Salary readjustment

Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008 | 2:04 a.m.

When Bob Gilbert, College of Southern Nevada’s associate vice president for facilities, was put on a paid leave of absence last year, college officials tapped another person to step into his job.

As first reported by the Las Vegas Sun, Gilbert was accused of funneling college work to contractors who would give him a discount on work done at his house. As state criminal investigators and college officials looked into the charges, Sherri Payne, an architect, took over Gilbert’s duties as the acting associate vice president for facilities management. Payne had been making $114,733 annually, but received a raise to $131,254. Gilbert drew his $147,204 annual salary during his leave.

As Charlotte Hsu reported in Monday’s Las Vegas Sun, Payne kept her title and her salary when Gilbert returned to work in July.

It is unclear what both are doing and why the college needs two highly paid administrators in the same position.

One college spokeswoman told Hsu they serve as “a check and balance” on each other. Another said Gilbert “brought major strengths to the college through the years in a leadership role” and Payne is “more on the operational side.”

We’re not exactly sure what that means, but college President Michael Richards is supposed to be working on clarifying job duties for Gilbert and Payne, as well as addressing salary issues.

In the meantime, the state attorney general’s office is still considering filing criminal charges against Gilbert.

The whole situation is a mess and does not reflect well on the College of Southern Nevada and its leadership. Taxpayers should not be paying for two executives to do one job. Richards should move quickly to resolve the matter.