(Hailey). The Idaho State Board of Education today took additional steps to help secure the continued strong leadership enjoyed by students, faculty and staff at the state’s colleges and universities. The Board voted to extend new employment offers to Boise State President Bob Kustra, Idaho State University President Art Vailas, and Lewis Clark State College President Dene Thomas. “It is imperative that we, as the governing body for education in Idaho, be proactive in doing what we need to in order to retain these very qualified and exceptionally talented people who are managing the operations at our state’s institutions,” said Board President Paul Agidius. “The cost to recruit and replace these people is soaring. It’s simply smart fiscal management to be as proactive as we can,” added Agidius. State Board Vice President Richard Westerberg, who chairs the Board’s Finance Committee, "Making sure these people are competitively compensated helps us keep good people here and as such, we don’t have to spend more taxpayer monies to go look for another president when we have some of the best in the country already here, working for the people of Idaho.”
Boise State University President Bob Kustra: $299,410 from state funds (no change from FY09), $37,000 from the BSU Foundation for a total of $336,410 starting July 1, 2009.
Idaho State University President Art Vailas: $286,650 from state funds, (no change from FY09) $37,000 from the ISU Foundation for a total of $323,650.
Lewis Clark State College President Dene Thomas: $162,650 from state funds.
Eastern Idaho Technical College President Burton Waite: $115,000 from state funds (no change from FY09).
Here is a brief comparison of public 4-year university presidents in our region:
The Board also voted to endorse SJR101, a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the University of Idaho to charge tuition. Currently the University of Idaho is barred from charging tuition which does not allow them to use fees to help pay for instructional costs. The resolution will most likely be on the November 2010 general election ballot.
Over 1.275 million dollars in Technology Incentive Grants (TIG) were awarded by the Board. Some 39 projects were submitted for consideration by the state’s colleges/universities. The money will be split among BSU, UI, ISU & LCSC in 18 different projects helping to further innovative work in technology related fields in Idaho.
Larry Weeks was reappointed to a term on the Board for Commission of Libraries. This will be the final action from the State Board of Education affecting the Commission of Libraries. Starting July 1, 2009, the Commission for Libraries moves to the Department of Self-Governing Agencies, ending a 35 year relationship between SBOE & the Commission.
Contracts for ISU Head Men’s Basketball Coach Joe O’Brien along with University of Idaho Head Women’s Basketball Coach Jon Newlee were approved. O’Brien will receive $102,752 in the first year of a 3 year deal. The Regents authorized an annual salary of $90,000 for Newlee as part of a 5 year contract.
The Board also voted to form a subcommittee to deal with restructuring of schools who have failed to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for 5 years or more under No Child Left Behind. The subcommittee will make recommendations but any plans for restructuring would have to be approved by the full board.
The Board’s next regularly scheduled meeting is set for August 20-21, 2009 at Idaho State University in Pocatello.