Why continue blatantly disregarding simple questions from residents and the media so it can maintain a total veil of secrecy over operations?
Editor, Robert Oliphant
Archive for ADMINISTRATION – Page 3
Numerous instances highlight the College’s reluctance to provide essential information. For instance, the
former Third District representative, Paul Chevalier, had to resort to Arizona’s public records law to obtain information about a project in his own district. Moreover, the College has outright dismissed inquiries from media outlets and residents, opting to selectively respond to questions when it suits their interests.Officials refuse to make any comment until June 29 as VP Ryan’s position is suddenly posted as “vacant”; Third District Governing Board Representative also has no comment
It appears that Yavapai Community College has lost one of its most esteemed members of the College’s leadership team, Dr. Diane Ryan. As the Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Ryan played a pivotal role in spearheading various initiatives that significantly impacted the institution. Although making no official announcement until June 29, the College posted the following notice on its executive leadership website page (click here to see page.)
The residents of the County are left to wonder whether Dr. Ryan took a new job at another school, was demoted to another position, fired, or simply retired. Speculation and rumor abound as College keeps lid of secrecy over the posting of her position as “vacant” with no explanation.
Ryan, who was the Vice President of Academic Affairs, led the College’s enormously successful endeavor to introduce and develop the educational resources (OER) textbook program. This innovative program has already saved students thousands of dollars in textbook costs. The positive impact of this initiative will continue to benefit students for years to come
Under Dr. Ryan’s adept guidance, the College also achieved a major milestone with the development and approval of a four-year online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program. This program opens up new opportunities for students seeking to pursue higher education and aligns with the institution’s commitment to meeting evolving educational needs.
In light of Dr. Ryan’s apparent sudden departure as Vice President, the Blog reached out to Yavapai Community College for comment. Unfortunately, the College Public Relations unit declined to provide any information regarding her departure, leaving the circumstances surrounding her exit unclear. The Blog also sought input from Toby Payne, the newly appointed Sedona/Verde Valley Representative on the Yavapai Community College Governing Board, however, he too declined any comment.
Dr. Diane Ryan’s contributions to Yavapai Community College from 2019 when she was hired to 2023 are significant. Her visionary leadership and dedication have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the educational landscape of Yavapai Community College. As the college moves forward, one hopes it will strive to build upon the strong foundation laid by Dr. Ryan and her tireless contributions.
College says new Division was created to respond to meet “the shifting needs of industries and to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to become a national leader in workforce and innovation”
Yavapai Community College announced in a June 13 press release that it is creating a new Division of Workforce and Innovation. To head the new division, it hired Dr. Kimberly A. Moore as its Chief Workforce Innovation Officer. Dr. Moore will officially join Yavapai on July 10, 2023.
In its press release, the College said that “the new division will encompass areas of the College that already have a strong presence across Yavapai County, such as the Regional Economic Development Center (REDC) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), with the expectation that operations will expand and additional areas will be added that support the development of a nimble workforce system.”
Dr. Moore is currently the Vice President for Workforce Innovation at Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, Florida. Before being hired by Tallahassee, Dr. Moore worked as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Workforce Plus, a local Tallahassee economic and workforce development board supporting businesses and job seekers alike, becoming the first woman, minority and youngest in Florida to hold this key position.
Dr. Moore has been recognized locally, statewide, and nationally for her service and commitment to excellence with accolades including: Tallahassee’s Top 26 Women in Business (2007), the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Leadership Pacesetter Award (2009), the Dr. Reginald Rolle Memorial Economic Development Champion of the Year Award (2010), Florida Diversity Council’s 2014 Florida’s Most Powerful and Influential Woman Award, Tallahassee Woman Magazine’s 2016 ‘Women Who Mean Business’ Innovator of the Year Award, 2017 inductee to the Tallahassee Community College’s Hall of Fame, 2019 Economic Innovator of the Year, Florida State University – Omicron Delta Kappa (Honoris Causa) – 2020, 2021 Idahlynn Karre Exemplary Leadership Award, 2021 TCC Eagle Award and 2022 Trailblazer Award.
You may read the entire Yavapai Community College press release announcing this appointment by clicking here.
Vice President Clint Ewell comments on moving funds during June 2, 2023, interview with Sedona Red Rock News; question remains what was meant by the use of “to other schools”
Due to its strict operational confidentiality policy, determining the exact allocation and utilization of the funds for the 10.6 adjunct positions that were removed from the budget of Yavapai Community College’s Verde Campus in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, and purportedly reassigned to “other schools,” has posed significant challenges. However, the Blog has managed to uncover some information thus far.
Dr. Clint Ewell, Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services, addressed the issue of reduced teaching staff at the Verde Campus during an interview with the Sedona Red Rock News. The newspaper’s front-page article on June 2, 2023, which discussed the increase in property tax rates, featured Dr. Ewell’s explanation.
As a reminder, the Blog initially disclosed in its April 21, 2023, post the perception that a significant reduction of 10.6 teaching staff positions at the Verde Valley Campus was evident in the College’s 2023-2024 budget, based on a public discussion between Dr. Ewell and Community College Governing Board member Ray Sigafoos.
The issue was brought up during the April 11 Governing Board meeting in a discussion between Ewell and Governing Board member Ray Sigafoos. Sigafoos sought clarification regarding a reduction that seemed to be indicated by a chart provided by the College (refer to the chart below). Based on the discussion, many observers came to the consensus that it was reasonable to assume that 10.6 positions had been eliminated at the Verde Campus. (Click here to view that discussion.)
However, in response to the Blog story concerning the reduction, Dr. Lisa Rhine made an effort to address any potential misunderstandings. During the District Governing Board and Tax and Budget hearing on May 16, 2023, she provided a brief statement emphasizing that there had been no reduction in faculty at the Verde Campus. Dr. Rhine clarified that the funds were instead transferred to the budget allocated for the dean or deans. (Click here to see the video clip of Dr. Rhine making this statement.)
In a recent article published on June 2, 2023, in the Sedona Red Rock News, Dr. Ewell provided his explanation regarding the 10.6 adjunct faculty reductions. He is quoted as follows:
“We had budgeted for some adjunct faculty in the vice president of academic affairs, which also includes Verde Valley campus administration. What we decided to do is move some of the adjunct faculty budget out to the different schools within the college, where the assets are actually being used. When you look at that table and our budget, it looks like vice president of academic affairs, the number of positions went down 10. But in reality, those 10 positions were simply moved to other schools within academic affairs.”
Despite the provided explanations, some lingering questions remain. Firstly, it is unclear how many adjunct faculty were teaching on the Verde Campus in 2021 and 2022, and whether that number has decreased. Secondly, when Dr. Ewell mentions moving funds to “other schools,” it is uncertain whether he is referring to schools located specifically on the Verde Campus or elsewhere. Thirdly, upon careful examination of the table that supposedly demonstrates a reduction of 10.6 adjunct positions on the Verde Campus, it also indicates that 9.8 positions were added to the school of business, 2.4 to the school of health and wellness, and 1.3 to instructional support (resulting in a sum of 9.8 + 2.4 + 1.3 = 13.5). Furthermore, the table suggests an overall increase of 21.5 positions across various schools (10.6 + 8.6 + 1.5 + 0.7 + 0.1 = 21.5). However, this would seemingly leave a net reduction of eight positions overall (21.5 – 13.5 = 8). Please refer to the table below, highlighting the schools and Verde Campus in yellow.
Without a public records request and the College’s willingness to respond to it, it seems that residents of the County may never obtain the complete story behind this fund reallocation. The transparency and cooperation of the College are crucial factors in shedding light on the matter, but even then, the full details might not be readily accessible to the public.
Board member Sigafoos indicates her viewed work exemplary; other Board members do not explain their vote
The Yavapai Community College Governing Board met in a secret Executive session on Tuesday, May 23 and discussed two issues. First, extending the contract of the current president, Dr. Lisa Rhine (Ph.D). Second, to decide whether to increase her current base pay.
Following the secret meeting, the Board reconvened and announced that it was extending her contract to June 30, 2028. This is somewhat unusual as these types of employment contracts are normally not extended beyond a three year period.
The Board provided very few details to support its unanimous decision. Representative Ray Sigafoos, who brought the motion to extend the employment period, praised Dr. Rhine and made it clear he felt her work was exemplary. However, Mr. Sigafoos failed to offer any concrete details that led him to his overall conclusion.
None of the other Governing Board members provided any specific reasons, which they must have had, for voting to extend the contract for five years. Following a second to the motion to extend the contract brought by Mr. Sigafoos, which then allowed Board discussion, none of the Board spoke up to explain why they thought the long extension was necessary.
The Board voted unanimously to approve the extension.
Please click here to view the short videotape clip of the voting process followed by the Governing Board.
Statement by Board member Sigafoos that “we’re dropping ten positions in the Verde Valley” apparently did not literally mean there was a reduction (Blog has provided links to video clips of April exchange in re positions and President Rhine’s statement on May 16)
Yavapai Community College president Dr. Lisa Rhine stated at the District Governing Board and Tax and Budget hearing on May 16 that there will be no reduction in faculty positions on the Verde Valley Campus. This was in response to the discussion at the April Governing Board meeting where Vice President Ewell presented a table and Board member Ray Sigafoos initially interpreted it as “dropping ten positions in the Verde Valley.”
After listening to the video clip, the Blog interpreted brief discussion as involving a reduction of ten faculty on the Verde Campus. Dr. Rhine says that interpretation is not correct.
Click here to view and hear Dr. Rhine’s statement at the May 16 Governing Board meeting. https://app.screencast.com/SZMjRnVuZTwym
Click here to view and hear the exchange at the April Governing Board meeting regarding lower head count and “positions” plus Mr. Sigafoos’ initial interpretation of the table. https://app.screencast.com/0F38VlSGNr3yi
You can see the confusion that was caused by the table, which is reproduced below. The table was presented by the College to the Governing Board at the April 2023 meeting and used by Vice President Clint Ewell. Note the use of words such as “positions,” and phrases such as “lower heard count.” Also note that the Verde Valley is specifically identified on the table by red arrows.
Dr. Rhine did not offer any data at the May 16 meeting showing the current number of part-time and full-time faculty now on the Verde Campus. The Blog has asked for that information.
College says it needs about $2.5 Million in new Primary County Property Taxes for it 2023-2024 budget and will not invade any of the millions in its cash reserves
The upcoming meeting of the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board on May 16 on the Prescott Campus is expected to result in the approval of a 5% county-wide tax rate increase. With a majority of the five-person Board living on the west side of the County, the decision seems all but certain.
A further indication of the likelihood of the tax rate being approved is the lack of any serious opposition coming from Board members in previous meetings where the increase was proposed by the administration. Based on this lack of serious opposition, it appears that the Board is in agreement with the need for a tax rate increase to support the College’s initiatives.
Moreover, sparse public attendance at past rate hearings suggest that the public may not be particularly interested in the matter, making it likely that only a handful of taxpayers will appear at the May 16 public tax hearing and voice opposition to the increase.
At prior meetings, the Community College justification for a tax rate increase has rested on arguments about inflation and the fact that it has not requested an increase in the past four years. The College argues that these justifications support its view that it is making a responsible decision to maintain its funding levels and continue providing quality education to its students.
In addition to the proposed tax rate increase, the Board will be tasked with approving over $18 million in new permanent construction, which is set to exclusively benefit the west side of the County. The largest allocation of funds, around $15.3 million, will be spent over a three-year period to renovate Building 19 on the Prescott Campus. Another portion of the funds, amounting to $3 million or more, will be allocated to build a small faculty village consisting of ten homes just outside Prescott Valley. These proposed projects represent a significant additional investment in the College’s infrastructure on the west side of Yavapai County.
The Administration has also indicated it is reluctant to invade millions of dollars it is holding in its reserve accounts as this may affect future capital construction plans.
Alert sent out by College late Friday afternoon, May 12 advising faculty to be aware of text scam aimed at them
Yavapai Community College faculty were alerted Friday afternoon, May 12 that they were being sent a texting scam. Faculty were advised not to open the scam message and if they did, to delete it from their computers.
The College did not explain in any detail the nature of the content of the texting scam sent to Faculty. It did say the scam message purported to be coming from the College leadership.
Public being kept totally in the dark about location, purpose or amount of taxpayer funds being used to purchase these properties
Yavapai Community College has gone into the land purchasing business in a big way during the last few weeks. Recall that on February 24, 2023, the College District Governing Board held a two-hour closed door executive meeting focusing on purchasing land in Prescott Valley and leasing land in the Verde Valley. Following the session, the Board issued a vague statement in the form of a motion, unanimously approved, directly the staff to move as directed in the closed door session. The public was left in total darkness about what was happening.
Now, a little over a month later, the College is again looking to purchase more land, this time in Prescott. Like the February meeting, the public received no information about the Prescott purchase at this April meeting. It was again left in the dark.
So far, the Prescott-based executions have kept quiet about the amount of taxpayer money to purchase the Prescott Valley property, where it is located, or its precise purchase. It also has yet to learn what property the Community College is leasing in the Verde Valley, the amount of taxpayer money being used to pay for the lease, or the purpose. Likewise, the public has no information about the Prescott land purchase either.
It would appear that all of the new land will mostly be paid for by County taxpayers from their primary property taxes.
