No explanation offered for sudden need to modify existing contract
Dr. Lisa Rhine
Yavapai Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine renegotiated a portion of her existing five-year contract with the College District Governing Board at a secret executive meeting held during a “workshop” Monday, November 14. Despite everyone on the Board being “satisfied with her performance,” the President, and apparently at her lawyer’s advice (who was not present), persuaded the Board to insert a new severance provision.
The severance provision would ensure that she receives hundreds of thousands of dollars if she is fired for poor performance. No reason was offered by anyone regarding a need for this unusual and substantial severance provision. Recall she is already by far the highest paid executive in Yavapai County and only last May received a 10% increase in her salary. It is surmised that she is earning somewhere around $300,000 a year in salary and benefits.
Because the executive session regarding the contract was held in secret, little is known by the public about either the reason for the severance or the actual dollar amount of the severance package. What is clear is that if Dr. Rhine is fired for poor performance, this provision ensures she will receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in severance.
The final motion agreed upon by the Governing Board 4-1 reads that “there would be a two-year severance payout with cause only for poor performance or 50% of the President’s remaining obligation by the College, whichever is greater.”
You may view the brief nine-minute discussion following the secret executive meeting regarding Dr. Rhine ‘s salary by clicking here.