Bo Black’s future as executive director of Summerfest is not likely to be decided until after the completion of the 2003 festival, with all indications that the Summerfest Board is still likely to seek to buy out the remainder of her contract.

In early May, Milwaukee World Festivals Inc.’s Board had scheduled a meeting to discuss Black’s future, with several sources predicting that Black’s contract would be bought out and she would leave the festival she has headed for 19 years.

However, that meeting was cancelled at the last minute, when sources said Black and Board members could not agree on how long Summerfest would provide health insurance to her. At that time, Howard Schnoll, the new president of the Summerfest Board, said the meeting would be rescheduled in the near future, but that has not happened.

“They’ve been trying to work this thing out, but both sides are being very stubborn,” a political source said. “Bo is hard to deal with and Board members are also aware of the public relations challenge that would come from Bo leaving right before the festival starts. Both sides are taking some time to cool down and see if they can work something out."

Evan Zeppos, a spokesperson for the Summerfest Board, confirmed that Black’s contract status would not be reviewed again until this year’s festival is completed. Summerfest is slated to run from June 26 to July 6.

He would not comment on what action the Board is likely to take.

Black has been pursuing a new, five-year agreement to continue running the festival and publicly questioned the lack of action late last year. Her contract, with a $206,686 salary, expires at the end of 2003.

In recent media interviews, she has backed off her demand for a long-term contract and even acknowledged that her health problems could force her to take a lesser role, perhaps focusing on fund raising and consulting. Black, 57, underwent surgery to repair an aneurysm on her ascending aorta March 9, 2001, and returned to her duties about a month later.

In her 19 years as executive director, Black has been a persistent promoter of a festival that has drawn more than 1 million people in 2001 and 2002. World Festivals Inc. has started the second phase of a $17 million renovation to the festival grounds on the lakefront and remains financially solid after agreeing to increase its rent payment to the city from $30,000 to more than $1 million per year.

Questions have circulated for years about Black’s management style. She has had several highly publicized fights with Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist, including referring to him as a “Nazi,” while speaking before the Milwaukee Forum in September 1999.

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