Staben may stick around

University of Idaho President Chuck Staben has about four months left at the helm of the land grant institution, but a motion approved by the Idaho State Board of Education may mean Staben will stick around longer.

On Thursday in Boise, the board approved a semester-long academic transitional leave for the outgoing president, which would allow him to prepare for a teaching assignment that begins in January.

The item was approved unanimously without discussion.

Staben’s employment contract states he is entitled to a position in a department where he has the knowledge and competence to teach. His contract as president will not be renewed by the board, and it expires June 15.

Staben last taught a biology course in fall of 2007. His research has focused on bioinformatics, fungal development biology and fungal genomics.

The leave, which would take place during the fall semester, would give Staben time to prepare for a tenured professor position and allow him to evaluate his research to see if it can be incorporated into an existing program, according to information provided to the board.

According to Jodi Walker, director of communications at UI, Staben is assessing his options. He will need to make a decision about the teaching assignment before his employment contract expires in mid-June.

“He has not accepted a position; it is an option for him at this time,” Walker said. “He continues to seek other employment, and that may influence his decision.”

The leave still needs to be approved by UI Provost John Wiencek, if Staben ultimately decides to pursue the option.

It’s unknown how much Staben would receive in pay and benefits during the leave.

“Any decisions on pay/benefits will be made at the time a contract is drawn up,” Walker said.

Staben would earn approximately $160,000 annually as a tenured professor at UI. His employment agreement states he can’t be paid less than the highest-paid full professor within the department.Staben, who currently has a salary of $385,230, has been president at UI since March 2014.

The State Board of Education also took action on several other UI items Thursday. All of the items were approved unanimously and with no discussion.

Actions included a land purchase was approved in Minidoka County near Rupert for what would be the nation’s largest research dairy.

The board approved a motion that will allow UI to purchase approximately 236 acres for $2.5 million.

In all, the land has 638 acres, some of which will be purchased by the Idaho Dairymen’s Association, and 100 acres that will be donated to UI. The $45 million project would create the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment.

UI updated its six-year capital plan to include two new projects. An expansion to the greenhouses on the main campus of UI in Moscow would include three new greenhouse bays, as well as renovations and infrastructure improvements. The other project is a equine pavilion that would be constructed in the West Farm neighborhood, which would host research and extension projects.

The board approved a 99-year lease agreement for property at the Rinker Rock Creek Ranch for a price of $1,252,388. The property will be used to expand UI’s rangeland and grazing cattle operation.

The board approved a $1,621,700 project that would replace the exterior ceramic tiles on the Bruce M. Pitman Center.

The board voted to support nine education-related legislative bills and proposals, while opposing one that would create a stand-alone certificate for charter school administrators.

Justyna Tomtas may be contacted at jtomtas@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2294. Follow her on Twitter @jtomtas.