The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees met last night and continued cutting expenses to keep the school operating.  Due to the lack of a State budget, which has resulted in no State funding for higher education in nearly 8 months, KC is facing severe financial challenges.  The school is committed to remaining the economic engine of District 501, and therefore must make significant budget cuts in order to continue to serve the District.  Based on these financial challenges, the Board approved the College to move forward in implementing procedures for another round of Reductions in Force for Faculty, Professional/Managerial Staff, and Support Staff, much like last month when 20 to 25 people lost their jobs.  This has resulted in the elimination of the Kaskaskia College Educational Program at the Centralia Correctional Center, which includes all full-time faculty and professional/managerial staff.  The College had been paying the expenses for this program, with the expectation that the State funding would be in place as per contract to cover such expenses.  Due to the State budget impasse, the College can no longer afford to fund the correctional program, expenses which were outside of the College’s operating budget.  The Small Business Development Center has been closed and that includes full-time professional/ managerial staff and part-time support staff.  One full-time KCTOP employee and a part-time professional/managerial employee have been let go.  The Board agreed to suspend Department Chair assignments for the areas of Physical and Life Science, Social/Behavioral Science, Mathematics, Fine and Performing Arts and Humanities beginning May 13, 2016.  In other personnel matters, the Board approved the retirement of Danny Mays, Professor of Auto Collision and Don Sensel, Associate Professor Industrial Technology/Wiring effective May 31, 2016 and James Kampwerth, Building and Grounds Technician effective June 30, 2016, which will also help save money.  In other cost cutting moves, they approved a resolution for authorization of College Administration to proceed with preparing an employee Furlough plan, and to approve the closure and preparation for sale of the Kaskaskia College Workforce Center.  To keep from discontinuing some athletics, the Board also approved the fundraising plans for men’s and women’s cross country and men’s and women’s golf programs.  These plans will include fundraising for all operational expenses for both programs for the 2016-17 academic year.  They also approved of a reduction in athletic housing awards of one per team for men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball.  Total number of housing awards will be 45 for the 2016-17 school year with a savings of $1,500 a month.  The Board also approved a resolution to halt the distribution of student club allocations for this semester.  The student clubs will have access to their respective accounts of Fall 2015 allocations and all fundraised dollars though.  The Board then approved a resolution for the transfer of Working Cash Funds to the Education Fund.  These funds will be reimbursed to the Working Cash Fund when payments are provided by the State.  In other action, the Board approved a proposal for professional audit services and the approval of a contractor to provide asbestos abatement services in the Learning Resource Center.  A special Board of Trustees Meeting was approved for March 9, 2016.