The Southeastern Illinois College Board of Trustees approved the college’s fiscal year 2027 budget and several other action items during its Sept. 22 meeting at the Stanford D. Williams Career & Training Center in Carmi. The meeting was followed by a joint meeting of the SIC and Rend Lake College boards of trustees.
Prior to the regular meeting, the SIC board held a public hearing on the proposed FY27 budget. No members of the public attended the hearing, which concluded at 4:15 p.m.
During the regular meeting, trustees approved the FY27 budget, 2027 board meeting dates, revised academic calendars for 2027-28, revised Board Policy 4023 and the September Curriculum Report.
In personnel actions, the board approved the transfer of Damon Whitt Jr. from Title III Student Information Technology Specialist to Data Systems and Research Analyst. Trustees also accepted the resignation of Kaitlyn Garrison, Adult Education Enrollment Assistant, effective Sept. 3.
The board also approved a revised job description for the Executive Dean of Academic Services, removing responsibilities associated with the Title III grant, which concludes Sept. 30.
Following the regular meeting, trustees from SIC and Rend Lake College convened at 6 p.m. for a joint meeting focused on the RLC-SIC Alliance. Through the alliance, the institutions explore opportunities to share courses, programs, resources and other services while building relationships between the two colleges.
“The RLC-SIC Alliance is a valuable partnership that allows us to work together in ways that benefit our students and communities,” said SIC President Dr. Karen Weiss. “These joint meetings give us an opportunity to strengthen relationships, share ideas and continue looking for ways our institutions can collaborate.”
Jessica Nardulli, J.D., legislative counsel for the Illinois Community College Trustees Association, served as guest speaker. Nardulli discussed her role with ICCTA and provided an overview of issues facing Illinois community colleges during the upcoming veto session in November and December, as well as the 2027 legislative session.
SIC Executive Dean of Academic Services Dr. Tyler Billman and Rend Lake College Vice President of CTE and Student Support Kim Wilkerson also provided reports on courses shared by the two colleges during the fall 2026 semester.
The two boards also approved a change to the schedule for future joint meetings. Rather than meeting twice each year, the boards will meet jointly once annually at the conclusion of the spring semester. The annual meeting will provide an opportunity for both institutions to review shared activities, courses, programs and resources from throughout the academic year.
The next regular meeting of the SIC Board of Trustees will be held Oct. 20 in the Rodney J. Brenner Board Room on SIC’s Harrisburg campus.
