A Kootenai County judge ordered North Idaho College to immediately reinstate President Nick Swayne in March 2023 while his wrongful termination lawsuit proceeded through the courts. Judge Cynthia Meyer’s ruling came after Swayne successfully argued that the board’s decision to place him on administrative leave without cause was improper.
The NIC board complied with the court order, voting unanimously to reinstate Swayne on March 6. However, the college subsequently filed a motion asking the court to undo the reinstatement decision, prolonging the legal battle.
Swayne’s reinstatement was seen as a critical step toward stabilizing the institution as it prepared its response to the accreditor’s show-cause sanction. The court later ordered NIC to pay Swayne $151,316 in attorney fees and costs.