Tells Board at January meeting that funds for this project have been spent–where does such a project sit in terms of educational priorities?
Vice President Dr. Clint Ewell reported at the morning workshop January 8 that Yavapai Community College had spent up to $225,000 to initially decide whether it wants to build a multi-purpose field on the Prescott Campus. This amount was approved 4-1 by the Governing Board in last year’s budget.
Most observers are aware that the primary purpose of such a field is to replace the two leased fields now used by the boys soccer team and provide the soccer team with a field on the Prescott Campus. Critics argue that it is a needless expenditure of limited funds and unnecessary because the present leased soccer fields cost the College very little. Moreover, the current soccer fields have been used successfully for years and were selected for two national Junior College final championship events.
In addition to spending the funds for design, etc., last year the College moved over a million dollars from its capital construction fund for a parking lot adjacent the proposed soccer field to what it calls its “deferred maintenance fund.” In essence, the move took the spotlight somewhat off the project and placed it in a less contentious area of the College budget.
Finally, the College Foundation has indicated it is willing to put almost a million dollars into the soccer field.
Neither the College nor the Governing Board has at any time indicated where such a project like this sits in the list of educational priorities for students in the District. Wouldn’t it be nice to see a list of priorities?
Second District Yavapai Community College representative Deb McCasland listed her concerns with the actions of the Governing Board at the May meeting in the Verde Independent newspaper “My Turn” column May 15. Among the many concerns was the majority on the Board essentially snubbing the public who spoke, all of whom opposed the increase. She wrote that it was difficult for her to understand “how the other board members can disregard the numerous comments from concerned citizens.” 
After surveying the Yavapai Community College Governing Board members at the April 2018 meeting, the College Administration has enough votes to increase the County property tax rate by at least 2%. In February 2018 the Board had voted 4-1 (McCasland dissenting) to increased tuition by 5%. The increases will generate at least $1,504,600 in new revenue flowing to the College. 