MCC board censures two of its own for comments

Calling their decision a necessary "two-by-four," members of the McHenry County College board of trustees voted 4-3 Thursday night to censure two colleagues who spoke publicly against MCC's expansion at an Oct. 17 Crystal Lake City Council meeting.

Donna Kurtz, who heads the board's finance committee, and Scott Summers, board chair, had previously voted to approve MCC's plans to build a $26 million, 95,000-square-foot Health Wellness and Athletic Complex. Part of the plan includes a 6,500-seat stadium that would be home to a minor-league baseball team.

Months after the MCC board unanimously approved the project, Kurtz and Summers changed their tune.

"You don't get up in public and put down the college board after a decision's been reached," said Trustee Carol Larson, who voted for the resolution.

"We need to be able to trust their votes. This action is our two-by-four," she said.

In addition to Larson, Trustees George Lowe Jr., Barbara Walters and Mary Miller endorsed the censuring. Summers, Kurtz and board vice chair Frances Glosson did not.

The resolutions, which cite "unwarranted and unprofessional conduct detrimental to McHenry County College," state that Kurtz and Summers undermined the board's decision to approve the college's master plan presented to the Crystal Lake City Council. The trustees chose to ignore the democratic rule of the majority when they spoke in opposition to the vote.

The resolutions also cite board policies that say the trustees shall "avoid taking any private action that may compromise the board or administration, undermine public confidence in the college, or damage the district's reputation."

But the resolutions also recognize that the two trustees have a right to free speech and do not mean to infringe on that constitutionally protected speech.

Both Kurtz and Summers were asked to step down from their chair positions.

"They're still valuable members of the board, but in these two leadership positions you have to have someone lead in order to be followed," Larson said.

After the board voted, Summers submitted his resignation as board chair. "I will continue to serve the board as a trustee," he said. "Let the healing begin."