The Board of Regents is continuing its search for a new higher education commissioner, with no definite timeline for completing the search. Robert Levy, chairman of the state’s top college governing board, says while the Regents would like to choose someone soon, he’s not sure if a new commissioner will be in place for the start of the legislative session in April. The state has been without a higher education commissioner since August, after lawmakers refused to approve the salary for Tom Layzell, who was set to serve as temporary commissioner. Sally Clausen, the former state commissioner of higher education, stepped down in June, following exposure of her one-day retirement in 2009, which netted her extra pay for accrued sick leave and vacation time. Whoever is chosen as the new leader will arrive on the job amid budget disputes and a controversial debate about merging the University of New Orleans and Southern University at New Orleans. A national search firm is vetting possible candidates for the job.
No timeline for choosing new La. higher ed leader
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