The Board of Trustees of the Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, Illinois.
The Board approved the appointment of Esther Cha to fill the open seat on the Board of Trustees. Susan Batchelor was elected Secretary Pro Tempore.
The Board approved the minutes of the Board of Trustees regular meeting held on June 16, 2026.
Affiliation agreements with Deaconess Illinois Crossroads, Inc., Hamilton Memorial Hospital, Harsha Behavioral Center, and White County Ambulance Service were approved.
The Board approved a three-year lease-purchase and financing agreement for the acquisition of a 2026 Ram 1500 Limited Crew Cab 4x4 as a district owned vehicle for the incoming Chancellor.
The purchase of the Systran Polaris HOT Model 1 Process Operations Trainer as a strategic academic and workforce development investment was approved by the Board.
The Board approved a one-year renewal agreement with Instructure, Inc. for Canvas LMS and Canvas Studio for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
A bid from Kieffer Brothers Construction Company for a total of $807,782 for the expansion of tennis courts at Wabash Valley College.
Approval of employment was given for Marsha Foshee as Math Instructor, OCC effective August 12, 2026; Laura Nead as Math Instructor, WVC effective August 12, 2026; James Sigler as STEM Dean of Instruction, WVC effective July 27, 2026; Stewart Cramer as Director of Performing Arts, LTC effective July 27, 2026; Paul Manhart as Custodian, LTC effective July 27,
2026; and Theressa Thacker as Custodian, LTC effective July 27, 2026.
The Board accepted applications according to the previously approved Voluntary Separation Incentive Program for Lori Barger, Information Specialist effective December 31, 2026; Cris Costantino, Research Data Analyst effective August 30, 2026; Julie Courtney, Student Support Specialist, LTC effective August 30, 2026; Eva Fatheree, Coordinator of Curricular Reporting and Articulation effective December 31, 2026; Jeff Gumbel, Manager of Web, Online, and Integration Systems effective August 30, 2026, Steve Patberg, Registrar, WVC effective December 31, 2026; and Dave Wingert, Systems Administrator effective December 31, 2026.
Resignation ratifications were approved for Jack Knittle as Math Instructor, WVC effective August 4, 2026; Danyelle Ayres as Director of ICAPS and Instruction and Transition, FCC effective June 30, 2026; and Jesus Gonzales as Head Men’s & Women’s Soccer Coach, LTC effective July 15, 2026.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. at Olney Central College, Olney, IL.