Board Appoints Interim President of LCSC

The Idaho State Board of Education today appointed Dr. Tony Fernandez Interim President of Lewis-Clark State College - calling him the right man at the right time.

“We have the upmost confidence in Tony,” said Board President Richard Westerberg. “He has an impeccable record in his position as VP/Provost and we fully expect that to continue as interim president.”

The Board made the announcement naming Fernandez after a teleconference meeting that resulted in a unanimous vote. Under the agreement with the Board, Fernandez will earn $162,654 annually. The Board also set forward general parameters for a search for the permanent replacement for Dr. Dene K. Thomas, whose resignation becomes effective June 30, 2010. Thomas has accepted the position of President of Ft. Lewis College in Durango, Colorado.

“A search will go forward, run, managed and staff by the State Board of Education. This will allow us to minimize costs but still help us accomplish the necessary transparency and due diligence we must and want to exercise in hiring a president of a public institution of higher education,” said Westerberg. “Mr. Fernandez is our interim president and, should he desire, he will be considered for the permanent position.”

The appointment is of undetermined length as the Board has strongly indicated they will take whatever time necessary to ensure the best person is identified, interviewed and properly vetted.

“Searches are expensive, especially when a national search firm is involved,” said Board Secretary Don Soltman. “We will run this search as efficiently as possible while saving the cost of firm, which in this case could run as high as 60 thousand dollars.” 

Soltman will chair the search committee which is charged with delivering a list of five finalists to the Board. The Board will determine how many of the five will be interviewed and brought in for campus visits. No time frame nor deadline for hiring a permanent president has been established at this time. Parties interested in serving on the search committee should contact Mark Browning, Chief Communications & Legislative Officer for the Idaho State Board of Education via email: mark.browning@osbe.idaho.gov or phone by dialing 208.332.1591.

The Board will meet in Idaho Falls on the campus of Eastern Idaho Technical College, June 16-17, 2010.

Learn more about the Idaho State Board of Education online or via Twitter @IdSBOE.

~ Melissa M.