John Wood Community College Board of Trustees approved a $15,991,005 balanced budget and adoption of the College’s strategic plan for the 2021 fiscal year during its regular meeting Wednesday, July 22. The meeting was conducted virtually as permitted by the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The budget does not include an increase in tuition or institutional fees for in-district, out-of-district and online instruction. This is the fourth straight year JWCC has frozen tuition for students.
“Our Board of Trustees continues to balance its conservative fiscal approach with progressive investments in strategic initiatives,” JWCC President Michael Elbe stated. “Continuing to hold the line on tuition will help more students access higher education – especially in programs that lead to key workforce sectors such as manufacturing, logistics and healthcare.”
Elbe shared, “I am especially proud of JWCC’s faculty and staff for their exceptional service and commitment to our students and College during these challenging times. In this ever-changing pandemic environment, our leadership team continues thrive and make decisions that are in the greatest good of JWCC to keep our College healthy, vibrant and growing.”
In other business, the board:
- Accepted $4,000 in grant funds from the United Way of Adams County for Adams, Brown and Pike Counties for RSVP programs.
- Accepted $15,840 in grant funds from the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) for the IBHE Work-Study grant.
- Accepted $25,000 in grant funds from the Illinois Board of Higher Education for Grant of Agriculture Science Teachers (GAST). The funds are used to recruit, and support students interested in pursuing AG education careers.
- Approved a $161,850 bid from Million Construction, LTD for soccer field renovation.
- Approved a Memorandum of Understanding containing modifications and clarifications for the FY2019-FY2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement regarding class sizes, course development pay, and load calculation for labs as a result of COVID-19.
- Approved $4,028 to the Illinois Community College Trustees Association for the first dues installment (of two) for FY21.
- Approved revision of Board Policy 212 – Sexual, Racial, Disability and other forms of Harassment.
The next regular meeting of the JWCC Board of Trustees is August 19, 2020, at JWCC’s Agricultural Education Center, located at 37809 IL-104, Baylis, IL 62314.
Release #072220
John Wood Community College is the educational link between business and community. JWCC collaboratively creates innovative and relevant academic and training programs with business leaders to educate young people and the workforce for today's needs and tomorrow's opportunities. JWCC has centers in Quincy, Pittsfield, Baylis and Mt. Sterling, Illinois. Programs include a comprehensive baccalaureate transfer curriculum, customized business training, career/technical degrees, certificates, and personal enrichment courses.
