OGLESBY – A $15 million tax levy adopted by the Illinois Valley Community College’s Board of Trustees on Dec. 14 will result in a slight decrease in the tax rate. The 2023 tax levy is 4.99 percent higher than the 2022 actual tax extension of $14.3 million and will result in a decrease of 0.0131 cents in the tax rate. The average $100,000 home that has no change in its assessed value will realize a decrease of about $4.32 in taxes.

In her monthly report to the Board, President Dr. Tracy Morris updated the Board on activities during the past month:

• Agriculture Program Co-Coordinator Dr. Jennifer Timmers’ recent presentation at the Illinois Association of Community College Biologists was very well received by those in attendance.
• Geology Professor Mike Phillips’ recap of the recent LaSalle County earthquake appeared in local and state radio and print media accounts.
• Responses to a call to Thank a Teacher/Thank a Staff Member have recognized and thanked 48 faculty and staff members so far.
• Classroom desks no longer used at IVCC have been distributed to five area school districts.

In other action, the Board:

• Learned the spring semester tuition payment deadline has been extended to Jan. 3, 2024, giving students nearly three additional weeks to make financial arrangements.
• Approved updates on a number of policies relating to board governance and personnel, including employee leaves of absence, paid benefit time, and sexual misconduct and other harassment policy.
• Authorized a letter be sent to the Illinois Community College Board initializing the ICCB review and recognition process.
• Authorized the 2024 board meeting schedule, under which meetings will continue to be held on the second Thursday of each month except where noted.
• Acknowledged that the farm tiling project cost will increase by up to $30,000 due to unanticipated issues uncovered by the contractor.
• Authorized agreements with the LaSalle County Health Department to use IVCC facilities as additional or alternative space in emergencies.
• Received ICCB authorization for the associate in applied science degree for paramedic.

The board also learned of the following:

• Appointment of Michelle Carboni, formerly Director of Purchasing, as Director of Auxiliary Services and Purchasing following a reorganization of the Business Services and Finance Division.
• Appointment of Heather Seghi, who had served as interim dean, as Dean of Health Professions.
• Appointments of Kaitlyn Edgcomb, Student Services Information Specialist in Admissions and Records, and Lea Solberg, Interim Dual Credit and Transition Specialist.