Coast will fill chancellor seat on Wednesday

Marisa O’Neil

Coast Community College District trustees were scheduled to name a

new chancellor Wednesday night and consider hiking the annual salary

for that person up to $200,000 including expenses.

Trustees were to vote on a proposed salary increase of 7% for the

chancellor and nearly 12% for vice chancellors and college

presidents. This comes a week after the district announced it would

be cutting back its operating schedule this summer because of budget

constraints.

The proposed increases were suggested after a survey was conducted

of 10 other college districts of similar size and demographics,

district spokeswoman Erin Cohn said.

“We did salary comparisons with several districts,” said John

Renley, vice chancellor of human resources. “Of those, we were number

eight [of 11 for chancellor’s salaries].”

Districts surveyed include Rancho Santiago, North Orange County,

South Orange County, Ventura and San Bernardino community college

districts. According to the survey, Coast Community College District

salaries for vice chancellors and presidents rank second to last.

If approved, the chancellor’s salary would increase from $186,608

to $190,000, plus $10,000 for travel and mileage expenses. Vice

chancellor and president salaries would go from a range of $129,631

to $131,805 up to $145,000 to $160,000.

“I don’t think I can support it,” trustee Jerry Patterson said

Tuesday of the proposed salary increases. “They are deserving of an

increase, but this is far more than justified. I won’t be supporting

the full increase.”

The state placed the district on a financial watch list earlier

this year when its cash reserves dipped below the 5% recommended. It

is now operating at 5%, Cohn said.

Last week, Coast Community College District announced that it

would go on a four-day-a-week schedule to save on energy costs. Its

three schools have cut classes over the past few years because of

budget constraints.

“In order to have a top school, we need good people or we’ll go

down the tubes,” trustee George Brown said. “We selected a salary we

thought would be attractive.”

The district is still searching for a replacement for former

Orange Coast College President Margaret Gratton, who left in 2002.

Interim President Gene Ferrell is filling in until they hire a new

president. It is also looking to fill some vice chancellor positions,

including Renley’s. Renley retired in August but still works a few

days a week.

South Orange County Community College District pays presidents for

its two colleges -- Saddleback and Irvine Valley -- between $121,200

and $136,350, district spokeswoman Tracy Daley said. Their chancellor

currently makes about $184,000.

Rancho Santiago College tops the survey, with $220,167 total

compensation for its chancellor and $144,852 to $180,948 for

presidents and vice chancellors.

Brown said that the upcoming sale of its television station,

KOCE-TV, the passage of a school improvement bond and the leasing of

district property will bring in more money for salaries.

Trustees will also announce tonight their choice for the next

chancellor for the district. The original field of 21 was narrowed to

three with final interviews taking place in April, Renley said.

Coast Community College District’s current chancellor, William

Vega, will retire in June.

* MARISA O’NEIL is a reporter with Times Community News. She may

be reached at (949) 574-4268 or by e-mail at marisa.oneil@

latimes.com.