Hello, this is Iris Bryan with another moment in the history of McHenry County College.
The Junior College Association for McHenry County Area accomplished a lot in the 18 months following the launch of its 1965 college district plan.
Much of the group’s time and energy was devoted to preparing necessary legal documents for approval by two state boards.
There were, of course, opponents to the idea. But this merely kept the citizens who were promoting the issue on their toes and dedicated. The tide was about to turn in their favor.
During an anxious period of waiting, the Association investigated operations of a nearby junior college district. Confident it would receive a positive reply from the state, the group began planning for the required referendum. Fund-raising to educate the public was a necessary component and help was sought from high school superintendents and various groups in their communities.
The Board of Higher Education spent more than a month reviewing the Association’s information, and then sent it to the Junior College Board for a public hearing on January 10, 1967.
No opposition was presented and only a few requests for clarification were heard. Once the State Board of Higher Education and the Junior College Board gave their approvals, a referendum date could be set by the McHenry County Superintendent of Schools.
Tuesday, March 28, 1967, was the date for the long-awaited referendum. However, that had to be changed. More on that in the next audiocast.
Visit our Blog at www.mchenry.edu to learn more about McHenry County College history. Share your memories, and learn how you can join the College’s fortieth anniversary celebrations beginning Sunday, April 15th 2007.
This is Iris Bryan, the voice of McHenry County College history.
12/5/06