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December 23, 2025

DA backs claim alleging Gav board violated Brown Act

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office has supported allegations that the Gavilan College board violated Brown Act provisions in October of last year when it increased the president’s pay during closed session, but also confirmed the deadline had passed to invalidate the action.

What should the annual compensation level – pay and benefits – be for the president of Gavilan College?

• Certainly not higher than $200k. At that, this would be very generous. • $150,000 – he does a great job and that is a great compensation! • At the level of enrollment, he should be receiving close to $150,000 and perhaps some performance-based bonuses. • $150,000 or commensurate with  community college president salaries and benefits of comparably sized institutions. • The compensation level should be tied to the rate-of-pay of the rest of the employees. One formula could be 10% more than the highest paid employee. Another might be no more than 75% more than the lowest paid full-time employee. After applying some formula, the board needs to look at enrollment, budget, accomplishment of goals, customer (student and taxpayer) satisfaction, and faculty assessment. What we know for sure is that the current compensation is way out of line. • $250,000.  He’s already at that level, or pretty close.  It would be insulting to reduce his salary. Future salary increases need to be thoughtfully considered, though, based on Gavilan’s revenue, cuts to services, public opinion and salary comparisons of all Gavilan staff. It seems that top level staff receive hefty compensation packages while rest of personnel receive no raises or salary cuts to bear the burden. • Somewhere about $165k seems fair. • Our Gavilan College President has a payment contract as of last year. I have no idea what a president of a JC should be paid, but I’m guessing the amount can exceed $250,000 since his total amount when the payment contract is completed will be $276,000. • $200,000 is fair and reasonable • A very reasonable salary and benefit package should be $150,000. Then, attach an aggressive bonus plan of up to 25% of the package that rewards recipent based on Steve’s production.  Part of incentive plan must be related to how the student and taxpayer benefits from his leadership. Our elected officials have gotten way off course by chasing a false philosophy in which it is believed that to get great public sector managers, you must pay them private sector wages.  Higher salaries can be justified and  sustained only when they are tied to financial risk. If public sector managers want higher salaries they can find them in the private sector. • “Researcher John Curtis said that, according to a recent survey conducted by his organization, the compensation of public community-college presidents range from $81,000 to $390,000, not including extra benefits for housing and car expenses. The size of the salary is influenced by the size of the school, its location and the number of its students and employees.” Given this information, I think Kinsella's salary is too much for the size of the Gavilan student body. His salary today makes sense in a school that serves over 35,000 students at least – Gavilan has less than 6,000 students. The Trustees depend on him and his expertise, but competition for jobs is healthy and should be practiced for Gavilan’s presidency in the future, given that student fees are increasing and more students are relying on financial aid to finish their schooling … $150,000 to $200,000 is more reasonable.

State wants $6.6M in bypass repairs before taking road

Caltrans has put up a major roadblock to a long-expected transfer of the Highway 25 bypass to the state.

GPD seizes 450 marijuana plants valued at $1.4 million

The Gilroy Police Department Anti-Crime Team executed a narcotics bust that resulted in the discovery of more than 450 illegal marijuana plants with an estimated street value of approximately $1.4 million.

Dissecting Torres’ criminal past: Assault, obstructing an officer

Murder charges for Antolin Garcia – the 21-year-old suspect accused of kidnapping and killing 15-year-old Sierra LaMar – ride the wake of a harried criminal past that includes arrests for assault, obstructing officers and having sex with a minor.

Dissecting Torres’ past: Assault, obstructing a cop

Murder charges for Antolin Garcia Torres - the 21-year-old suspect accused of kidnapping and killing 15-year-old Sierra LaMar - ride the wake of a harried criminal past that includes arrests for assault, obstructing officers and having sex with a minor.

New ROP training facility

Dr. and Mrs. Bakri Musa were instrumental in helping the Santa Clara County ROP Dental Program create this new training facility. With the scissors is instructor Susan Rozas and guests included Abby-Ortiz Baldwin and Dr. Dave Matuszak (Chamber Board of Director) from Santa Clara County ROP Office; Chamber President/CEO, Susan Valenta; Economic Development Corp. President, Tammy Brownlow; current and future students.

Risky resumes

A little GPA padding. A slight fib on a job title. A clerical error on dates.

DA issues consumer alert over landscape scammer

The Santa Clara County District Attorney's office issued today a public service announcement and consumer alert video following circulating complaints about a man by the name of Michael Oliveira who allegedly collects money for work he never completes.

Suspect described as ‘good father,’ ‘sweetheart’

The mother of the suspect accused of kidnapping and murdering 15-year-old Sierra Lamar says she believes her son is innocent, but Sheriff Laurie Smith insists the DNA evidence found in his car and on Sierra’s belongings is damning - even if her body is never found. Meanwhile, a former FBI agent says Antolin Garcia Torres, a husband and father to a 20-month-old daughter, could have fooled everybody.

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