The Board of Trustees of the Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Olney Central College, Olney, Illinois.
Jim Reed, representing the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA), presented Dr. Ryan Gower with the recognition for his leadership and dedicated service to Illinois Eastern Community Colleges. The Board of Trustees also recognized Dr. Gower for his ten years of service to Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, including his roles as President of Lincoln Trail College and Chancellor. Trustees expressed their sincere appreciation for his commitment to student success, employees, and the communities served by IECC, and extended their best wishes to Dr. Gower and his family as he begins his well-earned retirement.
The Board approved the minutes of the Board of Trustees regular meeting held on May 19, 2026. The semi-annual review of executive session minutes as mandated by Section 2.06 of the Open Meetings Act was conducted and the Board approved the proposed recommendations.
The Board accepted the 2026-2027 IECC academic catalog. It can be found on the IECC website at (https://iecc.edu/catalog).
A Memorandum of Understanding with the Richland County Health Office and Olney Central College was approved. This MOU provides access to the OCC gymnasium and parking lot as a location to distribute medication and/or vaccinations in the event of an emergency.
The Resource Allocation and Management Plan (RAMP) for Fiscal Year 2028 was approved by the Board and will be submitted to the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB).
The Board approved the purchase of a new video display system for the Frontier Community College Athletic Facility currently under construction. The project, funded through a partnership with the FCC Foundation, includes a large video board, digital scorer’s table, shot clocks, locker room game clocks, and related installation and technical support provided by Watchfire of Danville, Illinois.
The Board approved the annual purchase of desktop computers, laptops, monitors, and instructional technology to maintain and enhance IECC’s technology infrastructure. The investment, funded through the Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget and the Wattleworth Hall third-floor remodel project, will ensure employees and students have access to up-to-date, secure technology across the district.
Beginning in Fall 2026, the Automotive Technology Associate in Applied Science program will relocate from Frontier Community College to Olney Central College. As part of this transition, the Board approved the purchase of required equipment through the OCC 2
Bookstore for the program, necessitating the addition of a cost recovery fee to the academic catalog. The fee will be assessed at the actual cost of the equipment, ensuring students have access to the tools needed for the program while reflecting a change in the method of purchase rather than a new program requirement.
A resolution was adopted to authorize certain expenditures from the Operations and Maintenance Fund, such as utilities, O&M salaries and other soft expenses.
A resolution was adopted authorizing inter-fund loans during the 2026-2027 fiscal year, allowing the District to loan dollars between funds provided the loans are repaid to the original fund within the academic year.
Approval was given for the district to pay accrued bills for a short period following the end of the fiscal year June 30th. By July 30th all accrued bills received during this run-out period will be paid and a report given to the Board of Trustees the following month.
Lease agreements were renewed between the District and certain locations and entities throughout the District.
A resolution was adopted authorizing the transfer of approximately up to $190,000 in interest earned in the Working Cash Fund to the General Fund on or before June 30, 2026.
Several new and renewed clinical affiliation agreements were approved to provide student with required hands-on learning experiences in healthcare settings throughout the region.
The Board waived a second reading and approved revisions to the following policies:
• Defense and Indemnification, Policy 100.45 is a new policy that is replacing and deleting former Policy 100.19 (Retaining Legal Counsel) related to the retention of legal counsel. The updated policy establishes a more comprehensive framework outlining the District’s authority to provide legal defense and indemnification for employees and officials acting within the scope of their duties, while also identifying circumstances in which those protections may be denied.
Updated logos were approved for the colleges and major divisions of IECC to create a more unified institutional identity while preserving the unique character of each campus. The new branding will be implemented gradually through the normal replacement and updating of materials.
A new auxiliary Cash Management and Athletics Sinking Fund Operating Procedure was approved to address athletic deficits and strengthen long-term financial accountability. The procedure establishes repayment plans, annual reporting requirements, and oversight measures designed to reduce existing deficits while preserving athletic opportunities for students.
The Board approved a long-term financial planning framework authorizing the administration to begin evaluating future investments in public health and safety, facilities, career and technical education, and athletics. The action initiates project planning and financing analysis but does not authorize any specific projects or bond issuances.
The relocation of the August 18, 2026 Board of Trustees meeting from Frontier Community College to Olney Central College was approved.
The Board authorized administration to begin development of vehicle specifications and procurement documents for the acquisition of a District vehicle for the Chancellor position, utilizing either a competitive bid process or approved cooperative purchasing program as appropriate, and establish a project budget not to exceed $70,000.
The Board authorized the Chancellor to bind the District’s annual property, casualty, and liability insurance coverage effective July 1, 2026. The renewal is expected to increase by no more than 14.3% as the District continues to navigate a challenging insurance market.
The AY27-28 Moving Forward Strategic Plan & Operational Framework was approved as presented by Chancellor Gower.
The Board approved the acceptance of the bid from Wolls Asphalt LLC for the maintenance and re-painting of the asphalt parking at Lincoln Trail College.
Approval of employment was given for John Duty as Mining & Industry Instructor effective July 1, 2026; McKenna Blevins as TRIO Student Support Services Academic Advisor, LTC effective June 29, 2026; Kamille Johnson as Coordinator of Marketing & Communications, WVC effective July 6, 2026; Rhoda Shugars as Coordinator of International Admissions & Compliance, LTC effective June 22, 2026; and John Spruance as Head Men’s Basketball, WVC effective June 22, 2026.
Changes in status were approved for Dr. Cathy Robb as Interim IECC Chancellor effective July 1, 2026 – August 14, 2026; Ryan Hawkins from Chief Financial Officer to Vice Chancellor of Financial Operations & OCC President-Delegate effective July 1, 2026 – May 17, 2027; and Jamie Carman from Director of Academic Advising to Director of Advising Systems effective June 22, 2026.
The Board approved contracts for Dr. Timothy Taylor, Chancellor effective August 15, 2026 and Ryan Hawkins, Vice Chancellor of Financial Operations & OCC President effective May 18, 2027.
An administrative contract buyout was approved for Dr. Matt Fowler effective December 31, 2026.
Resignation ratifications were approved for Lisa Hoipkemier as Physical Therapist Instructor, WVC effective July 31, 2026; Adam McIntire as TRIO Upward Bound Academic Counselor, LTC effective May 14, 2026; and Robin Zachary as Custodian, LTC effective June 10, 2026.
Retirement ratifications were approved for Dr. Ryan Gower as IECC Chancellor effective June 30, 2026 and Chris Simpson as OCC President & Vice Chancellor of Business Operations effective May 17, 2027.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 6:15p.m. at Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL.