The North Idaho College board of trustees has selected former Highline Community College president Priscilla Bell as the school's interim president.

Bell will replace Michael Burke at the college in Coeur d'Alene while the trustees search for his permanent replacement. Burke is leaving to become president of San Jose (Calif.) City College.

Highline trustees terminated Bell's contract by exercising its buy-out clause in 2006 over what were described as "philosophical differences."

Bell, who said North Idaho College is her "future ... right now," added that she "had "a great six and a half years" at Highline. "It's a wonderful college."