Laid-off JALC faculty back, but lawsuit advances

At last week's monthly meeting of the John A. Logan College Board of Trustees, President Ron House used his "officer's report" to make an announcement.

"There is only one faculty member left to rehire from last year's layoffs," he said, referring to the 35 faculty members who lost their jobs more than a year ago because, said the board at the time, of the college's dire financial condition and the uncertainty of state funding.

"I'm proud to say that Jane Beyler is currently filling in for a faculty member on leave, but we have every expectation of recalling her permanently by the fall semester," he said.

Bret Seferian, a director at the Illinois Education Association who represents several local unions at SIU and John A Logan College, said, "I would indeed call it good news," and he doesn't have a lot of good news to report when it comes to the lawsuit he filed last fall for those faculty members who were laid off. The suit asks the college for nearly $700,000 in lost wages and benefits.

"We intend to vigorously fight for the rights of the people we represent," Seferian told the board at the time.

But since then, settlement talks "went nowhere."

"The college has made a motion to dismiss the case, but asked for an extension on the hearing until April 16," Seferian said.

Bleachers approved

The board approved the purchase of five sets of bleachers for $41,749 for the baseball and softball fields. The current bleachers do not meet safety code.

The bleachers will be purchased through the National Joint Powers Alliance and a cooperative purchasing agreement.

NJPA establishes and provides nationally leveraged and competitively solicited purchasing contracts under the guidance of the Uniform Municipal Contracting Law.

Dant Clayton Corporation will deliver and install the bleachers.

Car-O-Tronic system OK'd

The board awarded the bid for the Car-O-Tronic Vision2 X2 system to Midwest Collision Equipment for $29,536. The Car-O-Tronic Vision2 X2 is a computerized electronic measuring system used in the auto collision industry to accurately assess and measure damage to a vehicle.

Midwest Collision Equipment in Arnold, Mo., is the only company that submitted a bid and the only distributor for the Car-O-Tronic system.

Board opens accounts

The board approved the request from Brad McCormick, the treasurer, to open accounts with Banterra Bank to enable participation in its Certificate of Deposit Account Registry service and its Insured Account Sweep.

While meeting the board requirements when it comes to investments, it is anticipated that this action will provide the benefit of increased interest on invested assets and also provide the local economic benefit of keeping more money invested.

"This move in investments could add as much as $30,000 per year to the college coffers," said Trustee Glenn Poshard. "Banterra is the only bank offering all of the investments instruments we want."

Reserved parking spot

The board approved the installation of one sign designating a parking space close to the east entrance to campus and building E, for current students who are combat-wounded veterans and recipients of the purple heart. The college knows of seven of these veterans on campus but McCormick said he was sure there are more. Anyone interested should see the veterans office at the college to apply for the permit.

"We'll start with one parking space and expand if the need be," McCormick said.

Personnel changes

The John A. Logan Board made the following personnel changes on Tuesday.

Robert Craig was appointed to a three-year term, from fiscal year 2019 through 2021, in the Applied Technologies Department. Aaron Carter was hired as a full-time tenure-track faculty member and instructor in the Heating and Air-Conditioning program effective in the fall.

Michael Garza was ratified as a part-time instructor in the auto service technician program. April Martinez was ratified as a part-time substitute instructor of physical education. Rose Schoen was ratified as a part-time instructor of massage therapy. Kimberly Dyer was hired as a Rep-N-Step instructor. Alex Heidbreder was ratified as a silversmithing instructor. Treca McConnell was ratified as a cookie creations instructor. Karissa Murphy was ratified as a personal training instructor. Susan Whiting was ratified as a manual communications instructor.

The board accepted the resignation of Lori Johnson, an administrative assistant, effective March 16, and Chris Froemling, a health information technology instructor, effective May 31.