BOISE (AP) — A state Board of Education trustee wants to investigate what is driving requests from Idaho universities to pay some officials above the national median salary for their position.

In a special meeting Thursday, the board voted to allow the Idaho State University to pay its new financial aid director $102,000, which is $12,885 above the national median for this position.

The university reported to the board that the salary is justified because Kent Larson, a former Sears Roebuck and Co. controller and state auditor for Utah, is highly qualified and filling a critical position at the Pocatello school.

Board vice president Richard Westerberg voted for the appointment but said he is concerned because trustees have fielded a number of similar proposals and he wants to explore what is driving these salaries above the median average.

Board spokesman Mark Browning says trustees have to approve appointments when the salary is above the median average for the position established by the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources.