The Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees reviewed potential capital improvements, rising employee insurance costs and athletic program funding during its regular meeting Tuesday night at Olney Central College.
Chancellor Taylor introduced a new enrollment dashboard designed to help the district track enrollment trends and institutional performance. He also discussed recent campus listening sessions and efforts to turn employee feedback into institutional improvements.
One of the major financial topics was a proposed capital financing plan involving up to 9.25 million dollars for HVAC replacements, athletic facility improvements and other projects.
District officials are evaluating financing options aimed at minimizing the impact on property taxes. No bonds or specific construction projects were approved Tuesday. The board is expected to revisit the proposal in November, with possible bond issuance in early 2027.
The board also reviewed its annual intercollegiate athletics report, which showed IECC served 450 student-athletes during fiscal year 2026, providing approximately 2.37 million dollars in athletic scholarships.
Meanwhile, employee health insurance premiums will increase 15 percent in 2027, while dental insurance rates will rise 11.8 percent. The district will maintain its existing insurance carriers and continue fully funding employee-only coverage under its designated high-deductible plan. The additional annual cost to IECC is estimated at more than 226-thousand dollars.
Trustees approved the purchase of two new computer servers from Dell Technologies at a cost not to exceed approximately 57-thousand dollars. The equipment will help improve system reliability while reducing long-term software expenses.
In personnel matters, Jared Price was approved to move from Wabash Valley College Academic Advisor to Program Director of Academic Advising, effective October 26th.
Other personnel actions included naming Libby McVicker Dean of Students, hiring Erica Sanchez as a custodian at Lincoln Trail College, and making Heather Watts's administrative assistant position at Lincoln Trail College permanent by removing the interim designation.
Trustees also approved affiliation agreements with Acorn Estates and Oakview Nursing and Rehabilitation, revised policies governing board meetings and charitable gifts, and authorized a search for legal counsel services.
The board also changed the starting time of its December 8th meeting at Frontier Community College to 5 p.m., with a special board retreat scheduled earlier that day.
The next regular meeting of the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, November 17th, at 6:15 p.m. at Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel.