MCC debate funding presidential candidate's trip

A lot of people love football, but most don't ask their bosses to pay for it.

Larry Tyree is the last man standing in McHenry County College's search for an interim president, and pending contract negotiations and his acceptance, Tyree, 64, will get the job. He is now interim president at Monroe Community College, a school of 36,000 students in Rochester, N.Y.

But the Florida native, who claims nearly 30 years of experience heading community colleges in permanent and temporary capacities, has asked that the school help pay for his upcoming trip to see the Gainesville Gators football team play in the Sunshine State, officials said Thursday.

Trustees Donna Kurtz and Robert Parrish draw the line at financing Tyree's leisure travel, the game included.

"He is being paid the same as (former President) Dr. Packard, so why do we need to fund personal travel?" Kurtz said. "It's a few hundred dollars. Let him pay that."

But Trustee Carol Larson said the school can afford to help, since Tyree is not asking the board to pay for his health care and prefers to opt out of the Illinois' State University Retirement System.

"I really think it would be important to keep him happy," Larson said.

Tyree has already said he would "under no circumstance" accept anything less than what the school now pays President Emeritus Packard - $188,564 a year - and the board has agreed to match that salary for Tyree.

"I don't want to sound presumptuous or arrogant. I just know the experience I've had at nine community colleges with seven presidents in six states," Tyree said in an earlier interview.

Trustees are still ironing out the details in Tyree's contract.

They propose furnishing him with a $1,500 monthly housing allowance, outfitting him with technology he would need after hours to work from home, establishing a business travel budget and furnishing him with the same company car Packard used.

Officials also want Tyree to play an active role in finding a permanent president.

The board will vote on a final contract later this month, and if both sides agree, Tyree would take over in August until the school finds a permanent replacement.

Packard, 61, resigned as the school's president in February and accepted a less-demanding position that allows him to work from home and look after his ailing wife.

Although he does significantly less work, Packard draws the same $188,564 annual salary and benefits he had as president. Officials have said they were contractually obligated to pay Packard through 2010, when his contract ends.

Kurtz on Thursday outlined a series of projects Packard should take on to ensure the school gets the most out of its money.

Tyree was the top administrator at three community colleges - two in Florida and one in Texas - for a total of 26 years. He has been at Monroe for 10 months.

MCC's board last week interviewed Tyree and another finalist, but the other man excused himself for health reasons, leaving Tyree as the final pick, officials said.

"I'm very humbled and honored that I might have the opportunity to work with people at MCC," Tyree said. "I like challenges and it seems like the institution is well-positioned for the future and needs some leadership to help get them from where they are to where they need to be."

Trip: One trustee says it's worth keeping candidate happy