SANDPOINT — The Panida Theater is once again without an executive director following the dismissal of Barry Bonifas.

The theater’s executive committee of board members, consisting of board chairman Phil Ronniger, vice chairman Jim Corcoran and secretary and treasurer Tari Pardini, announced Thursday that they terminated the employment of Bonifas after a Monday board decision. The choice to part ways was not an issue of competence or skill, they said. Instead, they felt Bonifas didn’t mesh well with the theater’s established character.

“Sometimes things just don’t gel,” Ronniger said.

“There are situations where certain people will fit into organization smoothly, and there are times when it’s just not a good fit,” he added.

Bonifas, meanwhile, accepts the decision as the board’s right and acknowledges their different visions for the Panida’s future. However, he believes the choice to let him go won’t do the theater or its reputation any favors.

“I think this is a disastrous mistake that will cost the theater a lot of credibility,” he said.  

The board decision wasn’t a unanimous one, Bonifas indicated. Members voted upon the decision Monday, and the executive committee informed him of the outcome Tuesday. Bonifas said the decision came as a surprise, adding his only foreshadowing was what he described as a history of board dysfunction.

Bonifas began work as the Panida director Aug. 31 following the departure of Karen Bowers, who served in the position for 26 years. His credentials include the restoration of Alberta Bair Theater in Billings, Mont., and the Mt. Baker Theater in Bellingham, Wash., both around 1,500 seats in size. He also spent more than 40 years managing various arts festivals, dance companies and more. Prior to his career in the arts, he worked as an educator at San Jose State, the University of Idaho and Western Washington University.

Based on that experience, his résumé eventually rose to the top of the board’s list. The board executive committee said it’s unfortunate that their working relationship didn’t pan out, but they’re confident with his skills, Bonifas can find a new position anywhere he wishes.

Bonifas has other ideas, saying he intended to wrap up his career at the Panida Theater and will likely head back into retirement. He said he’s sorry to see his work at the theater end as it did.

“I felt I was moving the theater in the right direction, both in terms of the restoration effort and daily operations,” he said.

According to Ronniger, Corcoran and Pardini, there’s not yet a set date to bring in a new director — after all, it was a five-month effort selecting Bonifas in the first place. They plan to pull together a selection committee and begin the process again. In the meantime, Ronniger and recently-selected board member Carol Deaner will work with staff members like business and development manager Maureen Tillberg and technical director Bill Lewis.

“It will be very important to get that person who builds on what we’re doing and takes it forward,” Ronniger said.

The transition will be the next in a series of big changes for the Panida. Late last autumn, the board welcomed an influx of new members. Administrators also installed important new equipment like the digital projectors.

According to board members, major changes are yet to come. The team recently secured a survey to integrate the Panida with the Little Theater and Pend Oreille Arts Council buildings. In late March, board members head out for a retreat to explore the Panida’s master plan. New community outreach efforts like a movie club for local youth and an expanded volunteer appreciation day are also in the works.

“We love our volunteers,” said Pardini. “We couldn’t function without them.”