Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees approves Fiscal Year 2026 budget

Centralia, IL - The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees held its monthly meeting on Monday, September 22, 2025, at Kaskaskia College's Crisp Manufacturing and Trades Center. Attendees included Bill Hawley (Odin), Laura Wedekemper (Shattuc), Linda Stover (Centralia), Louis Kalert (Centralia), Jim Beasley (Centralia), Craig Finke (Nashville), Bryan Holthaus (Carlyle), and Meagan Mahlandt (Student Trustee).

Trustees heard from Ben Frazier, CEO and Executive Director of the YMCA of Fayette County, regarding the possible development of plans for a new park on a 10-acre parcel owned by the college located directly west to the YMCA and south of the KC Vandalia Education Center that could feature amenities such as a modernized park, walking trail, and outdoor art sculptures. Frazier asked the board to consider amending the colleges' and YMCAs' current lease agreement to include the proposed parcel and intends to bring forward a formal proposal in the future to design a shared space that would benefit both organizations and the community. No formal action was taken by the board on the YMCA's request.

The board unanimously approved the institution's fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, totaling $58,415,097, with a projected deficit of approximately $468,000. However, college leaders emphasized that the shortfall will likely lessen over the course of the year, as not all budgeted positions will be filled, or expenditures will come to fruition. During the budget hearing, Sara Hanks, KC Vice President of Administrative Services, assured the board that the college remains fiscally sound and continues to be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. By the end of fiscal year 2026, the institution expects to maintain a healthy reserve balance equal to more than eight months of operating expenses.

A new Culinary Management and Operations Certificate has been approved for offering at the Centralia Correctional Center. This program is designed to align with the standards of similar certificates offered at correctional facilities across Illinois.

The board also approved the purchase of a PerkinElmer Spectrum FT-IR Two Spectrometer from PerkinElmer U.S. LLC of Shelton, Connecticut, for $39,270. The new equipment will be used for instructional purposes in the Chemistry Department, enhancing hands-on learning opportunities for students to analyze molecular composition.

In personnel items, the board voted to approve two new hires, Paige Stamps as the Evening Coordinator for the Trenton Education Center and Brittany Hunter as a WEI Coach/Workforce Partnership Coordinator. The board also accepted the retirement notice from KC Assistant Professor of Computer Information Technology Angenien Huffstutler, effective December 16, 2026.