardner, Robbins Schwartz.

Communications and Petitions

There were no communications and petitions or public comments received.

Adjourn to Closed Session

At 9:31 a.m., a motion was made by Trustee Trojan, seconded by Trustee Gorski, to adjourn to closed session to discuss collective negotiating matters per Section 2 (c) (2) in accordance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The motion was approved by unanimous roll call vote.

Reconvene Open Session

At 10:03 a.m.) a motion was made by Trustee Funderburg, seconded by Trustee Kearney, to adjourn the closed session and reconvene to open meeting. The motion was approved by unanimous roll call vote.

Action Items

1. BR #7820 - Purchase Report #764FY2022 Advanced Technology Center (ATC) Purchases

A motion was made by Trustee Funderburg, seconded by Trustee Kearney, to approve Board Report 7820, Purchase Report #764.

Board Chair Funderburg explained that he spent two to three hours with former trustee Patrick Murphy and Mr. Richard Becker, ATC consultant, discussing the merits of this purchase of additional lathes and mills for the Advanced Technology Center. Mr. Murphy was present and answered trustees' questions.

o Murphy and Becker have met with RVC staff and recommend adding more machines to reduce the student/machine ratio. Becker has taught CNC machining in Wisconsin for 1 I years and has reduced class size from22-24 to 14. RVC's initial class size is 24.

o More machines will allow more hands-on learning for students, which will strengthen their knowledge so they can find employment sooner. The program can be sustained with fewer students.

o The program should be expanded to 32 weeks.

o The equipment will also be used for non-credit courses and customized training.

o The number of students in the program is still unknown. A marketing plan and articulation agreements will be developed, as well as an internal plan so that students can move from non-credit to credit programs.

o An additional instructor will be hired so there will be two instructors on the floor at any given time.

o Mr. Becker has advised delaying the opening until all equipment is received.

o This equipment is reasonably priced, and there are recovery options if not enough students enter the program. A local distributor is working with the College so that the ATC becomes their equipment "showroom."

o The mechatronics program needs to be reviewed and improved.

o Should the ACT be a separate entity? May be a topic for possible future discussion.

Following discussion, Board Chair Funderburg called for a vote. The motion was approved by unanimous roll call vote.

Next Meeting

The next Regular meeting will be held July 27 ,2021 at 5:15 p.m. via teleconference or in person in the Performing Arts Room (PAR) of the Educational Resources Center (lower level) depending on the Illinois Governor's Executive Order.

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the Board, at 10:30 a.m., a motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Kearney, seconded by Trustee Trojan. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote.

https://www.rockvalleycollege.edu/Community/BOT/upload/2021-06-26-Minutes-Special-Meeting-Final-SIGNED.pdf