BENTONVILLE — A NorthWest Arkansas Community College administrator was counseled on nine issues a week before being fired, according to college records released Thursday.
At A Glance
Parsons’ Career
Marty Parsons was hired by NorthWest Arkansas Community College in October 2010. He worked for the University of Delaware as the chief operating officer for the college of engineering from 2008 until his hire in Bentonville. He also worked in financial roles at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Michigan
Source: Parsons’ resume
Marty Parsons, senior vice president for administrative services and chief financial officer, was fired by Becky Paneitz, college president, Wednesday, according to a letter from Paneitz in Parsons’ personnel file.
“As President of NorthWest Arkansas Community College, it is my responsibility and duty to exercise strong leadership for the best interests of the college and its students,” Paneitz said in a statement Thursday. “At times, this requires making difficult but necessary decisions, including those associated with college personnel.”
Parsons was counseled on issues including insubordination, failure to complete the budget in a timely manner, inappropriate language and low morale in his department, according to July 25 memorandum. Parsons had 30 days to improve and “further inappropriate behavior could result in his termination.”
“Mr. Parsons has shown insubordination and disregarded the proper channels by directly contacting Board of Trustees’ members to criticize Dr. Paneitz,” according to the document.
Parsons contacted the Attorney General’s Office regarding the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act in April, and again three months later, though he was asked not to by Paneitz, according to the memorandum.
“Mr. Parsons was also counseled about the budget not being completed in a timely manner, delaying approval of the budget until the June Board of Trustees’ meeting,” according to the memorandum. “Dr. Paneitz had to give Mr. Parsons specific instruction in an email explaining to him what was needed for the meeting, which he then ignored.”
Parsons refused comment about the memorandum Thursday. He said he’s considering how he will move forward.
Alex Vasquez, board chairman, said the board was informed of the decision in a timely matter.
“We expect Dr. Paneitz will provide an update on how the financial decisions will be handled moving forward,” Vasquez said.
Johnny Haney, trustee, said Thursday he was concerned by the loss of any “top cabinet member.”
“Marty Parsons and the staff he has developed have been helpful in finding solutions to financial issues that we have faced,” Haney said.
Mark Lundy, trustee and chairman of the Finance Audit Committee, said he felt Parsons did a good job.
“He brought some things to light,” Lundy said. “He really raised the expectation that there should be sunlight in the finance (department). I think he really moved us ahead on some things.”
The decision to fire administrators comes from the president, Lundy said.
“That was a decision made by the president and we (the board) stand behind it,” Lundy said.
A meeting was held July 25 with Parsons, his attorney, Paneitz and the college’s lawyer regarding results of a discrimination complaint against Parsons. An investigation found there was no evidence to substantiate the complaint, but Parsons was counseled on the other issues.
The college’s employee discipline and grievance policy states, “If the employee or faculty member feels that the president has a conflict of interest in the matter of dismissal, the president’s decision may be appealed to the Board of Trustees.”
The policy states evidence must be provided to have an appeal. Employees also have the option of a “name-clearing hearing” administered by the president. The employee must request the hearing within 10 days of the firing.