Meeting moved to Zoom instead of being held live at the Verde Campus as scheduled while the mystery continues to deepen over the Chair’s unexplained “safety concerns,” which are causing her to reject public venues for Board gatherings
The Yavapai Community College District Governing Board will hold a meeting on Tuesday, March 25, via Zoom and available on YouTube. The meeting was originally scheduled to take place at the Verde Campus in Clarkdale. However, Board Chair Deb McCasland abruptly changed the meeting format several weeks ago to a virtual Zoom meeting, informing the Board in part that “after learning of safety concerns related to our board meetings,” she “decided that governing board meetings will be held virtually until further notice.”
The alleged “safety concerns,” remain a complete mystery, as McCasland has steadfastly refused to disclose any details to Governing Board members or the public.
The public has seen no signs of any credible threat—no incidents, no warnings, and nothing to suggest that an in-person meeting would pose any risk beyond the ordinary. The absence of a clear explanation has only deepened skepticism, raising questions about whether these so-called safety concerns are legitimate.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and is expected to conclude by 4 p.m. A live stream will likely be available on YouTube.
The Phoenix Business Journal ran a story in its March 3 edition, written by Maricopa Community Colleges, promoting Scottsdale Community College’s newly created Bachelor of Business Administration in Management (BBA) degree. The article emphasized the program’s flexibility, offering both in-person and online classes.
OPINION: In a perplexing display of opacity, the chairperson of Yavapai Community College’s District Governing Board, Ms. Deb McCasland, has repeatedly insisted that unspecified “safety concerns” prevent the Community College’s District Governing Board from holding in-person public meetings. (For example, in-person public meeting on the Verde Campus once scheduled for this month.) Yet, despite weeks passing since announcing there were “safety concerns,” she refuses to elaborate on what these concerns entail or provide any evidence to substantiate them.
Arlyssa D. Becenti, writing in the Wednesday, March 12 edition of the Arizona Republic, reported that the Native American Convocation scheduled for May was cancelled at Mesa Community College (MCC) because of the perceived DEI mandate issued by President Donald Trump. The event was to be a celebration of the academic achievements of Native American students attending Mesa Community College.
Representing the University of California Student Association, Student Defense and Public Citizen Litigation Group filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education for sharing confidential student data with the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). 
Yavapai Community College is inviting students and community members to submit artwork that reflects the theme of “Peace.” Selected pieces will be prominently featured at the Yavapai College Peace Summit, taking place on Thursday, April 3, and Friday, April 4, on the Prescott Campus, contributing to the event’s mission of fostering unity and meaningful dialogue.
The sole spring exception was supposed to be the March 25 meeting, which had been scheduled as an in-person session at the Verde Valley Campus. However, the Board has now changed that meeting to a Zoom-only format—without offering any explanation.