The Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees have approved Interim Chancellor Bernard Luskin’s contract extension and pay increase after a 44-minute discussion.

The approval took place at the Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 16.

“I think Dr. Luskin has done a fine job being here,” said Trustee Stephen Blum referring to when Luskin filled in for former Chancellor Jamillah Moore when she left the district last year.

The agenda item, 12.02, was approved in two parts, both with a 4-1 vote. The first part, motion by Blum, seconded by Trustee Vice Chair Bernardo Perez, was to extend Luskin’s current contract to Feb. 1, 2017 with the option to continue to serve until June 30, 2017 if a permanent chancellor isn’t found. The second part, motion by Blum, seconded by Trustee Arturo Hernandez, was to increase the annual chancellor compensation from $225,000 to $235,500.

Trustee Dianne McKay voted no on both motions because she felt that the process was rushed and the board could have done a better job. But she said that she is confident with Luskin’s leadership.

“We need all work together for the best interest of the college,” said McKay.

All the trustees agreed that the process could have been done a lot better. Hernandez apologized to everyone who felt left out of the process, but felt that they needed to show a balanced leadership.

“We don’t have time, we [just] don’t have time,” said Hernandez, referring to the accreditation coming up later this year.

Trustees Chair Larry Kennedy said that Luskin has experience with accreditation from when he helped the American Association of Community Colleges in Washington, D.C. and that this experience would help the district.

Early last year, Luskin served as the interim president of Moorpark College until President Luis Sanchez was hired and on July 1, 2015. Then, Luskin replaced Moore as the interim chancellor for the district.