By Howard Packowitz
NORMAL – Illinois State University’s governing board is offering a glowing evaluation of President Larry Dietz, and adoption of a new state budget enables the Board of Trustees to negotiate a new contract with Dietz.
Board members on Friday extended his current contract through September, hoping a new deal can be worked out by then.
“We know what we have in our leadership in President Dietz, and we need to hold on to him,” said Trustee Bob Dobski.
Dobski praised Dietz for guiding the university during a two-year period without a state budget, which administrators said cost ISU about $51 million.
Dietz said he’s looking forward to staying on the job.
“It really has been an unprecedented time for higher education in our state. It has been, however, a pleasure to serve during this time,” said Dietz.
It would have been more pleasurable if there had been a budget in place,” the president added.
Dietz became ISU’s 19th president three-years ago, replacing Timothy Flanagan, who resigned after just seven-months on the job.
Trustees were criticized for agreeing to a $480,000 severance with Flanagan, who was convicted of disorderly conduct for a confrontation with a grounds superintendent at the president’s house.
The Board on Friday also voted to pay almost $570,000 for fire protection from the Town of Normal, up about $10,000 from the last fiscal year.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
