The LLCC Board of Trustees conducted its October meeting Wednesday evening in an addition to Hillsboro Area Hospital which houses LLCC nursing classrooms and labs.
Dean of Health Professions Dr. Cynthia Maskey relayed the history of the partnership between LLCC and the hospital, which began with a $250,000 state grant in 2004 to provide nursing and emergency medical technician training to Hillsboro area students. The partnership was enhanced through construction of the new addition to the hospital which allowed the programs, in 2010, to move into state-of-the-art facilities on site.
LLCC Board Chair Justin Reichert thanked the hospital and commended the partnership which has trained hundreds of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants and emergency medical technicians, and provides clinical space for other LLCC health professions programs.
Scott Stallman, executive director of the educational service area comprising Hillsboro, Litchfield and Taylorville, presented information to the board regarding a nearly two percent increase in enrollment this fall in that area, and increases of nearly eight percent in Taylorville and three percent in Litchfield/Hillsboro in the amount of credit hours students are taking. He also noted the success of special opportunities offered to high school students including dual credit classes and the HEAT (Higher Education Academic Transfer) and PACT (Professional Accelerated Career Training) programs.
In related board action, trustees approved a resolution seeking approval from the Illinois Community College Board for a renovation and code compliance project at LLCC-Taylorville. The estimated $1.9-million project would be paid for through protection, health and safety funds.
And, trustees received and filed the fiscal year 2013 external audit. LLCC once again received an unqualified or “clean” opinion on the audit, which was performed by Sikich, LLP, of Springfield. Chair Reichert congratulated college administration on the consistency of positive audit reports.
