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PITTSFIELD, ILL. -- John Wood Community College Trustees approved a pay increase for staff. The board also heard a report on the College’s revamped organizational structure and received an enrollment update.

Trustees approved a three-year contract with the College’s faculty association last month, which included a 3.25 percent increase for this year. The Board previously approved a 2 percent pay increase for full-time staff in April. Trustees approved an additional 1.25 percent retroactive pay increase for regular full-time and part-time staff this month to match the faculty contract.

“Over the past two years the College has reduced positions and cut non-essential services, programs and positions to operate as efficiently as possible,” Tom Klincar, JWCC president said.  “Our dedicated staff has accepted heavier workloads with fewer resources and Trustees want to provide fair compensation.”

Trustees received an enrollment update from John Letts, vice president for student services. Fall enrollment stands at 2,390, which is a 4.4 percent drop from last year. Credit hours are down by 5.2 percent to 24,264.The decrease is based on the College tightening dual-credit requirements and state cuts in displaced worker training funds.

In other business, the Board:

Moved to allow the College to proceed with a $200,000 capital project at the Workforce Development Center pending receipt of funds previously appropriated by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Funding will help the College create two smart classrooms, storage rooms and a dedicated HVAC system to improve energy efficiency at the center.

Approved issuing a request for proposal for a guaranteed energy savings contract requiring qualified providers to offer innovative solutions for energy conservation measures.

Approved submission of grant applications to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for Earth Day Activities and to the Adams County Board for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).  The Board also accepted $11,330 in grant funds from the United Way of Adams County to assist with operational funding for RSVP.

Revised Board Policy 314 to increase the tuition reimbursement amount from $150 to $200 per credit hour for regular full-time and part-time staff.  This change will align the staff benefit with the faculty benefit negotiated in the recent collective bargaining agreement.

Next Board meeting is scheduled for October 19, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in Quincy.