Moving forward: NIC March Board of Trustees Meeting

The NIC March board of trustees meeting consisted of discussion regarding policies and procedures and updates from the president and other members of NIC staff.

Discussion regarding Policies

The board spent quite a bit of time discussing the policy procedures and how the policies then are given to the board.

The board discussed three policies brought before them: payroll deductions, holiday pay and jury duty and court leave.  Sarah Garcia, the vice president for finance and business affairs, spent time answering the board’s questions regarding the policies.

Discussion regarding minutes

The board also spent time discussing the process for reviewing minutes for meetings.  Trustee McKenzie ended with a resolution to propose changes to the process for the next meeting. 

Dr. Swayne also commented that “proposed changes should be redlined to make the changes clear.”

The board passed a motion to postpone tab six, seven, and eight, all regarding revision of minutes, till the next board meeting to allow proposed changes to be included in the board packet. 

Wind Symphony – 50 year anniversary

Terry Jones was welcomed onto the floor to share the details of NIC’s wind symphony program which has been going strong for 50 years. He spoke about the events, community, and impact that the wind program has created at NIC.

Jones also recognized Linda Barnett, a saxophone player who has been a symphony member for all 50 years of the program.

Theresa DeWit, flautist and member of 20 years, was given a chance to share how much she enjoys the symphony, and how it’s given her a chance to continue music in a life filled with work and hobbies.

Constituent Reports

Matt Piekarski represented the staff assembly and shared that the staff assembly chair nominations will happen next month.

Multiple constituent reports were not given due to constituents’s absence for spring break.

President’s Report

Dr. Swayne began with a comment on the positive amount of press coverage that the school has received and proceeded to share the following.

• Accreditation: The latest report can be found here . NWCCU cancelled upcoming April and June meetings. NIC working on written report to make sure all data is correct and therefore will be prepared for the next meeting. Next official NWCCU meeting will be in October.
• NIC Children’s Center: received re-accreditation and received glowing reviews.
• Headstart Program: Going through re-affirmation of their grant.
• Enrollment Management: All numbers are up, final numbers will be shown in the April meeting. It is the first time in 10 years that all new student categories are up. NIC will continue to keep working on recruiting and retention.
• Inaugural Bus Tour: 450 students visited campus over March 19 & 20 during the first ever bus tour. They received a tour of new medical arts facility and SWRC. While on campus, they were given a chance to talk to faculty in each departments as well as guidance counselors. They were also given specially designed retro-style t-shirts and string backpacks with NIC’s logo on them.
• First Community Forum: Partnerships, innovation, collaboration were discussed during the first forum. Jamie Smith, CEO of Kootenai Health was the featured speaker.
• Religious Meeting: NIC met with 13 local church representatives to hear what they could offer and to hear from NIC what employees and students might need. The religious representatives offered to open the Fort Sherman Chapel a couple days a month, more information to be released later.
• Upcoming Events: Dance of the Child – Monday, April 8.
• Gunsmithing Course: Course was maxed out with 20 students filling the class.
• 6 new detention graduates
• Graphic design expansion
• New medical arts facility
• Standardized class times: NIC met with a company last week that will help standardized class times and the like.
• SWAC meeting: The meeting was regarding details for the upcoming season and potential solutions for travel time and distance from other community colleges.
• NIC Listens: a chance to practice free speech and civil discords. Event due to happen soon at NIC.

General Update:

NICg is taking advantage of spring break to work on multiple projects around campus such as water heaters, A/C units, replacing the aggregate in front of Molstead Library, and painting Boswell Hall.

Winter & Spring Sports

Shawn Noël was given the floor to share an update on the winter and spring athletic team updates. 

• Men’s basketball: 20 win season, fell in the quarter final game. Three student athletes were named to the All SWAC/All Region team.
• Women’s basketball: Eight wins this season and had a good mix of local and international players. 
• Men’s wrestling: Won Region/District championship.  First championship win in 11 years and had 6 All-Americans named on the team.
• Men & Women’s Golf: both competed in Willamette Valley Cup, men finished 4th and women finished 5th.  Both are looking to win NWAC Championship.
• Softball: Currently 15-2 this season and is currently ranked #2 in latest NWAC poll.
• Sports teams walked in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown CDA.  NIC hosted the Idaho HS All-Star basketball game. 

FY25 Budget Process

Garcia took the floor to explain the process behind the budget that allows effective management of exiting resources, increased operational efficiency, strategic investment in the future, and a commitment to moral, ethical and prudent decision making. 

Priorities

• reaffirm accreditation standards
• strengthen recruitment and retention
• create efficiency while minimizing impact to students
• development of dynamic/responsive budget scenarios
• creating a balanced budget

Garcia also reported a 3% increase in salaries for full time employees and no tuition increase.

Over $2.7 million dollars were included in the FY25 budget for additional student athlete scholarship costs.

Trustee McKenzie commented about the financial support provided for the student athletes, stating that “the athletes dedicate time to North Idaho College’s athletic programs, and it’s a reciprocal effort of the college to give back to those athletes.”

Public Comment

Chair Waggoner began public comment by reading a statement that encouraged civility between commentators and the board.

Caryn Shepler: Shepler commented on the policies and procedure discussion. Shepler also shared a passionate statement regarding the sign that Trustee Banducci had on his table that said “Psalm 35.”

Jamie Berube: Berube thanked Trustees Zimmerman and Corkill for not passing the civility resolution. She also included thanks for the various people who contribute to the board. Berube expressed her indignation at the fact that student athletes could recieve more money in scholarships in a year than what some NIC employees make in a year.

Robert Shepler: Shepler remarked on the accreditation issue. He also shared his opinions regarding the conduct of the trustees.

After the public comment, the meeting was adjourned with no further discussion or comment.