Edward Lacasse

Yavapai College's strategic plan outlines its commitment to providing educational, economic, and cultural opportunities within its communities. The plan focuses on several strategic goals: fostering belonging, expanding enrollment for adult learners, creating pathways to living-wage jobs, and enhancing educational program delivery to improve student success. Additionally, it emphasizes a foundational capability to sustain the college's financial stability and operational strength, ensuring long-term institutional vitality.

This document outlines an updated three-year strategic plan for Yavapai College, guiding priorities for fiscal years 2027 through 2029. The plan maintains its focus on four core goals: belonging, adult learners, living wage, and delivery. A new emphasis is placed on a 'foundation of capability,' which involves strengthening institutional operations through responsible resource stewardship, personnel development, effective data utilization, physical security, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and results.

The meeting agenda included procedural items such as the election of the Board Spokesperson for 2026 and discussion on Board Meeting Procedures. Major business items involved an Executive Session for legal consultation regarding contracts, potential real property transactions, and pending litigation entitled: United States ex rel. Boglivi et al v. Yavapai Community College District. Public session included a decision on directions provided in Executive Session, a Board Budget Presentation, and a discussion regarding the District Governing Board Schedule, including rescheduling a Board Workshop. The Consent Agenda covered the approval of prior meeting minutes (excluding the immediately preceding one), several Intergovernmental Agreements with external entities, approval of various new curriculum proposals across different disciplines (including Artificial Intelligence, Early Childhood Education, Workforce Development, and Health Sciences), and program deletions. The President's Report covered updates on filing locations for board candidates, county education updates, and an athletic conference update. The session concluded with disclosures of 2026 Governing Board Annual Conflicts of Interest.

The Board meeting agenda included several key items. Under Board Business, the Board addressed budget assumptions and tuition proposals for Fiscal Year 2027, involving discussion and decision. The Board entered Executive Session to consult with legal counsel regarding a potential contract related to the Clarkdale Campus, and subsequently voted to follow the legal advice received. Discussions continued regarding the rescheduling of the January 2026 Governing Board Policy and Attorney Education Workshop, which was moved to January 22nd. The Board also considered and rejected proposals for in-person Board meetings and for allowing members to tour college campuses in person. The Consent Agenda approved various items, including minutes from the October 28th meeting, reports on revenues and expenditures for October, an Intergovernmental Agreement with Arizona Healthcare Cost Containment System, and several new curriculum proposals for the Bachelor of Design in Visual Design, HVAC Service Technician Certificate, Robotics Certificate, and Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Administration. The Study Session included President's Report updates from the Faculty Senate, Staff Association, and Student Government Association, as well as an update on housing and capital projects.

The meeting agenda included general procedural functions, a study session on Yavapai College District Governing Board Member Duties and Responsibilities, and informational discussions regarding the Overview of Arizona Economy and the High-Tech Sector Impact on the Arizona Economy. Further discussions covered Yavapai College Strategic Plan Initiatives and Process, and Yavapai College Finances. Following lunch, the session included the President's Report covering College Council, Faculty Senate, Staff Association, and Student Government Association updates, as well as a 2025-2026 Continuous Status Faculty Presentation and a review of January 2026 Budget to Actual Monthly Reports and Cash Reserves Monthly Reports. Board business involved a delegation of authority for service of process, a decision session on Yavapai College District Governing Policies (specifically changes to Policy 308 and Policy 310), and a consent agenda that included the approval of sabbaticals for two faculty members.