The Navajo County Community College Governing Board held a regular meeting last Tuesday, during which Chair Everett Robinson reported that the presidential search committee is one step closer to selecting a presidential candidate for the college. “The committee narrowed down the 49 applicants to eight applicants, who they will be interviewing this Thursday and Friday.” Robinson added that hopefully by Monday, Oct. 21, the final three applicants will be selected and have their profiles post on the college’s website. On Sunday, Oct. 20, the names of the three finalists were announced as Dr. Von Lawson, Dr. Jeff Thies and Dr. Doug Binsfeld.

The board will be hosting three public forums with the president finalists at 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 28-30, at the Winslow Campus. The sessions will be recorded and available for viewing at NPC.EDU/PRES-search.

Director of Financial Services Russell Kupfer touched on the NPC component unit financial audit for both Northeastern Arizona Training Center (NATC) and Northland Pioneer College Friends and Family (NPCFF) for 2023-24. While NPCFF and NATC are separate legal entities from the college, they are considered a component unit of Northland Pioneer College (NPC) as defined by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement of Standards No. 14. NPCFF and NATC financial statements are therefore included in the audited financial statements for NPC by discrete presentation. Both were audited by BDR Richards, CPA’s, PLC, and both were found to be presented fairly and in conformity with General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

The board received a report on NPCFF Director Betsy Wilson, in which she reported that Pedal the Petrified garnered over $40,000. Wilson also provided a strategic planning update, which she is the director of as well.

Interim President Michael Solomonson provided a report on the college’s recent activities and strategic planning updates as well.

Board member Kristine Laughter was absent from the meeting.

At the end of the meeting the board held an executive session to discuss questions to be used during on-site candidate interviews. No action was taken following the executive session.

In new business and the consent agenda, the board:

* Approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between Navajo County Community College District and Northeastern Law Enforcement Training Academy for the Town of Snowflake.

* Approved an IGA between Navajo County Community College District and Northeastern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy for the town of Pinetop-Lakeside.

* Approved an IGA between Navajo County Community College District and Northeastern Law Enforcement Training Academy for Apache County.

* Approved program modification for general education course options list.

* Approved modification to general education program that adds a terminal and stackable General Education Certificate of Proficiency.

* Approved Fiscal Year 2026 (FY 26) budget calendar and budget assumptions. This is not an approval of the actual budget, but the schedule and assumptions.

* Approved to proceed with signing Anthology’s Change Order that will cease implementation of Anthology Payroll and support the future integration of ADP in the amount of $66,844. This is a budgeted expense utilizing Government Procurement Alliance Contract SOW No. 2460080.