Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Chancellor would get $200,000

Chancellor would get $200,000

Jul 19, 2006 - 05:14:09 CDT

By DALE WETZEL
Associated Press Writer

North Dakota university Chancellor Robert Potts would get more than $200,000 in pay and benefits during the next year under a severance agreement that says he must leave his Capitol office soon.

The Board of Higher Education has scheduled a special telephone conference call meeting Thursday to discuss the proposed agreement. Today, a separate search committee, which includes three board members, will review potential candidates for an interim chancellor to step into Potts' job.

The proposed severance agreement describes Potts' job performance as "exemplary," and says he has "been given excellent evaluations" during his two years as the North Dakota university system's top administrator.

However, "a difference of opinion has arisen between Potts and a majority of the (state Board of Higher Education) members concerning the scope of his authority as chief executive officer to apply the (board's) policies and directives equally to all campuses," the agreement says.

The proposal requires Potts to work as a consultant to North Dakota's university system until July 2007, if his successor or the president of the Board of Higher Education want his services.

Potts is now paid $183,750 annually, and receives a yearly $11,000 vehicle allowance and $20,000 allowance for housing and hosting social events.

Potts is a former university administrator in Alabama. He signed a three-year contract before he began his North Dakota work in July 2004. It expires June 30, 2007.

The draft severance agreement says Potts, if asked, must aid the searches for new presidents for Mayville State University and Bismarck State College, monitor Mayville's progress in closing a $900,000 budget deficit, and help with resolving problems with the university system's new administrative computer software program.

Potts is free to take another job during his term as a university system consultant, and the board's president "shall provide Potts a positive, generic reference letter to use in seeking other employment," the agreement says.

Potts is required to move out of his office on the Capitol's 10th floor by month's end, "or as soon as reasonably possible after he ceases to be chancellor," the agreement says. That will happen when an interim chancellor begins work, it says.

Potts must provide his own office space for times when he works as a consultant, the agreement says. It was negotiated by board member Richie Smith, a Wahpeton attorney.

The chancellor announced last month that he intended to resign by Aug. 1 because of disputes with Joseph Chapman, the president of North Dakota State University, whom Potts said refused to accept his authority. Chapman said he was baffled by Potts' comments.

The chancellor's departure had been rumored for months. At one point, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem began an investigation to find whether board members had been ignoring North Dakota's open meetings law in discussing whether to fire Potts.

Stenehjem's probe concluded the law was not violated, but it said board members and Gov. John Hoeven had a number of private discussions about their unhappiness with the chancellor, and Potts' difficulties with Chapman.

News > State

Printer friendly version Chancellor would get $200,000

Comments

To c wrote on Jul 25, 2006 2:10 PM:

" You are mistaken. The money BSC pres received was the one month for each year. She worked there for 11 years so would have gotten 11/12 months salary. The board accepted her 12/12 suggestion, with the one dissenter that thought she should only get 11/12. She did not get an additional year of salary. "

c wrote on Jul 24, 2006 5:01 PM:

" That's my point. You won't get the accurate figure from reading the Tribune, not that they are intentionally mis-reporting. The retiring presidents of the university system are paid one month's salary for each year of service upon leaving the system. It is a tradition or custom that has developed over the years. That president was paid one month's salary for each year of here eleven years of service. In addition, she requested and was granted one year's salary and benefits. "

To c wrote on Jul 24, 2006 4:22 PM:

" You must be mistaken, she got paid 12/12 and one board member voted no, that she should get 11/12. Her medical coverage is 4K. Read the following articles. http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2006/01/20/news/local/108775.txt http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2006/01/14/news/state/108517.txt "

To c wrote on Jul 24, 2006 4:13 PM:

" The tribune did report on this, more than once. Where did you get the figures on the 270K and was that money the president was entitled to, retiring or not? Or was that just for retiring? "

c wrote on Jul 24, 2006 11:15 AM:

" Let's expand this to the BSC President buyout which was never properly reported by the Tribune. They reported $135k when the real amount was over $270K which included 11/12ths of the annual salary plus the reported one year payment of salary plus a few other expenses. "

Taxpayer wrote on Jul 24, 2006 9:46 AM:

" I hope when the legislature meets in January that they look at Contracts that the North Dakota Board of Higher Education issue for the North Dakota Chancellor of Higher Education so that we the taxpayers do not get stuck holding the bag and paying for their mistakes. I hate to ask for this because I don't want more government interference. However, the North Dakota Board of Higher Education is not being accountable to the people of North Dakota. Nor are they being accountable to the taxpayers of North Dakota by wasting $ 200,000.00. If the board doesn't know how to hire someone, perhaps they should involve some local school district superintendents for assistance. They hire teachers under contracts on a regular basis. What needs to be in the Chancellor of Higher Education's contract is that if the Chancellor quites or is incompetent then the Chancellor must pay a penalty as teachers do. It helps to keep people under contract - including the chancellor honest and wanting to complete their contractual obligations. I can't believe it - getting paid $ 200,000.00 for sitting around and either doing nothing or getting another job and double dipping - salary-wise. "

Come on wrote on Jul 23, 2006 12:16 PM:

" Potts did his job, it is the board and Chapman that didn't want him to do his job. He gave them a choice and they choose the status quo with Chapman running the show and the Board of Ed following along. They choose to pay Potts to get him out of here early. He accepted it. Seriously, you all need to focus your anger in the right direction, and that is at the Board of Ed. "

superlooper wrote on Jul 22, 2006 6:26 PM:

" Hey I want that job. Do a crappy job, get fired, make 200K. Life is good "

pay him wrote on Jul 22, 2006 10:36 AM:

" and than take the 200k out of NDSU's budget in the next biennium...Big Joe Chapman and the almighty Fargo should pay... "

Not Happy! wrote on Jul 22, 2006 9:19 AM:

" I'm not happy about paying an individual who couldn't do his job $ 200,000! This is an outrage! Potts had a contract to work for 3 years. I'm a a teacher. If I fail to complete my contract, I have to pay a penalty to the school board. In addition, I can also have my teaching license revoked so that I can't work as a teacher for a certain period of time. Let me tell you, I don't work for $ 200,000. I don't even receive $ 30,000. Neither do I get a vehicle or housing allowance. This is an outrage to the taxpayers of North Dakota. He and the State Board of Higher Education should all be replaced and receive $ 0.00 dollars in severance pay. In fact, they should have to pay back the State of North Dakota for their incompetence! "

The dude wrote on Jul 20, 2006 9:01 AM:

" To Incredulous, I don't think it is "sour grapes" to expect state money to be spent in a reasonable and responsible manner. Since Mayville State is running a $900,000 defecit, maybe some of that exorbitant severence package could be better spent supporting some of our institutions such as Mayville which probably employ well over 50 staff. I guess given the choice between giving one man a ridiculously high severence packages and paying the salaries of a large number of Mayville State staff and their families, I choose the latter. But I guess for some reason your disconnected reasoning allows you to justify wasteful spending. "

Incredulous wrote on Jul 19, 2006 4:35 PM:

" I think it's sour grapes for those of you against the $200k payout. You never want someone else to have more than what you have. "

Concerned wrote on Jul 19, 2006 2:52 PM:

" As a college student, I personally don't feel like we need to be paying ANYONE 200k- how about we lower tuition and keep some people here? "

Barney wrote on Jul 19, 2006 1:07 PM:

" The $200,000 should be considered hazard pay for having to deal with Dr. Chapman and the irresponsible board members of Higher Ed, and the governors getting into gossipy politics. "

Shirley wrote on Jul 19, 2006 12:34 PM:

" What's really disheartening here, is that from prior articles and news, Mr. Potts is a very well educated, learned, and qualified individual; and it puzzles me why our State Board of Higher Education didn't do more to work things out. He may very well likely be leaving our State of North Dakota. And, truth be told, I would not be surprised if he leaves our State with a negative impression. A negative impression that he may very well likely tell others. Truthfully, I don't blame him!! "

g wrote on Jul 19, 2006 11:14 AM:

" Gee can I get a severance pay to leave north dakota too? "

Hello all wrote on Jul 19, 2006 10:26 AM:

" Potts has a contract (contarary to all the people who have commented saying they wouldn't get severance for their at will jobs). That is different. No doubt his resignation was contingent on an agreed upon severance package. The board clearly wanted him gone and decided that paying him less than his remaining contract was worth - was worth the cost. "

Bob wrote on Jul 19, 2006 10:16 AM:

" Seems strange that Potts with his "exemplary performance" and "excellent evals" is leaving. Given his departure, and a vacancy in the Chancellor's office, I think Chapman should apply for the job since he plans on running the higher ed system anyway. Then we could do away with the board. It may be time for us to take higher ed out from under constitutional protection and give the governance back to the legislature. "

Chance wrote on Jul 19, 2006 9:21 AM:

" What about his contract? They should force him to finish his contract or pay the state for any and all days he doesn't fulfill his contract. "

Doran wrote on Jul 19, 2006 9:15 AM:

" Any severance pay for someone quitting their job should not be even considered. Not to include they were thinking about firing him. Why is wrong with this picture????????? "

Justice and facts watcher: wrote on Jul 19, 2006 9:05 AM:

" Actually Scoob the State employees get a 4 percent raise this year. But everything else you wrote is valid and insightful. I would love to have a job that pays me a 200k-severance package, or any severance package for that matter, if I were to quit. His job should be treated like any other within the private or public service sector upon resignation. This is an outrage. "

Scoob wrote on Jul 19, 2006 8:24 AM:

" Let's do some higher math: Pott's $200,000 to "consult" for NDUS - the same issues and challenges he was suppose to be solving over the past two years. Doesn't add up. OH ya, state employee raises for this year: 3.0% - doesn't even cover inflation, let along even try to keep pace with housing costs and allowing for retention of our state employees!!! Keep Pott's severance, send him home and relieve him is any responsibilities and take the $200,000 and give it our your state employees. They will get the work done!!!!! "

John wrote on Jul 19, 2006 8:22 AM:

" This situation is preposterous. Potts' lack of leadership ability is evident. We, the taxpayers, should not be rewarding him for ineptitude. "

WRT wrote on Jul 19, 2006 8:13 AM:

" Why was there talk about firing Potts? "

Frank wrote on Jul 19, 2006 8:11 AM:

" If you can't control your staff than you should be in charge. But also you walk away without getting anything. The pay and the benefits should stop as soon as you walk out the door just like other jobs. "

Brent wrote on Jul 19, 2006 8:09 AM:

" Tine you are so right..... Why are they paying because he can't get a long with others? It sounds like he wasn't able to be his job very well. "

sb wrote on Jul 19, 2006 7:54 AM:

" take the severance pay out of chapmans wage he's responsible for all the trouble. until someone steps on chapman there will be the same thing over and over "

PEANUT wrote on Jul 19, 2006 7:48 AM:

" THE ENTIRE BOARD OF HIGHER ED. SHOULD RESIGN IN SHAME. IT SEEMS THAT FARGO RUNS THE WHOLE STATE. "

Mike wrote on Jul 19, 2006 7:32 AM:

" Does anyone else see something wrong with this picture? Students are expected to pay more and more for tuition and no one can figure out why. The salaries of individuals like MR. POTTS are unnecessary. Why does the University System give someone an $11,000 vehicle allowance and $20,000 housing allowance when they are already making over $180,000 a year? Based on this example it doesn't appear to me that the University System is as concerned about tuition increases as they lead us to believe! "

Beesh wrote on Jul 19, 2006 7:30 AM:

" $200K is a bargain compared to a lawsuit loss and higher settlement. "

Tina wrote on Jul 19, 2006 7:27 AM:

" Please explain to me why we are giving him a severance package! If I can't get along with a coworker, I know where the door is and it is my decision to leave. Why should my employer reward me for being a baby about things. "

Fiscal Conservative wrote on Jul 19, 2006 6:25 AM:

" Sounds like 1 heck of a severance package! I Wonder what the severance package would have been like if there wasn't a difference of opinion with a majority of the board. I wonder what his actual pay and benefits package was while employed this past year. I also wonder what his severance package would have been if the majority of the board would not have had a difference of opinion? Sounds like we will be paying for 2 University Chancellors for the next year. I hope this wasn't contrived so that a person can get 2 very high salaries - at the same time. "

Post Your Own Comment

All online comments are limited to 350 words total.
Comments are reviewed for taste, tone and language before posting.
Some comments may be used in the Tribune's print edition.
We value and respect your privacy, but The Bismarck Tribune might
disclose certain information to governmental entities if served with subpoena.