MEDIA ATTENTION BRINGS CURBS ON PUBLIC FUNDS

A heavily criticized exit contract worth more than $600,000 to former Central Missouri State University president Ed Elliott was voided earlier this month by the school's governing board. The decision came on a 4-3 vote by the board of regents after efforts failed to scale it back and accept a counteroffer from Elliott.

State Auditor Claire McCaskill had questioned the three-year contract worth $621,000 in salary and benefits. Saying the deal made no specific demands on Elliott. (In this respect, as in others such as the amount of compensation, the Elliott-CMSU contract is to be distinguished from the contract awarded to Chancellor Dale Nitzschke by Southeast Missouri State University.) The deal also transferred public property, including office equipment, to the personal ownership of Elliott and his wife, Sandra, and paid public money to Mrs. Elliott, who had never been a CMSU employee.

Most who know Ed Elliott and are informed about his tenure at the Warrensburg school would say he was among Missouri's most outstanding leaders in higher education. He had performed splendidly as a fund raiser for the school's foundation, earning plaudits all around. Still, there can be little doubt that this contract went over the line in generosity to him for services rendered during his 14-year tenure. Among its features were executive physical exams for the former president and his wife, computers given to them, handsome salary and much more besides.

The board acted properly in rescinding the agreement. Moreover, Missourians can be grateful that our system of diffused powers and a free press acted in the fashion as it was designed many years ago. Press and media attention focused on the contract and questions were raised as to the propriety of this expenditure of public funds. Few public officials who are accountable to the voters wanted to defend it. The result is a good one.