A recent retreat attended by Kansas City Kansas Community College Board of Trustees members in which details of a new contract offered to College President Greg Mosier is being criticized by one attendee, and may have an issue with the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA).
KOMA applies to all legislative and administrative bodies and agencies of the state, as well as political and taxing subdivisions. The Act defines a meeting as “Any gathering or assembly in person, through the use of a telephone, or any other medium for interactive communication, by a majority of the membership of a public body or agency subject to the act, and for the purpose of discussing the business or affairs of the public body or agency.”
All three elements must be present for KOMA to apply.
Dr. Brenda Scruggs-Andrieu issued a statement titled “Why I Voted Against the President’s Community College Three-Year Contract”:
“I objected to everything that was voted on during the retreat 2/22/25. A retreat is normally where people go to unwind, not where business is transacted. The retreat was not televised for public viewing and input. This retreat was total business, not differing from regular board meetings, except the mis-advertisement. During the meeting, the president’s contract was discussed.”
The February 22 retreat is listed on the website under board meetings, but unlike regular board meetings, no agenda was published ahead of time and minutes of the retreat are not disclosed.
Her statement continued with details of President Mosier’s proposed contract she found objectionable:
“The proposed salary for the president was $303,628 with a $ 31,000 year-end bonus, $1,100 month/ $13,200 (annual) auto allowance with additional free gas. ($1, 300 monthly). A $15,600 (annual) housing allowance, 25-days vacation, 21-days sick leave and the privilege of working as a paid consultant, for a total of over $363,428.00. in addition, there was a request for increase in his retirement contribution, increase in housing and vehicle allowance, and an increase in his performance bonus.
“According to USA Census, the average community college president in America earns $30,000 to $142,000 per year. We always compare ourselves with Johnson County. USA Census report the average Johnson County community college president’s salary is $391,567. The Johnson County average per capita income (2019-2023) is $58,292. The Wyandotte County average per capita income is $28,523. Wyandotte County residents earn less than half the income of Johnson County residents and cannot afford to pay the president of a community college the same salary as Johnson County. If Wyandotte County paid the same proportion of their income as Johnson County, the president would be paid $191,944 a year which is still above the range of what other community colleges in America pay their presidents.”
Dr. Scruggs-Andrieu added:
“Dr. Brenda Scruggs-Andrieu and Linda Hoskins-Sutton voted against the renewal of the president’s contract. Trustees Bradley Isnard, Donald Ash, Mark Gilstrap, Mary Ricketts, & Evelyn Criswell voted to renew the president’s contract with no opposition to any of his proposed benefits.”
The full Board of Trustees voted to approve Dr. Mosier’s contract on March 18th.
We reached out to Dr. Mosier for comment on the issues raised by Dr. Scruggs-Andrieu:
“The Board of Trustees for KCKCC did hold its semi-annual retreat on February 22, 2025, which was open to the public. A motion reflecting the Board’s intent to offer an extension to the president was made and passed during the open session with the terms and conditions of a new contract with the president to be discussed at the Board’s March 18, 2025, meeting.”
We have requested an opinion from Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach on the Open Meetings issued raised.