Swarthout Contract Renewed

By Linda Kor
   Northland Pioneer College President Dr. Jeanne Swarthout received good marks from the governing board in her annual review.
   After returning to regular session following an executive session June 16, the Navajo County Community College District Governing Board commended Swarthout for her work and dedication to the college, and offered the president a new three-year contract.
   According to Human Resources Director Peggy Belknap, Swarthout has accepted the new three-year contract with the college at the same salary she received the previous year.
   “Dr. Swarthout is receiving an annual salary of $145,600. The board recently approved a wage freeze for all of our employees and Dr. Swarthout requested no increase,” Belknap explained.
   Belknap further noted that Swarthout is the lowest paid community college president in the state, with the next lowest salary of $171,500 earned by Dr. Leah L. Bornstein, president of Coconino Community College in Flagstaff. The salaries go up from there, with the highest being $232,300, earned by Dennis Jenkins, president of Central Arizona College in Coolidge.
   Another item of note in Swarthout’s contract is that she receives no other compensation for her work at the college. She receives no company car, no mileage reimbursement, no cell phone stipend and no bonuses.
   “Dr. Swarthout insists on being treated as any other employee of the college and receives the same benefits as the rest of us,” stated Belknap.
   Swarthout first came to the college in 2001 as Dean of Liberal Studies. In 2002 she became Executive Dean of Instruction, in 2003 she was promoted to Vice President of Instruction and in 2007 became president of the college.
   “We feel very privileged to have Dr. Swarthout with the college, she is very dedicated to her work,” added Belknap.
   In other action June 16, the board:
   * Approved an intergovernmental agreement with Apache County for the provision of programs and services during the 2009-10 academic year in the amount of $550,000.
   * Approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology for courses offered at NPC and for dual enrollment for classes offered on high school campuses for the period from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2014.
   * Approved a grantee agreement with the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board for an Early Childhood Development Program for the period from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010.
   * Approved an intergovernmental agreement to establish the Arizona Community College Presidents’ Council with an annual dues payment of no more than $3,000.
   The board’s next meeting will be held in August.