Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees approves tuition rate for 2025-2026 year

Centralia, Ill. - The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees convened for its monthly meeting on Monday, February 24, 2025, at Kaskaskia College. Attendees included Bill Hawley (Odin), Linda Stover (Centralia, Laura Wedekemper (Shattuc), Louis Kalert (Centralia), Craig Finke (Nashville), and Connor Wademan (Student Trustee). Jim Beasley (Centralia) and Bryan Holthaus (Carlyle) were absent.

Trustees approved a small tuition increase of $4 per credit hour along with a mandatory technology fee increase of $2 per credit hour, bringing the in-district rate to $166 per credit hour effective for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The decision to increase was reached after a comprehensive review of key factors, including competitive market comparisons across Illinois and neighboring community college districts, projected enrollment trends, current inflation rates, and the anticipated availability of financial aid resources.

KC President George Evans explained that because KC receives a lower Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV), a measure of property values used for tax purposes compared to other districts, the college must rely more heavily on tuition revenue. "We approach every tuition adjustment with the utmost seriousness," he said.

Additionally, KC leadership ensured that the approach reflects the commitment to responsibly managing taxpayer funds while supporting quality education. Out of district tuition rate per credit hour will increase by the same amounts, bringing the out of district rate to a total of $265 effective for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The out-of-state and international tuition rates will increase by $6 from $419 to $425, effective for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Not-in-district online tuition rates will also increase by $6 from $170 to $176 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

The board also approved the college's moving forward with a five-year renewal agreement with Barnes and Noble College, beginning on March 1, 2026. The college is currently in the fourth year of a five-year agreement with Barnes and Noble College, LLC of Basking Ridge, NJ, to provide college bookstore management services.

The following purchases were approved: Purchase and installation of a vehicle storage shelter at Harry J. Crisp Manufacturing and Trades Center from Lake Contracting of Addieville, IL, for $97,980. Purchase of a Snap-On Automotive Scanner Diagnostics Zeus+ Certification Kit from Snap-On Industrial of Crystal Lake, IL, for $50,554. The Illinois Community College Board Rev Up EV Community College Initiative Grant fully funds this purchase. Purchase of Hydronic Heating Training Unit and Water Pump Package for Centralia Correctional Center from Advanced Technologies Consultants of Plymouth, MI, for $31,400. This purchase is fully funded by the Career & Technical Education Improvement IDOC contract.

In personnel actions, the Board accepted the resignations of Maintenance Specialist Dwayne Hunter, effective February 14, 2025, and of Rev Up EV Grant Manager/Success Coach Margo Wagner, effective June 30, 2025.