Candidate profile: NIC trustee, Todd Banducci
Birth date: June 27, 1963
Profession: President of Falcon Investments & Insurance, Inc.; Major, USAFR
Educational background: BS, US Air Force Academy (Economics); MS, Air Force Institute of Technology (Space Operations)
Public service (elected or appointed offices): President - Stonehenge Homeowners Association
Community service (service clubs, nonprofit boards, etc.): Member of Gideons International, Hunter Safety Instructor, Active Member of the Republican Party
How many years as a resident of your city: 1981 Coeur d'Alene H.S. graduate (Babette also); returned 9/1996 after leaving active duty
Marital status: Married Babette June 10, 1985
Family: Son Paul, daughter in law Mary, and granddaughter Amaressa in Post Falls; son Marcus attending York College
Hobbies: reading, fly fishing, riding my Harley
Why are you running for office?
To serve and represent the students and community while offering a fiscally conservative voice to the board. We need to better equip students for graduation and the workforce. Our current Board has doubled our tax rate since 2007 - 107% increase. I believe we can respect the local taxpayer while providing an excellent and highly efficient program at NIC.
What do you see as the three biggest issues you'll face?
The first would be the budget. We need to look at how to fund NIC efficiently without raising taxes. Policies and procedures should be reviewed on current course offerings to better prepare and train the local workforce. And third, communication and transparency that will build trust, consensus and willingness to make the hard decisions that will benefit the whole community.
If elected, what steps will you take to resolve these issues?
There must be a review of the overall budget, communication with departments to consider appropriation adjustments, and then see if we are maximizing the use of resources and stretching funds as far as possible. In managing multi-million dollar projects in the military, we had to provide a communicative and cooperative environment to produce the most efficient programs.
Recent research indicates that a majority of colleges are not preparing students for the workforce. We can survey business owners/leaders, community members, and current and prior students to understand what course offerings, technical and/or certification programs NIC should implement - as needed by workforce demand - then we work together to make that happen.
New board members allow for fresh eyes on the problems to be solved, the successes that could use an adjustment, and provide creative new ways to support growth, without raising taxes. It must be determined if the mission of NIC is properly stated and defined, and if that mission is being accomplished. This requires a thorough review and evaluation.
What specific skills or experience qualify you for this job?
Apart from my Economics degree, during my service I created and managed multi-million dollar budgets/projects while gaining leadership and management skills. I stay informed on local and world news, and continue to follow current business, financial, educational, and political issues. As a parent, I assisted my sons as they maneuvered through college selection, financing and graduation.
Why should voters elect you, rather than an opponent?
Along with my education and experience, I will bring energy and passion to the position. It is time for new eyes on the issues. I am excited to hear concerns and input from students (and their parents), the whole community, and especially business owners. NIC needs to be a college of the 'community.'