Yavapai County Education Service Agency 2970 Centerpointe East Drive, Prescott, Arizona 86301 And Teams

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 10:00 A.M.

P=Present    EX=Previous notice of absence    ABS=No previous notice of absence Also present were: Audrey Isley – YCESA, Frank Vander Horst – YCESA, Danny Brown –

Yavapai County Forest Fee Management Association Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

1. Welcome and Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by President Burns at 10:01 am.

2. Establishment of Quorum and Pledge of Allegiance (President Burns)

A quorum was established.

3. Limited Call to the Public (President Burns)
   • The public is invited to speak about any agenda item
   • There is a limit of three (3) minutes per speaker and 20 minutes total
   • Requests to speak must be in writing and provided to the Clerk at the beginning of the meeting or prior to any agenda item
   • The President has absolute discretion over procedural matters
   • The board may waive their “Public Participation Policy” as it applies to all speakers
   • Members of the public may indicate their support or opposition to a topic, in writing, that will be noted and entered into the record.
   • The board may not respond to comments from the public but may ask the facilitator to respond or place the item on a future agenda

Danny Brown – Substitute Teacher Training Review

Total of 17 attendees, topics included classroom management, emergency response, and child abuse reporting. Further, ESI came from Phoenix to discuss policies and procedures, reviewed interface on ESI website, and presented on working with special populations. There was a “Round Robbin” – 6 teachers from all over the county, all grade levels. They visited with each group, preparing attendees for different grade level spans. There was also an Admin panel: presented materials and resources for substitutes when they arrive and there’s no lesson plan prepared. There were some prior/existing substitute teachers that also attended and communicated their experiences to the new and prospective substitute teachers. Contact information was distributed to all. Many thanks to all who assisted, and thanks to FFMA.

4. Discussion and Action Items of the Consent Agenda: All items on the consent agenda may be adopted as a whole with one motion, unless a member of the Board wishes to consider it separately

·         Approval of the Minutes from June 23, 2025

• Approval of the Regular Meeting Agenda for September 16, 2025

Lynn Leonard made a motion to approve the agenda and minutes as presented; Matt Schumacher seconded the motion; it was approved unanimously by Cindy Daniels, Lynn Leonard, Matt Schumacher, Stephanie Miller and Kellie Burns.

5. Information, Discussion and Action Item: Fiscal Agent Report, Political/Legislative Update, Secure Rural Schools Update

Bill remains on the desk of Speaker of the House. He stated to Mango-Paget that he has not received enough communication regarding the importance of this bill to make it a priority. Stated there is not enough money – that last time it was taken out of Helium funds. Steve to forward Speaker Mike Johnson’s contact information to the Board to inundate him with support for the bill. The Speaker wanted unanimous support, there was not. NACO, ACO, County School Superintendents have all been working on it, but still “not getting enough support to make this a priority.” Stephanie Miller suggested creating a montage of what Forest Fees means to our schools, get press involved. Steve spoke with a videographer recently on different matters, will present this idea to the videographer.

6. Information, Discussion and Action Item: Review and Potentially Modify Encumbrance Items and Amounts.

A.   Technology Related Funding

Last meeting it was approved to extend technology fund through September 2025. Requesting funds to be extended through 2026.

Last AI classes were not timed perfectly, need input on timing for this round. Approximately 10 attended from Prescott last time. Robyn is working on hybrid model for instruction. Stephanie sees a lot of teacher fatigue currently. It was suggested to offer a stipend to up participation, split 50/50 between District and FFMA. Would need to cap the number of seats to control expenses. Suggested $500 for the entire course. Classes are approximately a half day, over 6 weeks. To offer a stipend, it must occur outside of contract hours. The following suggestions were made: Spring Break; first week of June; evening classes twice per week, possibly spread out over 8 weeks instead of 6. Stephanie is in favor of offering sooner, if possible – November/December. It was also discussed if a stipend is given, there is an expectation to bring information back to home district and work with staff that did not attend.

It was also discussed that benefits would be an additional expense for the stipend, unless the

$500 includes benefits, because stipends paid through payroll would need to include benefits. Suggested that FFMA pays $500 and districts could send $250 back to FFMA? Or FFMA could pay $200 total instead of $500. Also suggested that YCESA could pay directly and invoice districts for the other $250. However, every person would need to be set up as vendor with W9.

The funds for this are already allocated to YCETC. If needed, it was suggested to have a short emergency meeting to discuss just AI once more information is received. Steve will speak with Robyn and send notes out to members.

B.    Consolidated Substitute Teacher Potential Training Update

Danny Brown provided above. Board previously agreed to proceed with payment for the software/program Ready Sub through 2025/2026.

C.   E-Rate Update (Frank Vander Horst)

Change in FCC with Republican administration – now has a Republican majority – school bus wifi and hotspots are now ineligible for e-rate. All commissioner spots are filled, and there will be no movement on that. Frank stated that he is in the middle of gathering funding requests, is continuing to take clients, but no solicitations. Rachel did a great job at the BOS last week. We are not actively seeking new clients, but they keep finding us.

D.   Lobbying/Advocacy Update

Agreed to renew fund through June 2026. No discussion.

E.    Yavapai College Matinee Series

Not present, last meeting agreed to $50,000 request. No new information received. Steve will reach out to matinee people and send any updates to the group.

F.    Administrative Fund

Mr. King stated that his entire DC trip was $50.50. There was a crisis team expense in Prescott, but in total, very few Administrative Fund expenses. No changes needed at this time. No comments. Beth now taking the lead on crisis teams.

G.   Elections Update

Three overrides in process, but no updates – Audrey’s certification is in process. Attended and passed 1-week long class, has a 2-day class in October and then will be fully certified.

H.   School Safety Funding Tiers

Board agreed last meeting no action will be taken. Standing item – still no funding, will remain as a standing item on the agenda.

I.      Other Budget, Encumbrance, or Financial Items Raised from the Member Districts or Board Members

No comments.

7. Discussion: Topics from the Board for Future Agenda Items

School Safety Funding.

8. Information, Discussion, and Action – The Board has Established the Following Meeting Dates
   • December 16, 2025 – 10am Annual Meeting, Voting of Officers, (Group 1 term ending 31.25)

Kellie is Group 1 – will need nomination from her groups to be ratified at annual meeting to continue on the board. Someone that represents the group right now will reach out saying seat is getting ready to expire. Kellie will review prior procedures and discuss with Steve. Steve to reach out to applicable groups and make sure nomination procedures are completed.

 Open Call to the Public for Future Agenda Items –

No open call to the public.

10. Action Item: Adjournment (President Burns) – The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 Cindy motioned to adjourn. Lynn seconded.