House bill reflects troubles at North Idaho College
Rep. Lori McCann, R-Lewiston
BOISE - The Idaho House Education Committee introduced a bill Monday that could change the State Board of Education’s role over community colleges.
The bill, presented by Rep. Lori McCann, R-Lewiston, grants the State Board emergency authority over a community college facing accreditation loss. Specifically, the State Board can step in if an accrediting organization threatens to revoke a college’s accreditation, has taken steps to do so, or if the State Board deems a college in danger of losing accreditation due to severe financial crisis.
The State Board would return control to the college’s board of trustees after the institution has been in good standing with the accrediting organization for two years, or within two years after accreditation is restored.
And if a community college shuts down, the bill gives the State Board control over its property and assets, in trust.
As she presented the bill before the House committee, McCann said the legislation is necessary in light of recent events at North Idaho College — the Coeur d’Alene-based community college that was threatened with accreditation loss after a series of administrative changes and board decisions. As NIC continues to navigate the turmoil, the State Board has limited ability to take action because it is not the governing body of the college, the locally elected board of trustees is.
But accreditation loss carries weight for community college students — if NIC were to lose accreditation, students (including dual-enrolled high schoolers) would be unable to transfer their credits to other schools, and would lose their financial aid.
McCann hopes the bill codifies a process to help an institution, if disaster strikes.
“The State Board will step in, not to take complete control forever, but to give the school the opportunity to get itself figured out,” she said.
But other committee members took issue with the legislation.
Rep. Judy Boyle said the bill gives the State Board “extraordinary powers.” And Reps. Elaine Price and Ron Mendive, both of Coeur d’Alene, spoke against the bill.
“There’s no appetite in North Idaho to anything even approaching this,” said Mendive.
But Rep. Mark Sauter of Sandpoint, said he’s been asked about NIC by constituents. “It very much is an issue of concern.”
After over 30 minutes of debate, the committee introduced the bill with a 9-7 vote.
Reps. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale; Lance Clow, R-Twin Falls; Ron Mendive, R-Coeur d’Alene; Elaine Price, R-Coeur d’Alene; Tony Wisniewski, R-Post Falls; Dale Hawkins, R-Fernwood; and Ted Hill, R-Eagle, voted against introducing the bill. Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, was absent and did not vote.
The bill now awaits a committee hearing.