CENTRALIA — Kaskaskia College’s Adult Education programing is returning on a limited basis thanks to a nearly $116,000 grant to provide services to help those who need to obtain their high school equivalency certificate.
The KC Board of Trustees approved the continuation of the classes during its regular meeting. The college has already registering students for the classes, formerly known as GED, at six locations including Carlyle, Centralia, Salem, Greenville, Vandalia and Trenton with more than one hundred students already signing up.
The concentrations of study are language arts reading and writing, science, social studies, mathematics and the Constitution test. The class is provided at no tuition cost to students.
“This week has been designated as National Adult Education and Literacy Week, and KC is so excited that we are able to provide services to help adult students improve their basic skills to obtain the high school equivalency certificate,” said KC President Dr. Penny Quinn.
The class offerings will be provided as long as the grant funding is available, with classes provided by part-time, contractual employees. Due to funding issues in the fall of 2015, the College Administration was forced previously to discontinue the Adult Education and Literacy program, including High School Equivalency, or GED programming.
Trustees also approved two new articulation agreements with Greenville College that will allow students seamless transfer options from KC to Greenville in both the Business and Criminal Justice fields.
These agreements include the opportunity to transfer not only general education courses, but many core courses in law enforcement and business. Dave Holden, Greenville’s Dean of Adult Studies noted Greenville and KC have been long term partners in providing accessible degree paths for students.
“We look forward to a continued partnership between Greenville College and Kaskaskia College,” said Holden. KC Vice President of Instructional Service, Dr. Greg Labyak said, “We are proud of our very special relationship with Greenville College. These articulation agreements will benefit students in the business and criminal justice fields, who will begin their work at Greenville as juniors.”
(Submitted photo)
The College Board approved a resolution for the discontinuation of educational services at the Greenville Federal Correctional Institution effective September 30, 2016, due to the conclusion of its current contract with the facility.
The Board also approved discontinuing the employment of the corrections instructor at GFCI, effective October 31, 2016. While these actions were in response to the current agreement between the two institutions ending, the college is hopeful to continue its partnership with GFCI. Kaskaskia College has provided educational programming at the Greenville Federal Correctional Institute (GFCI) since 2011.
In other action, the Board approved the college’s 2017 fiscal year budget, as well as a resolution for tax abatement for commercial, industrial and residential property improvements in the Vandalia/Fayette County Enterprise Zone. The Board also approved a provision change in the contract of President Dr. Penny Quinn that aligns with recently passed state legislation, and approved a resolution calling for an election of members to the KC Board of Trustees.
In personnel matters, the Board approved the resignation of Amber Edwards, Associate Professor of Radiologic Technology; Pat Stansfield, Director of the TRIO Grant, and Kelsey Tate, Student Engagement Specialist.
The Board approved a resolution to accept the donation of a 2009 Flagstaff Micro Lite Camping Trailer from Ron Lyons of Centralia on behalf of the Veterans Tribute Committee.
In other action, the Board approved the 2016-17 Board of Trustee Meeting Calendar as well as a memorandum of understanding with the Veterans Tribute Committee.
Registration is now underway for second eight week classes this fall at Kaskaskia College. Classes will start October 10. The college will begin registration for the Spring 2017 semester with online registration scheduled for October 17 and in-person registration scheduled to start October 24.
Dr. Quinn also noted the college will be hosting community engagement forums throughout the district starting on October 27 at 8:30 a.m. at the Nashville Education Center.
The forums are an opportunity for the college to meet with members of the community to discuss what’s taking place at KC, as well as gather input on how the college can better serve its communities. The other meetings are scheduled as follows:
November 1, 3:30 p.m. Trenton Education Center
November 3, 8:30 a.m. Salem Education Center
November 8, 8:30 a.m. Greenville Education Center
November 10, 3:30 p.m. Vandalia Education Center