JWCC Trustees hear report on COVID vaccinations and SHIELD testing

John Wood Community College Board of Trustees heard an update on Governor JB Pritzker’s COVID executive order requiring employees and students in higher education to get vaccinated or test weekly at Wednesday’s board meeting.

JWCC is working with SHIELD Illinois from the University of Illinois to implement a testing program for all JWCC sites, plus providing on-site vaccination clinics with the Illinois Emergency Management Association. 

“We all must do our part to maintain the safest environment for our students, faculty and staff,” said JWCC President Mike Elbe. “Reducing exposure to the virus is how we protect lives, be it through vaccination or simple testing.  Be assured we are working through a process to make decisions in the greatest good of our College and the community.”

Trustees also participated in board training during a two-hour session prior to the start of the board meeting.

Board training is required by the State of Illinois statute 110 ILCS 805/3-8.5.  JWCC legal counsel James Rapp conducted the training. As per the statute, every voting member of a board will complete four hours of professional development covering topics that include, but are not limited to, open meetings law, community college and labor law, freedom of information law, contract law, ethics, sexual violence on campus, financial oversight and accountability, audits, and fiduciary responsibilities of a community college trustee during the first, third and fifth year of their term.

“JWCC’s Board is committed to excellence and accountability at all levels,” said Elbe.  “Each one of our board members brings a wealth of experience and expertise, and we are extremely fortunate for their service to the College and our community in this capacity.” 

For more information regarding JWCC Board of Trustee’s members, please visit: www.jwcc.edu/about/board-of-trustees

In other business, the board:

Authorized submission of a $25,000 grant application to the Illinois Board of Education for a Grant of Agriculture Science Teachers (GAST).  This grant creates a pathway to a 4-year university degree by recruiting and supporting students interested in pursuing AG Education careers. 

Authorized submission of a $110,000 to $123,000 grant application to the Illinois Green Economy Network for IGEN for multiple projects.

Accepted a $95,000 bid from Durbin Geothermal, Inc. for a geothermal vault.

Approved a resolution authorizing and providing for the issue of approximately $5,000,000 Debt Certificates of the District for the purpose of constructing certain capital improvements, providing for the security for and means of payment for the Certificates, and authorizing the sale of the Certificates. The funds are necessary to provide the matching funds necessary for the Workforce Development Center expansion project along with other capital improvements.

Approved the 2022-2023 Academic Calendar.

The next meeting will be held Wednesday, October 20, at 6 p.m. at JWCC’s Quincy campus.

JWCC Public Relations provided information for this report.