Governing Board has no say in hiring as Prescott folks dominate Verde Valley posts
The Verde Valley representatives to the District Governing Board raised questions about the appointment of the new Associate Dean of the Verde Valley Campus in a story written by Zachary Jernigan for the December 18 edition of the Sedona Red Rock News. The last four important positions in the Verde Valley have all been made by President Penelope Wills and have gone to Prescott employees who live in the Prescott/Prescott Valley/Chino Valley area. (The names, positions, and residence of the appointments are contained in the diagram that appears below.)
The Verde Valley is getting shafted
District Two Representative Deb McCasland told Mr. Jernigan during her interview that “I think the Verde Valley is getting shafted” with the hiring of the new Associate Dean, Kelly Trainor. McCasland lamented that “the board has no authority over the president” when it comes to hiring top employees.
District Three Representative Al Filardo told the News that he was putting the issue on the agenda for discussion at the January, 2016 Governing Board meeting.
Wills not very responsive
The News asked President Penelope Wills why the college would not “expect an administrator to relocate to the area he or she would represent.” Wills’ responded that she would “be glad to chat” but failed to provide the News with a time when she would be available or when she would next be in Sedona or the Verde Valley. Representative Filardo did not respond to the question.