Nic Trustees Oust President ‘Communication Problems’ Cited As Reason For Bennett’s Dismissal

After 10 years at the helm of North Idaho College, President Robert Bennett has resigned under pressure from the school’s board of trustees.

Board members voted Tuesday to accept “a mutual agreement regarding his separation” which involves paying Bennett $142,280.

Afterward, Bennett said the settlement was fair but that he’d never been given a reason for his dismissal.

“I think it’s a matter of personal style, perhaps,” he said. “I really don’t know.”

Board chairwoman Jeanne Givens said Bennett “did a fine job within the community and we look to many of his accomplishments on campus.

“However, we can point to communication problems with the board.”

She would not elaborate. Trustees said Bennett’s departure from the public community college was a personnel issue that they could not discuss.

Bennett was halfway through a two-year contract. Under the agreement, Bennett will be paid $7,607 for the balance of this year’s salary; the $91,292 that he would have made in the 1997/98 contract year; plus assorted payments for unused vacation days, sick leave, retirement benefits and life insurance.

Givens is working with the Association of Community College Trustees to find an interim president. Meanwhile, the college’s four deans will assume presidential duties.

“We hope within six to eight months we will be able to have a new president,” she told student leaders after Tuesday’s vote.

The vote was unanimous, although trustee Sue Thilo had tears in her eyes as she said “aye.”

Emotions also were running high among students and faculty. About 60 of them gathered outside the meeting room where the trustees met Tuesday, to show their support for Bennett or just to figure out what was going on.

Cherie Butterfield, president of North Idaho College Employees (NICE), said she had “not a clue” about the cause of the board’s unhappiness.

“Dr. Bennett’s communication with us was that we all need to carry on, what’s done is done, and none of us should put our careers in jeopardy to show support for him,” Butterfield said.

The leadership of NICE and the faculty assembly will meet in an unprecedented joint executive session today to discuss the change in administration, she said.

Student leaders were the most vocal Tuesday in their unhappiness with the board’s decision.

Renee Scott, president of the Associated Students of NIC, spoke up at the end of the meeting to protest Bennett’s forced departure.

“We believe it’s a hurt to the college, the students and the community,” Scott said.

She expressed frustration at not knowing why Bennett was let go. “We are students at NIC. We have the right to know.”

Joining Givens and Thilo in voting yes were Bob Ely, the longest-serving member, and newcomers Barb Chamberlain and Steve Widmeyer, who were elected by Kootenai County residents last fall.

The new board felt the need to change leadership, Thilo said. She felt it was in the best interest of the college that the decision be unanimous.

“Dr. Bennett has given tremendous service to the college, and I lament that we’ll lose that expertise in the course of this transition,” she said. “Some other institution of higher learning will have a good find when they hire Dr. Bennett.”

In response to the concerns of some Bennett supporters that she would leave the board in frustration over the decision, Thilo said: “I’m no quitter.”

Among those who were surprised by the board’s action was Norm Gissell, who stepped down in January after eight years as a trustee.

“I was thunderstruck. I was very sad,” he said.

“In terms of academic excellence, having a good staff, the physical condition of buildings, the excellent athletic programs, fiscal responsibility … on each category of measurements, Dr. Bennett did an excellent job.”

Bennett, 59, listed among his biggest accomplishments improving NIC’s curriculum, especially for vocational training; and overseeing campus improvements such as building a new library and renovating the historic Fort Sherman Officers’ Quarters.

“I just wanted to end this as peaceably and harmoniously as we can,” he said of his dismissal. “I’ve decided to put my energies into finding a job, and let them get on with finding a new president.”

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