SouthArk president receives bonus, pay increase
Rudy Ruettiger to be featured Lecture Series speaker
South Arkansas Community College President Barbara Jones is set to receive a one-time bonus and a small cost of living increase, approved earlier this week by the SouthArk Board of Trustees.
Jones’ annual compensation was up for review Monday, and the members of the SouthArk Board of Trustees voted to give her a $750 one-time merit lump sum. The bonus is on top of the $195,177 Jones made for the 2018 fiscal year.
In comparison, Northwest Arkansas Community College President Evelyn Jorgenson made $193,260 while Northeast College President James Shemwell made $195,355 and East Arkansas Community College President Coy Grace made $201,805.
The board did a presidential evaluation at the end of last year. With nine responses, most reported that Jones has been exceeding expectations.
The board also voted to give Jones a 1 percent cost-of-living increase, which was also approved for Jones’ cabinet with each member getting the 1 percent increase.
“In the crunch time of last year, when the finances were being scrutinized, Dr. Jones and the whole cabinet elected to forgo the 1 percent cost of living that everybody else received,” said Gary Griffis, chair of the Personnel Committee. “When I talked to Dr. Jones about the cost of living adjustment, she said ‘if it’s not included for my cabinet, don’t consider it for me as well.’”
In other business Monday, Dean of Arts and Sciences Jim Yates announced that this fall’s Lecture Series speaker will be Rudy Ruettiger.
Ruettiger, who had the 1993 movie “Rudy” made based on his life, is the third of 14 kids and the son of an oil refinery worker. Growing up, his dream was to play football for the University of Notre Dame, but was repeatedly told that he was too small. He successfully played one game, in which he sacked the Rudy Foundation, which sponsors community programs for education, sports and performing arts while providing scholarships to students.
The lecture will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 11.
Michael Shine may be reached at 870-8626611 or mshine@eldoradonews.com. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook @ MichaelAZShine for updates on Union County school news.