KENOSHA, Wis. – Just weeks before her planned departure, Gateway Technical College President Dr. Ritu Raju authorized a large-scale payout to all regular employees—an expenditure some estimated could cost taxpayers between $1 million and $2 million.
According to a June 23 internal email obtained by Kenosha County Eye, Raju approved a tiered bonus structure that was paid out in the June 27 payroll. The payouts, described as a “gesture of appreciation,” came at a time when Raju was facing criticism over lavish spending, low approval ratings among staff, and ongoing turmoil within the college’s administration.
The stipends were awarded as follows:
- Employees earning $60,000 or less received $2,000.
- Employees earning between $60,001 and $99,999 received $1,300.
- Employees making $100,000 or more, and those hired between January and June 2025, received $600.
- Employees classified as ELC were excluded.
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The bonuses were funded by “position savings” from the 2024–2025 fiscal year, according to the announcement, though no public accounting of the total cost was provided. Based on staffing levels and compensation structures, internal estimates suggested the total cost could approach or exceed $1.5 million.
The timing of the payouts angered some staff and community members who viewed the move as fiscally irresponsible. Raju had announced her resignation in March, amid mounting backlash from faculty, community stakeholders, and a divided board of trustees.
As previously reported by Kenosha County Eye, Raju’s tenure was plagued by controversy—including reports of extravagant food and hospitality purchases, abysmal faculty survey results, and abrupt changes to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies that many viewed as performative. Her final months in office were marked by dysfunction and behind-the-scenes board disputes, culminating in her decision to step down.
“She was on her way out and still spending taxpayer money like it was Monopoly cash,” said one employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “It felt like a goodbye gift to herself, paid for by the rest of us.”
The payouts were announced in an email sent by Vice President Jacqueline Morris on Raju’s behalf. “It is my hope that this measure reflects our deep appreciation for your continued commitment to our college community,” the message read.
To date, Gateway Technical College has not disclosed the exact cost of the stipends or explained why the outgoing president was allowed to approve such a large financial commitment during a leadership transition. Board members have also remained silent, despite knowing for months that Raju was preparing to leave.
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24 Responses
Another DEI hire gone bad
Yeah it’s not like they are going to fire her, she is already leaving. What a nice parting gift for some.
What a piece of sh*t
She looks like Satan’s wife
Sounds like ALL board members need to be replaced! They are the watchdogs. Where are you!!??
Jacqueline Morris, DEI hire VP of HR didn’t know how to distribute them fairly. I’ve worked places that gave out bonuses. Part-time people received a token amount or none at all. Jacqueline gave them more than full-time employees. That’s what happen when so many of the executive staff is DEI & neoptism hires, they have no idea what they’re doing.
She knew exactly what she was doing, wealth redistribution is what she was doing. She gave herself a warm and fuzzy feeling like she was playing some kind of Robin Hood. Just look at that smug expression. The education industry has ruined the title of “doctor”.
What about the board that it’s appointed by the two county executives. What is the county executives positions on this giveaway.
The board is not appointed by the two county executives. Most board appointments are appointed by the board itself.
We should NOT be made to foot the bill for this! THis is unconscionable!
Was this authorized by the Board of Gateway ?
I see my comments are not getting through at this point. You do a great job Kevin and I support your site. I just wanted you to have all of the information. This decision was fiscally conservative and saved the college and taxpayers money. Again, this replaced traditional raises that would have been a significantly higher expense.
Only if it’s carved in stone that there should be an annual raise.
They got raises, too.
No they didn’t.
One final F U to the citizens of Kenosha . Is it true that they pay someone over a hundred grand a year to teach students how to paint fingernails ?
Deport her
Calm down folks. The college met its budget. This type in was in lieu of a raise. And the stipend is significantly less than what raises would have been.
This is absolutely incorrect. Staff got raises AND bonuses. And now…
Good morning,
In an effort to keep everyone informed about the status of state funding allocated to the college through the Governor’s biennial budget, we want to share the most current information available.
The state budget has been approved, and Gateway has been allocated $182,180 for FY26 and $368,917 for FY27. While we are grateful for this increase, we recognize that this funding will not resolve the broader challenge of balancing our budget.
To provide some context, Gateway’s original proposed budget from the governor was $1.3M for 2025-26 and $1.6M for 2026-27. We learned from the prior budget passed in 2023 that the starting point (the amount proposed by the governor) and the ending point (what we actually receive) of the budget can be significantly different, so the college’s current approved budget was conservative and assumed a zero-dollar increase from the state.
Unfortunately, this state budget cycle was similar to the last one. We hoped for the $1.3M that the governor proposed, but we only ended up receiving $182,180.
We will begin reviewing how this funding may be used to address needs here at Gateway, including the potential for salary increases. We understand that compensation is an important topic, and we are committed to maintaining transparency throughout this process. Over the coming weeks, we will begin to discuss how the approved FY26 budget may support adjustments to employee compensation.
The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) will also begin working to ensure we can develop a balanced budget for FY27, based on the information currently available. Our first budget planning session is scheduled for July 25.
We appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued dedication. We will share additional updates as soon as more details become available.
Sincerely,
The Executive Leadership Council
Morgan Phillips, President & CEO
Matt Janisin, Executive VP Academic Affairs
Sharon Johnson, CFO & VP Finance and Administration
Jacqueline Morris, VP Talent and Culture
Jeff Robshaw, CIO & VP Learning Innovation
Tammi Summers, VP Student Affairs
Gateway’s fiscal year runs July 1st through June 30th. Salary increases (if there are any) go into effect at the beginning of the new fiscal year. The former president’s last day was June 30th, so the timing of this decision was not trying to sneak something by on the way out the door…..it was because the new fiscal year started one day after her last day. Given the uncertainty of state funding prior to the biennial state budget being finalized, the conservative decision was made to give one-time stipends for fiscal year 2026 instead of raises. NO RAISES WERE GIVEN for the July 2025 – June 2026 fiscal year. Posting the email above confirms this. To say bonuses were given out is ridiculous as the Wisconsin Technical College System prohibits bonuses.
Wait…do you know something that Gateway employees don’t? They haven’t gotten raises — yet — for the fiscal year that started 10 days ago. Are they not getting raises at all? The email implies something different: “We will begin reviewing how this funding may be used to address needs here at Gateway, including the potential for salary increases.”
Also, you can call it whatever you want. The rest of the world knows it’s a bonus.
Report it to the Wisconsin Technical College System then if you think it is a bonus.
I can’t agree more. If you think the employees received a bonus, then report it to the technical college system. Posting on this forum won’t begin the change that so many of you want.
None of you complainers have shown up to a board meeting to express your concerns. If all this bothers you so much, then do something that would have an impact. Otherwise, quit complaining here.