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Trustees We Can Trust? Exclusive Interviews with 2024 Candidates for NIC Board of Trustees

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Trustees We Can Trust? Exclusive Interviews with 2024 Candidates for NIC Board of Trustees

Is there finally light at the end of the tunnel?

     Our futures are in jeopardy. The entire community and beyond has heard at least a little bit of the turmoil that the current Board of Trustees has caused for North Idaho College, and thus each and every person associated with it, adding up to thousands of lives. 

     Several of the board members actions have resulted in the possibility of NIC losing accreditation, (along with the 4.1 million dollars of Legacy Gifts already lost.)  The information I present you with now is not going to cover all the events leading up to this point; however, I would like to emphasize the importance of the upcoming November 2024 election, so that the chaos can finally come to an end.

     Current board members Todd Banducci and Mike Waggoner will not be running for re-election this year. Greg McKenzie has two new candidates joining him in the running who are also endorsed by the Kootenai County Republican Central Commitee, Michael Angiletta and William Lyons.

     The slogan for their campaign says, “Make NIC great again.”  Could this be implying that NIC is not great, or that the school itself is responsible for the current accreditation crisis? With NIC ranked top of the nation for countless programs and results it’s hard to believe that either of those implications hold much ground.  When asked for an interview by the Sentinel, none of them responded.

     Running against them for zones 4,5 and 3 are longtime residents Eve Knudtsen, Mary Havercroft and Rick Durbin.  All three gladly took the time to meet for individual interviews amidst an afternoon of stuffing goody bags for trunk or treaters. You may have seen their slogan posted around town, “Save NIC.” (While they are endorsed by the Save NIC movement, it does not represent them.) 

     Between the three of them they have a wealth of experience with local schools (including NIC), local businesses, and serving on previous boards. Knudtsen, Havercroft, and Durbin have all stepped up in an effort stop the loss of accreditation.  They have personal ties with the college and recognize its importance to the economy and our community at large. Do they have what it takes to save NIC and will they get the chance?  YOU decide.

     Eve Knudtsen of Knudtsen Chevrolet is a member of the NIC Foundation, Kootenai Health Foundation, CDA Area Economic Development Corporation, and Chair of GM Woman Dealers Advisory Council.  She has lived in Kootenai County her entire life and has a full understanding of the impact NIC has in our local economy.

     “Our region is like a three-legged stool.  One leg is business and industry, one leg is workforce, and the other is education, specifically NIC.  We need all three legs to stand.”

Mary Havercroft has 31+ years of experience working in different levels of education here in Kootenai County, from to teaching to administration. Her husband is also a retired teacher and high school coach. Her children, grandchildren and past students involvement at NIC have created “a real vested interest” for her.

     “I’ve been watching what’s been happening at NIC in terms of the board, the chaos. I just thought, it’s my turn to do something.”

     Rick Durbin is an NIC graduate and a father with two of his three children also being NIC students.  He has a passion not only for education, but for our community as well.

     “I just couldn’t fathom North Idaho being without NIC.” 

     Who will be joining Tarie Zimmerman and Brad Corkill on the board?  Will we finally have a board we can trust? The November 5th election date is approaching fast.  If you’d like to exercise your right to vote, make sure to register and mark your calendar.  For more information, you can visit https://www.kcgov.us/917/Election-Information-November.

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