Karen Tirio: Candidate Profile

Back to McHenry Commmunity College School Board 4-year term

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: WoodstockWebsite: http://www.mccin2015.comOffice sought: McHenry Commmunity College School Board 4-year term Age: 55Family: I've been a longtime resident of McHenry County for over 38 years and have attended MCC. I live in Woodstock with my Husband, and business partner Joe.Occupation: Proprietor of 'Monarch Senior Care', a local business serving Seniors and Veterans in McHenry County,Education: William Fremd High School McHenry County College William Rainey Harper College No degree but began working in the field of degree I was going for.Civic involvement: Member of Woodstock Chamber of Commerce, Bug's Brigade Care Pkgs for the Troops 2 yrs @ 100 Care Packages each, US Marines Toys for Tots volunteer 14 yrs. consecutively, 25 yr member of Women of the Moose, VFW Thanksgiving Dinner for the Troops volunteer 12 yrs consecutively, P.A.D.S (public action to deliver shelter to homeless) Turning Point for abused women children C.A.S.A.Elected offices held: Precinct Committeeman Dorr 6Questions Answers With enrollment up at my many community colleges, it can be challenging to keep pace as far as available classroom/lab space, the number of qualified teachers and available course work options. How would you manage that?The enrollment at MCC is down and that's likely to continue since enrollment in our elementary schools is declining. Further, classrooms at the college are used, on average, less than half of each day. MCC has hired a 'space use consultant' to advise them on the optimum configuration, but there is no need for additional space.Are you currently employed by or retired from a school district, if so, which one? Is any member of your direct family - spouse, child or child-in-law - employed by the school district where you are seeking a school board seat?No to all questions.Is a tax rate increase needed and, if so, how do you justify it?No. We have to be cognizant of the total tax burden on our citizens, not just the tax rate at MCC. McHenry County's real estate tax burden is in the top 1% of all counties in the nation! (27th out of 3144) There is no government that cannot find ways to save 1% or 2% per year.Community colleges provide many services to a diverse population. Is there a service your college should be providing that it is not, or reaching a segment of the population that it is not?No. We may need to tweak our offerings, to add a new program here or cut an obsolete program there, but MCC offers a broad range of educational opportunities. The biggest improvement I think we could make would be Enhanced Mentoring and Counseling in order to increase the completion rate in subject areas that lead to higher paying jobs. MCC doesn't measure our students' success/failure rate. We know the completion rate is dismal. From my business perspective, MCC should be focusing on their Effectiveness in 3 major areas: 1) Serve as an Excellent and Affordable venue for educational credits for those looking to move on to a 4 yr college, 2) Offer the community Programs/Training that will result in decent paying jobs and a better educated citizenry 3) Make improvements of their completion rate by leaps and bounds. I'm all for calling in consultants for something as important as this.What do you think of President Obama's proposal for offering two years of free community college education?Philosophically I know the greatest advantage we can provide our citizens is the opportunity for higher education. As a practical matter, I'd have to ask 'how that would be paid for?' And let's be honest-his $60 Billion plan isn't Free. In order to fund this program the administration has proposed taxing 529 college savings plans, which he said he 'would never do'. Due to public outcry he's had to backpedal on that. If we would truly improve the elementary, middle and high schools we could have those students graduating High School at the level our Community College Liberal Arts Degrees provide. Throwing more money at schools without structural improvements has clearly not improved education. Redirecting resources is a more effective business decision for any educational institution. As an employer I also know how important it is to reward staff that are meeting standards of excellence.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I've been watching the situation at MCC for several years and am appalled by some of the ideas being advanced by the administration. The tax payers deserve to have confidence that all proposals are within the current budget, and would improve the curriculum. We need to make improvements in order to EFFECTIVELY Serve the students of this community.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Gov Scott Walker. With his unwavering Plan and Leadership , was successful in lowering taxes on Employers, Individuals, Property. How many governors can say that!What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you should. Having the Freedom to do something doesn't free you from logical consequences that will follow.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would've met my husband sooner.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math and Earth Science. Both helped prove to me that I can excel in things I didn't think I even had an interest in.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?To let them know that the best 'Get Rich Quick Strategy', often times... is to simply count your blessings.