The Navajo County Community College Governing Board held a regular meeting Jan. 21, during which the board authorized acceptance of $666,320 in grant funding from the Arizona Department of Health Services for the Nurse Education Investment Pilot program for the current fiscal year. In an effort to address the nursing workforce shortage in Arizona, House Bill 2863 and House Bill 2691 were passed by the Arizona State Legislature. The Department of Health Services was appropriated $15 million from the state general fund in each of fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 for the Arizona Nurse Education Investment Pilot Program. Although not originally included in the current fiscal year’s budget signed by Governor Katie Hobbs, placing 2024-2025 funding at risk, the state was able to obtain additional supplemental federal funding for continuance of the grant in this third and final year. Funds are allocated to the community college districts based on the number of nursing students graduating in fiscal year 2021-2022 from eligible education programs, including programs for nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced practice nurses.

An update on the tower upgrade project was also presented. The project consists of upgrading of 13 tower sites and one additional location to improve internet network services throughout the college district. Between the 14 locations, the college has a total of 34 microwave dishes that need to be replaced and two that need to be decommissioned. According to the report, 11 of the sites have been completed and 26 microwave dishes have been replaced. The vendor working on the project, Johnston Technical Services, Inc., is projected to finish the last three sites in February. Chair Laughter stated she would like to see possibilities on how to upgrade some of the centers’ internet capabilities, since some seem to suffer from poor internet and shutdowns more often.

The board also elected its officers and Arizona Association of Community College Trustees (AACCT) representatives. Everett Robinson was re-elected as board chair for the year, Kristine Laughter as board secretary, Derrick Leslie as AACCT representative and Laughter as AACCT alternate.

Northland Pioneer College Friends and Family (NPCFF) Director Betsy Wilson provided an update for Spring 2025 scholarship. NPCFF received 55 applications, with 52 being complete and qualified for assessment by scholarship review committees comprised of members of the NPCFF board, NPC faculty, staff and administrators. The number of scholarships awarded for the semester totaled $75,400. Director Wilson also provided the board with a 2025-2030 strategic plan update.

Also, during the meeting, the board:

* Approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the college district and Northeastern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy for the White Mountain Apache Tribe to provide certified Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST).

* Approved an IGA between the college district and Northeastern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy for the cite of St. Johns to provide certified AZPOST.

* Approved modifications to the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS), Early Childhood Education to update the requirements in the BAS program of study for implementation Fall 2025.

* Approved modifications to the Associate of Arts in Elementary Education in response to statewide changes to the Arizona General Education Curriculum, modifications to the General Education Course Options and the addition of the General Education Certificate of Proficiency.

* Approved a revision of Policy 1048 in order to be compliant with Arizona Revised Statutes that relates to free expression and the establishment a committee on free expression.

* Approved the increase in design fees to be paid to SPS+ Architects (SPS+) of $28,650 related to required additional civil engineering of the Goldwater Student Services building addition at the White Mountain Campus. This brings the total fees to $463,545. These fees will be covered in the previously approved Goldwater Building Addition Contingency Fund.

* Approved CORE Construction to be awarded the Job Order Contract (JOC) for the Holbrook Painted Desert Center (PDC) Automotive Project in the amount of $1,397,884. A JOC allows the college to award one contract to a qualified contractor to complete multiple smaller projects instead of going through a bidding process for each one. This saves time and money and reduces administrative burdens.

* Approved additional design fees for contract for SPS+ for the PDC Automotive Project in the amount of $75,599, bringing the total to $259,735. The additional fees were from the addition of our newly created CDL program and creating space within the remodel. The money for this project has been included in the 2024/2025 budget and will be covered from contingency.

Following the regular meeting, the board entered into an executive session to discuss assignments for recently hired college President Dr. Von Lawson. After exiting executive session, the board adjourned the regular meeting and held a work session for board and open law meeting training done by Senior Staff Attorney Danee Garone and College Attorney Kristin Mackin.