Kevin J. LaMountain

The agenda for the board meeting includes several items for review, discussion, and possible action. Key topics involve the review and possible acceptance of the audio recordings as the official Open Minutes of the Board Meeting from January 22, 2026. The Board will also review and discuss the Executive Director's Report. Consideration and possible action will be taken on pending initial license applications, specifically for Granite Mountain Training Academy. Furthermore, the Board will review, discuss, and potentially take action regarding the accreditation status, financial viability, regulatory compliance, and teach-out planning for the Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA), including the possibility of limiting future enrollment. The meeting concludes with a Call to the Public.

The agenda for this board meeting includes the review, discussion, and possible action on the approval of previous board meeting minutes from October 23, 2025, and January 7, 2026. Key discussion points also cover the Executive Director's Report and the review, consideration, and possible action on several pending initial license applications for vocational schools, including Hands On HVAC School, Zollege Healthcare Career Schools, and three locations related to Phoenix Medical Assistant School. The agenda concludes with a Call to the Public.

The special board meeting agenda includes a Roll Call, a Declaration of Conflicts of Interest, and a primary item concerning the Review, Consideration, and Possible Action on the notification of Escalated Review Notice from The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine regarding Financial Status, Accreditation Status, and Compliance/Regulatory Status for the Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture. Possible actions range from issuing orders to cease enrollment or undergo an audit, to negotiating a consent agreement or referring the matter for license revocation. The agenda also reserves time for Call to the Public, where input is limited to five minutes per presenter.

The plan focuses on improving regulatory rules and processes, enhancing the student complaint process through the Thential Complaint Portal, and maintaining effective regulation of the private postsecondary education sector. It aims to strengthen personnel structure and leadership capability, assist closing institutions with orderly closures, efficiently manage the Student Tuition Recovery Fund, and provide quick access to student records. The plan also includes updating Board rules to align with current best practices and legislative changes.

The strategic plan focuses on improving regulatory rules and processes, enhancing the student complaint process, and maintaining effective regulation of the private postsecondary education sector. It aims to enhance personnel structure and leadership capacity, assist closing institutions, secure student financial restitution, and provide quick access to student records. Key strategies include streamlining licensing processes, pursuing legislative changes to increase fees, improving staff training, and digitizing student records.