Increased Salary for New Senior Staff-- I voted NO

INCREASE IN SALARY FOR NEW SENIOR STAFF

In yesterday's board meeting, we voted on whether or not to approve 2 appointments to senior staff. Chief of Media and Communications and Chief Academic Officer. I voted against both of these positions not because of the individuals being recommended but because of the salaries offered to them.

Chief of Media and Communications. This position was hand picked by the Superintendent, the position was never publicized and only one person was interviewed. This individual will be making over $200,000 in salary and benefits (significantly more than the previous person in the position who did a fantastic job).

Chief Academic Officer: also being paid significantly more than the previous person in the position who also did a fantastic job and is now the Superintendent of Henrico schools.

Both of these positions are being paid more than the COO, (Chief Operating Officer).
To put this into perspective and compare it to another government employee. A Navy Admiral with over 30 years experience in this area makes around $177,000 (this includes housing allowance)

I'm sure the appointees are good people and will do a good job; however, I cannot support such a drastic increase in salaries when it is funded by taxpayer dollars and we have so many needs in our division.
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Full disclosure--- a position on senior staff was cut through a reorganization, and I thought that was needed; however, I still do not believe that we should increase the salaries for these 2 positions. We should use the money in other areas.