Shoreline Community College president Holly Moore recently received a $25,000 salary increase, and some faculty and students aren’t happy about it.
“The increase became a lightening rod for all kinds of comments with respect to making due with less,” said Paul Burton, chair of the college’s board of trustees.
Burton said some opposition also might be fueled by the fact that classified staff members at community colleges across the state, including SCC, haven’t received a salary increase in three years, and faculty received a “small” increase a year ago.
Moore’s salary increase was approved by the board at a special meeting May 7; her salary will go from $135,000 to $160,000 beginning July 1, college spokeswoman Judy Yu said.
The increase was apparently made in an effort to keep Moore around.
Moore withdrew May 10 as one of the four finalists for the position of president of the Community College of Southern Nevada. Moore said the position was “intriguing” because it would allow her to be closer to her father and mother-in-law who both have terminal cancer and live in California.
“Learning that she was being actively recruited for the position, we became concerned,” Burton said. “On the day of the meeting, we learned she was one of the top four candidates and was slated for interviews there that day … when the board met and discussed it, we felt we did not want to lose Holly.”
Burton also attributed the salary increase to an effort to better match other Washington community college presidents,’ and said the increase puts Moore “at the median level” salary for her position.
According to Burton, no announcement of the question to increase her salary was necessary prior to the meeting, although a public comment time did take place. Approximately 33 people spoke before the board, primarily regarding the salary increase, Burton said. No approval besides that of the board in necessary to increase the college president’s salary, he added.
Burton said the board and Moore plan to discuss and create a plan of action to address the issues brought to them during the public comment period May 26.
“The board takes this very seriously,” Burton said.
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