SIC Supports Hundreds of Thousands in Tuition Scholarships for High School Students
The Southeastern Illinois College Board of Trustees met Tuesday, July 17 in the Rodney J. Brenner Board Room to learn that the college supports nearly $400,000 of free tuition for local high school by dual credit opportunities.
“Our dual credit enrollments have increased tremendously these last few years with more students choosing to participate in the Early College Program and our career and technical education dual credit courses in diesel technology, welding and information technology,” stated vice president of academic affairs, Dr. Karen Weiss.
Leading the way for dual credit scholarships is Hardin County High School approaching $100,000 worth of dual credit scholarships.
“We have 100 percent participation from our district high schools with dual credit and dual enrollment programs,” according to Gina Sirach, executive dean of academic services. “We have several dual credit courses that are taught at the high schools by high school faculty, who meet the same qualifications to teach in a specific discipline or content area as SIC faculty.”
Harrisburg High School is the second biggest user of dual credit receiving $64,000 scholarships and Galatia High School is third with $61,000.
“SIC is proud to offer such a great educational opportunity with our local high school partners,” said President Jonah Rice. “These scholarships help students get ahead in higher education and gets them ready to transfer from here with a lighter load of courses or allows them to transfer sooner. Dual credit also allows students to get into careers faster or earn a stackable credential.”
Rice also highlighted to the board how most schools housed within the college district benefited from used furniture that SIC was looking to dispose of in place of new upgrades to rooms in A, B, and C buildings.
“Many school districts within our area were contacted and made aware that we had a large quantity of desks, chairs, filing cabinets, and tables all looking for good homes. Hardin, Galatia, NCOE, Gallatin and Carrier Mills-Stonefort were some of the area schools that were happy to respond,” said Lisa Hite, executive dean of administrative services.
Rice said he and his team were glad to be able to help so many local school districts. “We’re all in this together, and it’s good to work so well with our local educational leaders. They are a great group of professionals.”
In other business, the board learned that preliminary budget numbers for fiscal year 2019 look to be solid, and that a tentative budget will be brought to the board in August.
Enrollment reports show that summer enrollment remained stable and fall enrollment looks to be close to that of last year.
The board also approved a number of policies that were slightly revised and updated, including medical emergency procedures, nepotism, and responsibilities of sponsors.
Additionally, the board agreed to the use of just over $300,000 of general obligation bond funds for various programs and maintenance needs, including powersports technology and erosion control.
In personnel, the board approved Holly Healy to be named director of the David L. Stanley White County Center with the removal of interim status, effective Aug. 1; the retirement of Steve Dotson, chemistry instructor, effective Aug. 31; and the part-time employment of Kayla DePriest as the student resource assistant.
The board approved the reduction in force of the Building Illinois Bio-Economy curriculum and training director position effective Sept. 30. Renee Loesche will transfer from that position to an adjunct position effective Oct. 1.
Also approved were a number of adjunct faculty, a full-time temporary nursing instructor position and the job description for a chemistry/biology instructor.
No action was taken on filling vacancies for the environmental services assistant and the chemistry/biology position at this time.
The next meeting of the board will be Tuesday, Aug. 14 at 6 p.m. in the Rodney J. Brenner Board Room at SIC.
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