Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees Passes Resolution Honoring Outgoing Vandalia Mayor Rick Gottman

Centralia, Ill. - The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees convened for its monthly meeting on Monday, May 19, 2025, at the Kaskaskia College Vandalia Campus. Trustees in attendance included Bill Hawley (Odin), Linda Stover (Centralia), Jim Beasley (Centralia), Laura Wedekemper (Shattuc), Bryan Holthaus (Carlyle), Louis Kalert (Centralia), and Megan Mahlandt (Student Trustee). Trustee Craig Finke (Nashville) was absent.

The Board opened the meeting with a resolution recognizing longtime Vandalia Mayor Rick Gottman for his decades of leadership of the City of Vandalia and partnership with the College. Mayor Gottman was instrumental in advancing educational access and workforce opportunities by supporting the Vandalia Education Center and the Kaskaskia College Foundation.

Kaskaskia College Board Chair Bill Hawley thanked Rick for his longstanding partnership with the College and his many contributions to the Vandalia area.

"It has been an absolute honor to work alongside Rick," said KC President George Evans. "Through the ups and downs, he has remained a key figure in strengthening the College's connection with the City of Vandalia, the Illinois Municipal League, and our philanthropic partners. We are deeply grateful for his commitment and service to Kaskaskia College."

Gottman, who stepped down this year after over three decades as Vandalia's mayor, expressed his appreciation for the recognition.

"Thank you for the recognition. It has been wonderful to see what has grown out of the Vandalia campus, this is truly a great asset to our community," Gottman said. "The College has been very good to me throughout my 32 years with the City of Vandalia. It holds a special place in my heart, and I will continue to be a strong supporter."

In new business, the Board approved a series of purchases to support ongoing construction and program utilization, including:

• Athletic Facility Enhancements: Approval of purchase of new scoreboards and a sound system for indoor and outdoor athletic venues from Nevco Sports, LLC of Greenville, IL for $303,717. The College will reimburse the institution via sponsorship and advertising revenue that will be displayed on the scoreboards.
• Gymnasium Furniture Purchase: New furnishings for the gym from KI Furniture of Green Bay, WI for $30,581.
• Purchase of Tesla Model Y: Ratification of the purchase of a used electric vehicle for training and student engagement from Jansen Ford of Breese, IL, for $32,972. Funding for this purchase was provided by the ICCB Rev Up Grant.

The board also accepted a donation of two assorted sizes of welding wire for use by the Welding Technology Program from Intermountain Electronics of Centralia, IL, with an estimated value of over $9,500.

Several academic policy revisions were presented for first reading, including updates to policies on course transferability, occupational competency guarantees, distance learning engagement, and voluntary separation of employment.

In personnel, the board approved the following faculty reappointments.

• Probationary Faculty Reappointments and Tenure:
  Advancement of faculty members from first year to second year, second year to third year, and tenure status.
• First Year Probationary Faculty to Second Year Probationary Employment
• Marcus Abston (Arts & Sciences)
• Nathan Young (Arts & Sciences)
• Darrell Johnson (Career and Technical Education)
• Tori Lueke (Health Sciences)
• Second Year Probationary Faculty to Third Year Probationary Faculty
• Cody Paul (Arts & Sciences)
• Mary Beth Suedmeyer (Health Sciences)
• Third Year Probationary Faculty to Tenured Employment
• Josie Spihlmann (Arts & Sciences)

Trustees also approved routine annual salary adjustments for non-collective bargaining employees, along with the final phase wage adjustments of the College's previously adopted three-phase wage classification study. These adjustments support KC's ongoing efforts to remain competitive in the regional labor market and retain a skilled, student-centered workforce. In addition, the Board approved a one-time $500 incentive payment for surpassing the predetermined goal to reach or exceed 64,000 reimbursable credit hours during the FY25 academic year. The College exceeded the target by approximately 4,500 hours.

Lastly, the board approved the new hire of David Stine as the new Precision Agriculture Facilitator, plus accepted the retirement of Assistant Professor of Automotive Technology Charles DeBernardi (effective May 31, 2026), Professor of Respiratory Therapy Sharon Urban (effective May 20, 2026), and Business Learning Center Specialist Michele Hill (effective July 31, 2025).