The Navajo County Community College Governing Board held a regular meeting Tuesday, April 15. During the meeting Vice President for Administrative Services Maderia Ellison presented the 2025-26 introductory budget analysis. It was noted that property taxes cannot exceed the maximum allowable by statute, which includes a 2% increase plus the impact of new construction. To protect the equalization funding, the levy for FY26 is set at the maximum levy. The levy rate will be set at $1.7512, which is projected to generate revenues of $19.1 million.

Operating aid is estimated at $1.4 million, increasing over the current year by $54,800. Operating aid is based on enrollment two years in arrears.

Equalization is estimated at nearly $12.9 million, increasing over the current year by $869,000. Equalization aid is provided to community college districts with property tax bases that are less than the minimum assessed value for their rural district or county (populations less than 500,000 persons). There are currently four community college districts in Arizona that receive equalization aid – Cochise (Cochise County), Eastern (Graham County), Arizona Western (Yuma/LaPaz County) and NPC (Navajo County).

Rural funding is estimated at $852,600 increasing over the current year by $37,600. This is an increase from last fiscal year. Rural funding was originally intended to be a one-time funding source a few years ago, but the state has continued to fund this program.

Total revenue for 2025-26 FY is $40.2 million, which is more than the previous year revenues of $38.8 million.

Tuition is estimated at $4.1 million increasing over the current year by $300,000. This takes into consideration the $2 increase per credit hour for the in-district tuition rate, free summer tuition and enrollment that has shown some increases over the past few semesters.

Government grants and contracts are estimated at $3.2 million. Additional grant funding has been received, thus increasing the estimate by $500,000.

Investment income is estimated at $2.8 million, an increase compared to the current year of $2 million. It takes into consideration historical revenues.

Other income is estimated at $350,000 and is comparable with historical revenues. It is related primarily to cosmetology retail sales and microwave tower rentals.

The state funding for STEM activities is estimated at $295,700. Other Capital Fund revenue will be transferred from the General Fund or Fund Balance. The college continues to move forward with construction/remodel activities in Show Low among other projects for an estimated total of $7.5 million, which will be come from Fund Balance.

The replacement the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software system is also moving forward with estimated expenditures of $2.9 million and will also be covered from Fund Balance.

The college is expected to receive funding of $1.6 million related to the Smart and Safe Arizona Act, the marijuana legalization initiative and workforce related activities. The college continues to pursue available grants to enhance its program offerings.

Estimates are in line with historical revenue streams. The CDL program is expected to generate approximately $204,000 in additional fees and should fully support the program.

Learning Communities Coordinator Rickey Jackson provided an update on the college’s compensation committee. “New compensation guidelines are being developed with inputs from the committee to enable to rollout on new salary structures,” stated Jackson, adding that human resources shared a new approach to the salary structure, which will be analyzed more in the coming weeks. “This new approach focuses on pay tied to market and provides a framework for fair and consistent pay administration.”

A report on NPC’s Friends & Family (NPCFF) was provided by Director Betsy Wilson. Wilson stated at NPCFF once again placed in first for mid-sized nonprofits during Arizona Gives Day for most funds accrued. The win granted NPCFF a $3,000 bonus for scholarships. “We brought in just a little under $44,000 and so coupled with the $3,000 that would be close to $47,000 for student scholarships,” explained Wilson, adding that 747 organizations participated in the fundraising event.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) project coordinator Thomas Gilmer provided the board with an update. ERP is a type of business software that integrates various business processes like finance, human resources, supply chain and sales into a centralized system. It automates process and provides insights to manage operations efficiently.

Registrar Paul Hempsey presented the Full Time Student Equivalent (FTSE) reports for the 2025 spring semester. NPC had a count of 1,464.73 FTSE for the spring semester, which is a 13.9% increase from the previous spring semester at 1,286.2. There was a 9.4% increase in unduplicated headcount, jumping from 2,735 to 2,992 in 2025.

During the meeting Dr. Susan Hoffman was presented with Faculty Emeritus status upon her retirement from Northland Pioneer College’s biology department after seven years. Administration Emeritus status was also presented to retired Director of Institutional Effectiveness Dr. Judy Yip-Reyes. “This is one of the most dedicated administrators I’ve had opportunities to work with over the last 35 plus years of my life,” NPC President Dr. Von Lawson said of Yip-Reyes.

During the president’s reported, Dr. Lawson stated that despite the current national climate in relation to diversity, equity and inclusion, NPC will continue to serve the community without interruption. “For over 50 years, NPC has fostered and inclusive educational environment where opportunity and acceptance are foundation,” said President Lawson, “Northland Pioneer College will continue to ensure that every student, staff member and community participant feels welcome, valued and heard.” President Lawson also noted that the Belonging committee at NPC will be renamed as the Community Connections Subcommittee to better align with the college’s values effective as of January.

He also updated the board on community engagement efforts, including visits to various communities where the college provides services and meetings he had with local leaders. “Throughout these visits, there was a recurring theme among superintendents, principals and school officials, and they love Northland Pioneer College, but they want to see more of us in their facilities.” President Lawson stated the President Cabinet is already working on being more involved and also received requests relating to expanding programs and services to meet local needs, including workforce housing and healthcare training.

Lawson visited every NPC center aside from the college’s Whiteriver center. After meet and greets with the college’s students, the importance of creating spaces for them became apparent.

“They need an identified presence on our nine campuses, a place to call their home. Whether you refer to it as a student union, a clubhouse, a village doesn’t matter, but they need a place where they can let their hair down, place where they can play and listen to their music, and a place where they can be young.” Lawson spoke on college plans to continue community engagement efforts and explore new partnerships and initiatives as well.

A federal and state legislative update was given by Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) representative Chair Everett Robinson in which he stated there is a lot of uncertainty. He explained that representatives from ACCT state federal student aid will continue in some form, but it’s unclear how.

Also, during the meeting, the board:

* Approved Policy 1402 Student Admissions and Financial Aid authorizing the president, or designee, to establish procedures for student admissions and financial aid, regardless of religion, gender, creed, national origin, race, age, and disability, consistent with Federal and State laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, and provision of education services. Policy 1410 Enrollment of High School Students authorizing the president, or designee, to develop procedures authorizing the enrollment of high school students. Policy 1411 Students Under High School Age authorizing the president, or designee, to develop procedures to admit below high school age students. Policy 1431 Hazing Prevention Northland Pioneer College (NPC) seeks to promote a safe learning environment. Hazing is antithetical to that goal. Hazing by organizations, groups or individuals is strictly prohibited at NPC. All students, faculty, and staff shall take reasonable measures within the scope of their individual authority to prevent violations of the Hazing Prevention Procedure, including reporting incidents of hazing when they occur.

* Approved the purchase of the Affordable Care Act Health Compliance module from Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) for $14,119. This annual fee is budgeted in the human resources budget.

* Approved the purchase and implementation of ADP’s integration software for $9,000 a year, with up to $5,000 of ADP’s Application Programming Interfaces consulting services during development in 2025.

* Adopted the 2027-2028 academic calendar. It was developed and reviewed by the Instructional Council, the Vice President for Learning and Student Services Council prior to its adoption.

* Approved the AMK Solutions proposal in the amount of $63,161 for the White Mountain Campus Goldwater addition communications system.

* Approved a job order contract with CORE Construction in the amount of $598,865 for the multi-campus fire alarm repairs and replacement project.

* Approved a job order contract with CORE Construction in the amount of $73,898 for the Painted Desert Campus Nizhoni building fire panel replacements.

* Approved the 2026-2028 preliminary capital budget.

* Approved the 2025-2026 preliminary budget.