Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees Reviews FY2027 Budget, Approves Vandalia Landscaping Artwork Project

CENTRALIA, IL - The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. on the KC main campus. Trustees present included Chairman John W. Bill Hawley (Odin), Louis Kalert (Centralia), Linda Stover (Centralia), Bryan Holthaus (Carlyle), Laura Wedekemper (Shattuc), Craig Finke (Nashville), and Andolini Gray (Student Trustee). Trustee Jim Beasley (Centralia) was absent.

According to a recent report from Vice President of Administrative Services and Chief Financial Officer Sara Hanks, the College remains fiscally sound and continues to be a good steward of taxpayers' money. Hanks presented the proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2027 for the Board's consideration.

"For fiscal year 2026, which ended June 30, 2026, we anticipate an excess of operating revenue over expenditures of approximately $928,720," stated Hanks. She explained that the College's conservative budgeting and improvements in several areas led to stronger operating results.

"Looking forward to fiscal year 2027, KC is confidently staying true to its conservative approach to budgeting," explained Hanks. "The budget anticipates $36,493,729 in revenue and $36,036,560 in expenses, resulting in a projected surplus of $457,169. The College remains in a strong financial position as we enter the new fiscal year."

The College's operating fund reserves also remain strong, with more than eight months of operating reserves as of July 1, 2026.

Hanks said the College's budget officers remain fiscally responsible and prioritize requests that align with KC's core mission and strategic plans.

The tentative fiscal year 2027 budget, covering July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, will be available for public review Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., in the Office of the Vice President of Administrative Services in the Administration Building at 27210 College Road, Centralia, IL 62801, through September 26, 2026.

The budget will also be available on the Kaskaskia College website at www.kaskaskia.edu/about-kc/consumer-information.

A public hearing on the tentative budget for Kaskaskia College, Community College District No. 501, for fiscal year 2027 will be held at 6:00 p.m. on September 28, 2026, prior to the regular Board meeting. The hearing will take place at the Kaskaskia College Greenville Education Center, located at 209 North Third Street in Greenville.

The Board approved moving forward with the Vandalia Education Center Landscaping and Artwork Project, which will be funded entirely through the Kaskaskia College Foundation. Made possible through the generosity of Mary Albert O'Neill, approximately $1.2 million will support the purchase, fabrication, and installation of artwork and surrounding landscaping at select locations throughout the center. The project is intended to create a welcoming environment inspired by creativity, teaching, learning, and KC's community mission. A public artist-selection process will include a request for qualifications, committee review, design proposals from selected semifinalists, and a final artist recommendation. For more information, please contact KC Foundation Executive Director Michael Christensen at mchristensen@kaskaskia.edu or 618-545-3069.

The Board also approved two purchases fully funded through the Workforce Empowerment Initiative (WEI) grant. The College will purchase a Simlog Forklift Personal Simulator from Moss Enterprises of Johnston, Iowa, for $31,650. The simulator will support instruction in the HVAC, carpentry, industrial technology, and welding programs at the Crisp Technology Center and can also be used in the Mobile Manufacturing Lab.

Additionally, the College will purchase 26 laptops from Data Center Warehouse of Laguna Hills, California, for $27,915.62. The purchase includes 20 business laptops and six rugged laptops for use in HVAC open-lab areas.

The Board approved the promotion of Mathematics faculty member Josie Spihlmann from assistant professor to associate professor, as well as the appointments of Adam Heimann as Trenton Education Center Coordinator, Sara Koopmann as Administrative Assistant for Career and Technical Education and Industrial Trades, and Molly Green as CNA Program Manager. The Board also approved the creation of a new Discipline Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Precision Agriculture position.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, September 28, 2026, at the College's Greenville Education Center, located at 209 North Third Street in Greenville.