COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – Four hours in, the North Idaho College Board of Trustees meeting reached the moment many in attendance were waiting for from the beginning: “Consideration of Censure of Trustee.”
After about 20 minutes of discussion, the board voted not to censure Trustee Tarie Zimmerman on Wednesday night, tabling it by a unanimous 3-0 margin.
During the discussion, the exact reason for Zimmerman’s proposed censure was not brought up. However, McKenzie said it was related to Zimmerman divulging confidential information in an Aug. 31 board meeting, which only lasted 10 minutes.
The only topic of discussion during the Aug. 31 board meeting was a motion to give attorney Art Macomber, under the direction of board chair Greg McKenzie, the power to settle a pending legal matter with an employee/former employee of NIC. This follows a June 7 meeting, where the board unanimously gave McKenzie approval to hire an investigator in the same matter.
During the Aug. 31 meeting, Zimmerman and McKenzie butted heads several times. First, McKenzie attempted to cut her off after she said, “We have an investigation underway,” responding, “all of this could’ve been said in executive session.” The exchange lasted for a minute with Zimmerman finally taking the floor after saying, “It’s obvious that you’re afraid of what I’m going to say because you’re trying to shut me up.”
Then, Zimmerman proceeded to have a heated exchange with Macomber, accusing him of having a conflict of interest, saying, “You’re working to defend someone who’s bringing a suit against the college,” something Macomber vehemently denied.
Then she said something that was brought up several times Wednesday night regarding the settlement.
“I don’t know, does anyone want to open their bank account? I think the sum – can I say the sum? $1.3 million? That’s on the taxpayer’s back?”
A stunned and stuttering McKenzie could barely muster a reply, only saying, “why are we–?”
On Wednesday night, Trustee Todd Banducci said the record needs to be set straight.
“Throwing out numbers that don’t exist as far as I’m aware of, is irresponsible,” Banducci said. “Everybody running around with the $1.3 million number, show me where you got it, please. Maybe Trustee Zimmerman will produce where she came up with that.”
McKenzie said it’s premature for a censure vote, but also felt it was necessary to discuss.
“This is the second time Trustee Zimmerman has divulged confidential information,” he said after the meeting.
Zimmerman defended herself during the meeting, saying she had a right to say everything she said on Aug. 31, possibly threatening legal action if silenced.
“I categorically deny any wrongdoing during the Aug. 31 board meeting, or any prior board meeting,” she said. “Voicing my opinion, stating the facts – as far as I’m aware of them – and raising my questions and concerns on issues that concern the college is my duty as an elected trustee and is protected by the First Amendment… if necessary, I will seek enforcement of my First Amendment rights.”
