NIC: Give new trustees a chance

I quote, “The KCRCC would like nothing more than to shift the balance of power on the board of the largest school district in Kootenai County to go along with their successful conservative overhaul of the North Idaho College Board of Trustees.”

Did this Press Editorial intend to expose these “non-partisan” elected positions as liberal now shifting to the right? Many in this community recognize these are NOT neutral, moderate boards.

Our majority liberal NIC board made decisions this year that you didn’t see on the front page of the Press: voted for a 3% property tax increase (during this pandemic year?), pay increases for full-time instructors, and to again cover the budget from reserves while attendance has decreased for numerous years with little adjustment in the college’s employment/payroll numbers. NIC is a community college but is only funded by Kootenai County. To go along with these increases, satellite programs are closing in neighboring counties.

During the campaign for NIC Trustees, Press articles and letters to the editor insisted loss of accreditation was certain if the two “career educators” were not elected. How could a conservative board member threaten accreditation or bring the destruction of the college?

Local voters did not believe the fear tactics from the liberal, status quo supporters of Joe and Paul. Greg and Michael ran for the position, and won, because they believe education is important and they want to be part of leading the local gem of NIC.

Education is not a bubble and should be reflective of the local community. Give these new, talented trustees an opportunity to succeed.

ROGER GARLOCK

Coeur d’Alene

Editor’s note: About NIC’s funding, for FY 2019-20, the college’s revenue was 37 percent state funding; 32 percent county taxes; 26 percent tuition and fees and about 4 percent from “other revenue.”