Coeur d’Alene School District trustees unanimously selected Rick Rasmussen, CEO of Northwest Specialty Hospital, to fill a vacancy on the board Monday. 

Rasmussen was among three applicants for the position, who all interviewed at a public meeting of the school board Monday. 

He replaces Allison “Allie” Anderton, 44, who resigned in March after being arrested and charged with driving under the influence over Easter weekend. 

Local realtor, Amanda Weed, and security consultant, Nick Weber, were the two other candidates. 

The interviews and selection process on Monday were full of compliments. All four sitting trustees said the selection was difficult because all the candidates were qualified and would do well in the role. And the candidates echoed those sentiments.

The candidates’ responses to questions from the board were peppered with “I definitely agree about a lot of that”  and “I feel that way, too.” 

Weed, Weber, and Rasmussen agreed that transparency, fiscal responsibility and better educating the community on what the district’s strengths are to ensure passage of the district’s supplemental levy, were key goals. 

Not only did the candidates agree on their priorities but they all have experience with the district. 

Weed and Rasmussen are alumni and their children graduated from Coeur d’Alene schools. Weber’s children currently attend school in the district.  

After about 45 minutes of questions to the candidates, trustees discussed the options. 

Trustee Heather Tenbrink preferred Weber because of his school-aged children, who attend schools that aren’t represented on the board. Lesli Bjerke also preferred Weber initially but noted she liked Weed’s history as a teacher. 

Trustee Jimmy McAndrews firmly supported Rasmussen due to his breadth of volunteer experience in the community that would allow for marketing and networking opportunities. McAndrews also praised Rasmussen’s specific answer to budgeting questions. Board Chair Rebecca Smith agreed.

Rasmussen comes from a family of teachers, both his parents taught, along with his wife. He is a 1984 graduate of Coeur d’Alene High School, where he was valedictorian and student body president. He has been a member of the school’s booster club since 1989. Rasmussen has a background in accounting before he became chief financial officer and then chief operating officer of Northwest Specialty Hospital.

Rasmussen has a long history of volunteer and community involvement, so much so that he has been named citizen of the year in Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, and Post Falls, according to the CDA Press.

He is the current board chair for the Boys and Girls Club but plans to step down to avoid a conflict of interest. Rasmussen is also about to finish up a stint on the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce Board. He previously volunteered with the Human Society and was the board chair of the Innovia Foundation, which in recent years has worked to provide extensive scholarships to Inland Northwest Students. 

Ultimately, McAndrews made a motion to select Rasmussen and all four trustees voted in support. 

“Being selected out of those three, I feel quite honored,” Rasmussen said.