Parkland Trustees Approve Budget, Purchases for Capital Projects
The Board convened for their regular meeting Wednesday
Parkland College's Board of Trustees adopted the budget for the upcoming year and approved purchases to improve campus structures and enhance public safety at their monthly meeting Wednesday.
The Board approved Protection, Health, and Safety (PHS) project plans to provide much needed structural and mechanical improvements to campus, including roof and window replacements, HVAC upgrades, and security camera additions.
Trustees accepted the FY 2026 budget, which includes a $1,997,604 operating deficit. This deficit includes estimated annual salary increases, projected health care costs, and significant capital expenditures. The Board was first presented the tentative budget in July 2025, and the budget was on display for public review and input in early August.
Trustees approved the resolution to appoint Parkland alum and Urbana native Gavin Granse as a peace officer for the college. The Culver-Stockton College and University of Illinois Police Training graduate began his law enforcement career with Parkland’s field training program in January 2025. He completed the program in August 2025 and is now released for solo patrol.
Following President Pamela Lau's remarks to the Board, Krishna Thomas, director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, presented the following 2025 awards for faculty and staff excellence:
- Teaching Excellence Award: Steven Rutledge, Professor, English, Humanities
- Outstanding Full-time Faculty Leadership Award: Marya Burke, Counselor, Counseling Support Center
- Staff Gold Award (5+ Years' Service): Brian Walker, Custodian, Physical Plant
- Staff Green Award (<5 Years' Service): Megan Johnson, Lead CVT, Veterinary Technology, Health Professions
More information about the awards and award recipients is available on the college's website.
Trustees also received legislative and Parkland College Association updates from college leadership. In other business, the Board approved:
- the purchase of:
- AGS Prime Platform Subscription and Annual Strengthening Community College Program Management System Subscription Services from American Government Services, LLC, Hudson, Wisc., $60,012
- funds awarded to the college from external sources:
- Illinois Community College Board (ICCB): FY26 Rev Up EV Community College Initiative (Continuation Funding)
- Illinois Arts Council (IAC): General Operating Support (GOS) Grants
- Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE): FY26 Illinois Cooperative Work Study (ICWS)
- personnel appointments and modifications:
- Kelsey Anello, Director of Support for Workforce Training, Workforce Development
- Patricia Bradford, Marketing and Digital Content Manager, Marketing and Public Relations
- Melinda Hoepker, Program Navigator, CBE, Career and Technical Education
- Emma Siefert, Instructor, Veterinary Tech, Allied Health
- Nicole Tuberty, Financial Aid Advisor, Financial Aid
- Job Evaluation Classiffication (JEC) modifications for Professional Support Staff (PSS) positions