Exact amount of funding associated with IGA remains unclear and details of what will be done likewise remain unclear | Third District Representative Paul Chevalier agrees with concept but suggestion that contract be rewritten with details and specific amount of funding rejected

Yavapai Community College and the Sedona Oak Creek Unified School District executed an Intergovernmental that was approved 4-1 by the District Governing Board at its May 17 meeting.  The agreement involves purchasing an unknown amount of equipment to be installed at the Sedona Performing Arts Center.

The contract reads that the “purpose of the IGA is to memorialize good faith efforts by Parties for Facility improvements and expanding accessibility to College in support of increasing events at Facility in support of the student experience and community outreach.”  Third District Representative Paul Chevalier said he “totally agreed” with the purpose but strongly suggested that the agreement be rewritten with greater clarity.

The contract contains no dollar amount to be invested in facilities at the Sedona Performing Arts Center.  The College Administration has not publicly announced any specific plans for classes at the facility or outlined to the Governing Board what classes it is contemplating offering there.

It was argued that rewriting the contract would delay the negotiations for months between the parties.  Mr. Chevalier suggested a solution saying that a rewritten contract could be voted on via a special Board zoom meeting immediately after it was completed this summer.  That idea was rejected.

Community College Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services, Dr. Clint Ewell, explained that “there has not been a dollar amount, or a specific plan identified.” He said that “we know that there are issues with a lack of equipment . . . that causes us when we are using their facility to have to bring stuff in . .. We want to work with the District to make improvements that will benefit not only the College but also benefit  SPAC (Sedona Performing Arts Center) and their other users so that it is a more useful facility.”  He emphasized that  there were “ideas” at this point but nothing specific. He “guessed” that  the Community College’s investment could be up to $100,000.

Chair Deb McCasland said that the IGA was “typical” of other IGA’s the Community College has signed.

You may view the IGA contract, which is attached to the Agenda of the May 17 meeting by clicking here.

You may view the eleven-minute Governing Board discussion about this IGA by  clicking here.

Citizens expressed concerns and appreciation at March 22 Board meeting while encouraging the Community  College to spend more time over here while enhancing facilities and training opportunities | There was an undercurrent of concern about closing the Center

East side citizens expressed a number of concerns about what the College is not doing while also expressing appreciation for what the College has begun to do  on the east side of the County during the March 22, 2022 Board meeting.  There appeared a concern among some that the future for the Sedona Center was not bright and that the Community College might consider closing it. What follows is a letter from a concerned Verde Valley resident, Ruth Wicks, a list of citizen concerns expressed during the March 22 Governing Board meeting in Sedona, and a collection of video clips from the March 22 meeting of citizens expressing their views on facilities, courses, the past treatment and future of the Sedona Center.

Citizens speak out: A list of concerns expressed to the March 22 Governing Board by Sedona/Verde Valley citizens appear below:

1. 1. Budget: Better balance resources available with the needs in Sedona/Verde Valley.
   2. Budget: Online budget is extremely hard to read and understand.  Simplify and rewrite it.
   3. Budget: Accounting data needs to show precisely how the funds collected from various sources of revenue obtained via primary and secondary taxes, construction taxes, gifts, grants, etc. are redistributed in Verde Valley by College. (Strong sentiment for this.)
   4. Budget: Greater budget transparency (Strong sentiment for this)
   5. Budget: More equity in funding (strong sentiment for this)
   6. Budget: Verde Valley Governing Board Advisory Committee made up of all groups and interests in Sedona/Verde Valley area recommended years ago full disclosure of finances and expenditures but that has not occurred.
   7. Classes: See also culinary and CTEC below.
   8. Classes: Classes once offered at Sedona Center were “wonderful” and have not been replaced.
   9. Classes: More variety and far greater number of classes should be offered on the east side.
   10. Classes: Offer classes and certificate in acupuncture, etc.
   11. Classes: Original plan for the culinary institute with four kitchens should be followed through on by College. (Was citizen committee not listened to?
   12. Classes: Performing Arts: There is a particular need for performing arts facilities and course on the east side of the County.
   13. Closing concern: There was a concern expressed over possibly closing the Sedona Center.
   14. Courses: There are very few course offerings on the east side of the County when compared with the Prescott area offerings.
   15. CTEC: College should teach electric car mechanics at new Skills Center.
   16. CTEC: Skills Center on Verde Campus should be expanded.
   17. Culinary: College should follow through on recommendations made for the culinary program about four years ago.
   18. Culinary: Enhance (expand) the culinary program so that “chefs” could be taught here. Not just short-order cooks.
   19. Government: There is a concern about  how former Sedona/Verde Valley Dean Tina Redd was treated including her work assignments.
   20. Government: There is a need for a committee to work specifically in the Sedona/Verde Valley on what classes, programs, and new facilities are most needed.
   21. Government: Governing Board voting appears to continue vote 4-1 in favor of west side of County.
   22. Government: Irreconcilable differences between east and west County can be solved only by east side becoming independent autonomous campus.
   23. Housing: Use land on Verde Campus for building housing for students/faculty.
   24. Important to keep Community educationally “vital” and “alive.”.
   25. Meetings: More meetings by Governing Board on this side of Mingus Mountain.
   26. Meetings: More meetings in Sedona
   27. Programming: Hospitality and culinary are vital and important needs in this community. Must be protected and enhanced.