Trustees Review Tentative FY26 Budget, Hear Enrollment Update
The Board held its regular meeting Wednesday
At its regular meeting Wednesday, the Parkland College Board of Trustees reviewed the tentative budget for fiscal year 2026 and heard an enrollment update, among other agenda items.
The proposed budget will be published in The News-Gazette prior to final approval at the board's September meeting. Any questions regarding the budget prior to the September 17 meeting may be directed to Senior Vice President for Administrative Services, Chris Randles.
Dean of Enrollment Kristin Smigielski presented the Board of Trustees with end-of-semester enrollment data for Spring 2025 and census data for Summer 2025, both of which increased. She also presented data trends for the upcoming Fall Semester.
Trustees also revised the contract for Dr. Pamela Lau, president of Parkland College, executive officer of the Board, and chief administrative officer. Her new term is July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029, with the approved 5.45% annual salary increase for administrators.
In other business, Trustees approved the following:
- the filing of grant applications:
- Illinois Community College Board (ICCB): FY2026 Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce (PATH)—SWFT Healthcare
- ICCB: Workforce Empowerment Initiative (WEI)—Support for Workforce Training (SWFT)
- ICCB: FY26 Rev Up EV Community College Initiative (Continuation Funding)
- funds awarded to the college from external sources:
- Local Workforce Development Board 17—LWIA 17 Youth Committee (via CCRPC): 2025 Youth Providers Grant (WIOA)
- ICCB: FY25 Noncredit Strategies at Work Grant (Supplemental Funding)
- Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT): FY26 Highway Construction Careers Training Program (HCCTP)
- personnel appointments and modifications:
- Stacey Brown, Operations Assistant, Community Education
- Thurman Culpepper, Senior Technical Support Specialist, Campus Technologies
- Haiti Eastin, Financial Aid Compliance Specialist, Financial Aid
- Megan Kirkhart, Career Services Manager, Advising
- Skyler O'Connor, Video Production Specialist, Arts, Media & Social Sciences
- Maddie Sneddon, Career Services Associate, Advising