No new higher education commissioner until 2011

Louisiana will not have a state higher education commissioner until at least late February, according to a timeline set by the Board of Regents.

The schedule is part of a final contract reached late Thursday to hire a private firm to lead the search process. The Advocate reported that the board will pay up to $77,200 to Florida-based Greenwood-Asher & Associates Inc. The proposed cost had been $105,500.

The panel’s attorney, Connie Koury, said some unnecessary travel and work that the board can do on its own were cut out of the contract to save money.

The deal includes $67,200 in costs to the firm and another $10,000 in extra expenses, such as travel.

The board previously intended to have a commissioner chosen by the end of the year. The higher education commissioner is the state’s policy and coordinating leader for colleges, and also higher education’s chief contact with the Legislature and governor.

The state is currently operating without a higher education commissioner.