Kurtz resigns from MCC board

Newly elected McHenry County Board member Donna Kurtz has resigned from her seat on the McHenry County College board, citing state law that prohibits her from serving on both boards. Kurtz had two years remaining on her six-year term.

Although she won't be seated on the county board until Dec. 6, Kurtz said in a resignation letter Friday to MCC President Vicky Smith that stepping down as a college trustee four months before the April election would ensure the vacant seat would be included on the ballot.

“In order to ensure that the community has sufficient time to respond and fill this vacancy permanently with a qualified and capable individual, through election rather than appointment, I am, with a certain amount of regret, resigning from the McHenry County (College) Board of Trustees, effective immediately,” Kurtz wrote. “It is my hope that this will facilitate the electoral process and an orderly transition for the college.”

The MCC board will fill the position within 60 days, Smith said.

Smith, who took over as president in August, said Kurtz was a valuable member of the college board.

“I am sorry that I didn't have longer to work with Trustee Kurtz,” Smith said. “She is very intelligent and knowledgeable and is very supportive of the college. I look forward to working with her in her current position.”

Kurtz said two major accomplishments the college made during her tenure include the introduction of six new programs, as well as Smith's hiring.

“That was huge,” Kurtz said on Monday. “We needed new leadership to ensure the future of the college continued to meet the needs of the community.”