To Nic Board, Quiet Resolution Seems Best For All
Last Tuesday, the North Idaho College Board of Trustees unanimously accepted an agreement of separation from its president, C. Robert Bennett.
Board members have been relatively silent. Many have asked, “Why the silence?” In looking out for the best interests of the institution and on advice from counsel, we limit our remarks. It also is the board’s desire to put this matter behind us and avoid further embarrassment and humiliation for Bennett.
We met several times in closed executive session, which is allowed for personnel matters under the Idaho Open Meeting Law. There are good reasons for conducting personnel matters in closed session.
Doing so protects the future employability and reputation of the employee. It also protects an innocent third party.
Robert Bennett’s resignation included an agreement that he be paid most of the money he was due under his two-year contract, including fringe benefits. This amounted to slightly over $140,000. The board felt it was in NIC’s best interest to end the matter quickly and completely. The resignation also included an agreement NIC not be sued.
On advice from counsel, our remarks have been limited to pointing to communication problems between the board and president. Our silence also is the result of the potential threat of a lengthy, costly lawsuit that would serve no purpose.
In arriving at this point, the board had three choices. There could have been a lengthy public bloodletting. This happened prior to the previous NIC president resigning 10 years ago. There could have been a messy termination hearing. The press would have loved it, but it would have harmed the institution. Or, it could have been done quietly. We chose the last option.
We balanced this decision between protecting the institution and its assets with the public’s right to know. We are unhappy we can’t say more.
Let’s talk about communication.
A solid flow of communication between a board and its president is critical to good decision making. Good listening skills advance communication to its highest level. Clear communication, in writing, speaking and conveying public messages, is a skill we’ve come to expect from those at the executive level. Any information withheld or omitted creates a vacuum. Without good communication as a solid cornerstone, our board work comes to a grinding halt. We point to difficulties in communication with the former president.
NIC belongs to the people of the community. The people run the college through an elected board. The board establishes policy, sets an annual budget, and hires a president.
I am reaching the end of my term on the board and have no plans to run again. I encourage anyone with a devotion to NIC to run for election.
Meetings are held monthly in the evening, running usually three hours. Service to the board is volunteer. While members receive no compensation for their time, the work is usually rewarding.
Our No. 1 goal at NIC is to serve the students. We have a good staff, a fine faculty and capable deans to meet this goal. NIC’s future is bright.
Our plan is to move forward with the hiring of an interim president. We will involve all aspects of the community - including the college community - in the process of finding the best person to lead North Idaho College into the 21st century. We already have received several resumes of qualified candidates. I know we will select someone who reflects this community’s values, vision and philosophy.
xxxx