YAVAPAI COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT TIM CARTER SEEKING APPLICANTS FOR OPEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD SEAT CREATED BY CHRIS KUKNYO’S RESIGNATION (DISTRICT 4)

By R. Oliphant
Friday, November 15th, 2024

Deadline to show interest is December 2

Yavapai County School Superintendent Tim Carter has initiated the process of filling the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board seat soon to be vacated by District 4 representative Chris Kuknyo. This District includes North Prescott, Chino Valley, Paulden, Ash Fork, Seligman, and surrounding areas. Kuknyo will remain on the Board until December 31, 2024, and the new appointment is expected to be finalized and announced by December 18, 2024.

Application Details
Individuals interested in serving on the Board are invited to submit a letter of interest and a resume to Superintendent Tim Carter at the Yavapai County Education Service Agency. Submissions can be sent to the following address:

  • Mail: 2970 Centerpointe East, Prescott, AZ 86301
  • Fax: 928-771-3329
  • Email: Tim.Carter@yavapaiaz.gov

Applicants should include details about their background, including family, education, and work experience, as well as an explanation of why they wish to join the Board. The letter must also include the applicant’s residence and mailing address, email address, and home/work phone numbers. Additionally, candidates may submit up to three letters of recommendation.

The deadline for submitting all materials is Monday, December 2, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

Selection Process
A five-person committee will review all applications, resumes, and any letters of recommendation. The committee will include:

  1. A taxpayer.
  2. A faculty member.
  3. A student.
  4. An elected official.
  5. A workforce development professional.

This committee will shortlist candidates for interviews, establish interview questions, and conduct the interviews on December 13, 2024. Afterward, they will recommend finalists for Superintendent Carter’s consideration.

Before making the final selection, Carter will consult individually with the currently seated Yavapai College Governing Board members to gather their input on the finalists. However, this process raises a notable issue: outgoing Board member Ray Sigafoos, who was defeated in the recent election, will participate in candidate discussions, while newly elected Board member William Kiel, who begins his term in January 2025, will not.

Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the District 4 seat, applicants must meet the following qualifications:

  • Be a registered voter residing in District 4.
  • Be a U.S. citizen at least 18 years of age.
  • Have civil rights intact.
  • Neither the applicant nor their spouse may be employed by the college district.

This is a non-partisan seat, and the appointment process will adhere to the statutory requirements.

Categories : District Governing Board

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD TO HOLD A MEETING AT THE ROCK HOUSE ON THE PRESCOTT CAMPUS ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, BEGINNING AT 1:00 P.M.

By R. Oliphant
Friday, November 15th, 2024

The meeting is anticipated to run about three hours; this is the last meeting of 2024 where business will be discussed

The Yavapai Community College District Governing Board will hold a meeting on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the Rock House on the Prescott  Campus. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. and is expected to last approximately three hours. A live video stream will be available on YouTube.

While the agenda normally includes an Open Call to the Public, allowing residents and other attendees an opportunity to address the Governing Board at the beginning of the meeting, the Board may not include that provision if it so chooses.  Should the Board allow persons to do so,  those wishing to speak should complete a “Request to Speak” form and submit it to the Recording Secretary prior to speaking. Speakers should be prepared to limit their remarks to the allotted time, which is usually three minutes.

Under Arizona law, the public has the right to attend, listen, record, or videotape these meetings. While attendees may not disrupt the meeting, they are welcome to speak during the Call to the Public. For further details, see Ariz. Att’y Gen. Op. No. I78-001.

The agenda for the meeting is normally withheld from the public until almost the last minute that is legally allowable.  You can view the agenda when it is finally posted on Monday at https://www.yc.edu/v6/district-governing-board/sub/2024/11/index.html.

It is noted that this is the last meeting of 2024 where business will be discussed.

Categories : Meeting Notice

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE SEEKS ACCREDITATION FOR CONTROVERSIAL 92-CREDIT B.A. DEGREE, CHALLENGING 125-YEAR STANDARD — GOVERNING BOARD APPROVES AMID MINIMAL SCRUTINY

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, November 12th, 2024

Driven by the competitive market for students,  Yavapai Community College aims to be first in nation to earn Higher Learning Commission Accreditation for 92-Credit B.A.—Recognition by other institutions remains uncertain if HLC approves

Colleges and universities typically require 120 credits for a B.A. degree, as this standard reflects the nation-wide amount of study time deemed necessary for comprehensive understanding in a subject area. This requirement includes both general education courses across various disciplines and focused coursework within a chosen major. The 120 credits are intended to ensure students graduate with adequate preparation for the workforce, balancing broad education with specialized knowledge in their field.

The 120-credit benchmark also facilitates easier transfer of credits between institutions and maintains consistency in academic expectations. While 120 credits is the standard minimum, some programs require over 140 credits to meet specific professional or academic demands. This 120-credit standard was established about 125 years ago to bring uniformity to college education in the United States.

A student typically needs 60 credit hours to obtain an Associate in Arts (AA) degree at Yavapai Community College. This is designed for transferring to a baccalaureate-granting institution.

According to the Community College’s October 30, 2024, news release, “Yavapai [Community] College is endeavoring to change the traditional dynamics of higher education with a new Optimized 92-credit Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Degree, designed to be completed within three years.” The 92 hour requirement will provide students “with the opportunity to create optimized bachelor’s degrees that are more affordable and reduce the completion time for students. This new opportunity will allow students to complete a degree in three years rather than four.”

The press release further states that “Yavapai Community] College has positioned itself to be the first community college in the country to offer a reduced credit baccalaureate degree. The College has undergone its curriculum process, and the Yavapai College District Governing Board unanimously approved the degree at its October meeting. The degree must go through the HLC approval process, and if all goes well, it will launch for the fall 2025 semester.”

Categories : accreditation

VOTERS BOOT 20-YEAR VETERAN YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT #1 REPRESENTATIVE RAY SIGAFOOS FROM GOVERNING BOARD IN NOVEMBER ELECTION

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, November 10th, 2024

Voter concerns over large increases in property tax rates and a Community College west side  wasteful spending spree appear main factors among many that were behind William Kiel’s successful challenge

William Kiel

William Kiel unseated Ray Sigafoos as the District 1 representative on the Yavapai Community College Governing Board, ushering in a possible shift for the institution. Kiel, a civil engineer with a Master of Science in Civil Engineering, criticized the Board for engaging in what he described as wasteful spending. He pointed to several controversial decisions, including the Board’s move to raise property tax rates by 8.4% over the past two years, expand the budget by 155% within the same timeframe, and allocate $11 million for a church camp outside Prescott.

Kiel also took issue with President Dr. Lisa Rhine’s salary, which he suggests is approaching $400,000, questioning why the exact figure remains undisclosed to county voters. As an example of further waste, he cited the CTEC building, where “literally hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment made of carbon steel is rusting away” due to the use of swamp coolers rather than adequate air conditioning—an oversight he suggests may cost taxpayers dearly.

Kiel has pledged to improve transparency with a goal of increasing  public access to information both at the Board and administration levels.

Sigafoos, who served the Governing Board for twenty years, leaves a legacy that includes seven years as Board chair and two as Board secretary, following his appointment in 2005.

Categories : Politics

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS FAILING SEDONA AND THE VERDE VALLEY WHEN IT COMES TO MUSIC EDUCATION

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, November 9th, 2024

 Associate of Arts in Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Music is offered but virtually all classes taught in Prescott – Chorales, bands, Symphony Orchestra, jazz ensembles, individual instruction and more not offered in Sedona/Verde Valley with exception of two voice classes

OPINION: For over 50 years, Yavapai Community College leadership has focused its efforts on building an extensive music program exclusively on the Prescott Campus. Throughout this time, it has neglected to make similarly accessible music instruction reasonably available to students in other parts of Yavapai County. With the approval of the District Governing Board, this concentrated effort has resulted in a full range of music courses being offered solely in Prescott—such as music theory, piano classes, music appreciation, private lessons, and performance ensembles. This focus has also produced impressive student music groups, including the Master Chorale, Community Chorale, Women’s Chorale, Chamber Singers, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Jazz ensembles, providing students with opportunities to develop their musical talents collaboratively. Additionally, the Community College now offers an Associate of Arts in Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Music—yet music instruction in person is provided only on the Prescott Campus.

The lack of reasonable opportunities for music education outside the Prescott Campus can be traced to several key failures: the logistical barriers posed by the county’s vast geography, the absence of public or college-provided transportation, frequently hazardous travel conditions between the county’s east and west sides, and a glaring disregard for the realities of Community College student life beyond Prescott. These factors collectively demonstrate a profound disconnect between college leadership and the needs of students outside Prescott.

The Expansive Reach of Yavapai County

It seems Yavapai College’s leadership is oblivious to the fact that its district spans all 8,125 square miles of Yavapai County—an area larger than several entire U.S. states. For context, this landmass exceeds Connecticut (5,543 square miles, with 12 colleges and universities), Delaware (1,982 square miles, with three), Rhode Island (1,214 square miles, with three), and nearly matches New Jersey (8,723 square miles, with 19). Even Israel, slightly larger at 8,550 square miles, supports ten universities and 53 colleges. Yet, despite this vast expanse, Yavapai College leadership and its Governing Board have concentrated the music program solely on the Prescott Campus, apparently because of its higher population density. This failure to consider the realities of the county’s geographic scale and the resulting accessibility issues for students outside Prescott is baffling. This centralized approach effectively excludes students from Sedona and the Verde Valley, denying them meaningful access to music instruction.

Geographic Barriers and Accessibility Challenges

In addition to the vast size of the county, a major barrier to student access to music classes in Prescott is the mountainous divide separating Yavapai County’s east and west sides. The Black Mountain Range splits the county, creating an almost impassable obstacle for some students. Only two routes connect Sedona and the Verde Valley on the east side to Prescott on the west. Interstate 17—a four-lane highway—is the only reliable, year-round option. The alternative, Highway 89A, is a narrow, winding mountain road that crosses the 7,000-foot Mingus Mountain. Frequently treacherous with snow, ice, or dense fog, Highway 89A is the shortest route for students from Jerome, Clarkdale, Cottonwood, Verde Villages, and Sedona to reach the Prescott Campus.  Given the massive size of the County and the limited roads available on which to travel, a student may face an arduous and sometimes highly dangerous 90 to 150-mile round trip from his or her home to the Prescott Campus. 

Barriers to Student Success

Another major barrier to student access to music classes is the District Governing Board’s failure to account for the real-life circumstances of students across Yavapai County. Although the Board frequently claims its mission is to serve students and support their success, the lack of accessible music education for students in Sedona and the Verde Valley tells a different story. Many students juggle part- or full-time jobs and family obligations, making lengthy commutes to Prescott impossible. For some, transportation is an added hurdle, with no inter-campus transit options provided by the Community College. Rising fuel costs further compound the financial strain.

Moreover, Yavapai Community College has acknowledged that nearly 20% of its student body faces partial or complete homelessness, exacerbating these challenges. For these students, the lack of resources and stability makes regular travel to Prescott unfeasible, underscoring the inequity in the College’s centralized approach to its music program and its failure to recognize the diverse realities of its entire student body.

Conclusion:

Yavapai Community College’s centralized music program on the Prescott Campus starkly contrasts with its stated mission to serve all students and foster their success. By investing resources solely in Prescott, the College sends a message that educational opportunities in music—and perhaps other programs—are only for those who can access the West side of Yavapai County. This approach disregards the unique needs and challenges of students from Sedona and the Verde Valley, who must contend with long, costly, and sometimes dangerous commutes if they wish to participate.

Moreover, by neglecting these regions, Yavapai College risks leaving behind talented students who could enrich its music programs. Those in Sedona and the Verde Valley deserve a reasonably equal opportunity to pursue music education within their own communities.

It’s time for Yavapai College to live up to its responsibilities as a district-wide institution, investing in infrastructure and program accessibility across the county. Without meaningful steps toward inclusivity, the Community College’s promises to support every student’s success will remain unfulfilled, and the Sedona and Verde Valley communities will continue to shoulder the burden of being underserved. Only by broadening its approach to education can Yavapai Community College truly claim to represent and support all students within its reach.

Categories : Music

COLLEGE LEADERSHIP PLANS TO REQUEST ANNUAL 1% PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

By R. Oliphant
Wednesday, November 6th, 2024

Strategy aims to minimize public backlash from larger, sporadic hikes after multi-year intervals

At its October meeting, Yavapai Community College (YCC) leadership informed the District Governing Board that it has adopted a strategy of annually requesting a one percent increase in County property taxes. This incremental approach is set to begin this year, under the guise of softening public reaction to periodic hikes.

The rationale behind this approach is, essentially, a public relations tactic. By asking for smaller, annual increases, the College aims to avoid the backlash that might accompany a sudden four or five percent hike after several years without any adjustments. This is a calculated move to manage perception.

However, it is important to highlight that the Governing Board holds the authority to approve far larger increases at any time. There is no policy or restriction preventing them from raising taxes beyond the one percent threshold if they choose.

Notably, over the past two years, the Governing Board has approved substantial property tax increases of 5% and 3.4%, underscoring their willingness to meet the College leadership’s requests for additional funding. This history raises questions about the long-term financial strategy at YCC and the true necessity of annual tax increases on County residents.

Categories : Taxes, Yavapai Community College

TUITION INCREASE REQUESTED BY COLLEGE LEADERSHIP OF ABOUT 5% FOR COMING ACADEMIC YEAR QUICKLY APPROVED BY DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, November 2nd, 2024

No student input and District Governing Board members asked no questions prior to making  decision

Tuition increases at Yavapai Community College are annually approved by the District Governing Board with little significant questioning, discussion, or commentary. The meeting on October 29, concerning the requested tuition increase for the 2025-2026 academic year, was no exception. It mirrored last year’s presentation of the topic, which lasted just eight minutes.  This year, the presentation and Board vote took only twelve minutes of the meeting.

Tuition increase

The average increases this year will be around five percent.  In addition to the increases, several classes were moved from tier 1 to tier 2, where the tuition per credit hour is higher.  For example, a tier one student taking 12 semester credits will now pay about $60 more in total.  A tier two student taking 12 semester credits will pay about $72 more in total. A tier three student (Career and Technical Education) will pay about $84 more per semester.

Aviation courses have been increased by 12.1% (commercial) and 31.5% (private pilot). Administrative fees were increased from anywhere from $10 to $95 per request depending on what was asked to be furnished.

According to the College, the various tuition increases in total will bring in about $705,550 of badly needed new money. It is noted that the College also anticipates an overall growth of 7% in students.  If Community College estimates turn out to be correct, this will bring in about $1,037159 in additional revenue in 25-26.

Reasons for student input – lack of discussion

There was no discussion during the Governing Board meeting regarding seeking student input on the tuition increase prior to the vote raising them. That seems unfortunate.

Many agree that when a Community College Governing  Board considers raising student tuition, gathering substantial student input is invaluable for an informed decision. For example, students can offer firsthand insight into how a tuition increase may impact their education, financial stability, and long-term prospects. Hearing from students allows the Board to gauge whether an increase might impose undue hardship, potentially leading to higher dropout rates or declining enrollment, which can ultimately affect the College’s reputation and financial health.

Additionally, student input fosters transparency and trust. It ensures that that those directly affected by such decisions feel heard and valued. This collaborative approach often results in policies that better balance the institution’s financial needs with the students’ welfare, reinforcing a sense of shared responsibility and community within the college.

Reasons for rejecting student input

Possibly the Yavapai Community College Board members believe that consulting students, who may not have complete financial knowledge, could hinder the decision-making process or create unrealistic expectations regarding the Community College’s economic limitations. However, no Board member has suggested that this is the reason there was no student input.

More likely the Governing Board avoided student input because of  the potential for strong opposition, which could delay or complicate the process. Tuition hikes are almost always unpopular among students, and Yavapai’s Board might anticipate that consultations will spark protests or public backlash, shifting the focus away from what they consider the Community College’s long-term interests. The Board may feel  that decisions should be made based on impartial analysis rather than emotional appeals, believing that such an approach allows for a more objective evaluation of the college’s needs.

The Board provided no explanation for excluding student input, leaving the public unaware of its stance on the issue. This issue should have been openly discussed before the decision was made. Its omission, at best, is regrettable.

Categories : Tuition, Yavapai Community College

DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD CANDIDATE KIEL CHALLENGES BOARD’S REFUSAL TO DISCLOSE PRESIDENT RHINE’S SALARY

By R. Oliphant
Wednesday, October 30th, 2024

Alleges two reasons for withholding the information: (1) The salary is excessively high compared to similar positions at other similarly sized community colleges, and the Board wants to keep it private; (2) The amount is so large that it would shock the average Yavapai County taxpayer who funds it

William Kiel

William Kiel is running against Ray Sigafoos for a seat on the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board in District One, with voters deciding the outcome in November.

During the October 29 District Governing Board meeting, Kiel used the open call to question the Board on an issue he had encountered. He inquired about a claim suggesting that any unspent funds collected and budgeted by the College within a fiscal year cannot be carried over to the next. The Board offered no response.

Kiel also raised concerns about the Board’s refusal to disclose the annual salary of Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine to Yavapai County taxpayers. He asserted that the Board may be withholding this information for two reasons: first, the president’s salary is disproportionately high compared to similar community college positions at similarly sized institutions, and second, the amount is so excessive that Yavapai County taxpayers would be appalled if they knew the details.

Ray Sigafoos

In response, Ray Sigafoos, Kiel’s opponent, excused himself from the Board to address Kiel’s statements. His comments largely mirrored those from a May 21 meeting, when he defended property tax increases by listing the College’s wide-ranging initiatives across Yavapai County, which he argued justified the 8.4% property tax hike in total over the last two years. In his latest remarks, Sigafoos also highlighted what he deemed the College’s recent accomplishments but notably avoided addressing the issue of Dr. Rhine’s undisclosed salary.

Categories : Politics

GOVERNING BOARD HOLDS THIRD SECRET EXECUTIVE MEETING ON PURCHASE OR LEASE OF MORE LAND IN PRESCOTT AT OCTOBER 29, 2024 MEETING

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, October 29th, 2024

Delays the start of the business meeting by over an hour to accommodate a lawyer, disregarding residents and others who had driven long distances to attend

Once again, Yavapai Community College District Governing Board members were summoned by the Community College leadership into a closed executive session to discuss the potential land purchase or land lease in Prescott. This secretive meeting, which delayed the start of the general meeting by over an hour, required a last-minute agenda change, moving the executive session from its original position as the final agenda item.

Residents and other attendees, some who had traveled considerable distances, were left waiting while the Board deliberated behind closed doors. Notably, Third District representative Toby Payne cast the only dissenting vote against the abrupt agenda change.

This marks the third meeting in just over a month where land acquisition in Prescott has been quietly discussed in a closed session. At a similar meeting on October 17, the Board instructed Dr. Clint Ewell to proceed with negotiations for acquiring more property in the Prescott area.

Meanwhile, the community remains entirely in the dark as to why Yavapai Community College believes additional land in Prescott is necessary, especially given the existing campus facilities and the lack of any publicized plans for expansion or new programming. With no clear explanation from the College about how this purchase aligns with its mission or benefits taxpayers across Yavapai County, residents are left questioning whether their interests and those of outlying communities like Sedona and the Verde Valley are being fairly considered. This lack of transparency only deepens public frustration, as the College leadership continues to operate behind closed doors, making decisions with far-reaching implications without consulting or informing those directly impacted.  

Categories : Meeting Notice, Yavapai Community College

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD TO HOLD A MEETING ON VERDE VALLEY CAMPUS IN CLARKDALE ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29 BEGINNING AT 1:00 P.M.

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, October 27th, 2024

The meeting will feature discussion of budget assumptions for the coming year and expected approval of the amount of the annual increase in student tuition beginning the next academic year

The Yavapai Community College District Governing Board will hold a meeting on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, in Room M-137 on the Verde Valley Campus in Clarkdale. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. and is expected to last approximately three hours. A live video stream will be available on YouTube.

The agenda includes an Open Call to the Public, allowing residents and other attendees an opportunity to address the Governing Board at the beginning of the meeting. Individuals wishing to speak should complete a “Request to Speak” form and submit it to the Recording Secretary prior to speaking. Speakers should be prepared to limit their remarks to the allotted time, which is usually three minutes.

Under Arizona law, the public has the right to attend, listen, record, or videotape these meetings. While attendees may not disrupt the meeting, they are welcome to speak during the Call to the Public. For further details, see Ariz. Att’y Gen. Op. No. I78-001.

The meeting will include a discussion on budget assumptions for the upcoming fiscal year, with final approval scheduled for May 2025. Additionally, the agenda features a request to raise student tuition—an annual appeal by the college as the costs of its expanding operations on the west side of the County continue to substantially increase. 

Categories : Meeting Notice
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