Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees approves executive leadership contracts

Centralia, IL - The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees convened for its monthly meeting on Monday, June 23, 2025, at the Kaskaskia College main campus. Trustees in attendance included Bill Hawley (Odin), Linda Stover (Centralia), Jim Beasley (Centralia), Laura Wedekemper (Shattuc), Bryan Holthaus (Carlyle), Craig Finke (Nashville), Louis Kalert (Centralia), and Megan Mahlandt (Student Trustee).

During the session, the Board approved a number of items focused on financial oversight, operational improvements, and personnel decisions as the College prepares for the 2025-2026 academic year. Key approvals included the presentation and acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Statement Audit, conducted by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, and the post-issuance tax compliance reports for bond issuances for FY2025.

Trustees also approved the setting of the fiscal year 2026 and announced public budget inspection for and hearing timelines for August and September 2025. The Board voted in support of a resolution to extend Carlyle's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Redevelopment Project Area #3, reinforcing the College's commitment to local economic development. Additionally, trustees approved the renewal of a rental agreement with Prairie Creek Apartments, LLC, which provides off-campus housing for KC students.

In efforts to control utility costs, the Board approved a resolution authorizing the Vice President of Administrative Services/CFO to negotiate and execute new contracts for natural gas and electricity.

Personnel items approved by the Board included:

• Two-year contract renewals for four members of the College's executive leadership team, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, with an option for renewal:
  • Julie Obermark, Provost and Vice President of Instructional Services
  • George Kriss, CIO and Vice President of Institutional Technology and Support
  • Sara Hanks, Vice President of Administrative Services
  • Amy Zanton, Vice President of Student Services

A title and role adjustment within the Public Safety Department, naming Brian Atchison as Assistant Police Chief. Structural adjustments in the Human Services, resulting in compensation increases for two Human Services employees and the elimination of a vacant third position. A title change and salary adjustment for Jacob Frazier, transitioning from Applications Developer to Systems Integration Engineer.

Employment changes include the hiring of two new Buildings & Grounds technicians, Jeff Howe and Geonesa Yaco-Lange, plus the acknowledgment of one staff retirement and three upcoming faculty retirements:

• Mark Lee, Building and Grounds Technician, effective July 1, 2025
• Lori Schmidt, Professor of Dental Assisting, effective May 30, 2026
• Kenneth Ingersoll, Professor of Criminal Justice, effective August 3, 2026
• Jodi Palm, Professor of Math, effective August 8, 2026