Conn. education official suspends all pay raises

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A top education official says he's immediately suspending all pay raises for staff members pending a thorough review.

Robert A. Kennedy, president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, made the announcement on Wednesday, a day after admitting he made a mistake in awarding raises up to $48,000 to 21 staff members earlier this year without the approval or knowledge of an oversight board.

Lewis J. Robinson, chairman of the board, also announced that a special committee will be created to "gather information to formulate the policies and procedures" to help the board make decisions regarding compensation and other administrative matters.

The board's executive vice president, Michael Meotti, decided to forgo his $48,000 raise Tuesday as news organizations disclosed the increases.