McHenry County College board approves cutting 25 employee positions

Citing a projected $1.7 million revenue shortfall this fiscal year, the McHenry County College board of trustees Thursday night approved cutting 25 employee positions from administration, professional/classified staff and faculty.

The layoffs are part of a broader plan to shrink overall spending and create a balanced budget. Over the past year, college officials have undertaken multiple measures to cut spending, including reductions in travel and other general expenses and a freeze on rehiring nonessential personnel.

Six open positions due to retirement or vacancy will not be refilled. Five positions are being reduced from full- to part-time status, while 14 full- and part-time positions are being eliminated.

With the state budget impasse into its second year, the state owes MCC nearly $1.5 million for the current fiscal year. The latest reductions are expected to save the college $1.5 million in fiscal year 2018.

"Really good people, through no fault of their own, are losing their jobs. This is a painful truth," MCC President Clint Gabbard said. "At the same time, we will continue to be innovative and creative in serving this great community. We will do more with less, because our students deserve our best efforts. Students are not responsible for this financial crisis, and we will do everything possible to protect the integrity of the education that they receive."

Affected employees have been notified that their positions would be eliminated or reduced. They were offered options to either apply for other internal positions or accept a comprehensive severance package that includes health benefits, outplacement services and support, and unemployment options.

"This has been an extraordinarily challenging process for all, and we are empathetic to all who have been adversely affected," MCC board Chairman Mike Smith said. "In spite of the difficult, perhaps unprecedented times we face due to the budget stalemate in Springfield, we as a board have the responsibility to govern the institution with the imperative being student success. We feel strongly that the senior administration has developed a very prudent process to support the institution and its financial condition, ensuring that we will continue to meet the needs of, and the critical success factors for, our students."

Overall, 34 positions have been reduced this fiscal year stemming from a combination of vacancies/retirements not being refilled, reductions from full time to part time, and layoffs. Previous cuts through restructuring or not refilling open positions saved the college roughly $580,000, officials said.