Perceived history of unfair treatment fuels a sense of concern with some such as Council member Williamson that the Community College may be stalling Sedona Center operations until conditions favor a sale—an effort last attempted in 2015

Sedona’s Mayor and City Council members reacted with mixed emotions to Yavapai Community College officials’ refusal to attend the October 9 workshop, which was intended to foster dialogue about the College. The refusal was a direct response to questions submitted to the College as a courtesy prior to the meeting by Mayor Scott Jablow. The refusal is viewed as an indication of the College’s reluctance to be transparent with the public about critical issues, such as student enrollment trends and the future of the institution in Sedona and the Verde Valley.

Two council members, though undoubtedly perplexed or frustrated, suggested a “reset” and renewed efforts to reopen communication channels. Two others, while not dismissing the idea of a reset, voiced concerns that a meaningful dialogue might be almost hopeless. They felt that a reset could be extremely challenging, given the long-standing frustration with the College’s lack of transparency and its repeated rejection of citizen committee recommendations for improving the Sedona Center and the Verde Valley Campus.

Sedona Mayor Scott Jablow and Councilwoman Jessica Williamson were the most outspoken critics, citing their past negative experiences with the College as evidence of the difficulty of restoring productive communication.

Mayor Jablow expressed frustration at the College’s dismissive decision not to attend the workshop. “I tried to do the honorable thing by sending an email with questions I had specifically about the College,” he said. According to the Mayor, the College declined to attend simply because, after receiving his questions, they “decided they didn’t want to.”

During the Council’s discussion about resetting communication with the College, Mayor Jablow recalled a few years ago the failure of the Verde Valley Board Advisory Committee (VVBAC) to secure any agreement from the College on approximately twenty specific recommendations for improvements at the Sedona Center and the Verde Valley Campus. The VVBAC was composed of over a dozen prominent citizens from Sedona and the Verde Valley. It was created to collaborate with the College and suggest meaningful measures to improve educational outreach in the area. However, none of its recommendations were implemented and the Governing Board disbanded the VVBAC with no notice and over objections from the Board members representing the east side of the County.

Mayor Jablow also expressed frustration that a citizen group formed to provide input on the renovation of the Sedona Center’s culinary school had its recommendations ignored, particularly regarding the number of kitchens to be included. He noted as an aside that a new culinary facility is being constructed on the Prescott campus, which might compete for students from Sedona and the Verde Valley.

The Mayor questioned where $17 to $18 million in capital projects, initially earmarked for the Verde Valley, had gone. They were given the highest priority by College experts in November 2022. He contrasted the loss of these projects with the significant growth of major capital projects associated with the Prescott campus.

Mayor Jablow also criticized the College’s suggestion that he hold a “private” conversation with them about the questions he had raised, mentioning that he couldn’t understand their approach. “We have to do everything publicly, on camera and recorded. Why would I want to have a private, intimate conversation outside of the public’s view?” he asked.

Council member Jessica Williamson echoed the Mayor’s concerns. She cited additional issues with the College’s Governing Board, including its approval of a Ten-Year $103 million Development Plan in December 2013, with 97% of the funds allocated to the Prescott area. She also pointed out the ongoing decline in enrollment at the Verde Valley Campus and the Sedona Center.

William concluded: “My sense, and it’s just my sense, is that the College is waiting for the right moment to shut down the campus up here in Sedona. There’s not much we can do except bring their actions to the public’s attention.”

Council member Brian Fultz urged the Council to reset its efforts to engage in dialogue with the College. “At this point, we need to hit the reset button in a big way, and I’m not sure who needs to offer the olive branch first. But clearly, the relationship is very broken, and both sides have contributed to that,” he said. Mayor Jablow agreed but evinced grave concern about the College’s persistent resistance to transparency. He said, “That’s fine. I think that would be great if it could be achieved.”

Council member Pete Furman added that the Council had recently held a productive meeting with officials from Northern Arizona Healthcare, contrasting it with previous meetings. “It’s our duty and obligation to our citizens and residents to always try for a dialogue,” Furman said.

You may view the entire workshop video by clicking here: 

Prescott executives, seemingly driven by unchecked power, persist in withholding transparent explanations about enrollment trends, finances, and the future of the Sedona Center and Verde Valley Campus

A few weeks ago, the Sedona City Council extended an invitation to Yavapai College President Dr. Lisa Rhine to attend a workshop on October 9, 2024, to discuss the College’s plans for Sedona and the Verde Valley. It was a chance for the College to clarify its intentions regarding the region’s educational future. Dr. Rhine declined the Council’s invitation, opting to send Sedona/Verde Valley Dean Dr. Del Genio and Communications Director Richard Hernandez in her place.

But on October 9, Yavapai College failed to show up. Instead, the Council and Mayor were left to discuss the College’s future without the input of its representatives.

Here’s what unfolded:

In a considerate move, Mayor Scott Jablow provided Hernandez with a list of ten questions prior to the meeting, ensuring the College would be prepared to address key community concerns. These questions highlighted pressing issues, including enrollment, long-term investment plans and the alarming reduction in promised funding for major projects in the Verde Valley and Sedona areas.

Central to this was the sudden redirection of a $21 million improvement plan originally intended for the Sedona and Verde Valley campuses. In November 2022, the College’s Governing Board approved this plan in concept, offering hope for much-needed investments. However, only $3.5 million was eventually allocated, leaving just one project intact. Meanwhile, since January 2023, the Board has approved nearly $50 million in capital expenditures for projects—both planned and unplanned—focused almost entirely on the Prescott area. This shift in priorities has left Sedona and Verde Valley residents feeling sidelined and anxious about their future educational prospects.

Mayor Jablow sought answers on behalf of his constituents. But instead of fostering dialogue, the College’s leadership chose to ignore a local governing body’s reasonable request for transparency.

For a publicly funded institution that relies on millions in taxpayer dollars, Yavapai College’s refusal to engage with Sedona’s elected officials is troubling. This absence not only signals a disregard for local governance but also raises serious concerns about the College’s commitment to equitable investment and accountability in the communities it serves.