Archive for Editorials/Essays

DOES YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S DEVOTION TO SPORTS ACTIVELY DETRACT FROM ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO SERVE ALL YAVAPAI COUNTY RESIDENTS—NOT JUST THOSE IN PRESCOTT?

By R. Oliphant
Friday, October 25th, 2024

Equity nonexistent, rural/semi rural educational needs and cultural investments outside Prescott go  unmet while millions poured into developing  athletic programs on Prescott Campus

OPINION

Bloated Athletic Program

Editor: Robert Oliphant

Yavapai Community College’s athletic department has grown into a costly enterprise, with head coaches and their assistants overseeing women’s softball, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s soccer, men’s soccer, baseball, and E-sports. This program consumes millions of dollars annually and involves over 160 athletes, 20 coaches and assistants, and three athletic trainers. Most of these athletes are housed in residence halls on the Prescott campus, with many receiving scholarships funded either by the College’s Foundation or directly from the General Fund. The Foundation has even dedicated at least one staff member to focus almost exclusively on raising funds for athlete scholarships. There are large travel budgets along with maintenance costs for  upkeep of offices, training facilities, and related matters. It is a bloated program for a Community College! 

Concentration of Resources on or near Prescott Campus

All athletic facilities are located on or near the Prescott side of Yavapai County, and with few exceptions, nearly every game and match take place there. This concentration effectively alienates residents from the east side of the County, who rarely attend these events. The east side’s local newspapers offer little to no coverage for the teams, and there is no public or private transportation available for those east side residents who might want to attend an event. This setup not only isolates a significant portion of the County but also demonstrates how the small Community College caters almost exclusively to the Prescott area.

Ignored Recruitment Mandate

In a Verde Independent commentary published September 7, 2022, Yavapai Community College District Governing Board Chair Deb McCasland revealed that the athletic department was directed five years earlier to prioritize recruiting local talent. A mandate was imposed requiring that 25% of athletes be recruited from local high schools. Coaches were also told that the College would reduce support for out-of-state and international athletes while increasing scholarships for local students. McCasland noted that three coaches left the College, apparently  blatantly ignoring this directive.

The problem is that even now, the Community College continues to defy its own mandate. Out of about 160 athletes on the most current rosters, a mere 20 are from Yavapai County—just 13%. Shockingly, only one of these local athletes is from the east side of the County (1-160). Meanwhile, the number of foreign athletes has increased. The mandate has been all but abandoned, with little accountability for those now responsible.

Staggering costs and Misplaced Priorities

The costs of maintaining Yavapai Community College’s athletic programs are staggering. Millions of dollars are funneled into facilities, equipment, coaching salaries, scholarships, and travel, all while vital academic programs on the east side of the County are underfunded or never developed. This reckless expenditure diverts essential resources away from the College’s core mission: education. In an institution with a constrained budget, athletics should not consume such a disproportionate share of funds. More money must be funneled toward academic programs, student services, and workforce training—particularly in rural and economically struggling areas of the county.

Betrayal of the Educational Mission

Yavapai Community College was founded to provide affordable education and vocational training, offering students a stepping stone to four-year institutions. Yet the inflated focus on athletics undermines this purpose. Rather than striving for academic and vocational excellence, the College has opted to imitate large universities’ commercialized athletic programs. This approach is a blatant misalignment of priorities. As a community college, Yavapai should focus on programs and capital development that directly benefit students’ educational and career goals, not on a bloated athletic department that serves only a fraction of the student body.

Minimal Impact on Student Success

While a small group of student-athletes may benefit from the College’s athletic programs, the vast majority of students see no direct return. Yavapai Community College is not a residential university; many of its students are part-time, commuting, and balancing work and family responsibilities. For these students, athletics are largely irrelevant. The enormous financial investment in athletics does little to improve their educational experience or future career prospects, raising serious questions about the program’s overall value. Simply put, the return on investment for the broader student population is negligible.

Equity and Accessibility Issues

Yavapai Community College’s athletics program disproportionately benefits a privileged few—student-athletes—while the majority of the student population County-wide is neglected. This creates glaring equity and accessibility issues. In a time of limited resources, the College should be focusing on inclusive programs that serve a broader cross-section of students, such as expanding tutoring, career counseling,  job placement services, and vocational training.  Instead, resources are being squandered on athletics, which cater to only a small, select group of students.

Neglect of Rural and Semi-Urban Communities

The College’s fixation on athletics has led to the neglect of the rural and semi-urban areas of the County, particularly the east side. Yavapai has failed to invest meaningfully in the Sedona Center, which was once poised to become a thriving film institute before being gutted by the College’s leadership. Only two cooking courses a semester are being offered at the Sedona culinary school. The Sedona Center is now a shadow of what it could have been. Most recently, the administration has diverted crucial funds to build a student residence facility on the Verde Valley campus, listed by its own experts as a priority, while scrapping other projects that could have made a real impact in the Sedona and Verde Valley areas. Simultaneously, it has been pumping millions into further development on the west side of the County. Among abandoned east side initiatives are the development of a major distillery training program and a commercial truck driving school—both of which were identified as critical needs by experts hired by the College. The leadership’s disregard for the needs of rural/semi-urban  communities is nothing short of a betrayal.

Conclusion

While supporters claim that athletics promote student engagement, provide scholarships, build life skills, foster community, and enhance student health, these supposed benefits are confined to the Prescott side of the County. The overwhelming focus on athletics on the Prescott Campus not only strains the College’s already-limited budget but also misaligns with its core mission of providing affordable, high-quality education to the entire County. Most disturbingly, the College’s devotion to sports actively detracts from its responsibility to serve all Yavapai County residents—not just those in Prescott. It is time for Yavapai Community College to realign its priorities and focus on what truly matters: education, opportunity, serious capital development outside the Prescott area, and equity for every student, not just a select few.

Categories : Athletics, Editorials/Essays, Yavapai Community College

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S REQUEST TO ADD ANOTHER 3.4% PROPERTY TAX INCREASE AFTER LAST YEAR’S 5% INCREASE IS NOT EDUCATIONALLY JUSTIFIED

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, May 11th, 2024

The only sensible part of the proposed 2025 budget to be considered  at the May 21, 2024, District Governing Board meeting is the 11% increase in salaries and benefits for faculty and staff, which is crucial for retaining and attracting quality personnel

Editor: Robert E. Oliphant

EDITORIAL: On May 21, 2024, the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board will meet to deliberate on several financial measures aimed at funding costly capital projects on the other side of Mingus Mountain. The proposals include the issuance of a new $16 million revenue bond, the refinancing of two existing revenue bonds, and at least a 3.4 percent increase in the County property tax rate. The Board has already released between one and two million dollars in revenue at its last meeting by modifying its reserves policy at the suggestion of College leadership, thereby allowing additional annual funds to be allocated for these projects.

I contend that approval of   the tax rate increase is misguided and will disproportionately burden taxpayers in Sedona and the Verde Valley, who stand to benefit little, if at all, from these expenditures. Here’s why:

  1. The proposed $11 million investment to acquire a 41-acre camp near Prescott, which includes over eighty buildings for programs and housing, lacks a compelling educational justification. While expanding the college’s footprint and providing housing are worthwhile goals, I have not seen data that prioritizes this project over other educational initiatives. Furthermore, the significant shift towards online education and the absence of a major surge in student applications suggest that such an expansion is unnecessary.

  2. Constructing a $20 to $40 million Health Science building at the Prescott Valley Center is a nice idea. But it is a project that a university would undertake. It is not a project for a small Community College struggling with enrollment to consider that would, at best, provide service of sorts to only a small portion of the County. It’s way too costly to build and far too costly to maintain!

  3. For over fifty years, the Community College has ignored the development needs of Yavapai County’s rural areas. In the past decade, the focus has been on enhancing facilities in and around Prescott, with approximately $150 million invested in capital construction and major renovations. In contrast, Sedona and the Verde Valley have seen scant attention, with only a handful of projects like a $9 million student residence, a $10 million distillery/beer project, and a planned commercial driving program—all of which were abandoned.

  4. The District Governing Board approved a 5% tax rate hike just a year ago. I think the new additional 3.4% tax rate hike has not been educationally justified. Where are the compelling education reasons for it?

  5. The only sensible part of the proposed budget is the 11% increase in salaries and benefits for faculty and staff, which is crucial for retaining and attracting quality personnel. This increase is sustainable, funded by the substantial student tuition hike already approved and the funds released from the reserve policy adjustment in April 2024.

Given the absence of serious educational justification or a showing of a dire need for the 3.4% tax rate increase, approval of it appears very unwise. Moreover, the use of the additional funds, as explained by the Community College leadership,  fail to adequately serve the broader community’s interests, some of which have been ignored for a half century.

Categories : Editorials/Essays, OPINIONS

WILL THE YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD APPROVE AT ITS MAY MEETING A ROAD SIGN FOR CTEC COSTING A HALF MILLION AFTER PAYING ALMOST A QUARTER MILLION FOR LAND ON WHICH TO PLACE IT?

By R. Oliphant
Friday, April 26th, 2024

The Board should rethink its priorities before approving this expenditure. Moreover, why isn’t there  anything more than a scintilla of concern for  the Verde Valley and Sedona’s educational needs rather than investing in a road sign?

Editor: Robert E. Oliphant

OPINION. During the April 23 District Governing Board meeting, Yavapai Community College executives proposed an expenditure of up to half a million dollars for the installation of a directional sign along one of the roads leading to its Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) at the Prescott airport. This decision comes on the heels of the College’s acquisition of 1.15 acres of land for approximately a quarter million dollars back in September on which to place the sign.

Total cost for this sign: Almost three-quarters of a million dollars?

This allocation of three-quarters of a million dollars for a road sign directing drivers to CTEC is to me a prime example of wasteful spending by the Community College, indicative of a concerning shift away from addressing the many unresolved educational needs of Yavapai County. It also raises questions about the institution’s fiscal priorities and accountability, particularly in light of the ease with which funds seem to be flowing into its coffers.

Consider the broader financial landscape: At the April 23 meeting the Community College Governing Board greenlit a staggering $11 million investment to purchase and initiate renovations on a 41-acre former church camp situated outside Prescott. Furthermore, the Board seems poised to approve a $16 million new revenue bond in May, alongside plans to refinance existing bonds for additional income. Adding to the burden for County taxpayers, there’s a looming 4% property tax hike to be voted on at the May meeting, which follows last year’s 5% increase. It only requires three votes of the Governing Board to go into effect.

All these financial maneuvers are aimed at two major targets: Firstly, renovating the  the 41 acre church camp it just purchased. Secondly, to stockpile resources for the eventual construction of the $31 million Prescott Valley Health Science Center slated to begin construction in two years.

However, amidst this flurry of expenditures and ambitious projects, it’s evident that the educational needs of rural areas within the County are being brushed aside, with a sharp, almost greedy, focus on increasing property taxes to pay for Prescott area projects. This neglect is nothing new; it’s a decades-old pattern perpetuated by a District Governing Board largely centered around and lobbied by Prescott/Prescott Valley interests. Regions like Sedona and the Verde Valley continue to struggle for equitable development opportunities due to this centralized focus and successful lobbying.

It’s disheartening to witness such disproportionate allocation of resources, exemplified by the exorbitant expenditure of three-quarters of a million dollars on a mere directional sign for CTEC. This decision not only reflects a disconnect from the College’s core educational mission but also highlights a broader systemic issue of neglect towards underserved communities within our County. Moreover, some may say it reflects reckless spending and regional bias.

It’s high time for the Community College District Governing Board to reevaluate its priorities and commit to a more equitable distribution of resources, ensuring that all residents—urban and rural alike—have access to the educational opportunities they deserve. That can begin at the May Board meeting where final budget decisions will be made for the coming academic year.  Anything less is a disservice to the County citizens it purportedly serves.

Categories : Editorials/Essays, OPINIONS

CITIZEN APATHY OF YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD MEETINGS A SELF-FULLING PROPHECY

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, March 31st, 2024

About everything that can be done to discourage citizen attendance at District Governing Board meetings is being done by the College and the Board, which explains apathy and disinterest

Editor: Robert E. Oliphant

OPINION:  During the March meeting of the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board, Chair Deb McCasland rightfully pointed out the sparse attendance of local residents at these gatherings. Her observation sheds light on a prevalent issue in contemporary society: the apathy of citizens towards civic engagement. However, several factors contribute to this phenomenon, especially when it comes to the Community College District Governing Board.

Lack of Media Notice for Board Meetings: One significant factor contributing to apathy is the lack of media notice regarding Board meetings. Unlike some governmental bodies in Yavapai County, the Board does not publish its agenda in local newspapers in advance of its meetings. Nor does it announce its agenda and any issues of importance that will be discussed on local radio stations. Citizens discover agenda items only when the agenda is posted on the Board website, which is usually one day before the meeting. This notice failure deprives citizens of crucial information about important issues to be discussed before a meeting, resulting in County residents being uninformed and disengaged.

 Abandonment of Local Television Coverage: Another example is how local television coverage of Board meetings has been abandoned. Prior to 2020-2021, Verde Valley Broadcasting televised Board meetings. Those meetings were shown on local television channels later in the week. However, without explanation, this practice was discontinued.

Reluctance Regarding Televised Board Meetings: A notable factor contributing to the apathy of citizens toward the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board is the apparent reluctance of College President Dr. Lisa Rhine to provide County residents with information about the College’s activities via televised Board meetings. In an unexpected twist for a higher education institution, Rhine expressed opposition to live-streaming coverage of Board meetings in January 2024. Her perspective was that the videos primarily served to assist staff in preparing accurate minutes. However, she believed that if made public, they could potentially be used to defame the College. Consequently, she advocated keeping them under cover. Despite Rhine’s stance, as of February 2024, the Board voted in favor of and has implemented live streaming of its meetings—a significant step toward transparency.

 Reluctance of College PR department to answer resident questions:  The Community College has a fairly large public relations department.  However, it has adopted a practice of not answering questions put to it by some residents or by avoiding direct answers in other instances.  This aids the College in keeping the public in the dark about its operations, thus fostering apathy.

 Lack of Interaction Between the Board and the Public: Another contributing factor to citizen apathy regarding the Governing Board lies in the limited interaction between Board members and the public. Some Board representatives have candidly admitted feeling ill-informed about the College, which prevents them from effectively discussing the College with their constituents. The lack of information  may explain why elected representatives rarely engage with civic groups and organizations to discuss matters related to the College, which only adds to apathy.

 Barriers to Public Discussion by Elected Representatives: Most residents are probably unaware of the absolute barrier existing for elected Governing Board members when it comes to discussing College operations. The College has strongly advocated strict limitations on Board representatives discussing “operations.” Operations make up about 95% of what the College does.  The representatives  fell for the College advocacy and adopted a policy preventing them from discussing any Community College action deemed an “operation.”  As a result of this restrictive policy, the elected representatives have tied their hands in terms of what they can say to the public. (So much for the First Amendment.) This no doubt contributes in a big way to the prevailing apathy surrounding the District Governing Board meetings. 

Lack of detailed monthly reports from the Community College president: A major failure on the part of the Governing Board is to request a detailed monthly report from the President regarding operations at each campus and center.  If the Board were concerned about reducing apathy and providing constituents with information, such reporting would be at the top of its agenda.  Residents in Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Sedona, Cottonwood, and other areas remain largely uninformed about the operations of the Community College at their local centers or campuses. The Board’s failure to ensure transparent communication on a regular basis about operations leaves citizens in the dark. Why should they not know what is unfolding in their educational community?

Perhaps the Board members are grappling with distinguishing between requesting monthly operations reports and interfering with day-to-day activities. It is crucial to recognize that regular reporting does not equate to micromanagement. Instead, it empowers the community by providing insight into College operations.

Presently, the only available operations information stems from data accompanying proposed budgets. However, this falls short of the comprehensive understanding needed for informed decision-making.  By advocating for detailed monthly reports from each campus and center, the Board can bridge the information gap, foster transparency, and actively engage residents in the College’s vital affairs.

Limited access to Board representatives: Constituents in Yavapai County have limited access to their elected Governing Board members, as they lack local offices and staff. Communication is primarily through the Board website, where emails often go unanswered. This detachment from local communities throughout the County fosters a sense of disconnection and alienation among citizens, further reducing their motivation to participate in Governing Board meetings.

Does College prefer apathy? Interestingly, it may be that the Community College executives  may actually  prefer citizen apathy when it comes to the Verde Valley and other more rural areas of the County. Citizen apathy may serve as a convenient means of maintaining the status quo and preserving the College’s control over what it wants to do without outside resident interference of any kind. By discouraging active citizen engagement, the Community College operates with less scrutiny and accountability, advancing its agendas without significant opposition or oversight. Therefore, the College’s behavior  may subtly perpetuate conditions conducive to citizen apathy, such as limited media coverage, minimal community involvement, lack of reporting, and uninspiring civic programs outside Prescott.

In conclusion, there are major barriers that have been erected by the College and the District Governing Board to allow the free and open transmission of information to the public.  Unless these issues are addressed, apathy will remain high and citizen knowledge about the College will remain low. Maybe that is just what the College and the Governing Board want. If so, their behavior is a self-fulfilling prophecy when it comes to apathy.

 

Categories : Editorials/Essays, OPINIONS

NEITHER THE BLOG NOR THE RED ROCK NEWS SHOULD BE PERCEIVED AS AN ADVERSARY, DESPITE SOME MEMBERS OF THE YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD EXPRESSING SUCH SENTIMENTS. DO GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS AND PRESIDENT RHINE LACK A COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PRESS WITHIN A FREE SOCIETY?

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, March 24th, 2024

So, the Blog has provided what may have avoided them in their education in the following short opinion essay followed by a short series of questions to test their understanding of the role of a free press in a democracy.

Editor: Robert E. Oliphant

OPINION:  It has become clear that some members of the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board and Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine may have forgotten (or never knew) the basic reasons a free press functions in a free society. At least that is what one gleans from their recent behavior.

For example, in January one Board member referred to  the Blog and the Redrock News as the “enemy” with the apparent agreement of another. Also in January, Community College president  Dr. Lisa Rhine was working behind the scenes to prevent any video record of a Board meeting being easily made accessible to the public. The Community College’s press department has refused on occasion to either reply or to answer questions put to it by the Blog. Both recent Third District Yavapai Community College Governing Board members (Mr. Chevalier, former member, and Mr. Payne, present representative) have had to resort to the Arizona Public Records law to get information from the College. The College has refused to answer questions put to it by the Red Rock News. One Board member has suggested the press has lied about him but has produced no public evidence in support of that claim.

So, the Blog offers this short essay, prepared by Blog editor Robert Oliphant,  explaining the vital role of the Blog and the Red Rock News (and other news outlets)  in reporting on the Tax-Supported 100 Million dollar Yavapai Community College.

Introduction: In the fabric of democratic societies, the press, including local newspapers and the Blog, serve as a cornerstone, with their  role extending beyond mere dissemination of information to actively shaping public discourse and holding Yavapai Community College accountable. Tax-supported educational entities, like the Community College, hold a unique position. The local press plays a crucial role in accurately reporting on its  activities, ensuring transparency, accountability, and the maintenance of democratic values. This essay explores the significance of the local press and the Blog in reporting on Yavapai Community College and explains why their role is indispensable to the sustenance of democracy.

First: First and foremost, tax-supported educational entities like Yavapai Community College, owe  their reliance on public funds and carry an overwhelming responsibility to serve the public interest. The residents of Yavapai County have entrusted the Community College with nurturing intellect, advancing knowledge, and fostering critical thinking, all of which are vital for the functioning of a democratic society. However, without effective oversight, there exists a risk of mismanagement, corruption, or deviation from its core mission. Herein lies the critical role of the local newspapers and the Blog. Through investigative journalism and impartial reporting, the Red Rock News (and other media) and the Blog  serve as watchdogs, scrutinizing the operations of the College  and bringing any discrepancies to light. By exposing instances of financial impropriety, academic misconduct, or administrative malpractice, the Red Rock News  (and other media) and the Blog act as a catalyst for accountability, ensuring that tax dollars are utilized efficiently and ethically.

Second: Moreover, the local press plays a pivotal role in promoting transparency within this  tax-supported educational entity. Transparency is indispensable for maintaining public trust and facilitating informed decision-making. When the Community College and its Governing Board  operate behind closed doors, shielded from public scrutiny, it erodes the very foundation of democracy. By actively engaging in investigative reporting, the Red Rock News (and other media) and the Blog  shed light on the inner workings of the Community College, unveiling hidden agendas, conflicts of interest, and decision-making processes. Through access to information laws and investigative journalism, the press holds the Community College accountable for its actions, and in turn foster a culture of openness and accountability.

Third: Furthermore, the Red Rock News and the Blog (and other local media) serve as a conduit for amplifying diverse voices within the educational landscape in the County. Yavapai Community College  is not a monolithic entity; it  encompasses a myriad of perspectives, ideologies, and interests. However, without robust media coverage, certain voices may be marginalized or silenced. The press plays a crucial role in amplifying diverse perspectives, shedding light on issues such as academic freedom, diversity, equity, and inclusion. By providing a platform for dissenting voices and marginalized communities, the goal is to  enrich public discourse and foster a more inclusive educational environment.

Fourth: Beyond the confines of Yavapai Community College, the role of the press in reporting on the tax-supported Yavapai Community College  extends to its broader implications for democracy. An informed citizenry is the bedrock of democracy, and access to accurate information is essential for citizen participation and engagement. When the Red Rock News or the Blog (or other media) fail to hold educational institutions accountable or neglect to report on issues of public concern, it undermines the democratic process. Conversely, when the local press fulfills its role as a watchdog, it empowers local citizens to make informed decisions and to  hold elected District Governing Board officials accountable.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the Red Rock News (and other local media) and the Blog  play a vital role in accurately reporting on the activities of Yavapai Community College. By serving as a watchdog, promoting transparency, amplifying diverse voices, and empowering citizens, we  uphold democratic values and ensure accountability within the Community College. In an era marked by increasing scrutiny of public institutions and growing demands for transparency, the role of the Red Rock News (other media) and the Blog  in safeguarding democracy has never been more critical. As guardians of the public interest, the news media must continue to fulfill their duty with diligence, integrity, and unwavering commitment to truth.

SELF TEST: Having read the essay, you may now test your understanding of the role of the free press in Yavapai County by answer the following questions:

  • What is the role of the press, including local newspapers and blogs, in democratic societies, particularly concerning tax-supported educational entities like Yavapai Community College?

  • Why is it important for tax-supported educational institutions to be transparent in their operations?

  • How do local newspapers and blogs act as watchdogs over Yavapai Community College?

  • What potential risks are associated with tax-supported educational entities operating without effective oversight?

  • How do journalists promote transparency within Yavapai Community College?

  • Why is amplifying diverse voices within the educational landscape considered crucial, and how do local newspapers and blogs contribute to this goal?· What broader implications does the role of the press in reporting on tax-supported educational entities have for democracy?

 

 

Categories : Editorials/Essays, OPINIONS

NO LIVE-STREAMING OF VIDEO OF EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BUDGET WORKSHOP ON TUESDAY FEBRUARY 13; COMMUNITY COLLEGE ENJOYING AN ALMOST TOTAL INFORMATION BLACKOUT SINCE BEGINNING OF JANUARY

By R. Oliphant
Friday, February 16th, 2024

President Rhine shows who is “boss” of College Governing Board by dragging her feet following January 16 meeting where Board voted 4-1 to begin live streaming all of its meetings as soon as possible

Editor: Robert E. Oliphant

Editorial: The Yavapai Community College Governing Board claims as its single employee, Dr. Lisa Rhine, the institution’s President. However, it has become increasingly suspect that Dr. Rhine is less than enthusiastic about adhering to Board decisions, especially when those may conflict with her personal views or those of the College executives.

In a concerning turn of events, Dr. Rhine has emerged as a formidable opponent for making video recordings of Governing Board meetings readily and easily accessible to the public. For example, following the January 16 meeting, she used her personal email to lobby Board members against making the video of that meeting readily available to the public. Her lobbying resulted in a dramatic change in the decade-long practice of openness practiced by the Governing Board. In the past, the Board posted  a videotape of Board meetings to its website two or three days after they occurred. That practice was stopped in January by Dr. Rhine!

The Community College President’s decision to alter public access to the videotape of Board proceedings suggests a deep-seated fear of  accountability. Videos may, for example,  provoke serious public scrutiny into the allocation throughout the County of the College’s substantial budget, which now exceeds more than a hundred million dollars.

Dr. Rhine may also be  especially keen to avoid taxpayer inquiries into the expenditure of public funds on a county-wide scale in areas such as land purchase and new or renovated facility construction. Blocking easy access to the videotape of Board meetings and not posting draft minutes on the Board’s website helps serve this objective.

This aversion to transparency was exemplified by the institution of a new policy regarding any Board meetings.  There will no longer be a post on the Governing Board’s website of a draft of the Board’s written minutes or a videotape of the proceeding shortly after the meeting.

The procedure instituted by Dr. Rhine to prevent the public from gaining information that once was readily available to the public is clumsy: She created a lengthy process of obtaining information about a meeting only by first making a formal written Public Document request in accordance with state law. A resident must complete the request on the College’s form and then send it to the correct College address. After that it will be sent to an unknown person for review and possible action.

The determination President Rhine has about keeping information from the public is also exemplified by her foot-dragging on implementing the Governing Board’s decision to live-stream all Board meetings. Recall the Board voted at its January 16 meeting to have all meetings streamed.  However, there was no live-streaming of the February 13 workshop.

It is noteworthy that the February 13 workshop session was one of the most important yearly Board meetings for County taxpayers. The reason is that priorities, assumptions, and other matters related to the College’s hundred million dollar budget are discussed in great detail at this session.

President Rhine’s  attack on transparency has, at best,  forced County residents into a convoluted maze of bureaucratic procedures to access basic information about their Community College and how and where their property taxes are being spent. This undermines the principles of open governance and places an undue burden on residents seeking simple insight into public affairs.

Why should residents face such obstacles when attempting to obtain information from a public education institution when it is so easily and readily available? This conduct establishes a troubling precedent, particularly for students, unless they wish to emulate authoritarian leadership styles. For taxpayers within Yavapai County, it leaves them in ignorance regarding the inner workings of their community College and how and where their money is being spent.

Categories : Editorials/Essays

GOVERNING BOARD NEEDS BETTER PLANNING WHEN SCHEDULING ITS SECRET EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETINGS IF IT CHOOSES TO SHOW CONCERN AND RESPECT FOR SEDONA/VERDE VALLEY RESIDENTS ATTENDING THE MAIN MEETING

By R. Oliphant
Friday, December 1st, 2023

At the November 26 meeting, local residents were sent from the large, comfortable meeting room to stand huddled in an adjacent hallway or to sit outside in the cold because four Board members would not move to smaller space to hold secret executive meeting of unknown length before starting posted workshop and business agenda

Robert E. Oliphant

EDITORIAL:  The experience at the November 26 Yavapai Community College Governing Board meeting left many local residents attending it questioning the lack of a better plan for accommodating them when the Board meets in secret executive session.

The meeting had just begun when the Chair announced the executive session. Surprisingly, and to some attendees’ dismay, the four-member Board in the room (a fifth on zoom) chose to stay in the large meeting room, leaving dozens of residents to either wait for the regular meeting to resume by standing in the hallway or wander about the Verde Valley Campus with no idea of how long the secret executive session would last. Meanwhile, the four Governing Board members remained seated comfortably in the main meeting room, opting not to relocate to another space in the building or to an adjacent one for their secret executive meeting.

After about an hour or so with no indication of the secret meeting’s duration, many frustrated residents left.

This situation could have been easily avoided with proper planning and adequate consideration for those local residents who took time from their busy schedules to attend. For example, the secret meeting could have been moved on the agenda to the end of the workshop and business meeting. Or, it could have been held separately in the morning hours before the announced Workshop and Business meeting. 

Alternatively, the four members of the Board could have demonstrated concern for the local Sedona/Verde Valley residents by moving to a space in Building “M” or ‘to an adjacent classroom building, if Building “M” had no available rooms. The residents would at least had chairs to sit on rather than stand in the hallway outside the meeting room or sit outside in the cold.

Categories : Editorials/Essays

YAVAPAI COLLEGE’S NEW TRAILER PARK ON VERDE VALLEY CAMPUS: WAS IT A BADLY PLANNED AND LOCATED HOUSING SOLUTION?

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, October 28th, 2023

Poorly maintained maintenance road separates neighbors and park,  may face future sewer environmental issues | Board and College should have listened to Paul Chevalier who represented the District where the Verde Valley Campus is located when the issue came up for brief discussion last year, not ignore him

Editor: Robert E. Oliphant

EDITORIAL:  The decision to construct a small 10-space trailer park on the Yavapai Community College’s Verde Campus, right next to the backyards of Clarkdale homeowners, is nothing short of a colossal blunder. This is particularly concerning because the only barrier separating the private homes’ backyards from the trailer park located a few feet away is the College’s poorly maintained maintenance road.

Already, this decision has compelled some neighbors to take matters into their own hands by putting up a substantial metal privacy/security fence to create a barrier between themselves and the trailer park. As apparent from  photos contained in a previous Blog post, construction of the fence must have caused neighbors to expend a lot of extra money to guarantee security and privacy because of the College’s location decision.   (Click here to see earlier Blog story and photos of fence.) 

What’s even more baffling about the location decision is the fact that there are an estimated whopping 50-60 acres of undeveloped land owned by the College immediately adjacent to the main Campus buildings. These vast, unused expanses were readily available for the creation of a small trailer park. Opting to place the trailer park in a location away from the back yards of Clarkdale neighbors would have not only shown respect for the neighborhood but also provided a location with significantly fewer potential problems.

One cannot help but question whether the planners gave any serious thought to the choice of location and the myriad challenges that come with locating a trailer park in such close proximity to a residential neighborhood. Can the College reasonably expect anything but a chorus of future complaints about noise, putrid smells coming from the large septic system, lighting, dogs barking, and litter strewn about the ground stemming from this decision? In addition to these concerns, some residents are already beginning to view the results of the extra-frugal investment in constructing the current trailer park as a Campus eyesore.

During his tenure as the District Governing Board representative, Mr. Paul Chevalier cautioned both the Board and the College executives against proceeding with this particular endeavor. Regrettably, his warning fell on deaf ears.

What’s even more disheartening is that not only were Mr. Chevalier’s concerns disregarded, but the College initiated construction of the park in March 2022 without his involvement or even his awareness. Astonishingly, the matter was never subjected to a specific budgetary vote by the Governing Board. This oversight failure occurred as the executives based in Prescott, who hold sway over all decisions affecting the Verde Valley Campus, deemed the construction cost associated with building the park inconsequential and unworthy of a detailed discussion or a specific vote.

Yet another potential future problem has been spawned by the incredibly ill-advised decision to construct a substantial septic system for use in disposing of waste coming from the trailer park. It would have been far more prudent to consider connecting to Cottonwood’s convenient sewer system, or even directly connecting with the main Cottonwood sewer plant, which is located  is a mere mile or so from the border of the Campus property.  

The planners ought to have been acutely aware of the environmental situation of the eleven thousand inhabitants of the Verde Villages, and that portions of the Verde Villages almost abut the College’s property. In response to their own concerns, the Verde Villages residents have convened a committee to deliberate on the fate of their hundreds of home and business septic systems. They’ve received expert advice indicating that while they may not currently be in violation of the Clean Water Act of 1972, it’s not a question of “if” but “when” they will be. Experts have underscored that the Environmental Protection Agency is deeply concerned about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, durable chemicals that degrade extremely slowly and are present in the effluent associated with septic systems.

The College’s septic tanks dug into the ground for the trailer park will only exacerbate the ongoing concerns in this area related to groundwater pollution.

It’s natural for Sedona/Verde Valley residents to wonder whether the Community College executives genuinely care about their area or if their primary focus is on the annual excess tax revenue generated by property owners in Sedona and the Verde Valley that can used on Prescott/Prescott Valley projects. The establishment of this tiny trailer park for students and faculty is just one of the decisions that raise doubts about the College’s commitment to Sedona and the Verde Valley. If anything, it highlights the urgent need for total  local engagement, control, and decision-making when it comes to the residents of Sedona, the Verde Valley, and the Yavapai Community College Verde Valley Campus and Sedona Center.

Categories : Editorials/Essays

THE RISK OF EDUCATIONAL OPACITY AT YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, October 7th, 2023

Instead of fearing public scrutiny because it honestly shares detailed lawful information about decisions and projects in the District, it should embrace it as an opportunity for growth and improvement

Editor: Robert Oliphant Commentary

EDITORIAL: In an age where transparency and open dialogue are increasingly becoming cornerstones of effective governance and public trust, one ponders what is happening at Yavapai Community College. While touting the values of openness, community engagement, and collaboration, it appears Yavapai Community College has become paranoid when it comes to sharing any specifics about its  operations and decision-making processes with the residents of the County who support it.

It seems to me that this closed-door approach to institutional governance is counterintuitive to its educational mandate and  also potentially harmful to the very fabric of academic freedom and community trust.

The Irony of Withholding Information:  Education, at its core, is about the dissemination of knowledge. Yavapai Community College is supposed to foster curiosity, encourage questions, and cultivate critical thinking. So, when it chooses to operate in secrecy, a stark contradiction arises. How can it instruct students the value of transparency, accountability, and democratic processes while simultaneously withholding as much information as possible about the inner workings of its educational environment from the public? It is hardly acting as a role model students should emulate.

Eroding Trust:  Trust is a fragile commodity, and once lost, it’s not easily regained. That should be a lesson learned over the past half century in the treatment afforded residents of  Sedona and the Verde Valley.  By keeping its cards so close to its chest, Yavapai Community College creates a climate of skepticism and doubt. Parents, students, and the broader community on the east side of Minus Mountain question what it has to hide. Without transparency, unfounded rumors, often based on misinformation, can gain traction, further muddying the waters and eroding the trust that it needs to operate effectively.

The Fear Factor: You might ask: “Why has Yavapai Community College chosen  this path of opacity?  Are the  executives operating the College trying to protect trade secrets, as a corporation might?” That seems unlikely. More plausibly, the executives fear a public backlash over unpopular decisions, possess concerns over competition between the five Districts in the County, or it has accepted an  institutional culture that has historically valued secrecy over public transparency.

While these concerns are understandable to a certain extent, the solution isn’t to retreat further into the shadows. In the long run, such behavior only exacerbates its problems.

The Need for a New Approach:  Yavapai Community College is not a mere corporate entity driven by profit. It is a center of learning, growth, and community building. It has  a responsibility to its students, to society at large, and Yavapai County residents in particular. Thus, it’s crucial that the College operates with a level of transparency befitting its role.

Instead of fearing public scrutiny because of sharing information, it should embrace it as an opportunity for growth and improvement. Feedback from the community can lead to better decision-making and a more inclusive approach to governance. It’s time for Yavapai Community College  to step out from the shadows of secrecy and engage openly with the public it serves. A culture of secrecy has no place in the realm of education. The future of the College and  the trust it should command depends on its willingness to operate with transparency, integrity, and openness.

 

Categories : Editorials/Essays

COLLEGE BEGINS PITCHING PLAN FOR POTENTIAL 40 APARTMENT COMPLEX FOR FACULTY AND STUDENTS NEAR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER ON JUST PURCHASED LAND

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, October 1st, 2023

Verde Valley/Sedona Residents taken by surprise as a variety of multi-million dollar projects for  west side of County continue to be pulled from taxpayer hat by College execs while east side of County ignored

Robert Oliphant, Editor

EDITORIAL: The Yavapai Community College executives began laying the groundwork during the September 19 Board meeting for another multi-million dollar construction project on the Prescott side of Mingus mountain.  This project would consist of a 40 apartment complex on 1.15 acres it just purchased near the Career and Technical Education Center.  The College’s rhetoric during the meeting left little doubt to most listeners that the goal is to obtain swift approval for the project at the next budget opportunity.

The College’s unveiling of the possible multi-million-dollar apartment complex for CTEC comes as yet another surprising development for County residents. Recall the sudden last minute  insertion of $10 million into the 2023-24 budget to accommodate a 20,000 foot expansion of CTEC—it already covers around 108,000 square feet.  Then the August surprise announcement that the College was quickly moving forward with preliminary plans to construct a 30,000 square foot Health Science Center in Prescott Valley at a cost of at least $20 million. 

In addition to these surprises, we know the College is currently allocating around $15 million to convert the Prescott Campus library into Digital Learning Commons. Moreover, it is in the process of developing a housing complex of manufactured homes near Prescott Valley for west side faculty, which will no doubt cost millions. 

In stark contrast, the Community College’s allocation of resources and concern for housing and amenities on the Verde Valley Campus and Sedona Center is minimal at best. It scrapped  the Master plan provision based on need and research, approved in concept by the Governing Board in November 2022,  to invest $9.25 million in  decent student housing on the Verde Valley Campus. 

It is worth noting that the $9.25 million Verde Valley/Sedona campus housing project was labeled a priority in November 2022 and sold as such to local politicians by College representatives in a special meeting held months earlier in March 2022. Despite the Master plan and rhetoric associated with it, within a few weeks of the November presentation it appears the College stepped away from it in favor of cheap, inexpensive temporary housing fixes for the Verde Valley Campus/Sedona Center.  Here are some concrete examples to illustrate this shift.

The first example is the decision to construct a crude 10 vehicle trailer park on the Verde Valley Campus. Starting last March, with notice to no one including the Third District representative, the College issued a contract, drafted a plan, and put a bulldozer to work on on the project.  Grading began on some unused desert land on its Verde Valley Campus adjacent to the vineyard that is a block or more from the main Campus facilities. There are neither sidewalks nor well-developed walking paths between the trailer park and teaching facilities.  Over the summer it installed a basic septic system plus water and electric lines, poured a small cement slab for each trailer, and proudly proclaimed in August the availability of a ten vehicle trailer lot for faculty and students.

By any measure, this is a minimalist trailer park. It offers little relief from the blistering summer heat because it lacks shade trees or a permanent structure for cooling, student gatherings, food, or refreshments. Security measures appear inadequate, outdoor lighting is nonexistent, regulations are few and far between, and perhaps most astonishingly, the trailer park entrance is merely 50 – 75 feet away from the backyards of Clarkdale residents. Access to the trailer park is via a poorly constructed, single-lane trail-type road where nightly visits from coyotes and Mohave rattlesnakes are far from uncommon, making for a rather unconventional coexistence with trailers of varying ages, makes, sizes, and conditions.

The second example  involved cutting a deal during the summer of 2023 with a Prescott Valley developer who was building a large apartment complex in Cottonwood about two miles from the Verde Valley Campus. The College agreed to reserve ten apartments for faculty and students and then rent them out.

This apartment project has already failed. Despite its best efforts beginning in the summer, the scheme failed to attract either faculty or students to rent them from the College for the fall semester. Apparently, although not entirely clear, the developer let the College out of any cost associated with its reserve agreement for the fall semester. The project will be shuttered next year unless there are takers in January 2024.

One couldn’t help but smile as the College executives presented their case for the CTEC apartments at the September Board meeting. They attempted to tantalize the Governing Board  with the prospect of partnering with a company with international headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, known by the acronym “COBOD” (Construct Buildings on Demand). This company aspires to sell 40 state-of-the-art 3D cement printing machines annually in the United States. The pitch to the Board by the College centered on the notion that Yavapai could serve as the ideal training ground for individuals who invest in these printers.

According to the sales pitch delivered on Tuesday, the COBOD trainees would require accommodation for a semester or possibly shorter periods. Thus, the subtle yet discernible suggestion to the Board that there is an essential need for housing these individuals near CTEC because this is a destination program. The destination claim  is a familiar one that has been previously disregarded on numerous occasions in the case of the vineyard and culinary projects at the Verde Valley Campus and the Sedona Center respectively.

To further persuade the Governing Board, the College execs trotted out a graph showing that the potential student housing demand for CTEC-like-courses was already at 42.  It was estimated that COBOD would add another ten people to this list.

One can’t help but ponder whether this entire endeavor was surreptitiously conceived in the offices of Yavapai Community College executives based in Prescott many months ago and  intentionally kept hidden from the County’s residents. This approach now  appears to be the commonly accepted modus operandi of the executives running this publicly funded educational institution. 

They understand full well that without awareness by County residents of how they are spending taxpayer funds there is little or no accountability. After all, as someone has said, “accountability ascends amidst awareness.” 

Categories : Editorials/Essays
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