COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – North Idaho College is at risk of losing its accreditation, which could lead to the college closing.
This risk prompted the City of Coeur d’Alene to take action to preserve the land on which the college sits.
Council members Christie Wood and Dan Gookin led a rezoning project to ensure the property remains dedicated to higher education if the college loses its accreditation.
“The concern that the public had regarding these trustees, who are unpredictable and unaccountable, and they theoretically could take that land and sell it,” council member Dan Gookin said.
To prevent this, the property has been rezoned as a University District.
“All higher education, public higher education – that’s the only thing that can take place here,” Gookin said.
The city council discussed the rezone during Tuesday night’s meeting, where the proposal received unanimous approval.
Most public comments supported the rezone. One attendee disagreed with the language, fearing it might invite private interests. Theresa Ross voiced her concerns, stating, “The purpose of this opens the door for public-private partnerships. We don’t want that.”
Gookin reassured the public that the college cannot sell the property to private entities.
“Now they absolutely cannot sell off the college,” he emphasized.
If the college loses accreditation, Gookin hopes another institution will take over the facilities to continue offering higher education in Coeur d’Alene.
“My hope is that some other institution would come over and take over these facilities and offer higher education in Coeur d’Alene,” he said.
North Idaho College will learn the outcome of its accreditation status next April.
