The Navajo County Community College Governing Board convened Tuesday, Sept. 19, during which Northland Pioneer College Friends & Family (NPCFF) Executive Director Betsyann Wilson stated that their scholarship applications will open for the 2024 spring semester on Oct. 1, adding that a supporter donated an additional $25,000 to award in scholarships.

NPCFF also funds a scholarship for General Educational Development (GED) for individuals to acquire their GED through the Adult Education Program. Data Analyst Dinah Gaddie also presented to the board on NPC’s Adult Basic Education program, which is a reentry program for adults to gain school equivalency. “We know that this is a really important stepping stone because a high school equivalency, while such an important entry level qualification for most jobs, is not the end point,” explained Gaddie. The program works to combine academic skills with workforce development to prepare adults for not only getting jobs but excelling at them.

Director of Construction David Huish provided an update on the various projects within the college. Huish stated that the Show Low campus Skills Center received a temporary certificate of occupancy for the welding section, which was followed by equipment being moved in by the maintenance department Sept. 20-22. “They will hold their first welding class in the building on Monday the 25th.”

Huish added that there have been four design meetings for the Goldwater Center as well as the building for NPC’s one-stop-shop.

President Chato Hazelbaker gave the president’s report, giving updates on NPC’s strategic goals, each with an individualized plan, executive sponsor and project lead. The strategic goal areas are to increase enrollment, improve student outcomes and improve sustainability. Executive sponsors will get together every month and provide project updates. He also discussed current progress on initiatives as well provided an update on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation.

Hazelbaker updated the board on the request from Gila County Provisional Community College District (GCC) to provide educational services to Gila County. Hazelbaker asked if the board would like him to continue looking into this, to which Chair Kristine Laughter stated she would like him to cease work on the project adding, “there is plenty of work to be done within our schools.”

Vice President of Administrative Services (VPAS) Maderia Ellison provided the first reading of the budget calendar and budget assumptions to be used for the Fiscal Year 2025 budget creation. No large capital projects were noted.

In new business, the board:

* Approved Fiscal Year 2024 revised budget to reflect final state appropriations. Only the general fund was impacted. The total revenue budget remains the same as the budget approved in May 2023.

* Approved to renew SMARTnet services for an additional one-year term, through HyeTech Network & Security Solutions, LLC., in the amount of $89,341. This is an annual budgeted expense and utilizes Government Procurement Alliance Contract 22-02PV-08 to ensure competitive pricing for the college.

* Authorized an increase in funding on the expanded partnership with Cellular One for leased line connectivity over a three-year period by $18,700 for a new total of $889,400. Due to the change in location of the Center in Springerville the non-recurring cost to install equipment at the new location increased from $5,000 to $7,500 and the monthly recurring costs increased by $450 per month over the three years of the contract. Funds were budgeted in Fiscal Year 2023 by the Technology Advancement and Support (TAS) division and Arizona State Contract CTR049876 is utilized to ensure best value for the college.