IECC Board Meeting Summary

The Board of Trustees of the Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday night, May 21st at Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, Illinois.

The Board received a Decennial Report from the Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer addressing anticipated areas of opportunity and concern for the District in academic years 2026 and 2027.

The Board approved the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held on April 16, 2024.

Revisions to the 2023-2025 Academic Calendar were also approved to include the closing of campuses on November 5th (2024 Fall Semester) due to Election Day. The Board accepted the IECC Student Code of Conduct as presented.

Board approval was given for revisions to Policy 100.30 Emergency Succession Policy.

Affiliation agreements were approved with Crawford Memorial Hospital, Salem Township Hospital, and Fast Pace Medical Clinic, PLLC.

The Board reaffirmed its commitment to its mission statement, and ratified the vision and values which were developed as a part of its ongoing strategic planning efforts. The Board formally institutionalized these through its approval of Policy 100.40 Mission, Vision, and Values.

A motion was passed by the Board to accept an Institutional Equity Plan aimed at implementing practices to address and close gaps for underrepresented groups in key areas such as enrollment, retention, completion, and student loan repayment rates. IECC’s Equity Plan presents strategies which operationalize institutional values of stewardship, responsibility, integrity, respect, and accessibility. The accepted plan will be submitted to the Illinois Community College Board by the end of the month.

The Board approved a budget resolution and tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2025.

Emergency expenditures were approved to replace the HVAC unit in the cafeteria of the Terry L. Bruce West Richland Center and an auxiliary boiler at Lincoln Trail College.

The Bid Committee recommendation was approved for acceptance of the bid from Dasenbrock Fence of Teutopolis, IL in the amount of $40,000 for the construction of a fence for the Olney Central

College Salvage Vehicle Storage area.

Personnel matters included the approval of the employment of Brittany Rose as Nursing Instructor at Frontier Community College effective August 7, 2024; Brooke Bower as Nursing Instructor at Lincoln Trail College effective August 7, 2024; Jackson Hemrich as Temporary Full-time Welding Specialist at Lincoln Trail College effective May 22, 2024; and Levi Johnson as Program Director of the International Student Program effective July 1, 2024.

Changes in employment status were approved for Erin Volk and Megan Black from Director of Instructional Services to Director of Dual Credit effective July 1, 2024.

Retirement was approved for Karen Marks as Nursing Instructor at Frontier Community College effective August 6, 2024.

Contract extensions for administrators with expiring contracts were approved by the Board.

Chris Simpson (OCC), Tona Ambrose (LTC), and Matt Fowler (WVC) had their contracts extended through June 30, 2026.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 6:15p.m. at Frontier Community College, Fairfield, IL.

911 call leads to arrest of Mt. Carmel man on DUI charge

On May 22nd, 2024 at approximately 2:55 a.m. a resident of Stoneberger Camp near rural Griffin called 911 stating there was a suspicious person that had come up to her residence.  The caller stated that the male had stated he had crashed his vehicle and he needed help.  Sgt. John Fischer arrived and was able to locate the male, who was later identified as Dalton J. Farrar, age 23 of Mt. Carmel, Illinois.  While speaking to Mr. Farrar, a Posey County Deputy arrived and located the vehicle in a large ditch nearby.  After a roadside investigation, Sgt. Fischer found probable cause to believe that Mr. Farrar had operated a vehicle while intoxicated and left the scene of the accident.  Mr. Farrar was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, with endangerment, Public Intoxication and Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident. 

Arresting officer was Sgt. John Fischer.

 All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Lottery Held For Ballot Placement In November Election

 Republican candidates will appear first on the ballot this November in Wabash County. A lottery was held during Monday’s county board meeting to determine ballot placement with the Republican party being drawn over the democratic entry. Commissioners also set salaries for county office holders.

The salaries of county commissioners, state’s attorney, and circuit clerk will remain unchanged. The only office seeing an increase was Wabash County coroner where a $500 a year raise was approved bringing that salary to $15,500 a year.

Evansville man arrested on multiple charges after pursuit

On May 21, 2024, at 7:31 p.m. Gibson County Deputy U.B. Smith observed a Black 2002 Harley Davidson traveling 55 mph in a 30 mph zone on South Main Street near Mulberry Street in Princeton.  At that point Deputy Smith attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the driver of the vehicle refused to stop.  Deputy Smith pursued the vehicle on multiple county roads west of US 41, and briefly on US 41 before the driver stopped and was placed into custody.  One the driver was placed into custody he was identified as 40 year old Nicholas Henderson of Evansville.  After a brief roadside investigation Mr. Henderson was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Reckless Driving and Resisting Law Enforcement With a Vehicle. 

Assisting Deputy Smith in his apprehension of Mr. Henderson were Deputies Chad Craney, Michael Owens, Quinten Might, Bart Wagner, and James Tucker.  Princeton Officers who assisted were Bryce Jutzi, Jeremy Robb, and Reserve Officer Noah Robb.  Also assisting were Fort Branch Officer Louis Jerrell and Haubstadt Officer Bryan Munnier.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Drug Arrest Made On School Property While Picking Up Children

Dubois County – Monday afternoon, May 20th, Jasper Elementary School was releasing children to the school pickup line. A school staff member in the school pickup line, noticed the odor of marijuana coming from a vehicle. School staff notified Detective Sergeant Brock Werne, who was in the pickup line picking up his children. Sergeant Werne located the vehicle and made contact with the adult occupants. Both occupants were detained, and Sergeant Werne spoke to the driver, Sylvia Hadi. During a search of the vehicle, suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, controlled substances, and paraphernalia were located. The vehicle was also in deplorable condition with extreme filth, beer cans, and some diapers with feces lying around. Hadi was arrested and transported to the Dubois County jail where she is being held on bond. Indiana Department of Child Services arrived and made arrangements for the 5 children that were inside the vehicle.

 

Arrested and Charges

  • Sylvia J. Hadi, 41, Jasper, IN

Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony

Neglect of a Dependent – Level 6 Felony

Possession of a Controlled Substance (2 Counts) – Class A Misdemeanor

Possession of Marijuana – Class B Misdemeanor

Possession of Paraphernalia – Class C Misdemeanor

Arresting Officer – Detective Sergeant Brock Werne

Assisting Officer – Sergeant John Davis

Assisting Agency – Jasper Police Department

 

All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Inmates Coming Back To Wabash County Jail Today

Inmates are returning to the Wabash County Jail today. At yesterday’s county board meeting, Sheriff Derek Morgan said the inmates are coming back from the White County Jail in Carmi where they’ve been housed while improvements were made to the Mt. Carmel jail. Morgan also said three people graduated Friday from correctional officer training and will help fill a shortage of workers the last several months.

Traffic Advisory for Tuesday Afternoon, May 21 

Gibson County – Tuesday afternoon, May 21, Indiana State Police will be shutting down portions of US 41 near Warrenton Road and I-64 eastbound at US 41 while several hundred motorcyclists stop at Flying J Travel Center located at US 41 and Warrenton Road. The motorcyclists are traveling from California to Washington D.C. to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The group left California on May 15 and they are scheduled to arrive in Washington D.C. on May 24.

The motorcyclists are scheduled for a gas stop and brief break at the Flying J Travel Center before continuing east on I-64 to Corydon, IN. The group is expected to arrive at approximately 2:15 p.m. and depart at approximately 3:00 p.m.

Individuals planning to show their support are encouraged to find a safe place off the roadway. Parking along I-64 is prohibited. For more information concerning this event, visit rftw.us.

Approximate Times of Highway Closings (Times are subject to change).

Approximately 2:15 p.m. (CST) - Highways expected to be closed for no more than 15 minutes.

  • US 41 northbound will be closed just south of I-64 while motorcyclists exit I-64 east to US 41 north.

  • US 41 southbound lanes will be closed at Warrenton Road while motorcyclists turn west onto Warrenton Road to Flying J Travel Center.

Approximately 3:00 p.m. (CST) - Highways expected to be closed for no more than 15 minutes.

  • US 41 southbound lanes at Warrenton Road will be closed while motorcyclists exit Flying J Travel Center.

  • I-64 east just west of US 41 will be closed while motorcyclists enter I-64 east from US 41S.