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.