A wise decision by Coast district trustees

Coast Community College District trustees made the right decision

last week not to give 14% raises to the seven top administrators at

the district’s three schools.

District officials argued that the raises were necessary to

recruit decent candidates to fill vacant positions, such as the

presidential post at Orange Coast College. Gene Farrell has assumed

the role this year on an interim basis.

As much as a permanent president is needed at OCC to provide

stability and a specific roadmap to the future, it’s not appropriate

-- nor tactful -- to give 14% raises across the board to seven

positions during the state’s ongoing financial crisis, which severely

affects education.

It may be true that most community college presidents across the

state make more money than those in the Coast district, but that

doesn’t make it right to make up for it with one fell swoop at this

time -- a time when class sections are being cut at OCC. After all,

the students shouldn’t have to suffer anymore than they already are.

The district should instead choose a higher salary than it now

offers and use it to entice an OCC president. Or, when hiring the

president, promise that affordable raises will be available once the

economy picks up or the state straightens out its finances.

In the meantime, if raises must be given to the other

administrators, make it so -- but not at 14%. At this time, perhaps

3% would be a bit wiser.

When the economy and state pick up again -- and education cuts are

a great deal less or nonexistent -- then hike the salaries up another

6% or so. But take time in doing so, especially when many aren’t

receiving raises or, worse, are without jobs.