McHenry County Blog

I wish I had managed to make it to the McHenry County College Board meeting earlier.

From what Woodstock Advocate blogger Gus Philpott said in the public comment section of the meeting, the room was packed with college employees when he arrived.

No room for ordinary taxpayers to sit.

The three rows in the MCC Board room were filled after the employees left.

Philpott gave thanks to President Vicky Smith for convincing them to leave.  I guess they went to an “overflow” area in the huge front hall nearby.   That’s where I saw a screen set up on the way out.

Cynthia Kisser

Cynthia Kisser began the meeting by asking for the controversial item–the extension of Smith’s contract–be postponed until the Thursday after next.

Ron Parrish

“I completely agree,” Ron Parrish replied.

That was also met with agreement from fellow Board members.

That’s the last day Carol Larson, Barbara Walters and Dennis Adams will be in office.  Larson and Walters lost the election; Adams retired.

It was not clear whether that postponement was until the last meeting of the outgoing Board or the first meeting of the reconstituted Board after Molly Walsh, Chris Jenner and Tom Wilbeck are sworn in.

Then, it was on to public comment.

“Thank you very much for coming,” Board President Mary Miller said before the first person, Grafton Township Assessor-elect Al Zielinski spoke.

Al Zielinski urged the Board to act in a “business-like” manner.

Zielinski urged Board members to act in a more business-like manner.

Jane Collins asked the Board to “respect the results of the election.”

Philpott urged the Board to include that they were going to vote on a contract extension on the next agenda, if that were their intent.

Jane Collins, a fixture at MCC Board meetings, pointed out that if the “old Board” were to make the decision next week, “nothing has changed.”

She said that would be the same as saying, “We’re not going to respect the results of the election.”

“We don’t trust you to make informed decisions,” she continued.

Collins, it should be noted, was part of the group that put up signs supporting Molly Walsh, Chris Jenner and Tom Wilbeck.

Woodstock’s Molly Oakford said she “was here for the students.”

She urged the Board to show the “highest level of standards of excellence.”

Molly Oakford asks the Board to live up to “standards of excellence.”

Referring to what was on the agenda, she asserted, “The process is wrong.  The process does not [meet] standards of excellence…

“This meeting should never have been held.  It’s shameful.  It’s railroading.

“I want to see our Board conduct itself in a standard of excellence.”

Former Board member George Lowe urged members to allow the new Board to make the decision.

Former MCC Trustee George Lowe then weighed in.

“I think it behooves you to give them [the new trustees] a chance to vote on the contract.

“If not, it’s a gotcha!”

MCC Instructor James Gould said it wold be “anti-democratic” for the old Board to make the decision.

Philosophy and Ethics Instructor James Gould also expressed disapproval.  He thanked Larson for her 24 years of being a “faithful advocate for the employees” and urged Board members to think about the good reputation and image of the college.

He called the effort to act on extending Smith’s contract “anti-democratic and, in effect, subvert[ing] the will of the public.

“I ask that decision be made by the new Board.”

MCC Instructor Marla Garrison defended the Board.

The only person speaking in favor of the old Board extending Smith’s contract was Biology Instructor Marla Garrison.

She told of the “erosion of confidence” during “the four years of rapid turnover administration.”

“I don’t believe lame ducks.  This Board is an active Board and was elected by the community regardless of what happens next.

“For the past two years, I’ve felt energized…the status quo was no more.”

Chris Jenner said the Board had seven weeks to act on the contract extension.

New Board member Chris Jenner spoke next.

He pointed that he had talked to no Board members about Smith and that the Board had seven weeks to act on her contract.

“There seems to be ample time,” he said, asking the current Board to allow its successor to make the decision.

I spoke next, pointing out I was the only one in the room who had been at the meeting called to form the college.  (Cal Skinner, Sr., called the meeting and served on the first board.)

Steve Willson said the Board faced “a test of integrity.”

I asked the members who would not be on the next Board to think of the harm they would do to the college’s reputation and their own if they acted on the contract extension before leaving office.

I also requested that the reports be made available to the public prior to the meeting.

Steve Wilson, just out of cataract surgery read a statement to the Board:

“This is a test, a test of integrity.

“A week ago 70% of the people who went to the polls voted AGAINST the incumbents.

“If Liddell, Kisser and Miller vote for this contract, it shows they have no respect for the voters and no respect for their new colleagues.

“And if Vicky Smith accepts a contract voted by this lame duck board, over the objection of the new trustees, it will prove she also has no respect for the new board, no integrity, and that she is simply looking for a big golden parachute on her way out the door, grabbing for a half million dollars of taxpayers’ money.”

Linda Liddell

Cynthia Kisser

Five out of seven.

That’s the number of women who will be serving on the McHenry County College Board after new members are sworn in.

Robert DeWitt

George Lowe

In last week’s election, two women, Linda Liddel and Cynthia Kisser. took the six-year terms.

Dennis Adams

Losing was long-time member George Lowe and appointed member Robert DeWitt, who took Scott Summers place.

For the two-year term, a man did win.

Dennis Adams, appointed to fill out Donna Kurtz’ term beat another man, Dave Boger.

But, there are three women who were not up for election this year:

Carol Larson

• Carol Larson
• Mary Miller
• Barbara Walters

Mary Miller

Barbara Walter

Ron Parish, elected President of Bull Valley this spring, also occupies a seat on the board.

Ron Parish

Student Trustee Cody Sheriff is also male, but his term expires this month and, while he can talk, he can’t vote.

Vicky Smith

And, of course, Vicky Smith is the new MCC President.

What role do you think gender will have on McHenry County College?

Will new member Linda Liddell get her wish to tape record and archive what is said at McHenry County College Board meetings?

Will Dennis Adams continue to approach college affairs from his businessman’s point of view.

Any thoughts on the future of the college?

I’ve been harping for years about how women have an advantage at the ballot box.

The election results from the most recent McHenry County College Board election add some evidence.

Now readers with retentive memories will also remember than being first on a long ballot is worth about an extra 10% at the ballot box. Second and last place are worth an extra 5%.

So one could argue that being first on the ballot helpd Linda Liddell come in first.

A George Lowe sign.

And, maybe you can see an extra 5% for incumbent George Lowe, who was last on the ballot.

But, you can’t see it for the second incumbent, an appointed one, Robert DeWitt, who didn’t equal Lowe in votes.

Of course, Low put up signs and DeWitt did not.  And Lowe has won election many times.

But, how to explain Cynthia Kisser’s victory with her ballot position right in the middle of all the candidates’ names?

She was endorsed by the Northwest Herald.

But so was Robert Jackson and Gordon Tebo.  Jackson came in next to last. Tebo was fifth out of eight.

But she is also a woman.

I would welcome your analysis in the comment section.

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In an earlier article, I noted Dennis Adams’ commanding lead for the two-year slot, but let me show you the final results here:

The leaders at 8 PM continue to remain on top a half an hour later in the count.

Two women are pulling away in the race for four-year terms on the McHenry County College Board.

Linda Liddell and Cynthia Kisser are leading elected incumbent George Lowe by  862 and 350 votes, respectively.  In fourth place is Gordon Tebo, almost 600 votes behind Kisser.

Appointed incumbent Robert DeWitt is in fifth place, 32 votes behind Tebo.

In the two-year term contest, Deniis Adams is leading Dave Boger by almost 1,000 votes.

In an election that promises to be one of the lowest on record, it’s a good idea to communicate with those you are pretty sure will vote.

Republican and Democratic Party Precinct Committeemen and election judges would be on the list of most likely to vote…along with teachers with a vested interest in having friendly faces on the other side of the bargaining table.

Cary’s George Lowe, a long-time member of the McHenry County Board has sent an email to GOP Committeeman. You can read it below:

Hello Committee Men and Women,

My Name is George Lowe and I am running for reelection to the McHenry County College (MCC) board of trustees, an unpaid position. I am a former County Board member and long-term committeeman from Algonquin Township.

George Lowe

As a life long resident of McHenry County, I have been interested in the health of government and as a graduate of MCC; I would like to continue to guide its good health.

In the last two years, MCC has enjoyed a very healthy growth. With that comes expansion and that does not come easy.

MCC just last meeting raised the tuition and voted to spend approximately 3.5 million to enlarge the cafeteria and build a culinary section for the culinary program. This expenditure spent over two years will not put a crimp in the budget.

The Community College Act that created the community college system calls for the college budget to be paid in thirds.

• One third from your tax bill,
• one third from tuition, and
• one third from the state.

At the present time the state is paying approximately 5%.

That is a long way from 33.3%. Down state schools get up to approximately 50%, which is a long way from where we stand, and now the state wants us, the local taxpayer, to pick up the retirement bill for the State University Retirement System (SURS).

These are just a couple of the problems facing MCC in the future.

I would like to remain on the board of MCC and I need your help in being reelected.

I would appreciate it if you could talk with your friend and neighbors in the next couple of days and encourage them to give me a vote.

I am on the bottom of the eight running for one of two positions.

I would appreciate your vote.

George Lowe, MCC Board

847-639-2721

glowe@mc.net

PS. Please cast a vote for Dennis Adams for the two-year position.

In two senses.

If they were an animal, their necks on on the chopping block.

In economic terms, there are for sale.

The Chicago Tribune reports the Joliet JackHammers minor league baseball team is about to be sold.

That’s what the Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday.

Why do I keep bringing up a Will County minor league baseball team?

Just to remind you that most of the current McHenry County College Board members were avid supporters of putting us district taxpayers in debt for 25 years to build a minor league baseball stadium.

There is an election next spring when one of them are up for re-election: George Lowe of Cary.

Appointed to fill out the term of Harvard’s Scott Summers was Bob DeWitt of Crystal Lake.

Both have six-year terms.

Only 50 signatures are needed to get on the ballot. I’d advise getting 100.

Any folks out there willing to run for the board?

Here’s McHenry County College’s official take on the selection of Vicky Smith as its new president:

MCC BOARD ANNOUNCES NEW PERMANENT PRESIDENT

Vicky Smith

[July 2, 2010.Crystal Lake, IL]  At a special meeting on July 2, 2010, the McHenry County College (MCC) Board of Trustees voted to take action on finalizing the contract of a new college president. The Board approved hiring Dr. Vicky Smith as MCC’s new, permanent president for a 3-year contract and at a salary of $195,000 per year. Dr. Smith has agreed to this final salary, and the contract is in the process of being finalized.

Her most recent role has been as the president of Neosho County Community College, a two-campus, comprehensive community college in eastern Kansas.

Before going to Neosho County Community College, Dr. Smith served as the vice president for Academic Services at Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York, where she oversaw the Damon Center urban campus and the suburban Applied Technology Center, as well as the academic and student services operations on the main campus.

Her prior experience includes her role as president Austin Community College, a small community college in the Minnesota State Colleges and University System.

She received an Educational Specialist (Ed. Spec.) and B.S. degree from Eastern Illinois University, an M.S. from the University of Illinois, and an Ed.D. from Northern Illinois University.

Dr. Smith was one of three final presidential candidates selected by MCC’s presidential search committee, facilitated by national executive search firm, Isaacson, Miller.

Trustee Dr. Bob DeWitt has acted as the presidential search committee chair since its inception.

“We started this process in November. The committee put in many hours in order to finalize a list of strong finalists. Such an inclusive process is what led us to an impressive list of finalists. I am so pleased that after a lengthy deliberation, we chose an excellent candidate in Vicky Smith.”

Also effective at today’s meeting, the Board reorganized its leadership. Mary Miller was appointed Board Chair [replacing in mid-term George Lowe, who replaced Scott Summers in mid-term], and [newly-appointed] Dr. Bob DeWitt was appointed Vice Chair. The Board believes that this structure will allow them to work both efficiently and collaboratively with the new College President.

Upon Dr. Smith’s arrival at the College, a formal welcome reception will be scheduled. For a complete overview on Dr. Smith, please visit this web site.

= = = = =

That web site provides the following information:

Dr. Vicky R. Smith is currently the President of Neosho County Community College, a two-campus, comprehensive community college in eastern Kansas. While at NCCC, she has initiated new academic programs in health care, “green” construction, computer science, and sustainable energy, as well as developed collaborative partnerships with K-12, business and industry, four-year colleges and universities, and other community colleges.

Under her leadership, NCCC has been the fastest growing community college in Kansas for the last seven years, rising from 18th out of 19th in size to 12th in size through increasing student retention, expanding on-line education, and implementing successful student support services and programs.

Before coming to Neosho County Community College, Dr. Smith served as the Vice-president for Academic Services at Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY, where she oversaw the Damon Center urban campus and the suburban Applied Technology Center as well as the academic and student services operations on the main campus.

Under her leadership the enrollment grew by 17% to a total of 25,000 student headcount; the college became the leader in on-line, asynchronous learning in SUNY LearnNET with 21% or 3000 of all New York State students enrolled in the program; and a $26 million Public Safety Training Facility was constructed in partnership with the City of Rochester and the County of Monroe.

Prior to Monroe Community College, Dr. Smith was the president of a small community college in the Minnesota State Colleges and University System—Austin Community College.

While there she developed the first new degree programs the College had initiated in 10 years, oversaw the renovation of the campus and construction of a new library/LRC, computer classrooms, a Center for Student Success, fitness lab, dance studio, and general classrooms. In addition, she was instrumental in the successful merger of her institution with the adjacent technical college campus to become Riverland Community College.

Dr. Smith is passionate about community colleges and their role in changing peoples’ lives. She has devoted her career to ensuring that students are learning and that an environment is created where they can succeed at whatever they choose. Her favorite time of the year is graduation, where she has the honor of shaking the hand of each graduate as they cross the stage after receive their degree or certificate.

A native of Illinois, Dr. Smith was raised on a grain farm outside Decatur, Illinois. She received her Doctorate in Education (Ed. D.) from Northern Illinois University, her Educational Specialist (Ed. Spec.) and Bachelor in Education (BS. in Ed) degrees from Eastern Illinois University, and her Master in Science (MS) from the University of Illinois.

Here is the college’s press release on the subject of Kathleen Plinske’s leaving to serve in a Florida community college:

MCC INTERIM PRESIDENT ACCEPTS NEW POSITION

Kathleen Plinske when she was still sitting facing the Board of Trustees.

[June 2, 2010.Crystal Lake, IL] McHenry County College wishes to announce that Kathleen Plinske, interim president, will be leaving the College after accepting the position of provost of the Osceola Campus at Valencia Community College in Kissimmee, Florida. As provost, she will act as chief academic and operating officer of the campus, responsible for providing academic, administrative and fiscal leadership.

“It is with mixed emotions that I share this news,” Plinske said on Monday. “It will be difficult to leave MCC; it has been an honor to work here and a true privilege to serve as president,” she added.

Thd Disney World castle near Kissimmee, where Kalthleen Plinske's new college is located.

Prior to being appointed interim president, Plinske’s positions at MCC included associate vice president for institutional effectiveness, coordinator of media development and technology training, instructional media specialist, and instructor of Spanish.

She has contributed much to the institution over the past nine years, as evident through her leadership role on assessment, the introduction of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as part of the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), and spearheading the development of a strategic plan focused on a commitment to continuous improvement, accountability for student success and academic excellence, and environmental stewardship.

In addition to her many contributions, Plinske was recently named one of 24 Emerging Leaders in the world by Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) International, a global association of education professionals.

“The College will miss Dr. Plinske,” said vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, Tony Miksa. “She has an incredible work ethic and truly wants what is best for the College,” he continued. “I personally can’t thank her enough for sharing her knowledge of the institution, which helped me immensely during my first year.”

While serving as interim president at MCC, one of Plinske’s main responsibilities has been to maintain strong communication with the Board of Trustees.

George Lowe

Chairman George Lowe shared his feelings on Plinske’s departure:

“I’m going to miss her. I think she has been the most open and the most energetic president I have had the privilege of serving with. I wish her well in her new endeavor.”

Lowe added, “Valencia’s gain is our loss.”

Plinske’s last day with the College will be June 30. Final interviews are being held for the new, permanent president of MCC, which are scheduled to conclude this month. A final decision about who will be the president on July 1 has not yet been made.

“While I am delighted to have the opportunity to join Valencia Community College,” said Plinske, “I also have been blessed to have had such an opportunity in my hometown doing work that I love at MCC.”

Below is the email that Plinske sent to the MCC community yesterday:

SUBJECT: Week in Review – Plans After June 30

It is with mixed emotions that I share with you the news that I will be resigning from MCC on June 30. While I would have preferred to share this news with you in person, I made a commitment last Fall to work to improve communication at the College and I email this news to you in the hopes that you will first learn about my future plans here and not from the newspaper.

I have accepted the position of Provost of the Osceola Campus at Valencia Community College in Kissimmee, Florida. It will be difficult to leave MCC, but I am truly delighted to have the opportunity to join Valencia Community College. Because of their national reputation, many of you may already be familiar with the outstanding work that Valencia does with respect to creating a learner-centered environment focused on student success, and it will be a privilege to provide leadership for their Osceola Campus.

It has been an honor to work at MCC for the last nine years, and a true privilege to serve as your president. I thank you all for your dedication to our students and your commitment to supporting their success, and I’ll look forward to learning about the good work that you continue to do in the years ahead.

What’s Next After June 30?

The Board of Trustees will continue its interview process with the three presidential finalists over the next few weeks. While I will serve as the Interim President until June 30, it is not yet known if a new “non-interim” president will be named and ready to start on July 1. As such, I unfortunately do not have any information to share with you at this point as to who will be the president on July 1.

I know the uncertainty can be unsettling, but as you’ve done so well over the last 16 months, I ask you to hang in there and keep your focus on serving our students and community. Regardless of who the president is, the core mission of our work remains the same. Instead of getting caught up in speculation, I ask that you ride this current wave of ambiguity and continue to focus your energies and attention on providing the very highest level of service to our stakeholders.

I truly believe there is no greater gift than the opportunity to serve your community. What a blessing it has been to have had such an opportunity in my hometown doing work that I love.

Upcoming Events

* Wednesday, June 9 – 1:00 p.m. – Atrium – Ask Kathy Anything

Please feel free to reply to this message with comments, questions, and suggestions, and items to include in the “Points of Pride” or “Upcoming Events” section. I look forward to hearing from you.

Kathleen Plinske, Ed.D.
Interim President
McHenry County College

Remember the 1,500-foot broadcast town which was to bring McHenry County College $6 million?

McHenry County Blog broke the story March 1, 2008, that the MCC board was being approached by BMB Communications Management’s John Maguire to build a broadcast tower.

That was the meeting during which former MCC President Walt Packard to keep me from taking more pictures through the wire mesh safety windows of the board room. They wrapped the room in plastic.

The MCC Board also broke the Open Meetings Law by forcing taxpayers and media out of the building before it was over.

Eleven months later (Feb. 2, 2008), BMB issued a press release announcing it wanted to build a 1,500-foot tower on college property, MCC would get $6 million for 3.6 acres, the release said. (Note, the college did not issue the press release; the company wanting to lease the land did.)

How high is 1,500 feet?

Taller that the Sears, oops, Willis Tower, which tops out at 1,450 feet. You can see the height of the Eiffel Tower and the existing 300-foot FM aerial superimposed above on Chicago’s skyline.

Tonight at the MCC board meeting, after suggesting the board might want to go into secret session to discuss real estate, the board, in open meeting, heard that local BMB attorney Tom Zanck had called with regard to that broadcast tower.

Zanck conveyed the information that BMB’s tower experts had determined that the FAA would likely not approve of what BMB had proposed.

Similar information has reached my ears from local pilots.

“It is likely, according to their experts, that the FAA would not approve the tower as proposed.”

The attorney said the board could use due diligence to ask BMB’s experts to provide greater clarification.

“If you do nothing, Zanck can exercise (a clause to get out of the deal.”

“We knew going into this (was unlikely to be approved),” board member Barbara Walter said. “There is no sense in going on. I’d just let them out.”

When she added,

she drew laughter in the room.

“Let them do their thing and let them out of it,” Board President George Lowe added.

Later in the hall, Lowe said that the tower he had seen in Oklahoma had three television broadcast towers. Previously, Maguire had only talked about one.

A press release and photo from McHenry County College:

At a special board meeting on August 4, 2009, the McHenry County College Board of Trustees voted to appoint Bob DeWitt to fill the position vacated by Scott Summers, who resigned in June.

With nearly 20 years of experience in higher education service development and delivery, DeWitt will bring his passion for learning and research to the table as he works closely with other trustees to fulfill a strong vision of success at the college.

DeWitt currently works for SunGard Higher Education, where his focus is on research and technology. He has served in various high-level positions at SunGard, including Interim Chief Information Officer (CIO) at several community colleges and universities.

Previously, he was CIO at National-Louis University for three years. He has also served as both a consultant and educator for numerous corporations and institutions, both in the United States and internationally.

DeWitt earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), as well as a Master of Science (M.S.) degree, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He earned his Baccalaureate Degree (B.S.) from University of Missouri at Rolla.

After DeWitt’s appointment, MCC Board of Trustees chairperson, George Lowe, stated,

“On behalf of the board, we are just thrilled that Trustee DeWitt is going to be working with us.

“He is very enthusiastic about both the college and its programs, especially the new ERP system, and his fresh viewpoint will be an added benefit as we plan for MCC’s future.”

After his appointment, DeWitt stated,

“MCC is a great institution which benefits a great deal from the strong support of the community. MCC’s continued strong enrollment growth demonstrates that local students recognize the quality of its academic programs.

“I am honored to have been chosen by the board to contribute to the further success of the college.”

A resident of Crystal Lake, DeWitt is also committed to the community. He volunteers his time as a member of the Voices in Harmony (formerly the Crystal Lake Community Chorus). His wife, Sharon, is a leader in information technology in the area, and volunteers her time to coach people who have lost their jobs in the current economic crisis.

DeWitt was chosen from 23 eligible candidates to serve as the newest trustee through the April, 2011 election.