NPC Board addresses audit findings

HOLBROOK-Members of the Navajo County Community College District Governing Board met behind closed doors for more than five hours during a regular monthly meeting on March 16 to discuss the findings of audit reports for 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 prepared by the Arizona Attorney General's Office.

Upon returning to public session, college attorney Dean Pickett, read the following statement:

"The Navajo County Community College District has recently received the 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 audit reports and expects to soon receive the 2005-2006 report. The findings of the audits and related performance measures will form the basis for an intensive examination of the college's operations in order to ensure the citizens of Navajo County that the college continues to serve them responsibly and effectively in developing the county's workforce for the 21st century.

An action plan will be developed to address the audit findings and other opportunities for improvement of the college's operations. As this plan takes shape, it will be discussed during public board meetings in order to ensure that the citizens are kept informed of the steps to be taken by their elected officials and the college's administration.

District legal counsel will review with the district governing board the unsigned notice received this morning and the issues raised by it, and report to the board after an opportunity to look into the matter.

During recent district governing board meetings, the board and president met to discuss how the president can support the board in achieving excellence as these issues are systematically addressed. The board and the president are mutually committed to this process and outcome and look forward to working together in making Northland Pioneer College the premier source of higher education in the region."

In other action, the board authorized the purchase and installation of 14 "SmartBoards" utilizing Carl Perkins Grant Funds. The units will be installed during spring break in audio and nursing classrooms to enhance student learning.

The board also accepted an addition to the College's existing Adult Basic Education (ABE) grant from the Arizona Department of Education to "reframe the GED." The state is encouraging GED completers to continue their education, with Transition Specialists visiting each TLC classroom and GED test site.

NPC will use the grant to provide 50 students with six-credit tuition waivers and a $200 textbook scholarship. If successful their first term, they will be offered a second textbook scholarship and tuition waiver.

NPC is one of three pilot programs providing customized service delivery based on the adult learner's needs for obtaining short-term educational goals, long-term participation in post-secondary education, employment and life-long learning.

Emeritus status was also approved for A. Daniel Simper, Marva Fellows and Dale Schicketanz. A sabbatical request by Brenda Manthei was also granted. She plans to study teaching methods used by NAU to enhance student retention in science courses.

An internal review of all credit-bearing courses was presented to the board in response to a request from the Arizona President's Council and the Arizona Community College Association (ACCA). Each class was evaluated against local governing board policy, current state statutes relating to credit courses, and the North Central Higher Learning Commission standards. The report outlines plans to convert several personal interest courses into regular credit courses.

The board also approved the settlement agreement on the Richard Zalenski case. Details were not made public.

During reports to the board, vice president for student services Mark Vest outlined plans to discontinue contracted student housing at a Holbrook motel. Instead, Vest proposes using Housing Scholarships, to be based on need, which could be used in any NPC community. Married students, or single parents would be eligible for the scholarship program. The current housing plan was only providing space for one student.

Vest also updated the board on implementation of the Proposition 300 requirements to verify citizenship of all students.

President Ralph Orr presented the status report on the Northeastern Arizona Training Center Project, and the upcoming renewal of the intergovernmental agreement to provide instruction in Apache County.

Vice President for Administrative Services Blaine Hatch presented the preliminary proposed budget. The April 17 teleconference board meeting will be devoted solely to the budget review.

Increases in state equalization aid, higher revenue from tuition and state-imposed property tax limits were components of the proposed budget. Board member Bill Jeffers told the audience the proposal included a 3 percent wage increase, a half percent for contributions to the Arizona State Retirement System and a $2,000 cafeteria-style insurance benefits package.

Board member Neal Thompson reminded those in attendance this was just the first step of the budgeting process.

"The board needs to review and make the right decisions before making it official," Thompson said.

The next regular monthly board meeting will be a teleconference on April 17 to review the preliminary budget.

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