Release the bills, Mike!

If North Idaho College loses accreditation under current circumstances, Idahoans lose opportunity. College credit access will be more expensive and farther away. Our workforce will be dramatically impacted. Investments in infrastructure by Kootenai County, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Idaho taxpayers, and the NIC Foundation will have been wasted due to inaction by the board of trustees. This is unnecessary and avoidable.

Did you know: North Idaho College makes Idaho a better place?

•  87% of North Idaho College students are Idaho residents.

• 66% of NIC students are from Kootenai County.

• Enrollment by student type:

  • 3,698 students are college transfer

  • 730 are career/technical students

  • 1,670 are dual credit students

Loss of accreditation at North Idaho College will devastate the local economy.

• Economic modeling by the Coeur d’Alene Economic Development Council, suggests loss of accreditation could potentially result in (-1300) fewer jobs.

• Every 4 jobs at NIC results in 1 additional job in the community.

• Loss of accreditation could mean $60M LESS into our regional economy.

• NIC workforce training center served 4,794 students in 2021.

• Employers who need testing services or customized training will be forced to pay more at greater distance, most likely out of state, to train their workforce.

• Enrollment is declining.

Families rely on the value North Idaho College delivers to their budget.

• North Idaho College dispersed over $13M in financial aid.

• 82% of NIC students depend on financial aid to pay for college.

• Financial aid and scholarship money require accreditation.

• Idaho dual credit programming opportunities requires accreditation.

• Over 1000 scholarships were funded by the North Idaho College Foundation -- $1,173,372 to students + $571,883K in program enhancements.

North Idaho College is a cost-effective school-choice option for students and employers.

• 1,670 dual credit students high school students attend North Idaho College, surpassing enrollment numbers in our largest high schools in the 5 northern counties.

• Idaho students can utilize up to $4,125 in Idaho funding for dual credit enrollment at NIC. The student pays a set rate of $75 per credit for professional technical education and college credit classes.

North Idaho College impacted almost 18,000 students last year. Many citizens use 42 career technical programs, 47 transfer programs, 86 credit programs, as well as community services like Head Start, or Aging and Adult Services. Dual credit high school programming provides early access for college level coursework and certifications while in high school, at a significant savings to our citizens.

NWCCU findings and subsequent sanctions are damning. Banducci style leadership harms North Idaho College.

• The price tag for bad leadership during Todd Banducci’s chairmanship is $5.2M and climbing.

  • $4.2M – Legacy gifts to the North Idaho College Foundation cancelled.

  • $343,000 – Major gifts that will not be donated.

  • $500,000 - wrongful termination lawsuit.

  • $180,000 – interim president’s salary while still paying the former president.

  • $108,000 – cost of hiring firm to replace NIC team members.

  • $36,800 – Lost annual donations to NIC for grants and scholarships.

  • Trustees have been advised to find another insurer at increased costs due to risk.

• Moody’s Investments have downgraded North Idaho College financial forecast.

• Enrollment is declining in favor of accreditation stability. The nearest local alternatives are University of Idaho or Spokane’s two community colleges.

• The investigation revealed a private settlement agreement between Todd Banducci and a staff member involving allegations of physical assault.

North Idaho College has fallen behind in two years and accreditation is at risk.

• In 2020, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities reaffirmed accreditation with commendation. NWCCU provides independent review that North Idaho College conforms with nationally accredited standards.

• Two complaints, jointly filed by 4 area human rights task forces, were validated.

• Cross-allegations by Trustees Banducci and McKenzie were unfounded.

• Trustees Banducci and McKenzie behavior with staff and North Idaho College Foundation were cited as reasons for NWCCU’s findings and accreditation warning.

• NWCCU found 14 violations involving financial sustainability, failure to fill administrative and academic leadership ranks, and failure to support academic freedom according to national standards.

• “The root of the problem affecting NIC’s financial health, in the short-term and long-term, centers around the significant upheaval the Board created that is impacting the financial viability of NIC.” – Northwest Community Colleges and Universities.

• Taxpayers carry the burden to fund losses resulting from lawsuits, settlement agreements, and violations due to specific behavior attributed to Trustees Todd Banducci and Greg McKenzie.

• Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP) will not renew long term insurance coverage, resulting in greater cost and instability.

North Idaho College provides freedom and opportunity. NIC is a great value for students, families, and the bottom line for employers. NIC is a vital asset in North Idaho, supported by Kootenai County taxpayers.

Save NIC is committed to providing source-cited information on the issues impacting our community and North Idaho College. We encourage all voters to research the candidates to avoid disinformation.