Northeast Iowa Community College president sues trustees in alleged DEI disagreement

The president of Northeast Iowa Community College, currently on administrative leave while the college proceeds with termination, has filed suit against the college’s Board of Trustees, alleging violations of open meeting laws.

Herbert Riedel says in the suit that the board violated the state’s open meeting laws when it implemented proceedings that, while discussed in closed session, were never voted on in an open setting. He filed the suit in December in Winneshiek County and it was served Jan. 22.

Northeast Iowa Community College put Riedel on administrative leave in early October and has initiated termination proceedings, NICC spokesperson Tara Cooley said in an email. During that process, Riedel has the right to a private hearing where a judge will determine whether the cause for his termination was justified.

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Riedel said in a statement posted on social media that he will contest the college’s action against him.

“The Board is wasting a lot of taxpayer money by its politically motivated and ego-driven refusal to allow me to return to my job and provide solid leadership to advance NICC’s mission for the benefit of our students,” Riedel said in his statement.

The institution declined to comment and remains committed to its mission and students, Cooley said in the email. There is no timeline for the search for a new president, and David Dahms, NICC vice president for finance and administration, is serving as acting president.

“NICC intends to vigorously defend itself against the Petition recently filed by Dr. Herbert Riedel, and will not comment further on pending litigation,” Cooley said in her email.

President claims plan for him included ‘re-education’ on diversity, equity and inclusion

The closed meeting in question occurred in June 2023 and pertained to Riedel’s performance as college president. Riedel believes, according to the suit, that the board also discussed his contract, salary and a “performance action plan.”

Once the board convened in open session, it voted to take action on Riedel’s contract and pay but not the plan, which was still implemented, according to the suit.

According to the suit, Riedel is asking the court to void the action plan. He is seeking damages from the board members involved in the violation.

Riedel said in his statement that the action plan was politically motivated, as evidenced by an early draft which would have had him undergo a “re-education” on diversity, equity and inclusion, which he called a “highly ideological and controversial movement favored by some at the College.”

The college did not respond to questions about the details of the performance action plan or activities relating to diversity, equity and inclusion.

“When I arrived at the College, the DEI Committee had plans to institute training on gender pronouns and to survey students on private sexuality, gender, and race issues,” Riedel said in the statement. “I directed the Committee to follow Iowa’s laws, refrain from controversy, include an openness to viewpoint diversity, and foster a workplace and learning environment that is respectful of employees and students, while promoting diversity and inclusiveness.”

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