The State Board held an executive session for the annual performance review of State Director Brent Hagan and subsequently took multiple personnel actions in open session.

Performance review: The board reported that Director Hagan received a positive performance review noting a strong statewide presence, effective strategy development for CareerTech, and effective work with agency staff. The board asked Hagan to increase direct engagement with individual employees to address top-down concerns.

Compensation actions: The board voted to accept the performance review and, in the same meeting, approved an immediate pay increase for Director Hagan from $175,340 to the agency maximum allowed salary of $189,367 effective Jan. 1. The board also voted to direct counsel to work with the director on paperwork to seek an increase in the pay band for the director position; once the pay band has been increased, the board asked to revisit the director’s compensation.

Procedure and votes: The board convened into executive session pursuant to the cited statute, returned to open session and recorded that no votes were taken during the closed session. The acceptance of the review and the pay increase were approved by roll-call vote. A subsequent motion to request counsel pursue a higher pay band was also approved by roll-call vote.

Context and next steps: Board members expressed appreciation for Hagan’s leadership. The board asked agency counsel to prepare paperwork to pursue a pay-band increase so the board could consider additional compensation changes at a later meeting if warranted.