Irwin joins with East County representatives to give East County first officer on Governing Board in at least 12 years
Tuesday’s Governing Board meeting of the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board saw a member of the Board, Deb McCasland, who represents a large portion of the East County in the Verde Valley, appointed as its Chair for 2020. It took West County representative Steve Irwin’s decision to abandon his West County colleagues in order for this occur.
The issue was one of the first items listed on the agenda for the Tuesday morning retreat. It opened with Paul Chevalier making an impassioned speech on behalf of representative Deb McCasland for the position. He carefully outlined her years of outstanding service on behalf of the Community College and several of her recent community projects. McCasland’s impressive record on behalf of the College begins at a time when she and her mother went door-to-door with a petition that was used to gather signatures in support of creating the Community College. Since then, she has been student, employee, Foundation executive, and member of the Governing Board.
After a second for McCasland by Representative Steve Irwin, Chair Sigafoos asked if there were any additional candidates. This was followed by an awkward silence.
Then in a somewhat high pitched voice, , West County representative Pat McCarver spoke up and nominated herself for the position. Both candidates then addressed the Board. McCarver said she should be appointed because she “had not been Board Chair for quite some time.” McCarver omitted reminding the Board that she had been chairperson from 2009-2010 and 2015-2016, in addition to serving as the Board secretary at various times.
The group then voted with McCarver and Sigafoos casting their ballot for McCarver but with three Board members in opposition. However, as a shock to some, West County representative Steve Irwin broke from the West County voting bloc (Sigafoos, McCarver, Irwin) and swung his support to McCasland on the second vote. Following that vote, which was 3-1 (Sigafoos not voting; McCarver voting “no”), there was a brief silence in the Boardroom. The fact that the West County voting bloc had been cracked sunk in with Irwin’s vote for McCasland. Finally, the Board attorney announced McCasland as the new Governing Board Chair.
The meeting proceeded under the gavel of Ms. McCasland. Most observers perceived an almost immediate increase in discussion among all Board members and a perceived reduction in the tension among Board members once McCasland was handling the gavel. Despite the fact that this was her first time as chair, the meeting moved along efficiently and smoothly for the entire day.
You may view Representative Chevalier’s nomination speech and vote on the video below.
Here is Mr. Chevalier’s speech in full in support of Ms. McCasland.
Today I will nominate Deb McCasland to be Chair of the Yavapai College Governing Board for the year 2020. My nomination of Deb is based on her ability and history with the Board and the College.
First she has Proven Leadership Ability:
Deb has served in numerous leadership positions on non-profit boards throughout her adult life. Currently she is the Board President of the Adult Center of Prescott. In addition, she is the Yavapai County Republican Women’s Club Treasurer, and she is the Vice Chair of the City of Prescott Library Advisory Board.
Second she has significant Past Experience on the Yavapai Community College Board:
For the last six consecutive years, Deb has been an active member of the Yavapai Community College Governing Board. She is the only current member of the Board elected twice, consecutively, to her current Board position. Each time, she was elected over her competition. During the six years as a Board member, she has attended six professional conferences focused on improving her skills as a Board member. Deb comes to Board meetings prepared to participate and contribute ideas.
Yavapai Community College President Dr. Lesa Rhine is hoping to make an offer to one of the two finalists in the Dean’s search for the Verde Campus/Sedona Center within a week. That is according to a story in the Verde Independent of January 19, 2020 by Bill Helm where the President is quoted.
There is an opportunity for the public to address the Board at this meeting, according to the agenda published by the College. This is an opportunity for residents of Yavapai County to provide their input on any issue within the jurisdiction of the Yavapai College District Governing Board.
assume the duties as Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives. His new duties will include supporting online learning and Open Educational Resources efforts throughout the District. 
In a January 14 article by Rachel Leingang of the Arizona Republic it was reported that Northern Arizona University President Rita Cheng will personally pay back some of the money highlighted by auditors involving a trip to Russia. 
Yavapai Community College’s Verde Art Gallery will present a special exhibit of Mark Hemleben’s Plein Air studies created before the artist finalizes the work. The opening reception is from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Friday, January 17 at 601 Black Hills Dr., Building F in Clarkdale.
SEDONA —Tuesday, Jan. 14 from 8:30 a.m. until noon you can attend a free City of Sedona small business series workshop on “Moving Toward Sustainability” at the Sedona Campus of Yavapai College.
According to a story by reporter Byvyto Starinskas in the Sunday, January 12, 2020 edition of the Verde Independent, the Community College via the Sedona/Verde Valley Osher Life Long Learning (OLLI) operation “is giving local people “ a modelling “ chance in their OLLI member photo shoot at the Yavapai College Sedona Center on Tuesday, Jan. 14.” Mr. Starinskas writes that OLLI “ will be shooting both posed and candid photographs in the classrooms and on the campus. These photos will be used in future OLLI and Yavapai College print and digital media,” says the casting call put out to members.”
Yavapai Community College is offering a 25% discount on credit classes to residents age 65+. An applicant must meet all of the eligibility requirements and register for ALL classes between January 6-17, 2020.