IS THERE A RISK OF GIVING THE CURRENT DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS EX OFFICIO VETO POWER BY FORMALLY ASKING THEM TO PROVIDE THEIR VIEWS ON PROSPECTIVE THIRD DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD APPLICANTS PRIOR TO THE FINAL APPOINTMENT DECISION?

Does the current appointive process lend itself to a preference that the Board function more like an exclusive club rather than a diverse and representative body that accurately represents the interests of all County residents?

Editor: Robert Oliphant

OPINION: When applying to fill the vacant Third District Yavapai Community College District Governing Board seat, it is important for the applicant to be mindful of the potential veto power held by individual Board members. This is because Tim Carter, who makes the final appointment, will be formally asking for each member’s views about a candidate prior to the final selection.  If a Board member expresses strong negative views regarding a candidate, it may, and most likely will, impact that candidate’s  chance of being appointed.

Why should a west-county Board member have this kind of potential ex officio veto power over a prospective candidate from the Third District? After all,  not a single current Board member  lives in Sedona or the Verde Valley. Moreover, Mr. Carter already has an independent committee that will make recommendations to him made up of people who, it is assumed, reflect the values and views of most in the Verde Valley.

Observers who have closely monitored the Board’s proceedings over the years may recall instances where members from the west county expressed notably negative opinions towards Paul Chevalier, particularly during his active advocacy for Sedona and the Verde Valley. Despite this, Mr. Chevalier, a lawyer, had the courage to stand his ground. Throughout his four years on the Board, he  remained a dedicated and well-informed watchdog for Sedona and the Verde Valley  in matters related to the Community College.

It is suspected that some of the current Board members will aim to prevent the selection of a candidate who possesses characteristics similar to those of Mr. Chevalier.  For these members, the ideal new representative will be someone who will strictly and silently abide by all of the Governing Board formal and informal rules. That representative will also avoid at all costs publicly expressing concerns about underfunding or underdevelopment in Sedona and the Verde Valley. Furthermore, the new representative must fit the mold of avoiding asking challenging questions regarding the distribution of limited resources, which have disproportionately favored the Prescott side of Mingus Mountain for over five decades.

The County Education District’s statement regarding the formal involvement of non-resident Board members in the appointment of a Third District Representative provides evidence to suggest that they may possess significant ex officio veto power in the selection process. Here is what that portion of the announcement says regarding the process and Governing Board input:

Prior to making the final selection, the Superintendent will meet separately with each of the currently seated Yavapai College Board Members for their input on the finalists. Members of the public from District 3, will also have an opportunity to email their views of the candidates to Mr. Carter or to meet personally with him for a 10-minute meeting from noon to 4 pm on Thursday, March 9th at the Sedona Campus of Yavapai College after the finalists have been announced.

Anyone can, of course, provide Mr. Carter with his or her views on any candidate.   The problem here is that using a formal process of precisely seeking out the views of Board members prior to the final appointment has the appearance of providing them with too much ex officio veto power in the overall process. That, is seems to me, is a concern.