Digital Learning Commons is described as “a state-of-the-art, multimedia collaboration center, curated around the idea of enriching the student experience and providing students access to books and library resources, digital tools, and academic support systems they need to succeed in their program of study”

The Yavapai Community College Prescott-based executives have proposed spending $15 million over the next three years to convert Building 19 on the Prescott Campus into a Digital Learning Center.  The proposal came during a discussion of the 2023-24 capital budget at the March 21, 2023, meeting of the Yavapai Community College Governing Board in Sedona.

Although the Prescott-based executives shared only a draft of the budget they will ask the Board to approve in either April or May,  there was no opposition to the $15 million expenditure from any member of the Board. It appears to have clear sailing.

According to the Community College, a Learning/Digital Commons is a “state-of-the-art, multimedia collaboration center, curated around the idea of enriching the student experience and providing students access to books and library resources, digital tools, and academic support systems they need to succeed in their program of study. The Facilities Master Plan identifies a series of projects to support creation of Learning/Digital Commons in Building 19 at Prescott Campus and Building M at Verde Valley Campus, which include shared space for the library, information technology support, tutoring, collaboration, content creation, meetings, socialization, and studying.”

Building 19 is one of the largest facilities on the Prescott Campus. It contains the library, Common Grounds Café, and a community room on the 1st floor. A computer commons with classrooms, laboratories and faculty offices, as well as the eSports facility is located on the 2nd floor. The space utilization analysis noted that many of the classrooms and laboratories on the 2nd floor are underutilized. The library is dated and is lacking many of the spaces and technologies found in a modern facility. The Facilities Master Plan proposes reimagining these spaces into a learning hub for students and community members on the Prescott Campus. The 18,000 NSF library on the 1st floor is proposed to be renovated into an integrated Learning/Digital Commons with some compact shelving, one-button media studio, makerspace, study rooms, and open computer laboratory. It is envisioned that Digital technologies will permeate these spaces (Area 1) and a new retractable seating system (Area 2) is proposed to be installed in the Community Meeting Room (Room 147).

Classrooms and laboratories on the 2nd floor are proposed to be re-purposed into a modern Learning Commons for tutoring and academic support with open collaboration areas, study rooms, and staff offices. Adjacencies may include a digital media studio, TELS staff offices, and a technology helpdesk, managed by ITS. Decisions regarding the final location of the Computer Networking Technology program and eSports play area will be made during the programming phase.

Total of $6.4 million comes with strings attached 

Yavapai Community College Vice President of Finance and Administrative Serves Dr Clint Ewell reported to the District Governing Board at its Budget Workshop Meeting,  Friday, February 24, 2023, that the State of Arizona has increased its annual financial support for Yavapai Community College to $6.4 million.

According to Dr. Ewell, Dr. Rhine and her colleagues deserve recognition for their successful lobbying efforts, which resulted in the passing of Prop 207 and Rural Aid, securing nearly $4 million in funding for the college. However, Dr. Ewell pointed out that a significant portion of the new financial aid comes with restrictions on how it can be used, limiting it to specific programs. Additionally, Dr. Ewell noted that the state’s financial support for Operations and Maintenance is minimal.

You may view Dr. Ewell’s short one minute report (video clip)  by clicking here. 

Total of current state funding by program.

VP Ewell tells Yavapai Community College Board at budget approval meeting College intends to  use the $10 million to construct  a 14,000 square foot commercial lab “to teach brewing and distilling”

Many unanswered questions surround the decision by Yavapai Community College to invest somewhere around $10 million to construct a 14,000 square foot commercial lab  to teach brewing and distilling.  The facility, when completed, will sell its product to the public. (Click here to review video explanation by Vice President Clint Ewell at May meeting.)

The puzzle began in March of 2022 when the College rolled out a tentative budget showing it was going to spend $5 million to expand its Career and Technical Education facility.  (See tentative budget proposal below.) 

Although in May the College seems to claim that the beer brewing facility was discussed in depth at the March Governing Board meeting, apparently by College consultants, a review of that meeting fails to show a discussion of a brewery taking place.  Instead, a casual observer would conclude the capital discussion at the March meeting involved expanding the existing 10,000 square CTE facility on the Verde Campus.

The brewery expenditure, which was marked as such in the budget, first appeared in the April proposed final budget. There was no explanation for the change from $5 million to $8 million. (See April proposed final budget below.)

Finally, at the May budget hearing, the brewery once again appeared on the capital budget for 2022-23 with a figure of $10 million.   At this meeting, it was the first time the public learned that the College now intended to build a 14,000 square foot facility.  Once again, there was little explanation of the jump from the earlier $5 million rough estimate to $10 million 60 days later. (See May final budget below.)

Efforts to obtain more information about the need for such a facility, where the planning is at, whether there is a need, etc. have so far been futile as the College keeps a tight lid on its planning.

March Draft Capital budget below:

April propose budget below:

Under constant pressure to justify its huge investment in athletic department, theory of gift is to improve Mingus athletic fields so some Community College games are played on east side of the County

Yavapai Community College has been under constant pressure from some educational advocates in Sedona and the Verde Valley to justify spending millions of dollars on its large athletic program.  All of the playing fields and facilities it uses are located in Prescott (One field leased in Prescott Valley). 

Few east-side residents attend any of the College’s matches or games. One reason is  an absence of public or  College transportation available to transport east-siders to the sporting events, almost all of which occur on the west side of the County. Another reason is a lack of interest among east-siders  in the teams as only a tiny percentage of the total number of athletes come from towns or cities on the east side of the County. Moreover, the College teams are seldom followed in local east-side media.

In an effort to justify spending millions on athletics, the College persuaded the District Governing Board at its May meeting to set aside $100,000 from its $90 plus million 2022-23 budget for Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood. According to the College, the money was intended  to “invest in athletic fields to allow portion of YC season to be played in the VV.” 

How the $100,000 figure was arrived at or exactly how Mingus intended to use the money is unclear. The documents provided to the public so far do not indicate Mingus made a formal request for the money.  It appears more like a gift.

Will now ask Governing Board approval for 4% across-the-board salary increase, .45% one-time bonus, and 1.3% for market adjustments, etc. for all staff and faculty | No County property tax rate increase despite boost in salaries

The salary recommendations for Yavapai Community College employees has been increased only slightly since the Administrators provided the District Governing Board with estimates in April.  At the May meeting, the District Governing Board will be asked to finalize and approve a 4% across-the-board salary increase, .45% one-time bonus, and 1.3% for market adjustments, etc. for staff and faculty. 

Despite the proposed increase in salaries, it appears that the Administration will not ask for a property tax rate boost.

Fifth District Representative Pedilla  expresses concern for taxpayers, finds budget sufficient to provide opportunity to examine various areas and approve  it;  lauds Dr. Rhine for handling Community College during Pandemic and says she must deal with inequity issues between the East and West sides of the College  

Fifth District Governing Board member Mitch Pedilla

Fifth District Yavapai Community College Governing Board representative Mitch Pedilla voted to approve the  Community College’s $92.3 million budget at the May Board meeting. The budget  included a 3% across the board increase for faculty and staff.

In his comments to  the Governing Board,  Representative Pedilla made it clear  that he always has concerns about taxpayers when it comes to budgets.  Local taxpayers should “never be taken for granted,” he said.

In response to Representative Paul Chevalier’s list of the Community College’s inequitable educational and cultural activities gap between the East and West sides of the County, he said that resolving that issue should be in the hands of the Community College president Dr. Lisa Rhine. He also said that he would be “shocked” if all the inequities listed by Mr. Chevalier would be addressed with any great change over the next ten to 20 years.  He observed that in education “it is always balance against the greater good of the community and how education is supposed to be delivered.” 

Mr. Pedilla lauded Dr. Rhine for her work in operating the Community College during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said the Community College has done a great job of reaching out to the community in a variety of ways.  He reflected on the excellent experience of his two daughters who had graduated from high school in Prescott and their positive experience with Yavapai Community College and its dual enrollment program. 

In regard to the budget and its details, he found the presentation by the Community College a “great readout” and applauded Dr. Clint Ewell and his staff for their work on it.  He was satisfied that the numbers provided him and other Board members the opportunity to “go deeper” into various areas and ask relevant questions. He noted there is always the potential in a budget for greater transparency but the numbers presented by the Community College were “very good.”

In closing, he said he would vote to approve the Budget.  As an afterthought, he wondered why Yavapai College did not call itself “Yavapai Community College.”

You may view a video clip of Mr. Pedilla’s comments on the budget below.  You may also view the entire Workshop by going to the District Governing Board website.

First District Representative Sigafoos lauds employees for their work; says not giving employees 3% increase will send money to contingency fund, “which is not the right thing to do”

First District Representative Ray Sigafoos

First District Yavapai Community College Governing Board representative Ray Sigafoos voted to approve the  Community College’s $92.9 million budget at the May Board meeting. The budget included a 3% across-the-board increase for faculty and staff.

In his remarks about the 3% raise, he noted his 40 years experience as a member of some educational Board in higher education and his 16 years on the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board.  He commented that the Yavapai Community College’s Board does not run the Community College.  He emphasized that this is the job of the President.

He also said that it was “convenient, and also political, to posture about the taxpayer’s money.”  However, he argued that a “good bit” of the taxpayer money was spent on employees, who are delivering the “kind of education we celebrate.”  He also argued that taxpayer money was going to support taxpayer programs themselves including continuing education and other kinds of culturally related programs.

He argued that the role of the Governing Board is to represent all of Yavapai County, not section by section. He noted that the Board has set up a contingency fund in the proposed budget without a tax rate increase or an increase in tuition and fees.  He concluded that not approving the salary increase would add those funds to the already established contingency fund, which he said was “not right.”

You may view a video clip of Mr. Sigafoos speech to the Governing Board at its May meeting below.  You may also view the entire May Governing Board proceedings by going to the Governing Board website.