[eluser]jblack199[/eluser]
Well, I'm sure that you have more experience with codeigniter than I do (been using it for 2-3 days now so i've just scratched the surface but here is what I think.
I agree in your case of needing multiple sites the best option would be different controller and view for each site.
But perhaps for loading the model, you might look into doing something with the $autoload['model'] = array(); functionality of autoload.php. Might be worth looking into anyway. of course in my limited knowledge I only know of the two ways to load the model #1. from the controller, and #2. the autoload -- so maybe something else will read this and have a bit more experience than i do and be able to take both our heads and ideas laid out here and expand upon them.
