NIC responds to Rumpler lawsuit

COEUR d’ALENE — North Idaho College has denied allegations of wrongful discharge and retaliation leveled by a former employee.

Laura Rumpler, NIC’s former chief communications officer, sued the college in February, alleging trustees violated the terms of her employment contract and Idaho’s employment laws, and deprived her of due process rights.

The civil complaint names NIC and college trustees Tarie Zimmerman, Brad Corkill, Mike Waggoner, Todd Banducci and Greg McKenzie in their official capacities as board members.

Rumpler, who resigned from her job at NIC last fall, seeks a jury trial, at least $75,000 in attorney fees and damages amounting to at least $141,822 due to lost wages and benefits, “damage to her personal and professional reputation” and “emotional distress.” She initially sought a $1.3 million settlement from NIC, according to the complaint.

The complaint alleges that NIC, trustees and the college president created an “unsafe and untenable” workplace for Rumpler through “toxic, retaliatory and harassing conduct” that ultimately left her with “no choice but to resign.”

In a response filed this week in U.S. District Court, NIC denies Rumpler’s allegation that former Chief Human Resources Officer Karen Hubbard refused to reclassify Rumpler’s position last summer, as outlined in a two-year retention contract she had signed under former interim president Michael Sebaaly.

The complaint alleges that Rumpler was not reclassified in retaliation for her participation in NIC President Nick Swayne’s reinstatement lawsuit, though NIC further denies Rumpler’s claim that she was scheduled to move into a higher pay grade at all.

The college contends that Rumpler has not been damaged “in any way” and is not entitled to any of the damages and relief sought in her complaint, adding that any damages she did suffer “were the result of (Rumpler’s) own conduct.”

Legal counsel for NIC also argues that Rumpler is barred from recovering damages “by the after-acquired evidence doctrine.” After-acquired evidence is information an employer discovers after a firing that shows the employee’s misconduct would’ve eventually led to termination.

In June 2023, Rumpler submitted a grievance to the board of trustees and the college’s legal counsel. Though the details remain unclear, Rumpler’s complaint confirms that the grievance involves Hubbard and Swayne.

As part of her complaint, Rumpler has asked the court to force trustees to enter executive session in order to consider her grievance. Corkill and Zimmerman have declined to enter executive discussion to discuss the grievance, saying they believe the matter should be discussed publicly, not behind closed doors.

Rumpler has obtained employment since leaving NIC, according to the complaint, with lower pay and benefits than her previous job. Her public LinkedIn profile indicates that she has worked as a consultant in Bend, Ore., since March.