Lame Duck Board Passes Raise by 4-3 Vote

Time does not allow for a full opinion, or news story about this matter.  However, the importance of it and its impact on the students, staff, and faculty of Yuba Community College District and the communities it serves, requires that this news be brought to light tonight.

Additional information and follow-up will occur over the next few days.

In a 4-3 vote, the Yuba Community College Board of Trustees (this month’s version) awarded a raise to Chancellor Harrington of approximately $15,000.00.

It is incomprehensible that this lame duck board, with 1/2 of those voting for it serving in their last meeting, would take this action in light of the events of this past spring semester, when a raise was proposed at that time, and the fact that 11 of the 13 candidates, who ran for the 3 open seats on the Board were adamantly against a raise.

Also, it is incomprehensible that the Board was NOT given a copy or the proposed contract before Chairman Buchan called for the vote.  Most of the Trustees just sat there and one actually made a motion to approve it, without EVER seeing it.  I will review the recordings in an attempt to see who it was.  That was not obvious from my seat.

Thankfully, Trustee Flory (retiring) asked to see it “before we vote on it”. It seems possible that this is ANOTHER violation of the Brown Act by this seated Board. This will be investigated and followed up on in the near future.

As it turned out, Chairman Buchan had a stack of copies (of the contract) for the Board members while one of the secretaries (seated near the exit door at the sign in table) had copies – UNDER THE TABLE – for the attendees. It seems reasonable that they would have remained there if Trustee Flory (or Cheso, Nicholau, or Pearson) had not asked to see the contract.

This is “incomprehensible”, to quote a faculty member who spoke. It is “unconscionable” to quote a student in attendance.

Since 2 of the incoming members stated that they are opposed to any raise “at this time”, then it is obvious that this action had to take place tonight.

As the CSEA President pointed out, the Chancellor’s performance evaluation has never taken place during October or November, until now. It is my understanding that the current contract was valid through March and that the evaluation normally took place around that time of year.

That leads one to further believe that this was rushed through and done so the new board would have no choice but to live with it. Once Chancellor Harrington and Chairman Buchan sign the contract, we ALL have to live with it!

My bet is that it is signed before they leave here tonight.

You can’t take any chances on the long drive back to Yuba City, can you?

Check back later in the week and next week as we follow up this story with news, quotes, pictures, etc.

I know that it can’t be undone, but everyone needs to express their displeasure to your elected Board members who voted for this “raise”.

Yuba County – Trustee Brent Hastey

Sutter County – Trustee Lela Rai, retiring

                     – Chairman Jim Buchan

Yolo County, Trustee Xavier Tafoya