COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — Greg McKenzie started Monday's meeting as North Idaho College (NIC) board chair but ended up sitting in a different chair after trustees selected Mike Waggoner to replace him.
Waggoner was nominated by trustee Brad Corkill. Trustee Tarie Zimmerman seconded the motion. Zimmerman has worked closely with Waggoner in recent months to update and develop new board policies.
With NIC's accreditation still on the line, Zimmerman said she believes Waggoner will bring the leadership the board desperately needs right now.
“With our most recent visit from the commission, and what we’ve gotten in July, it’s apparent that the board leadership and board governance continues to be a problem," Zimmerman said.
"I think we need a change in the board chair, and not just for the sake of change, but I truly believe Mike has done such a great job on the policy subcommittee and his leadership has been outstanding. He’s come to every meeting prepared, I think he will do a great job and lead us through this most difficult time in this next year.”
Many people who attended Monday's meeting were disappointed with the decision, including retired teacher Deborah Rose.
“Putting Michael Waggoner in as chair tonight was, in my opinion, a bad move, I think Tarie Zimmerman or Brad Corkill are far more qualified for that role," Rose said. "I don’t think this is good for the college. We’ve been fighting for five years to get the board into a situation that really acted in the best interest of this college and community, and it’s just not happening.”
Seconds after Trustees appointed Waggoner to board chair, he swapped seats with Greg McKenzie.
North Idaho College continues to be under heightened monitoring by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Representatives visited the campus in October. NIC president Nick Swayne said NWCCU's final report should be out this week.
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