NCCCFA President Don Wildman & External Vice President Cliff
Mitchell prepare handouts at the legislature before visiting lawmakers
in their offices.
House Bill 1414
June 8, 2004
FYI: Parts of HB1414 which passed the NC House 8 June 2004
of interest to community college faculty. Pay special
attention to Part VIII Sections 8.2 (a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(h) and
Part XXXI Sections 31.11 and 31.11 (a)
Short Title: 2004 Appropriations Act. (Public)
Sponsors:
Referred to:
May 12, 2004
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO MODIFY THE CURRENT OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL
APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 2003 AND TO MAKE OTHER CHANGES IN
THE BUDGET OPERATIONS OF THE STATE.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
PART VIII. COMMUNITY COLLEGES Requested by: Representatives L.
Johnson, Preston, Tolson, Yongue
USE OF FUNDS FOR THE COLLEGE INFORMATION SYSTEM PROJECT SECTION
8.1.(a) Notwithstanding G.S. 143-23 or any other provision of law,
the Community Colleges System Office may use funds, other than personal
service funds, appropriated for the College Information System Project
for the 2004-2005 fiscal year to establish new personnel positions
to support the project. Creation of these positions is subject to
the provisions of the Executive Budget Act and to approval by the
Office of State Budget and Management.
SECTION 8.1.(b) Funds appropriated to the Community Colleges System
Office for the College Information System Project shall not revert
at the end of the 2003-2004 fiscal year but shall remain available
until expended.
SECTION 8.1.(c) The Community Colleges System Office shall report
on a quarterly basis to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight
Committee on the implementation of the College Information System
Project.
SECTION 8.1.(d) Subsection (b) of this section becomes effective
June 30, 2004. Requested by: Representatives L. Johnson, Preston,
Tolson, Yongue
CARRY FORWARD FOR EQUIPMENT
SECTION 8.2.(a) Subject to the approval of the Office of State Budget
and Management and cash availability, the North Carolina Community
Colleges System may carry forward an amount not to exceed ten million
dollars ($10,000,000) of the operating funds held in reserve that
were not reverted in fiscal year 2003-2004 to be reallocated to
the State Board of Community Colleges' Equipment Reserve Fund. These
funds shall be distributed to colleges consistent with G.S. 115D-31.
SECTION 8.2.(b) This section becomes effective June 30, 2004.
Requested by: Representatives Tolson, McLawhorn,
Warren, Bordsen, L. Johnson, Preston, Yongue
SALARIES OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE FACULTY AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF
SECTION 8.3.(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly to establish
a community college faculty salary plan that (i) provides accountability
to the General Assembly, (ii) maintains local flexibility and autonomy
for the community colleges, and (iii) ensures that community college
faculty members have a uniform minimum salary based on level of
education, equivalent applicable experience, or both. It is imperative
that the State move community college faculty and professional staff
salaries to the national average. The estimated incremental costs
of doing so over five years are thirty-three million two hundred
eighty-nine thousand three hundred seventy-one dollars ($33,289,371)
for the 2004-2005 fiscal year, twenty-one million ninety-two thousand
sixty-six dollars ($21,092,066) for the 2005-2006 fiscal year, twenty-one
million five hundred seventy-four thousand five hundred three dollars
($21,574,503) for the 2006-2007 fiscal year, twenty-two million
ninety-five thousand five hundred thirty-two dollars ($22,095,532)
for the 2007-2008 fiscal year, and twelve million four hundred twenty-seven
thousand five hundred thirty-one dollars ($12,427,531) for the 2008-2009
fiscal year.
SECTION 8.3.(b) The minimum salaries for community college faculty
shall be based on the following education levels: (1) Vocational
Diploma/Certificate or Less. - This education level includes faculty
members who are high school graduates, have vocational diplomas,
or have completed one year of college. (2) Associates Degree or
Equivalent. - This education level includes faculty members who
have an associates degree or have completed two or more years of
college but have no degree. (3) Bachelors Degree. (4) Masters Degree
or Education Specialist. (5) Doctoral Degree.
SECTION 8.3.(c) For the 2004-2005 school year, the minimum salaries
for nine-month, full-time, curriculum community college faculty
shall be as follows: Education Level Minimum Salary Vocational Diploma/Certificate
or Less$28,512 Associates Degree or Equivalent $28,944 Bachelors
Degree $30,817 Masters Degree or Education Specialist$32,478 Doctoral
Degree $34,874. No full-time faculty member shall earn less than
the minimum salary for his or her education level. The pro rata
hourly rate of the minimum salary for each education level shall
be used to determine the minimum salary for part-time faculty members.
SECTION 8.3.(d) (1) It is the intent of the General Assembly to
encourage community colleges to make faculty salaries a priority
and to reward colleges that have taken steps to achieve the national
average, therefore: a. If the average faculty salary at a community
college is one hundred percent (100%) or more of the national average
community college faculty salary, the college may transfer up to
ten percent (10%) of the State funds allocated to it for faculty
salaries. b. If the average faculty salary at a community college
is at least ninety-five percent (95%) but less than one hundred
percent (100%) of the national average community college faculty
salary, the college may transfer up to eight percent (8%) of the
State funds allocated to it for faculty salaries. c. If the average
faculty salary at a community college is at least ninety (90%) but
less than ninety-five percent (95%) of the national average community
college faculty salary, the college may transfer up to six percent
(6%) of the State funds allocated to it for faculty salaries. d.
If the average faculty salary at a community college is at least
eighty-five percent (85%) but less than ninety percent (90%) of
the national average community college faculty salary, the college
may transfer up to four percent (4%) of the State funds allocated
to it for faculty salaries. e. If the average faculty salary at
a community college is eighty- five percent (85%) or less of the
national average community college faculty salary, the college may
transfer up to two percent (2%) of the State funds allocated to
it for faculty salaries. Except as provided by subdivision (2) of
this subsection, a community college shall not transfer a greater
percentage of the State funds allocated to it for faculty salaries
than is authorized by this subsection. (2) With the approval of
the State Board of Community Colleges, a community college at which
the average faculty salary is eighty-five percent (85%) or less
of the national average may transfer a greater percentage of the
State funds allocated to it for faculty salaries than is authorized
by sub-subdivision e. of subdivision (1) of this subsection. The
State Board shall approve the transfer only for purposes that directly
affect student services. The State Board of Community Colleges shall
adopt rules to implement the provisions of this subdivision. (3)
A local community college may use all State funds allocated to it
except for Literacy Funds and Funds for New and Expanding Industries
to increase faculty salaries. SECTION 8.3.(e) As used in this section:
(1) "Average faculty salary at a community college" means
the total nine- month salary from all sources of all nine-month,
full-time, curriculum faculty at the college, as determined by the
North Carolina Community College System on October 1 of each year.
(2) "National average community college faculty salary"
means the nine-month, full-time, curriculum salary average, as published
by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), for
the most recent year for which data are available.
SECTION 8.3.(f) The State Board of Community Colleges shall adopt
rules to implement the provisions of this section.
SECTION 8.3.(g) The State Board of Community Colleges shall report
to the appropriations subcommittees on education, the Speaker of
the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate,
the Fiscal Research Division, and the Office of State Budget and
Management by December 1, 2004, and every year thereafter through
December 1, 2009, on the implementation of this section. SECTION
8.3.(h) Funds appropriated in this act for salary increases shall
be used to: (1) Implement the minimum salaries set out in subsection
(c) of this section. Funds shall be allocated to those colleges
with faculty below the minimum salary in each education level as
determined by the North Carolina Community College System. These
funds shall only be used to bring the salaries of full-time faculty
members to the applicable minimum; and (2) Increase faculty and
professional staff salaries by an average of two percent (2.0%).
These increases are in addition to other salary increases provided
for in this act, and shall be calculated on the average salaries
prior to the issuance of the compensation increase. Colleges may
provide additional increases from funds available. The State Board
of Community Colleges shall adopt rules to ensure that these funds
are used only to move faculty and professional staff to the respective
national averages. These funds shall not be transferred by the State
Board or used for any other budget purpose by the community colleges.
Requested by: Representatives L. Johnson, Preston, Tolson, Yongue
MODIFY REPORTING REQUIREMENT FOR NEW AND EXPANDING INDUSTRY TRAINING
PROGRAM
SECTION 8.4. G.S.115D-5(i) reads as rewritten: "(i)The State
Board of Community Colleges shall report to the Joint Legislative
Education Oversight Committee on March 1 and October 1 September
1 of each year on expenditures for the New and Expanding Industry
Program each fiscal year. The report shall include, for each company
or individual that receives funds for New and Expanding Industry:
(1) The total amount of funds received by the company or individual;
(2) The amount of funds per trainee received by the company or individual;
(3) The amount of funds received per trainee by the community college
training the trainee; (4) The number of trainees trained by company
and by community college; and (5) The number of years the companies
or individuals have been funded." Requested by: Representatives
L. Johnson, Preston, Tolson, Yongue
NEW AND EXPANDING INDUSTRIES TRAINING PROGRAM FUNDS
SECTION 8.5.(a) Funds available to the New and Expanding Industries
Program shall not revert at the end of the 2003-2004 fiscal year
but shall remain available until expended. SECTION 8.5.(b) This
section becomes effective June 30, 2004. Requested by: Representatives
Clary, L. Johnson, Preston, Tolson, Yongue
NCCATT TO OPERATE AS THE NORTH CAROLINA CENTER FOR APPLIED TEXTILE
TECHNOLOGY AT GASTON COLLEGE
SECTION 8.6.(a) The General Assembly finds that: (1) A strong and
revitalized textile industry is an essential component of the State's
economy; (2) The State must therefore preserve, protect, and enhance
its ability to provide support services to the textile industry;
(3) It is necessary to make improvements in the administration,
operations, and procedures of the North Carolina Center for Applied
Textile Technology to maximize the State's ability to provide support
services to the textile industry; (4) Since its creation in 1989,
the Hosiery Technology Center at Catawba Valley Community College
has effectively provided the hosiery industry with the services
it needs to succeed amid growing global competition; and (5) The
State can best utilize its facilities in eastern Gaston County for
economic development by transferring the North Carolina Center for
Applied Textile Technology to Gaston College.
SECTION 8.6.(b) G.S. 115D-68 reads as rewritten: "§ 115D-
68. Creation of board of trustees; members and terms of office;
no compensation. Transfer of North Carolina Center for Applied Textile
Technology; establishment of advisory committee. The North Carolina
Center for Applied Textile Technology shall be managed, subject
to policies and regulations of the State Board of Community Colleges,
by a board of trustees. The board of trustees shall consist of the
President of the North Carolina System of Community Colleges and
nine members appointed by the Governor. The terms of office of the
trustees appointed by the Governor shall be as follows: Three of
the trustees shall be appointed for a term of two years; three for
three years; and three for four years. At the expiration of those
terms, the appointments shall be made for periods of four years.
In the event of any vacancy on the board, the vacancy shall be filled
by appointment of the Governor for the unexpired term of the member
causing the vacancy. The members of the board of trustees appointed
by the Governor shall serve without compensation. (a) Effective
July 1, 2004, the North Carolina Center for Applied Textile Technology
is transferred to the Community Colleges System Office. The transfer
shall have all of the elements of a Type I transfer, as defined
in G.S. 143A-6(a). (b) Effective January 1, 2005, the North Carolina
Center for Applied Textile Technology is transferred from the Community
Colleges System Office to Gaston College. The transfer shall have
all of the elements of a Type I transfer, as defined in G.S. 143A-6(a).
The Center shall be known as the North Carolina Center for Applied
Textile Technology at Gaston College. (c) An advisory committee
to the North Carolina Center for Applied Textile Technology is hereby
established. The advisory committee shall consist of three members
appointed by the Governor, three members appointed by the President
Pro Tempore of the Senate, three members appointed by the Speaker
of the House of Representatives, and three members appointed by
the Gaston County Board of Commissioners. Initial terms shall begin
July 1, 2004. Initial members of the board shall serve staggered
terms. One initial member appointed by each appointing authority
shall serve for a two-year term, one initial member appointed by
each appointing authority shall serve for a three-year term, and
one initial member appointed by each appointing authority shall
serve for a four-year term. Subsequent terms shall be for four years.
All vacancies occurring on the board shall be filled for the remainder
of the unexpired term by the appointing authority making the original
appointment. Members shall receive per diem, travel, and subsistence
allowances in accordance with G.S. 138-5 and G.S. 138-6, as appropriate."
SECTION 8.6.(c) The State Board of Community Colleges, in consultation
with the Department of Commerce, representatives of the North Carolina
textile industry, the School of Textiles at North Carolina State
University and the Hosiery Technology Center, shall develop a plan
for transferring the North Carolina Center for Applied Textile Technology
to Gaston College. In developing the plan, the State Board shall
determine the most effective method for serving the textile industry
throughout the State. The plan shall address: (1) The implementation
of any proposed changes to the Center's (i) organization and funding
structure, (ii) mission and purpose, and (iii) programs or services
currently offered; (2) Appropriate staffing levels based on the
model of the Hosiery Technology Center and provisions for current
staff; and (3) Necessary funding for the repair and renovation of
existing structures. The State Board of Community Colleges shall
report the results of its study to the Joint Legislative Commission
on Governmental
Operations and the Fiscal Research Division on or before October
15, 2004.
SECTION 8.6.(d) The State Board of Community Colleges may use funds
appropriated for the operation of the North Carolina Center for
Applied Textile Technology for the 2004-2005 fiscal year for maintenance
and operation of plant.
SECTION 8.6.(e) The State Board of Community Colleges shall transfer
three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) of the funds appropriated
for the North Carolina Center for Applied Textile Technology for
the 2004-2005 fiscal year to the Hosiery Technology Center at Catawba
Valley Community College. These funds shall be used by the Hosiery
Technology Center to assist in the implementation of the transfer
of the North Carolina Center for Applied Textile Technology and
to offset the loss of funds by the Hosiery Technology Center from
the Worker Training Trust Fund. These funds shall be used only for
the operation of the Hosiery Technology Center and shall not be
used for any other purpose.
SECTION 8.6.(f) G.S. 115D-2(3) reads as rewritten: "§
115D- 2. Definitions. As used in this Chapter: ... (3) The term
"institution" refers to any institution established pursuant
to this Chapter except for the North Carolina Center for Applied
Textile Technology.Chapter."
SECTION 8.6.(g) G.S. 115D-69, 115D-70, and 115D-71 are repealed.
SECTION 8.6.(h) G.S. 115D-58.14(a) reads as rewritten: "(a)
Community colleges and the Center for Applied Textile Technology
may purchase the same supplies, equipment, and materials from noncertified
sources as are available under State term contracts, subject to
the following conditions: (1) The purchase price, including the
cost of delivery, is less than the cost under the State term contract;
and (2) The cost of the purchase shall not exceed the bid value
benchmark established under G.S. 143-53.1."
SECTION 8.6.(i) Subsections (e) and (g) of this section become
effective January 1, 2005. The remainder of this section becomes
effective July 1, 2004. Requested by: Representatives L. Johnson,
Preston, Tolson, Yongue
FUNDS FOR THE BUREAU OF TRAINING INITIATIVES SECTION 8.7.
(a) The Community Colleges System Office may carry forward the
unexpended balance of funds appropriated for the 2003- 2004 fiscal
year from the Worker Training Trust Fund to the Community College
System Office, Bureau of Training Initiatives. These funds shall
be used for pilot programs that support the retraining of the existing
workforce in new skills related to specific industry sectors. The
purposes for which the funds may be used in the pilot programs include
targeted assessments, training equipment, software, third-party
trainers, and supplies and material costs. Any unexpended balance
remaining in this program shall revert to the Worker Training Trust
Fund on June 30, 2005.
SECTION 8.7.(b) This act becomes effective June 30, 2004. Requested
by: Representatives L. Johnson, Preston, Tolson, Yongue
FUNDS FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE ARTICULATION AGREEMENT STUDY
SECTION 8.8.(a) Section 8.12(h) of S.L. 2003-284 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 8.12.(h) The University of North Carolina, Office
of the President, and the North Carolina Community College System
shall each transfer thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000) to the
Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee to carry out this
study. Funds transferred by the North Carolina Community College
System that are not expended shall not revert on June 30, 2004,
but shall remain available for the 2004-2005 fiscal year to pay
costs associated with the study."
SECTION 8.8.(b) This section becomes effective June 30, 2004. Requested
by: Representatives L. Johnson, Preston, Tolson, Yongue
REPORT ON THE ADEQUACY OF MULTICAMPUS FUNDS
SECTION 8.9. The General Assembly finds that additional data is
needed to determine the adequacy of multicampus funds; therefore,
multicampus colleges shall report annually, beginning September
1, 2005, to the Community Colleges System Office on all expenditures
by line item of funds used to support their multicampuses. The Community
Colleges System Office shall report on these expenditures to the
Education Appropriation Subcommittees of the House of Representatives
and the Senate, the Office of State Budget and Management, and the
Fiscal Research Division by October 1 of each year. Requested by:
Representatives L. Johnson, Preston, Tolson, Yongue
COMMUNITY COLLEGE FUNDING FLEXIBILITY
SECTION 8.10. Section 8.1 of S.L. 2003-284 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 8.1. A local community college may use all State funds
allocated to it, except for Literacy Funds and Funds for New and
Expanding Industries, for any authorized purpose that is consistent
with the college's Institutional Effectiveness Plan. Each local
community college shall include in its Institutional Effectiveness
Plan a section on how funding flexibility allows the college to
meet the demands of the local community and to maintain a presence
in all previously funded categorical programs. No more than two
percent (2%) systemwide shall be transferred from faculty salaries
without the approval of the State Board of Community Colleges. The
State Board shall report on any such transfers above two percent
(2%) systemwide to the Office of State Budget and Management and
the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations at its
next meeting." Requested by: Representatives L. Johnson, Preston,
Tolson, Yongue
MIDDLE COLLEGE START-UP FUNDS
SECTION 8.11.(a) Funds appropriated for a middle college program
at Edgecombe Community College shall not revert at the end of the
2003- 2004 fiscal year but shall remain available until expended.
SECTION 8.11.(b) This section becomes effective June 30, 2004. Requested
by: Representatives L. Johnson, Preston, Tolson, Yongue
MATCHING FUNDS FOR THE CAREER START PROJECT
SECTION 8.12. Community colleges may use funds earned through the
continuation education enrollment allotment for Human Resource Development
Programs to match federal grants for the Career Start Project. Requested
by: Representatives Baker, L. Johnson, Preston, Tolson, Yongue
STUDY OF FTE FUNDING FORMULA
SECTION 8.13. The State Board of Community Colleges shall consider
modifications to its funding formulas to ensure that colleges have
sufficient funds to adequately serve students when enrollment increases.
In the course of the study, the State Board shall consider methods
of accurately projecting enrollment for the upcoming academic year
and using projected enrollment in its funding formulas. The State
Board shall also consider modifications to its funding formulas
to ensure that adequate funding is provided for high-cost programs.
The State Board shall report the results of its study to the Joint
Legislative Education Oversight Committee and to the chairs of the
appropriations committees of the House of Representatives and the
Senate by January 15, 2005. Requested by: Representatives Baker,
L. Johnson, Preston, Tolson, Yongue
FUNDS FOR SIGNIFICANT FTE INCREASES
SECTION 8.14. Funds are appropriated in this act for the 2004-2005
fiscal year to create a contingency reserve fund for community college
enrollment increases. The State Board of Community Colleges shall
use these funds to increase the FTE allotment for the spring semester
of the 2004-2005 school year at colleges that experience a total
enrollment growth for the fall semester of the 2004-2005 school
year of over ten percent (10%). Each such college shall receive
an increase in its FTE allotment for the spring semester equal to
the amount the enrollment increase exceeded ten percent (10%), insofar
as funds are available within the enrollment reserve. Funds not
expended or encumbered for this purpose shall revert to the General
Fund at the end of the 2004-2005 fiscal year. The State Board of
Community Colleges shall adopt rules to determine eligibility for
funds from the contingency reserve. Requested by: Representatives
Barnhart, L. Johnson, Preston, Tolson, Yongue, Baker
CONTINGENCY RESERVE FOR COLLEGES EXPERIENCING HIGH RATES OF UNEMPLOYMENT
SECTION 8.15. There is created in the Community College System
a contingency reserve fund to assist colleges in counties experiencing
high rates of unemployment due to manufacturing job losses. The
State Board of Community Colleges shall provide training and assistance
to displaced workers who have lost employment as a result of the
closing or relocation of a manufacturing company. The State Board
shall report on the implementation of this program to the Joint
Legislative Education Oversight Committee by May 1, 2005. The State
Board of Community Colleges shall adopt rules to implement this
section.
PART XXXI. SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Requested by: Representatives
Crawford, Sherrill, Baker, Clary, Earle, Grady, Owens, Wright
COMMUNITY COLLEGE PERSONNEL
SECTION 31.11. The Director of the Budget shall transfer to the
North Carolina Community College System Office from the Reserve
for Compensation Increases created in this act for fiscal year 2004-2005
funds necessary to provide an annual salary increase of eighty-three
dollars and thirty-four cents ($83.34) per month, including funds
for the employer's retirement and social security contributions,
commencing July 1, 2004, for all permanent full-time community college
institutional personnel supported by State funds. Requested by:
Representatives Crawford, Sherrill, Baker, Clary, Earle, Grady,
Owens, Wright
MOST STATE EMPLOYEES
SECTION 31.13. Section 30.13 of S.L. 2003-284 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 30.13.(a) The salaries in effect June 30, 2003, of
all permanent full- time State employees whose salaries are set
in accordance with the State Personnel Act, and who are paid from
the General Fund or the Highway Fund shall remain in effect for
the 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 fiscal years, fiscal year, and there
shall be awarded a compensation bonus for the 2003- 2004 fiscal
year as authorized in this Part. Effective July 1, 2004, the salaries
of all permanent full-time State employees whose salaries are set
in accordance with the State Personnel Act, and who are paid from
the General Fund or the Highway Fund shall be increased by eighty-three
dollars and thirty-four cents ($83.34) per month, unless otherwise
provided by this act. "
SECTION 30.13.(b) Except as otherwise provided in this act, the
compensation of permanent full-time State officials and persons
in exempt positions that are recommended by the Governor or the
Governor and the Advisory Budget Commission and set by the General
Assembly shall remain in effect, and there shall be awarded a compensation
bonus for the 2003- 2004 fiscal year as authorized in this Part.
Effective July 1, 2004, the compensation of permanent full-time
State officials and persons in exempt positions that are recommended
by the Governor or the Governor and the Advisory Budget Commission
and set by the General Assembly shall be increased by eighty-three
dollars and thirty-four cents ($83.34) per month, unless otherwise
provided by this act. "
SECTION 30.13.(c) The For the 2003-2004 fiscal year, the salaries
of all permanent part-time State employees shall remain in effect,
and there shall be awarded a compensation bonus for the 2003-2004
fiscal year as authorized in this Part. The salaries in effect for
fiscal year 2004-2005 for all permanent part-time State employees
shall be increased on or after July 1, 2004, by pro rata amounts
of the eighty- three dollars and thirty-four cents ($83.34) per
month."
SECTION 30.14.(c) The compensation bonuses do not apply to persons
separated from State service due to resignation, dismissal, reduction
in force, death, or retirement, or whose last workday is prior to
October 1, 2003. The salary increases provided by this Part are
to be effective July 1, 2004, and do not apply to persons separated
from State service due to resignation, dismissal, reduction-in-force,
death, or retirement, whose last work day is prior to July 1, 2004.
This subsection shall apply to all employees, subject to or exempt
from the State Personnel Act, paid from State funds, including public
schools, community colleges, and The University of North Carolina.
Explanation of HB 1414 by Cliff Mitchell,
External Vice-President of NCCCFA
June 11, 2004
Fellow NCCCFA member:
Yesterday, I forwarded to you a copy of that part of the 2004-2005
state budget that was passed yesterday by the NC House and sent
to the Senate. I thought it would be helpful to put some context
to all that legislative verbiage.
The good news is that the House budget bill includes the wording
that was in HB 1404 to move community college faculty and professional
staff salaries to the national average in five years. If this language
is also included in the Senate budget bill, then the General Assembly
will be on record stating it intends to raise our salaries according
to the NCCCFA plan that we have been promoting for so long. What
makes this news less exciting is that the House has not appropriated
enough money, almost $33 million, to take the complete first step
to 85 percent of the national average this year. What has been appropriated
is $1,000 + 2 percent, approximately $12 million. For faculty making
the state employee average salary, this will approximately equal
a 4½-percent salary increase. Additionally, these raises
are to be pro-rated to part-time instructors. While 4 ½-percent
is not all that we wanted or requested, it is a very important first
step toward the national average. Community college faculty raises
in the House budget bill this year are higher than those of any
other state employees. And the NC House is on record accepting our
salary goal as their salary goal. This has never happened before.
The present 2-percent limitation on the transfer of curriculum
faculty salary money to non-faculty purposes at a college has been
changed to encourage our presidents to use whatever funds they have
available to raise their school's salaries to the national average.
As presidents move their faculty and professional staff salaries
closer to the national average, they will be rewarded with more
flexibility in moving funds out of the faculty salary line into
other areas when needed. Colleges at 85 percent of the national
average and below are limited to transferring only 2 percent (as
is presently the case). Those colleges between 85 percent and 100
percent can move up to 4 to 8 percent on a graduated scale. Colleges
where faculty salaries are at 100 percent of the national average
may move up to 10 percent of instructional salary funds to non-
curriculum use.
Finally, the House bill includes, for the first time, a minimum
salary for all faculty, depending on their degree and years of service.
The nine-month minimum salary range is from $28,512 for a vocational
diploma to $34,874 for a Ph.D. A total of $1.5 million has been
appropriated to raise salaries of those currently below their appropriate
minimum.
All of this is excellent news, but a word of caution is in order.
These provisions still have to pass the NC Senate and be signed
by the governor to become law. Our discussions with the members
of the General Assembly, therefore, are still very delicate. While
we don't yet have everything we wanted, we don't want to jeopardize
what we have achieved thus far. Later, after the final legislative
decisions have been made, we can discuss what next we need to do
to achieve our goal of reaching the national average in five years.
Cliff Mitchell
External Vice-President
Follow-up Comments by Cliff Mitchell, External
Vice-President of NCCCFA
Fellow association members,
I have received a couple of emails in response to my earlier correspondence
and explanation on the House budget bill. Concerns were expressed
about "lack of verbage on staff salaries" and that "there
is no mention of para- professional staff (i.e. clerical) in the
equation."
MINIMUM SALARY SCHEDULE: The House budget bill states that it is
their intention to establish a minimum salary schedule for community
college faculty based on five levels of education, experience, or
both. The 2004-2005 minimum salary range was set at $28,512 to $34,874
for a nine-month full-time faculty member. $1.5 million was appropriated
to raise those faculty now paid below this level to their appropriate
minimum.
It is my guess (and only that) that the bill failed to include
a minimun salary scale for staff because many colleges, like mine
Johnston Community College in Smithfield, already have salary scale
plans established for staff which include a whole range of steps
from maintenance personel to Vice-Presidents and Deans. These plans
are usually coordinated with local community employment practices
and the makeup of the school's staff.
SALARIES TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE: The House budget bill also establishes
their intention to raise faculty and professional staff salaries
to the national average within five years. This has been a multi-year
goal of our association because NC community college faculty are
currently paid at a level of 78 percent of the national average
while professional staff are paid at a level of 73 percent of the
national average. The House bill appropriated approximately $12
million to provide these, both faculty and professional staff, employees
with a raise averaging 2 percent of current salary in addition to
all other salary increases made for all state employees, including
our para-professional staff. This is a small but important first
step to raise these salaries to the national average.
It is my guess (again only that) that non-professional staff were
not included in this part of the bill because they are already paid
according to local community employment standards. Whether non-professional
staff are in fact paid adequately compared to their peers or not
is open to further study. Faculty and professional staff clearly
are not paid adequately compared to their peers according to numerous
studies made over the last few years.
STATE EMPLOYEE SALARY: In addition to all the above, the House
bill also includes appropriation for a $83.34 a month salary increase
for all state employees including community college faculty and
staff (para- and professional.) For the twelve-month state employee,
this computes to a $1,000 a year increase (or 2 percent for the
average state
employee) and $750 a year increase for the nine-month employee.
This is an attempt to help those state employees
who are now paid the least more than those now paid the most. Whether
or not this is equitable way to distribute salary increases is in
the eyes of the beholder.
In summation, the House bill includes a very balanced salary increase
for community college employees. It is, of course, not all that
we might like but it is the best in three years. And finally, it
still faces discussion in the state Senate and the pen of the governor
before anyone gets anything.
Cliff Mitchell
External Vice-President, NCCCFA
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Explanation
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