Rankin Decries Elitism UI Improperly Hired Evans After He Retired, Activist Says From Staff And Wire Reports

Tax activist Ron Rankin charges the University of Idaho improperly provided former Superintendent of Public Instruction Jerry Evans a “golden parachute” after his retirement from the state post.

In March, the state Board of Education approved the hiring of Evans as an associate education professor. He is responsible for revitalizing Idaho’s Center for Education Outreach in Boise.

Administrators at the University of Idaho hope Evans will get the outreach program up and running again, as well as improve the university’s partnership with the public schools.

Rankin said the university broke the law by not advertising the position.

“The elitist administration at the University of Idaho have set themselves above the law,” the Coeur d’Alene resident said.

But University of Idaho Provost John Yost said the university is not required to advertise positions that are part-time. Evans will be working approximately half-time, and is only expected to stay temporarily, Yost said.

“His lengthy perspective and rich experience in education really enables him to further the cause of higher education in Idaho,” Yost said Wednesday evening.

Board of Education President Roy Mosman said he knew of no improprieties in the hiring.

“Otherwise we wouldn’t have approved it,” Mosman said.

Rankin vowed to alert the public about Evans’ new post. “It’s an act the university will pay dearly for in the next (legislative) session.”

He claimed that because Evans was constantly trying to boost the Idaho Education Association teachers’ union, he is not well liked in the Legislature.

While legislators may not admit hiring Evans at Idaho is the reason for reducing funds for the university, “they’ll be looking for places to do some cutting.”