McHenry County Blog

The McHenry County Board meeting debate Tuesday was extraordinary in its lack of focus on the gambling issue.

Algonquin’s Marc Munaretto put it best, asking why two resolutions, one to hold an advisory referendum on the issue and the other to ban video slot machines in unincorporated areas had gotten out of the License and Liquor Committee.

I wasn’t at the committee meeting when that happened, but someone who was told me that Barb Wheeler had made a motion to recommend a resolution banning video gambling and it almost failed for lack of a second.

The majority of the committee pretty obviously wanted a vote on the referendum resolution first, although Mary McCann may have changed her mind, because she voted against holding an advisory referendum.

The committee being a collegial group, however, both resolutions were forwarded to the county board.

A vote on the referendum question was scheduled for Tuesday; the one on the outright ban at a later meeting.

This did not please Wheeler, who tried to change the agenda so the ban could be voted upon Tuesday.

Clearly Wheeler is against this extension of gambling and was satisfied that her vote would represent her constituency.

It is much less clear how her colleagues would have voted today or will vote in a month.

If any of the opponents have taken the kind of tallies I used to take on the House floor in Springfield before one of my important bills, they have not shared that with me.

With many of the members up for re-election, going to a referendum could be considered a cop-out, that is, a way to avoid making a potentially dangerous political decision before the Feb. 2nd primary election.

Others believe with Mary Donner:

“I truly believe in my heart this belongs on a referendum first.

“I want to know what the voters in McHenry County feel about this.”

More tomorrow.

This is the third part of my article on the MCC MAP meeting Tuesday night

The McHenry County College Promise, Todd McDonald told me, has already completely processed 650 high school graduates.

Another 170 or so await a report from the U.S. Department of Education to see if they are eligible for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This FAFSA process takes 3-4 weeks, so high school grads who haven’t started the process yet probably won’t get an answer in time for classes to start.

“What a nice problem to have,” Ally said.

Telling me that college enrollment was up 55%, MCC Board President George Lowe observed,

A woman asked if the extra students wouldn’t cost more money, perhaps, she suggested, more than the resulting extra tuition.

Ally made two responses that I caught:

• “Our goal should be to have fuller classes running.
• “We’ll run extra sections with adjunct faculty.”

Part-time teachers are a LOT cheaper that the full-timers.

Suggestions from the tables that I jotted down included “hybrid classes.” That was defined as half in the classroom, half online.

I think it was the same table that said this about state financial assistance:

“We were hopeful that state funding might increase…but not too hopeful.”

It’s good to have a sense of humor.

Taking photos while taking notes makes it difficult to link the two. The table with the sense of humor is either above (the last one to report) or below:

Lowe took the floor at the end of the meeting and pointed out that state financial assistance had gone down from 23% to 7.9% over the last sixteen years.

That 23% was less than what the committee that led the 1967 junior college referendum effort presented to taxpayers.

The state told the organizers that it would provide one-third.

With a ten-cent referendum rate request, the committee told voters that

• the state would pay one-third
• the students would pay one-third and
• the taxpayers would pay one-third.

Obviously, the state junior college promoters lied.

Note, however from the pie chart that while the taxpayers now pay 59.6%, almost twice what voters were told their share would be, students do not pay the 33% that was presented in 1967.

Tuition brings in 29.3% now.

Part 1 is here.
Part 2 is here.

Last Friday when I read a Northwest story online quoting a statement the college had released about the deal that had been cut with outgoing MCC President Walt Packard, I immediately requested a copy.

It finally arrived Wednesday.

Not exactly a good example for transparency.

Missing from the NW Herald article is that

health insurance is going to be provided Packard and his ailing wife for three and a half years—over two years after he goes off the over $15,500 a month dole mid-year in 2010.

Somehow that seems important.

Statement Concerning the Employment Relationship Between McHenry County College and Dr. Walter J. Packard

Since July 2003, Dr. Packard served as the President of McHenry County College (the “College”[just in case you didn't know]). Earlier this year, Dr. Packard retired from the position of President in order to care for his wife who suffers from a debilitating medical condition.

Dr. Walter Packard is presently employed by the College as President Emeritus. His service in this role will continue through June 30, 2010.

In exchange for Dr. Packard’s service as President Emeritus, the College will continue to compensate him at his previous annual salary rate of One Hundred Eighty-Eight Thousand, Five Hundred Sixty-Four Dollars ($188,564) through June 30, 2010, prorated accordingly.

In addition to his annual salary, the College will continue to provide Dr. Packard with a continuation of benefits, including payment of his statutorily required contribution to the State of Illinois Retirement System (SURS) and a matching of Dr. Packard’s voluntary contributions to an appropriate tax deferred annuity in an amount up to Twelve Thousand Dollars ($12,000).

Dr. Packard will also continue to be enrolled in the College’s medical, dental, and vision insurance plans through June 30, 2010, and upon his retirement as President Emeritus, the College will pay the Board’s percentage share of the premium cost of health insurance coverage for Dr. Packard and his spouse for the period from July 1, 2010 through August 21, 2012. (Emphasis provided.)

As President Emeritus, Dr. Packard serves at the direction of the Board through the Interim President and, upon the appointment of the successor President, the President.

Over the course of his employment, Dr. Packard has been and continues to be involved in providing consulting services to the College.

Among his services, he is providing on-going support to “The Promise” campaign, which is the largest community-funded scholarship program in the College’s history.

He is also expected to attend community functions on behalf of the College.

On a regular basis, the College will seek his input concerning the needs of the College community, fiscal and otherwise, and how best the College can meet those needs.

As during his tenure as President, Dr. Packard will continue to represent the College and participate in national conferences for higher education.

For example, earlier this month Dr. Packard attended the American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention and co-presented the following topics:

• “What Trustees Want: The Next Generation of Community College Presidents,”
• “Cut Through the Hype: The Executive’s Web 2.0 Toolkit,” and
• “Diversifying our Faculty for our 21st Century Students.”

Dr. Packard also co-presented the topic of “Leveraging Your Systems Portfolio: Supporting Institutional Dialogue and Organizational Learning.”

In connection with that presentation, Dr. Packard co-published an article in “A Collection of Papers and Self-Study and Institutional Improvement” published by the Higher Learning Commission. His speaking engagements will continue throughout his service as President Emeritus.

So, over $15,500 per month in compensation through the end of June, 2010.

Health insurance for him and his sick wife through August 21, 2012.

That’s over three years from now, folks.

And, junkets around the country to give talks which will not focus on what he has learned from his lack of transparent leadership.

= = = = =
The illustration is of Mel Brooks during the singing of “It’s good to be the king.”

The golden parachuting Walt Packard was created by Crystal Lake Heck of a Guy blogger Walt Packard.

At the League of Women Voters of McHenry County candidates forum at McHenry County College last night I saw MCC board candidate Ron Parrish wearing this button.

It says,

Parish is Chairperson of the MCC Promise, which, starting next fall, pays tuition for district high school graduates in return for 16 hours of community service and a C+ average.

In the MCC portion of the night, he revealed that the community college has 1,350 applicants this year, compared with 565, this time last year.

Parrish said $3.5 million had been raised so far.

Contributions are voluntary, of course, so much better than their being extracted involuntarily via a higher MCC tax rate.

Have you made your contribution yet?

It’s great that some of our prosperous residents have donated $1 million, but smaller donations are needed to.

And, it doesn’t matter how small.

Give the college a call (815-455-3700) and make a pledge. It’s tax deductible.

In spite of all the hubbub over the minor league baseball stadium, only three people have filed for McHenry County College Board’s two six-year terms.

But, guess what?

One of the challengers, John Darger, was a frequent and vocal opponent to the board majority’s ill-conceived minor league baseball stadium proposal.

Darger participated in MCC board meetings.

Darger participated in Crystal Lake City Planning and Zoning Commission meetings…more than once.

An MCC student at the time, Darger said,

“I don’t see how that will serve the students of McHenry County College.”

Darger participated in Crystal Lake City Council meetings.

This is an active citizen who has probably decided that the majority faction on the McHenry County Board did not represent him.

And decided to do something about it by filing for office.

Darger is last on the ballot and you don’t have to guess if I shall vote for him, even if he is a Democrat.

A second candidate announced the McHenry County Promise at a March 2007 board meeting.

His name is Ron Parrish.

I have no idea whether Parrish supported, opposed or didn’t take a position on the baseball promoters’ attempt to stick McHenry County College taxpayers with paying off the stadium bonds if the baseball team did not succeed.

It is clear that the stadium put quite a crimp in the fund raising. Former board member Irv LeCoque made that clear.

Parish is first on the ballot.

The final candidate is CPA Mary Miller put her Certified Public Accountant reputation on the line by saying about the baseball stadium deal:

“Ms. Miller(‘s) refer(ring) to her CPA standing and stat(ing) that all the figures are in order for us to go ahead with this.”

And, then she and the board would not release the documents that she verified

Another variation of the long-discredited

approach to public decision-making.

Well, the public didn’t trust her and her colleagues.

Thank goodness.

Just goes to show that having passed the CPA test does not mean one can make good public judgments.

Miller is in the middle of the ballot.

Incumbent Frances Glosson’s term is also expiring this year, but she has decided to retire. She joined incumbents Scott Summers and Donna Kurtz in figuring out the numbers were not all in order.

= = = = =
Ron Parrish is seen next the screen, followed by Mary Miller and Frances Glosson.

In spite of all the hubbub over the minor league baseball stadium, only three people have filed for McHenry County College Board’s two six-year terms.

But, guess what?

One of the challengers, John Darger, was a frequent and vocal opponent to the board majority’s ill-conceived minor league baseball stadium proposal.

Darger participated in MCC board meetings.

Darger participated in Crystal Lake City Planning and Zoning Commission meetings…more than once.

An MCC student at the time, Darger said,

“I don’t see how that will serve the students of McHenry County College.”

Darger participated in Crystal Lake City Council meetings.

This is an active citizen who has probably decided that the majority faction on the McHenry County Board did not represent him.

And decided to do something about it by filing for office.

Darger is last on the ballot and you don’t have to guess if I shall vote for him, even if he is a Democrat.

A second candidate announced the McHenry County Promise at a March 2007 board meeting.

His name is Ron Parrish.

I have no idea whether Parrish supported, opposed or didn’t take a position on the baseball promoters’ attempt to stick McHenry County College taxpayers with paying off the stadium bonds if the baseball team did not succeed.

It is clear that the stadium put quite a crimp in the fund raising. Former board member Irv LeCoque made that clear.

Parish is first on the ballot.

The final candidate is CPA Mary Miller put her Certified Public Accountant reputation on the line by saying about the baseball stadium deal:

“Ms. Miller(‘s) refer(ring) to her CPA standing and stat(ing) that all the figures are in order for us to go ahead with this.”

And, then she and the board would not release the documents that she verified

Another variation of the long-discredited

approach to public decision-making.

Well, the public didn’t trust her and her colleagues.

Thank goodness.

Just goes to show that having passed the CPA test does not mean one can make good public judgments.

Miller is in the middle of the ballot.

Incumbent Frances Glosson’s term is also expiring this year, but she has decided to retire. She joined incumbents Scott Summers and Donna Kurtz in figuring out the numbers were not all in order.

= = = = =
Ron Parrish is seen next the screen, followed by Mary Miller and Frances Glosson.

After being derailed by the abortive attempt of the McHenry County Board’s efforts to force taxpayers to finance a minor league baseball stadium, free tuition of all college district high school grads is back on the track.

Based on the Kalamazoo, Michigan, Promise, locally it is called the McHenry County College Promise.

Christina Haggerty, MCC’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations reports,

“We have already raised more than $3,000,000 for the Program. To ensure the continued success of the Scholarship, an ongoing fund raising effort will be conducted.

“In order to sustain the Promise Program for an initial period of 5-7 years, an annual amount of $300,000 will need to be raised. Our goal, however, is to make the Promise Scholarship ongoing so it continues to be available for our youth in perpetuity.”

MCC’s press release follows:

MCC LAUNCHES NEW COMMUNITY- FUNDED SCHOLARSHIP, OPEN TO ALL HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

[Oct. 20, 2008.Crystal Lake, IL] The MCC Promise, a distinctive new scholarship opportunity for prospective McHenry County College students, just became the best value in town.

In an economy with education, food and fuel costs on the rise, the MCC Promise will take the financial burden off of high school seniors who choose to attend MCC. The Promise initiative is funded solely by private donations from generous individuals and/or businesses in the greater McHenry County community.

Beginning in Fall 2009, the Promise Scholarship will provide tuition for high school seniors who graduate from a McHenry County College District 528 high school, live in the district, and who choose to attend MCC full-time and work toward the completion of a two-year associate’s degree or certificate.

The Promise Scholarship will provide students with tuition for two years (fall and spring semesters) provided that the students maintain a 2.0 GPA and complete a minimum of 32 volunteer hours per year. The first Promise Scholarship students will walk through MCC’s doors in September 2009.

All graduating high school seniors in MCC College District 528 are eligible.

The MCC Promise Scholarship will cover tuition, which is currently $77 per credit hour. Students will be responsible for books and fees, because fees are determined by a student’s major and can vary in amounts. A tuition-only scholarship helps promote equality among students and allows the Promise to remain available for a longer period of time.

The MCC Promise could provide nearly 4,000 students the opportunity to earn a college degree. The program also offers students the unique opportunity to become an integral part of volunteer service to the community. In addition to positively affecting the lives of the youth in McHenry County, the community comes together with pride and a sense of purpose.

Some of the benefits to students and the community include:

• More students will receive a college education.
• The scholarships will provide a nearly debt-free education, which allows students to either continue toward a bachelor’s degree or begin their careers with financial peace of mind.
• Scholarships will be provided to students from all socio-economic and educational backgrounds, elevating the quality and diversity in the classrooms.
• Parents will begin to think about education in a different way and begin to discuss college with their children at an early age.
• The area economy will be improved if students choose to work or start businesses in the county where they receive their education.
• The community will benefit from having an influx of young volunteers who will gain an understanding of community service and its important life role.

As MCC educates a diverse group of youth, many of them will move on to positively impact other lives and communities across the nation leaving a legacy of opportunity started by McHenry County.

“The community of McHenry County has rallied behind the premise of providing its youth with the opportunity for a better future,” said Ron Parrish, MCC Foundation Board and Promise Committee Chairperson.

“Realizing that an education helps achieve this goal, several lead gifts have been secured to launch the Promise Program,” he said.

In the months ahead, the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation will work to secure other major contributions and an annual gift program to maintain the Promise for an estimated five years. During that time, Foundation officials intend to approach inaugural donors and a wider giving base to secure sufficient funds for the Promise Scholarship in perpetuity.

= = = = =
MCC Promise MCC Foundation Board and Chairperson Ron Parish can be seen presenting the idea of emulating Kalamazoo’s program at a March, 2007, McHenry County College Board meeting.

After being derailed by the abortive attempt of the McHenry County Board’s efforts to force taxpayers to finance a minor league baseball stadium, free tuition of all college district high school grads is back on the track.

Based on the Kalamazoo, Michigan, Promise, locally it is called the McHenry County College Promise.

Christina Haggerty, MCC’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations reports,

“We have already raised more than $3,000,000 for the Program. To ensure the continued success of the Scholarship, an ongoing fund raising effort will be conducted.

“In order to sustain the Promise Program for an initial period of 5-7 years, an annual amount of $300,000 will need to be raised. Our goal, however, is to make the Promise Scholarship ongoing so it continues to be available for our youth in perpetuity.”

MCC’s press release follows:

MCC LAUNCHES NEW COMMUNITY- FUNDED SCHOLARSHIP, OPEN TO ALL HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

[Oct. 20, 2008.Crystal Lake, IL] The MCC Promise, a distinctive new scholarship opportunity for prospective McHenry County College students, just became the best value in town.

In an economy with education, food and fuel costs on the rise, the MCC Promise will take the financial burden off of high school seniors who choose to attend MCC. The Promise initiative is funded solely by private donations from generous individuals and/or businesses in the greater McHenry County community.

Beginning in Fall 2009, the Promise Scholarship will provide tuition for high school seniors who graduate from a McHenry County College District 528 high school, live in the district, and who choose to attend MCC full-time and work toward the completion of a two-year associate’s degree or certificate.

The Promise Scholarship will provide students with tuition for two years (fall and spring semesters) provided that the students maintain a 2.0 GPA and complete a minimum of 32 volunteer hours per year. The first Promise Scholarship students will walk through MCC’s doors in September 2009.

All graduating high school seniors in MCC College District 528 are eligible.

The MCC Promise Scholarship will cover tuition, which is currently $77 per credit hour. Students will be responsible for books and fees, because fees are determined by a student’s major and can vary in amounts. A tuition-only scholarship helps promote equality among students and allows the Promise to remain available for a longer period of time.

The MCC Promise could provide nearly 4,000 students the opportunity to earn a college degree. The program also offers students the unique opportunity to become an integral part of volunteer service to the community. In addition to positively affecting the lives of the youth in McHenry County, the community comes together with pride and a sense of purpose.

Some of the benefits to students and the community include:

• More students will receive a college education.
• The scholarships will provide a nearly debt-free education, which allows students to either continue toward a bachelor’s degree or begin their careers with financial peace of mind.
• Scholarships will be provided to students from all socio-economic and educational backgrounds, elevating the quality and diversity in the classrooms.
• Parents will begin to think about education in a different way and begin to discuss college with their children at an early age.
• The area economy will be improved if students choose to work or start businesses in the county where they receive their education.
• The community will benefit from having an influx of young volunteers who will gain an understanding of community service and its important life role.

As MCC educates a diverse group of youth, many of them will move on to positively impact other lives and communities across the nation leaving a legacy of opportunity started by McHenry County.

“The community of McHenry County has rallied behind the premise of providing its youth with the opportunity for a better future,” said Ron Parrish, MCC Foundation Board and Promise Committee Chairperson.

“Realizing that an education helps achieve this goal, several lead gifts have been secured to launch the Promise Program,” he said.

In the months ahead, the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation will work to secure other major contributions and an annual gift program to maintain the Promise for an estimated five years. During that time, Foundation officials intend to approach inaugural donors and a wider giving base to secure sufficient funds for the Promise Scholarship in perpetuity.

= = = = =
MCC Promise MCC Foundation Board and Chairperson Ron Parish can be seen presenting the idea of emulating Kalamazoo’s program at a March, 2007, McHenry County College Board meeting.

First a definition:

“B.S.” means “Baseball Stadium” when it appears in this story.

In the “B…S… Talks and Money Walks” category is the announcement by former McHenry County College Trustee Erv LeCoque that a $1 million contribution to an MCC scholarship program aimed at providing tuition and fees to any local high school graduate has been withdrawn because of the college’s push for said B.S.

LeCoque said he had been involved with McHenry County College for 12 years and had been helping solicit money for the campaign. In fact, he resigned from the MCC Foundation to devote himself to the scholarship program that is modeled after the $100 million endowment in Kalamzoo, Michigan.

The first person LaCoque talked to offered $1 million.

Then the B.S. idea came up.

LeCoque related how many people came to him asking about the B.S. concerns. He saw the community being divided.

He realized that he could not raise millions in a divided community.

As LeCoque explained, when you go out and ask for money, you can’t be on the defensive.

The B.S. led to the withdrawal of the $1 million scholarship offer.

The money is off the table, he said.

LeCoque predicted if the B.S. continued, it’s going to get worse.

If the B.S. continues, the money will never come back again. The McHenry County Promise scholarship program will lose its momentum.

he said.

Perhaps more significantly, one person told LeCoque,

First a definition:

“B.S.” means “Baseball Stadium” when it appears in this story.

In the “B…S… Talks and Money Walks” category is the announcement by former McHenry County College Trustee Erv LeCoque that a $1 million contribution to an MCC scholarship program aimed at providing tuition and fees to any local high school graduate has been withdrawn because of the college’s push for said B.S.

LeCoque said he had been involved with McHenry County College for 12 years and had been helping solicit money for the campaign. In fact, he resigned from the MCC Foundation to devote himself to the scholarship program that is modeled after the $100 million endowment in Kalamzoo, Michigan.

The first person LaCoque talked to offered $1 million.

Then the B.S. idea came up.

LeCoque related how many people came to him asking about the B.S. concerns. He saw the community being divided.

He realized that he could not raise millions in a divided community.

As LeCoque explained, when you go out and ask for money, you can’t be on the defensive.

The B.S. led to the withdrawal of the $1 million scholarship offer.

The money is off the table, he said.

LeCoque predicted if the B.S. continued, it’s going to get worse.

If the B.S. continues, the money will never come back again. The McHenry County Promise scholarship program will lose its momentum.

he said.

Perhaps more significantly, one person told LeCoque,