In ongoing business at the Navajo County Community College District Governing Board meeting last week, action was taken regarding the Northland Pioneer College presidential profile search.

According to Chief Operating Officer Jason Foutz, R.H. Perry, the employment agency assisting the college in finding a president, drafted a profile that was reviewed by the NPC search committee and sent back to the firm.

One recommendation by the committee was for the assignment of a chairperson to the group. The board approved the appointment of former college governing board chair Bill Jeffers. He will head the committee moving forward in the search.

Also voted on were particulars regarding a selected president. “One of those items, is where are they going to be located? Not where are they going to live, but where is their office going to be? It is up to the board to specify where you would like them located,” said Foutz.

“Is there any stipulation or requirement that they must be in Holbrook?,” board member George Joe asked.

“No,” Foutz replied, “that’s been historical because Holbrook is kind of centrally located, with all of the different locations that we have.”

Sitting President Dr. Jeanne Swarthout added, “It’s also the primary business function location of the college.”

Following a brief discussion, it was decided the office of the president would remain in Holbrook.

Benefits packages were also discussed, with the consensus being that will be a negotiable factor once the appropriate candidate is found. Benefit options discussed, but not confirmed were housing and transportation allowances, medical insurance and relocation aid.

Salary was also discussed, with the board deciding to publish a range of salary rather than an exact amount, mostly based on NPC’s rural location and relatively low cost of living, as well as the experience of potential candidates. No action was taken on officially setting a salary range for recruitment, as the board did not come to a consensus.

Foutz suggested and it was agreed with that further consultation with R.H. Perry would be necessary before the board felt informed enough to move forward.

In other business Sept. 19, the board:

* Approved a more concise version of the mission, vision and values document, paring it down from 2½ pages to one, with the only major change being language from, “creating lifelong learning,” to “providing lifelong learning.” The statement can be viewed on the NPC website.

* Approved the adoption of an official college seal to be used across all college documents recognized externally such as transcripts and recommendation letters. Staff also recommended an alternative, electronic version of the seal to be used on common internal and external documents.

* Approved the Strategic Planning and Budget Development Calendar for 2018-19.

* Approved renewal of a contract between Cisco Smartnet and the college. This budgeted renewal will provide multiple service contracts for technical support, upgrades and warranty services. The contract was renewed in the amount of $120,324, which includes all taxes.

The next meeting of the board will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, in the Tiponi Community Center meeting room at 2251 E. Navajo Blvd. in Holbrook.