Officials of Northland Pioneer College and Apache County have negotiated what NPC President Jeanne Swarthout calls “an amicable” agreement regarding the contract between the college district and the county.
NPC operates as part of the Navajo County Community College District, and provides college programs and services in Apache County through an intergovernmental
agreement that is renewed every two years. NPC has three centers in Apache County, in Springerville, St. Johns and Whiteriver.
Concerns that have been brought up by Apache County officials involve wanting a better understanding as to the anticipated expenses each year, greater involvement with the hiring process and a clearer vision of the services for students in that county.
The agreement between the two entities states that Apache County will pay the district $600,000 for each academic year, with the understanding that additional charges will occur as a result of tuition, fees, state and federal aid, and other incomes.
According to Apache County Superintendent of Schools Barry Williams, while it’s understandable that there will be indirect costs throughout the academic year, the county operates on a very strict budget under which they must work. “A couple of years ago the expenses extended to $150,000 over our levied amount. That didn’t happen this past year, but it was a concern,” he explained. “It’s difficult to predict with changes in state aid and other factors, so we just wanted to have a better understanding of what’s taking place.”
According to Swarthout, recent discussions have resulted in a slight modification to the contract so that the agreement will extend from July 2014 until December 2015 for this year, then resume again as a two-year contract. “It gives us some time for discussion before the budget to discuss our strategic planning,” she noted.
Williams agreed, stating that the arrangement suits the need for greater transparency and communication.
Apache County also asked for greater involvement when hiring staff, but according to Swarthout, that had been the practice in the past with the exception of fulltime faculty. “We will be handling the hiring of fulltime faculty, but Apache County has always been at least 50 percent of the hiring committee when it involves other staff.”
“Apache County’s strategic planning isn’t always in line with Navajo County so it’s good that we will have this additional time to discuss matters,” stated Williams.
The agreement went before the Apache County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 7 and, if approved, it will go before the Navajo County Community College District Governing Board for final approval on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
