Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees awards bid packages for new gymnasium, renews President contract for four more years

The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees held its monthly meeting on Monday, August 26, 2024, at Kaskaskia College. Attendees included Bill Hawley (Odin), Linda Stover (Centralia), Laura Wedekemper (Shattuc), Louis Kalert (Centralia), Jim Beasley (Centralia), Craig Finke (Nashville), Bryan Holthaus (Carlyle), and Connor Wademan (Student Trustee).

During the meeting, the Board of Trustees awarded the bid packages for constructing the new gymnasium on KC's main campus. This project represents the final phase of the campus-wide renovation and modernization initiative that began in 2021. The new gymnasium will feature both competition-level and recreational facilities, benefiting students, staff, and the surrounding community.

KC President George Evans said, "We've invested a year and a half into thoughtfully designing this gym, and we are excited to see it come to fruition and begin serving our community."

The following bid packages for the new gymnasium were awarded:

Bid Package 1 General Trades: Holland General Contractors of Swansea, IL for $2,199,500

Bid Package 2 - Concrete: Litteken Construction of Breese, IL for $897,800

Bid Package 3 Pre-Cast Concrete: Mid America Precast of Fulton, MO for $858,475

Bid Package 4 - Masonry: Gass Masonry of Freeburg, IL for $673,305

Bid Package 5 Structural Steel: Federal Steel & Erection Co. of East Alton, IL for $909,800

Bid Package 6 Roofing & Sheet Metal: Joiner Sheet Metal of Highland, IL for $614,700

Bid Package 7 Drywall & Paint: Von Alst Operating of Swansea, IL for $405,823

Bid Package 8 Fire Suppression: L&K Fire Protection of Marion, IL for $99,700

Bid Package 9 - Plumbing: Industrial Mechanical Contractors of Centralia, IL for $331,000

Bid Package 10 - HVAC: Industrial Mechanical Contractors of Centralia, IL for $1,180,700

Bid Package 11 - Electrical: Clinton Electric of Ina, IL for $948,628

Bid Package 12 Site Improvements: 618 Civil Contracting of Centralia, IL for $760,800

The total amount for the bid packages is $9,800,231, with groundbreaking anticipated for late 2024.

In addition, the Trustees announced the official extension of President Evans contract through FY25-FY28.

I am deeply grateful for the trust and support the board has shown in me, and I look forward to continuing our work together to achieve our goals and advance the college, said President Evans.

The Board of Trustees also approved the following purchases:

• FANUC Mechanical Robot from Aidex Educational Systems of Rossville, IN, for $39,450. This 100% grant-funded robot will be housed at the Greenville Education Center and utilized by students from the Greenville Federal Bureau of Prisons in their mechatronics courses.
• Portable Programmable Logic Control Troubleshooting Learning Systems from Moss Enterprises of Jeffersonville, IN, for $28,490. These 100% grant-funded systems will primarily support the Industrial Technology Program, particularly in training future technicians in partnership with Continental Tires apprenticeship program.
• Renewal of Microsoft Campus Agreement from CDWG of Chicago, IL, for $27,105.53. This renewal allows Kaskaskia College to maintain and utilize industry-standard software across campus computers.

In personnel matters, the Trustees approved the hiring of Christopher Hottes as Audio/Visual Technician, Cameron Meredith as Building and Grounds Technician, and Alaina Kohnen as Children's Learning Center Teacher. The Board also accepted the retirement of Cheryl Boehne, Regional Director of Education Centers, effective December 23, 2024.