Regents approve pay raises for presidents of Iowa universities

AMES - The Board of Regents on Wednesday announced a 5 percent raise for Iowa State University President Steven Leath, bringing his salary in line with former University of Iowa President Sally Mason's pay at $525,000.

The board also approved a five-year deferred compensation plan for Leath, paying $125,000 annually through 2020. University of Northern Iowa President William Ruud received a 2.5 percent increase to his base pay, bringing his salary to $357,110, along with a two-year deferred compensation plan with annual contributions of $75,000.

And Steve Gettel, superintendent of the Iowa School for the Deaf and Iowa Education Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, received a 3 percent pay raise bringing his salary to $185,400. He received a performance incentive worth $20,000 for the year that just ended, and the board created another $20,000 to be paid out after his 2016 evaluation.

Board of Regents Executive Director Bob Donley, whose gross pay is listed in the state salary book at more than $164,300, was paid a $5,000 performance incentive for the last budget year and could receive another $8,000 performance incentive in 2016. He also was given a two-year deferred compensation plan valued at $20,000 in the first year and $120,000 in the second year.

Iowa Code and board policy restricts Donley's annual salary to $154,300, and the board office said the 'appearance of an overpayment” is the result of a change in the pay period from biweekly to monthly.

The Board of Regents typically announces pay raises for institutional heads in June, but it waited for its August meeting this year – until after the late-running Legislative session closed.

Former University of Iowa President Sally Mason, who officially retired July 31, received a 2.5 percent raise last summer, bringing her salary to $525,828. In 2012, she was given a five-year deferred compensation plan worth $25,000 in the first year and $150,000 in subsequent years.

Now in a 'transition” year, Mason will receive the payout from that plan, and she'll continue to receive benefits and a salary equal to 60 percent of what she was earning as president through the end of the budget year.

Leath last summer received a 7.123 percent pay raise, boosting his pay from $466,752 to $500,000.