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Task force member criticizes Iowa regents’ funding model

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February 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A member of a task force that assisted the Iowa Board of Regents in creating a new performance-based funding model has reiterated his criticism of the model to lawmakers. Len Hadley, retired chief executive officer of Maytag Corp., told an education appropriations subcommittee Tuesday that the model would unfairly compare funding needs at the state’s three public universities.

Hadley, who has previously criticized the model, represented the University of Iowa on a five-person task force that issued a funding proposal to the regents. He voted against it. The new model rewards universities for recruiting more in-state students. The regents say the model, which they approved last year, is more transparent in its method for requesting state dollars.

Lawmakers at the meeting say they will discuss the issue in the future.