Wills’ administration’s insatiable appetite for revenue driving College to demand a $10 per credit fee; Trust issues arise from disparity in information

By now, everyone knows that the Dr. Penelope Wills’ administration has an insatiable appetite for more and more money to finance building projects in Prescott without interference from County residents. For example, in February, 2015 the Wills’ administration persuaded the West voting block to approve a tuition increase despite slipping enrollment (3-2 with Sedona/Verde Valley representatives voting against increase).  In June, 2015 the administration sought and obtained approval from the District Governing Board to increase property taxes (3-2 with Sedona/Verde Valley representatives voting against increase).

During a meeting of Sedona/Verde Valley high school superintendents’ last week, interim College Vice President of Instruction and Student Development Scott Farnsworth indicated the College was demanding a $10 per credit fee per student for allowing the high school dual enrollment program to continue.  This was met with opposition from the superintendents who explained that the high schools are currently struggling to survive under the strain of enormous educational funding cuts by the State. The superintendents  were apparently given one-year to decide whether they would go along with the College’s demands.

In an earlier letter sent to the superintendents, the College stated that if the schools paid the per credit per student $10 fee, it “would not award any scholarships.” This appears to be a  kind of punishment for not agreeing to a larger fee to be assessed of $25 per credit per student.

Trust issues:  The figures provided the superintendents raise fundamental issues of trust.  County-wide, the College claimed in a recent letter to the superintendents it is spending $82,000 in stipends for the dozens of high school teachers who are teaching dual enrollment classes.  This figure is in sharp contrast to the presentation made in May, 2013 to the College Governing Board where the College stated that “High school Dual Enrollment a stipend, this year total stipend – $57,750.”  Click here for the May, 2013 agenda where you will find the $57,750 figure, page 94).

Since the May, 2013 detailed report to the Governing Board, the College has come up with new figures that add over a quarter million dollars in costs to the program.  Even if true, it is not even a blip on the radar of the $84 million total annual College budget.

The College also claimed in its recent letter to the superintendents that that it receives “Reimbursement from the state – $37,000.”  However, in May, 2013 it reported to the District Governing Board that “FTSE reimbursement [from the State] for Dual Enrollment resulted in $63,777.00.” Click here for the May, 2013 agenda, page 94).  Because of the wide disparity in these figures, an issue of trust is obviously raised.

If the fee is imposed by the College, High schools, such as the Camp Verde District will be forced to pay out about $10,000 annually.  Something its superintendent states it cannot afford.  The V’ACT superintendent reports it may cost a single student taking a CTE course at a high school in the Valley as much as $150 in an additional fees to complete. 

The College ignores the fact that taxpayers are already providing a huge subsidy to the Community College—about $44 million annually in primary property tax revenue and it is spending it on such projects as a professional tennis court–it has no tennis team.

Huge high school contribution. The College also ignores the fact that high schools provide the College without cost the following: (1) Classroom space, (2) heat/air conditioning, electricity, (3) desks, (4) technology, and (5) a qualified teacher, (6) tutoring, (7) counseling and (8) transportation.  In addition, courses are taught by college certified high school instructors using the college curriculum and text. Students learn and adapt to the rigors of college course work while in a familiar setting. Students learn skills and behaviors that will aid them in college. Having taken college courses will ease students’ fears about college. The challenging courses enhance high level thinking skills and provide incentive to advance beyond the high school level. Transition from high school to college begins early and occurs conveniently in a familiar, comfortable environment.

Frankly, the dual enrollment program, where the College provides a $500 stipend to a high school teacher for teaching the College course, should be a fertile recruiting ground for the College.