President Jackie L. Fisher

Antelope Valley College trustees recently, unanimously approved an amended contract for campus President Jackie L. Fisher that bumped his annual salary up to $211,807 per year from $200,007.

But according to the trustees this increase is not a raise.

The increase came because his yearly salary was blended with several annuities and other funds.

Trustees said this is not a raise, because salary increases are frozen for everyone at the college.

They said they combined his salary with the $10,000 a year that the college had been paying into a tax-sheltered annuity fund, and also included the $1,800 stipend he received each year as a certified employee with a doctorate degree. That is paid to all faculty members and educational administrators with a Ph.D.

“It’s no additional cost to the district,” said trustee Betty Wienke, who noted Fisher requested the change. “It’s just a different way of dealing with that amount of money. It didn’t matter to the board.”

Fisher’s contract, signed on March 3, cited his annual salary at $200,007. Another clause stated, “The board shall establish on behalf of Dr. Fisher a tax-sheltered annuity in accordance with the applicable requirements of the United States Internal Revenue Code, and for the duration of this agreement shall contribute to the tax-sheltered annuity annually the sum of $10,000.”

The college board amended that contract at its July 12 meeting to omit the annuity clause, and to state, “Dr. Fisher’s annual salary as Superintendent/President shall be $211,807, payable monthly, following accrual of the pay period.”

At OW press time, Dr. Fisher was on vacation and could not be reached for comment.

Asked when the board began the annuity contributions for Fisher, Board President Steve Buffalo said, “I think the annuity was in there as far as I recall.”

Buffalo said he saw no problem in the contract amendment since it costs the college no more money. “It’s not a financial change from the standpoint of the board,” Buffalo said. “It’s a change in the language as to how he receives the money. As long as it does not cost the district more, it’s not a problem.”

“We’re looking at it in terms of the bottom line,” Buffalo said. “It’s not uncommon for managers to restructure their contracts.”

As far as the stipend, Wienke explained, “it’s part of the salary schedule, not something the board has an option on.”

Wienke and Buffalo said the challenging times facing AV College as a result of the California budget crisis are likely to continue for a while, before the freeze on salaries can be lifted.

“Until the state gets its financial act together, it’s just difficult,” Wienke said. “The faculty hasn’t received any increase, or the classified (workers), or confidential management, or anyone.”

Buffalo noted that staffs roles have expanded. “The people we have are wearing two and three hats now,” he said. “With the economy the way it is, and the difficulties in budgeting at the state level, it makes it difficult to increase salaries to compensate for them carrying a heavier load than normal.”

According to Wienke, the short-term outlook does not look bright. “I don’t know how long it’s going to take before things turn around,” she says, “but predictions do not look promising.”