Yavapai Community College Snubs Sedona City Council: No Meeting, No Problem

Yavapai Community College (YCC) has declined an invitation to address the Sedona City Council regarding pressing issues such as declining enrollment in local programs, insufficient capital investment in the Verde Valley, and perceived inequities faced by local taxpayers. The council’s inquiries centered on accountability and transparency, fundamental expectations for government entities, but officials reportedly found these straightforward questions too daunting to address.

Despite their salaries exceeding $100,000 annually, college administrators seemed unequipped to respond to the council’s queries, likely still reeling from previous pointed discussions. Critics argue that YCC has systematically underfunded Verde Valley programs while directing resources towards Prescott, leaving residents feeling marginalized.

While YCC functions independently, the Sedona City Council, as representatives of the taxpayers, has a moral duty to demand accountability. Past interactions have occurred, though they often become contentious. Observers suggest these meetings could be more productive if the college acknowledged its obligation to serve Verde Valley constituents.

Currently, the primary voice for the region on the YCC board is Toby Payne, who represents District 3, encompassing Sedona and surrounding areas. In contrast, Deb McCasland, representing District 2, seems disconnected from her constituents, living between Prescott and Prescott Valley and prioritizing the college’s interests over those of local residents.

There were initial hopes that YCC President Lisa Rhine would bring a change in leadership style; however, she appears to follow a path similar to former president Penny Wills, maintaining a distance from the eastern Yavapai County community. During the pandemic, YCC ceased communications with local media and now only addresses inquiries when they are formal public records requests. This lack of engagement raises concerns that the college may use low community interest as justification for neglecting Verde Valley programs.

Additionally, YCC’s Clarkdale campus recently lost its designation as a “branch campus” by the Higher Learning Commission, but the college has not provided a public explanation for this change. Internal communications revealed a lack of preparedness within the administration to address this significant development.

The recent election of new board members could signal a shift in YCC’s responsiveness to Verde Valley concerns. Chris Kuknyo’s departure to the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors opens a seat, while Ray Sigafoos was replaced by William Kiel after a decisive election loss. Sigafoos, criticized for a long tenure with little accountability, was known for contentious remarks about local advocates and media.

There is hope that this new board will prioritize equitable treatment of tax dollars and broaden its focus to include all residents of Yavapai County.