Inappropriate use of taxpayer money as East County residents benefit little and taxpayers fund the scholarships; Sigafoos rules issue raised during scholarship discussion last Tuesday can only be decided when budget is discussed
East County Yavapai Community College Governing Board members Deb McCasland and Paul Chevalier questioned at the February meeting the use of almost $600,000 in merit scholarships going to the College athletic team members. Chevalier pointed out that 90% of more of the athletes are not from Yavapai County. (The College argued only 80% were from outside Yavapai County.)
Chevalier argued he was not against scholarships but was against using County taxpayer funds to support significant scholarships for outside Yavapai County athletes. He said that in fact he was for more scholarships for all students.
Chair Ray Sigafoos ruled that the question of the awarding of scholarship funds to out-county athletes could be raised at a future budget meeting; it could not be raised as a part of the discussion of scholarships on the February agenda.
Below is a short video clip containing the arguments made by Deb McCasland and Paul Chevalier.