Dale Chapman

The Lewis and Clark Community College (LCCC) Board of Trustees plans a nationwide search for a new college president; after approving a separation and resignation agreement with long-time president Dale Chapman at its Dec. 10 meeting.

“The board’s action tonight reflects the desire to move the institution forward in a new direction,” Board Chairman David Heyen said, reading from a prepared statement after the vote. “The Board of Trustees certainly appreciates Dr. Chapman’s years devoted to education and his service to the college, but it believes now is the time for a transition into the future.

“While we appreciate there might be concerns from employees and those in the community, the board does not make this decision lightly when considering the impact Dr. Chapman’s 30 years of service have had on this college and its many constituents.”

For most of this year, Heyen, and a slate of recently elected board members, have wrangled with Chapman, other administrators and more-tenured board members over program expansions and capital improvements — which they believe have fiscally imperiled the college.

In the course of routine business during last week’s meeting, Board Secretary Kevin Rust and other trustees questioned potential tax increases, proposed tuition and fee hikes, and increases in the college debt load

However, last week’s formal parting-of-ways came amid, what many consider, evidence Chapman’s ambitious 27-year effort to transform the college has paid off.

During the meeting, the board received official notification that LCCC is now ranked among the top 150 community colleges in America. The LCCC Trailblazers Women’s Soccer team was congratulated by the board on nearly winning a NJCAA national championship. Construction on the campus’s new sports arena has effectively been completed, administrator reported.

“Bear in mind how much better off this college is than it was 20 years ago,” Retired Madison County Associate Judge Duane Bailey implored during a public comment period.

Named LCCC interim president during the meeting was Dr. Lori Artis; the college’s vice president for administration.

Brett Reinert, LCCC’s associate vice president for strategic Initiatives, was named assistant to the interim president.

The Springfield-based academic administration search consultancy, Pauly Group, Inc. was approved by the board to vet candidates for new LCCC president; pending final negotiations on costs for the search.

No timeframe for selection of a new president was announced.

The terms of the college’s separation agreement with Chaman have not yet been released.

Lewis and Clark Community College is a two-year institution with multiple campuses and an annual enrollment of around 15,000 students. (Photo courtesy of L&C Community College)

Chapman did not attend the board meeting and, as of the Chronicle’s deadline, had not commented publicly.

His departure from the college comes a bit sooner than expected.

The board, in October, voted not to extend the college’s contract with Dr. Chapman, past its scheduled expiration on June 30, 2020.

The board first indicated that Dr. Chapman’s employment might end sooner, when “approval of a separation agreement and resignation” — or, in the alternative, outright termination of the college president — appears last week as items on the board’s December meeting agenda.

The effective date of the resignation has not yet been released.

The separation agreement was approved following a two-hour closed session. The vote was unanimous with Chairman Heyen, Vice Chairman Julie Johnson, Board Secretary Rust and Assistant Board Secretary Charles Hanfelder, the board’s fiscal conservatives, joined by Robert Watson, Brenda Walker McCain, Dwight Werts, and Student Trustee April Tulgetske.

It also followed a roughly half-hour of public comment; most in favor or Chapman’s retention.

Madison County resident Alan Lash called the board “ignorant”; echoing complaints from some college administrators that its conservative faction — though all accountants or, in one case, a comptroller — do not adequately understand management of a post-secondary learning institution.

Defenders say Chapman has increased enrollment, helped lead a drive toward job-focused education, and established numerous off-campus programs benefiting the region — all while maintaining manageable debt.

However, college district resident T.A. Ambrose praised the board majority’s new emphasis on cost cutting and traditional college courses. “We have a lot to look forward to,” Amborse said, during the public comment period.

  Tuition, fiscal outlook

During the treasurer’s report at the Dec. 10 meeting, Rust questioned an increase in the district’s annual tax levy, which could increase property tax bills next year.

College Vice President of Finance Mary Schulte said an anticipated 4.74 percent increase in equalized assessed valuation across the district will hopefully mean the district’s property tax rate will not increase next year, despite the levy increase.  However, a final answer will only come with the issuance of tax bills next year, she added.

The district’s proposed Fiscal Year 2021 Tuition and Fees schedule was tabled until the board’s January meeting after Rust question several increases.

Administrators are proposing tuition increase four percent at the college from the current $125 per course hour to $130 next year.

That would make LCCC tuition $15 higher than the average of $115 at comparable community colleges; and $17 higher than the $113 tuition at Southwestern Illinois College, Rust noted.

Drawing criticism from Board Vice Chairman Johnson during the meeting was Illinois House Bill 3944, introduced in October by State Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton).

The legislation would amend the Illinois Public Community College Act to mandate the student member of the LCCC Board of Trustees be immediately granted full voting privileges. Currently the LCCC student trustees votes only in an advisory capacity.

LCCC Student Trustee April Tulgetske is an outspoken proponent of Chapman and voted against the board’s October action to end his employment with the college.

Vice Chairman Johnson said the legislation would result in constant tie votes that would hinder action by the LCCC board. She noted that the voting student member would not be required at other community colleges.

The legislation would also prohibit any community college board member from becoming the president of a community college for one year after acting to end the employment of the college’s current president.

The bill has led to speculation that Board Chairman Neyen is seeking the president’s office at LCCC. He has not publicly comment on such speculation.

The bill has passed the Illinois House Higher Education Committee but has yet to be scheduled for consideration on the House floor.

Tulgetske suggested there may be action by the LCCC student government to win voting rights for the college’s student trustee.