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Appropriations committee questions Bismarck State College separation package
Summary
Senators asked why the State Board of Higher Education approved a separation package for a Bismarck State College president; the board chair said the package was negotiated after the president cited health and family reasons and that the campus would fund the payment from campus resources.
Senators pressed the State Board of Higher Education chair about a separation payment for the recently retired president of Bismarck State College during the NDUS presentation.
"So I live in Bismarck and Bismarck State College is in my community and just retired president, retired on his own...the board gave him almost over a half a $1,000,000 separation package. Can you explain that?" asked a committee member during questioning.
Tim Mychajluk, chair of the State Board of Higher Education, said the separation arrangement was negotiated after the president raised health concerns and a family death, and that the board discussed the package in executive session with legal counsel. Mychajluk said the board considered the president’s accomplishments and negotiated a package "we felt...was doable for both sides," and said the payment gives the campus an opportunity to place a new president.
When asked where the funding would come from, Mychajluk said the campus would either use its own funds, request a deficiency, or have it added into the budget: "It comes out of the campus. So, they'll either have to find the funds to do that...or out of their resources. Or we'll have to do deficiency or we'll have to have it added into the budget this time. 1 of those 3." When a senator clarified that the retirement was voluntary, Mychajluk responded that it was voluntary and that the negotiated package reflected the parties’ discussions.
Ending: The board chair said the board judged the negotiated separation to be in the institution's interest and said he appreciated the former president’s service; committee members raised concern about perception and costs and sought clarity on funding sources.
