After some debate at the Board of Trustees meeting on Nov. 12, the district has approved a motion to raise faculty salaries.

This agreement between the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) and the Ventura County Federation of College Teachers will provide a 3.25 percent increase to salaries and health insurance premiums.

Trustee Steve Blum explains how he supports the approval of this agreement and how it will benefit the faculty.

“Our employees are a good bet,” said Blum. “They’ve done so much for us in the past.”

Negotiations for this agreement commenced in March, with this tentative agreement being reached on Sept. 25. The general salary increase and associated benefits will cost the district approximately $1.7 million in general funds, with the additional salary increases costing $344,000.

The discussion of these faculty raises caused some debate among the trustees, with trustee Dianne McKay specifically voicing some opposition towards the tentative agreement.

“It’s not a lack of value or trust (in our faculty),” said McKay. ” It’s just too much of a stretch for us to sustain (these costs). I’m concerned that it’s just too big of a bite.”

Bernardo Perez, Chairman of the Board, also voiced some concerns about the agreement.

“Inherently I want to give everyone everything that they want,” said Perez. “There are many parts I like, but some bring questions of sustainability.”

After this motion was passed, a second agreement to increase the salaries of managers and supervisors was unanimously approved. This agreement will cost $259,000 in general funds.

McKay and Perez voted in favor of this agreement.

“After approving the previous agreement, it wouldn’t make sense for us not to do the same thing here,” said McKay.

Chancellor Dr. Jamillah Moore was also approved by the board for an extension of her contract to June 30, 2016.

“I’m looking forward to sticking around longer,” said Moore. “This is a very resilient district. We’ve gotten a lot done.”

Moore then declined her salary raise that was approved earlier. She explained that while questions of sustainability were still present, she couldn’t accept any increases to her own salary.

“I look forward to finding ways to sustain and help our faculty,” said Moore.