LBHC Board Meeting Stretched Late Into Night As Trustees Discussed President's Removal
The Little Big Horn College Board of Trustees spent nearly three hours in a late night executive session discussing David Yarlott Ed.D’s contract, according to minutes posted to their social media.
The board of trustees meeting started at 5:24 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27 and went over routine business, including voting to allow the faculty/student representative, Neva Tall Bear, to become a voting member of the board and reviewing the status of the LNHC Library’s cultural center/museum project.
By the time it came to the agenda item “i. President’s Contract” it was about 10:30 p.m., the trustees went into executive session at 10:34 p.m. and concluded at 1:20 a.m.
Yarlott was earning $117,000 annually plus benefits, according to his contract.
The contract included a $20,000 living allowance, which specified use for utilities, house payments and vehicle repairs. The contract doesn't not make it clear whether the living allowance is annual or per month.
The contract also stipulates Yarlott have use of a company vehicle with fuel and maintenance included. There is also a stipulation that any flight for LBHC business over two hours will include comfort plus or first-class tickets.
Yarlott’s sick leave accrues at rate of four hours per pay period, vacation leave accrues at 8 hours per pay period, and his fringe benefit package was offered at 15%, which includes 2% life insurance.
The contract also states the board will conduct a performance evaluation by December 15 annually.
The board voted to rescind the faculty/student representative Tall Bear’s voting power before they voted on removing Yarlott.
Center Lodge Trustee Shawn Real Bird moved to declare the 2020 contract between Yarlott and LBHC as “null and void ab initio.” The motion was seconded by Valley of the Chiefs Trustee Daryl Bends.
Trustees determined that Yarlott could not have entered into a lawful contract in 2020 based on the lack of a duly elected Board of Trustees at that time. The current Trustees determined that the board members in 2020 were appointed by Yarlott, in violation of the College’s articles of incorporation, according to a press release from the LBHC Board of Trustees.
The board voted unanimously to remove Yarlott effective 1:44 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Board President and Mighty Few Trustee Dana Wilson moved to place Neva Tall Bear in the president’s office temporarily until the board fills the position. The motion was seconded by Arrow Creek Trustee Seth White Clay. The board voted in agreement.
The board then voted to inform Yarlott to turn in all LBHC property, including laptops, credit cards and vehicles and adjourned the meeting at 2:22 a.m., according to the minutes.
Tall Bear was escorted to the president’s office Wednesday morning by several board members.
Editor's Note: A paragraph was added to this story to clarify why David Yarlott's contract was voided.