Former Nic Counselor Sues For Breach Of Contract
A former North Idaho College counselor and Coeur d’Alene school board member has sued the college and one of its administrators for breach of contract.
Eli Ross worked at NIC from 1985 to 1994 as a mental health specialist and academic counselor. According to the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in 1st District Court, he left after an unspecified difference that arose between him and the college.
Ross signed an agreement not to sue the college, in return for its pledge not to give any “negative referrals” that would keep Ross from getting another education job.
He contends that dean of instruction Jerry Gee broke that agreement in 1995, after Ross applied for the job of textbook adoption coordinator for the Idaho Department of Education.
According to the suit, department official Darrell Loosle called Gee while checking Ross’ references. In that conversation, Gee allegedly said that NIC “bought Eli out, to be truthful” and made other negative comments.
Ross did not get the job. He is seeking damages, including the loss of past and future income.
Gee would not comment on the suit late Thursday, saying he hadn’t had a chance to review it.
Ross referred questions to his attorney, Glen Walker, who was not available to discuss the case Thursday.
, DataTimes