Press: Look Locally For Next NIC Prez

In the Coeur d’Alene Press editorial this morning, Editor Mike Patrick argues that the search committee to replace North Idaho College President Priscilla Bell (who’s retiring at the end of 2011-12 year) should look for local candidates, too. Quoth Patrick: “Why not prepare the job description now and announce the vacancy soon afterward in sources scoured by prospects nationwide? While the applications come flooding in from coast to coast, a local search committee could focus on the best applicants from our immediate region and, by end of summer, have winnowed down those prospects to the best two or three locally.” Patrick goes on to argue that outside presidents tend to last only 4-5 years after taking 2-3 years to get acclimated. Why not find someone who already knows the territory? the edit sez. Full editorial here.

Question: Should the search committee for North Idaho College make a point of looking for a local candidate to fill president’s seat — or would such an appointment be too political?