McHenry County College board approves contract extension for president

The McHenry County College Board of Trustees approved a third contract extension for President Clinton Gabbard on Thursday.

Gabbard, who became the college’s eighth president in January 2016, will serve through December 2022.

He will earn $248,855 in the 2019 contract year. The contract then will increase Gabbard’s salary by 3 percent each year through 2022.

That amount will be adjusted to “prevent the college from exceeding the 3 percent cap on end-of-career earnings by the State Universities Retirement System,” according to the contract.

The contract also requires the school to pay for the president's full medical insurance and a monthly vehicle allowance of $500.

In December 2016, the board approved Gabbard's last extension, which raised his salary between 3 and 5.9 percent annually from his $215,000 annual salary in 2016.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to approve the extension of Dr. Gabbard’s contract. He has exceeded the high expectations we, as a board, had for him upon hiring him in early 2016, and we are confident that his leadership will continue to be vital to McHenry County College’s extraordinary success moving forward,” board chairman Mike Smith said in a statement.

Smith said Gabbard has a history of significant accomplishments during his tenure. Smith highlighted Gabbard’s efforts to open the new Liebman Science Center and strong student enrollment.

“His work around the college’s outreach to the community continues to strengthen partnerships that are critical to MCC and the county’s success,” Smith said. “[As] a board, we look forward to our continued collaboration and partnership with Dr. Gabbard.”

Gabbard credited “everyone at MCC” for helping him lead.

“Everyone at MCC, starting with our board and continuing through every classroom and office, takes seriously our commitment to being champions for education that leads to learning, careers and economic development for our community,” Gabbard said in a statement. “It is a privilege to be able to provide leadership at the college and work with so many talented people, and it is an honor to get to serve in McHenry County. Great things are ahead, as long as we keep our eyes on the real doors that are opened through education and training.”