By a 4-1 vote, the Community College District Governing Board approved a 1.7% increase in the base salary of Community College president Penelope Wills’ at its June 9 meeting for one year through 2018. It also approved retention of existing perks such as expense accounts and other unnamed benefits.
Under Arizona law, a community college president’s contract must run for three years. Therefore, to continue Wills’ in her position for more than the initial three years, the Board must approve adding another year onto her contract every year to maintain a consistent three year agreement.
The amount of the base salary of the nature and extent of the perks the president received were not disclosed and remain a closely guarded secret from the public. Representative Deb McCasland voted against the increase stating she believed the salary should remain at its current level.
Because of the secrecy surrounding the terms of the contract, no data comparing whatever her salary is with that of other community college presidents in Arizona was not available to the public.