At its regular monthly meeting, the Lake Land College Board of Trustees took several actions, including approving employee pay raises, supporting a TIF district extension for the City of Mattoon, and hiring a firm for a new digital marketing campaign.

TIF District Support: The board unanimously passed a resolution supporting a 12-year extension of the City of Mattoon’s Midtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district. As a key taxing body, the college’s support helps the city seek state legislation to continue the economic development program, which has reportedly leveraged over $6.6 million in private investment since 2001.

Salary Increases Approved: Trustees approved a 3% base salary increase for full-time administrative, supervisory, and support staff, as well as for qualifying part-time employees, effective July 1. The board also adopted a new salary schedule based on an external market study to ensure competitive pay.

AI Writing Tool Investment: The college will invest $63,750 over two years for a campus-wide license for Grammarly for Education, an AI-powered writing tool. The decision followed a successful pilot program where over 87% of faculty and staff said they would recommend the tool to colleagues. The license will provide access for up to 2,500 users.

Faculty Grievance and Stipends: The board approved new part-time rates and stipends, including a $15 per equated credit hour raise for adjuncts, despite a request from the faculty union to delay the vote due to an ongoing formal grievance. Following a closed session, the board voted to postpone its official response to the grievance until its July meeting.

Digital Marketing Contract: Trustees approved a $100,000 contract with Hybrid Media USA, LLC, a Philadelphia-based agency, to run a comprehensive digital marketing campaign for fiscal year 2026. The campaign is aimed at boosting student enrollment.

Foundation Reports Scholarship Success: Trustee Larry Lilly reported that the Lake Land College Foundation’s Community Partner program has grown to include 21 businesses. Their contributions will provide an additional $92,000 in scholarship support for students in the upcoming academic year. The Foundation’s Employee Giving Campaign is also currently underway through the end of June.

Student Wins State Scholarship: Trustee Denise Walk reported that Lake Land College student Sarah Housh was awarded the prestigious Paul Simon scholarship by the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA). Walk, who attended the ICCTA awards banquet, noted many college alumni, faculty, and students were nominated for awards.

Bills Approved: The board approved the payment of bills and travel expenses totaling $2,780,334.22.

Clay Target Team Receives Grant: The board formally accepted a $1,500 grant from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The funds will be used by the Lake Land College Clay Target Shooting Team to purchase ammunition and other critical supplies.

Personnel Moves: The board approved a routine human resources report that included FMLA and parental leaves, new part-time appointments, the hiring of two unpaid volunteer instructors and one part-time bookstore worker, and three resignations.