COSTA MESA – College trustees will debate tonight whether to approve 24 percent raises for the six administrators who run Coastline, Golden West and Orange Coast colleges, even as their district remains on a state fiscal watch list because of its financial problems.

The proposed increases, spread out over four years, would cost $92,214 per year – enough money to restore 28 class sections that have been slashed by budget cuts, according to teacher unions' leaders.

"That would serve more than 840 students," said Kristina Bruning, president of Coast Federation of Educators AFT Local 1911. "We are supposed to be educating students here."

The human resources director for Coast Community College District, which runs the three colleges, said the increases are needed to help recruit candidates for vacant leadership positions.

"We have not had that many applicants for our (vacant) positions," said John Renley, vice chancellor for human resources, who is retiring before the proposed hikes would take effect.

Renley said the college district's top salaries are lower than most at the 10 districts with which it compares itself, including other districts in Orange County.

As proposed, the three college presidents and three district vice chancellors would each have their pay raised 12.4 percent on July 1, from $129,000 to $145,000 per year, then annual increases to $160,000 within four years.

The presidents and vice chancellors also receive other pay and benefits, based on their years of service and contracts.

By comparison, faculty are expected to be offered a 1.84 percent cost-of-living increase this year, officials said.

Students who have faced higher fees and reduced class offerings over the last two years – and face new fee increases this year – were disturbed by the proposal.

"This is highway robbery," said Veronica Archuleta, who attends both Golden West and Orange Coast and said she was unable to take a class this semester because it had been cut due to budget problems. "They are doing this at the students' expense. For them to pocket that kind of money, it's sad and disgusting."

According to a 2003 survey commissioned by the Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges, Coast district presidential salaries in 2001-02 were about in the midrange of those paid at the state's 108 two-year colleges.

Nationwide, the average base salary of community college presidents this academic year is $130,615, up 3.1 percent from the previous year, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported Tuesday.

Trustee Jerry Patterson said he would be questioning the item during tonight's meeting.

"I'm having a good deal of difficulty with the size of these raises," Patterson said.

Coast trustees tonight are also slated to discuss promoting Golden West President Kenneth Yglesias to replace retiring district Chancellor Bill Vega, according to Bruning, who was the chairwoman of the search committee for Vega's replacement.

The district conducted a national search that yielded 21 candidates, Bruning said. The recommendation to appoint Yglesias is subject to board approval at tonight's meeting.

Yglesias did not return a phone call asking for comment. Renley declined to discuss the appointment.

As proposed, the new chancellor's pay would be $200,000 per year, including $10,000 for mileage and travel, compared with $186,608 now earned by Vega.

The increases are "well worth it to get the right staff," Renley said.

The board of trustees meets at 6:30 p.m. at district headquarters, 1370 Adams Ave, Costa Mesa. Phone (714) 438-4600 for more information.