Meeting Summary: Kankakee Community College Board of Trustees for June 17, 2025

The Kankakee Community College Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, June 17, at the college’s South Extension Center in Watseka, where they approved a tentative budget for the upcoming fiscal year, honored retiring employees, and discussed plans for new green energy initiatives.

The board’s major financial actions included accepting a tentative Fiscal Year 2026 budget and setting a public hearing for July 15. It also increased the college treasurer’s bond coverage to $16 million and approved a technology contract worth over $76,000 with SHI for VMWare software renewal. The board also approved over $5.1 million in bill payments.

Looking to the future, college president Dr. Michael Boyd announced plans to apply for KCC to become a state-recognized hub for green energy job training under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. The college is also seeking state RAMP funding for three major renovation projects on its main campus.

The board also took time to honor three retiring full-time employees—Charles Cooke, Frances Hebert, and Juli Gereg—by approving formal resolutions thanking them for their dedicated service to the college and its students.

Board Meets in Watseka, Welcomes Guests
Brief Title: The board held its monthly meeting at the KCC South Extension Center in Watseka. Dr. Michael Boyd welcomed guests Senator Chris Balkema and Watseka Mayor Benny Marcier, who provided brief updates from Springfield and the City of Watseka, respectively. Dr. Boyd thanked the trustees for holding the meeting in the southern part of the college district and recognized the staff who organized the event.

Financial Reports and Bills Approved
Brief Title: Trustees approved the Reconciled Cash Report for April 30, 2025, and the Investment and Financial Summary for May 31, 2025. The board also approved bills totaling $5,124,391.74. The payment summary included eleven purchase order requisitions for amounts over $10,000 and one special bill for $434.00 to the Illinois Department of Revenue, all of which were presented for board review.

Foundation Reports Record Scholarship Applications
Brief Title: VP Nugent provided an update on the KCC Foundation, reporting a record-setting number of scholarship applications for the current year. She also informed the board about upcoming scholarship and fundraising events planned by the foundation, which provides financial support to students and college programs through philanthropy.

Summer Enrollment Shows Increase
Brief Title: In his report to the board, VP Cooper shared positive news from the Summer 2025 Census Day Enrollment Report. The report showed an increase in both the student head count and the total number of credit hours being taken compared to the previous summer session, indicating strong student demand.

Trustee Reports on State Convention
Brief Title: Trustee Eric Peterson reported on his and Dr. Boyd’s attendance at the annual Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) convention in Normal. The event included professional development training for trustees from across the state. Peterson also provided a brief update on the conclusion of the recent legislative session in Springfield.