Compensation study shows how NPC compares with salaries ranges

Robertson also added that all data was aged to July 1, 2023, to be more effective for a current point in time. This was done using salary budget and salary structure trending factors from the WorldatWork salary trend survey. This aging included a 3% salary budget increase and 2% salary structure adjustment.

Just as data was adjusted to current point in time, Gallapher also took into account geographic differentials, which normalizes data obtained from varying locations to provide more precise figures for analyzing and setting pay. Robertson explained stating, “For instance, if we’re trying to use data salary figures from Oklahoma City, and compare those to where you are in Arizona, we would use the geographical differential to be able to normalize the salary to be similar to that in Arizona.” This takes into account the different labor costs between geographical areas, using data obtained from Economic Research Institute.

The study used percentage guidelines to determine the competitive nature of NPC’s compensation.

At the 25th percentile, NPC was at -5%, -12% at the 50th percentile and -21% at the 75th percentile. “That may indicate that you have a fairly large number of folks who are in the early parts of their career or the middle parts of their career rather than what’s the retirement age,” Robertson explained.

Another finding presented was ranges of salary. “What we did there was compare the minimum, the midpoint and max ranges to what we found in the market. We found you to be very competitive at all levels.” At the minimum range, NPC was at 2% higher, medium range 7% higher and maximum range 11% higher.

Overall, NPC faculty salary range is 38% above the market minimum and allows for salaries up to 104% above the market at the maximum. “We actually recommended no change in the faculty salary ranges. But we did recommend more levels in the faculty starting salary schedule, those being based on credentials that are needed to be to teach at the technical level,” stated Robertson, “We also recommend recognizing up to 15 years of experience using NPC’s current experience calculation with a difference of 1.5% for each year of experience, and salary setting for the new hires.” Robertson concluded stated that NPC is very well set up in regard to faculty salary.

Robertson then discussed the importance of the implementations of the proposed salary adjustments to reduce compression and impact of inflation. He also recommended that NPC conduct a comprehensive market study every three to five years.

The board also approved a consulting and design fee contract with SPS+ Architects (SPS+) not to exceed $97,000 to explore options and prepare plans for remodeling the Skills Center at the Painted Dessert Campus (PDC) as part of a feasibility study for the automotive technology (ATO) program. “We are aware of interest in the program, both from our partner, high school partners as well as local employers,” stated Dean of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Jeremy Raisor, “And so part of the work that SPS+ architects would do for us is to answer some questions and help us get a better feel for exactly what would be involved in changes required to be able to accommodate the program.”

The consulting and design fee will come from the college contingency budget set aside for the 2023-2024 academic year. NPC continues to use SPS+, who was selected in 2019 in response to a Request for Qualifications (RFQu) for Professional Planning and Architectural Services for Updating Master Facilities Plan and Design of New or Renovation of Facilities. Depending on the recommendations made by SPS+, an architectural design phase may take as long as six to nine months to complete, which would push the ATO program start date to Fall 2025.

Initial cost estimates for implementing the program vary depending on the remodeling and construction work required for the ATO program. With preliminary estimates running as high as $1 million for the changes needed, approving a contract with SPS+ for consulting and design work will provide NPC with the additional information necessary to determine more accurate costs going forward.

Northland Pioneer College Friends & Family (NPCFF) Executive Director Betsyann Wilson announced the total academic scholarships for the previous year was $197,000. “This is really exciting because it surpasses our previous year by almost $70,000 in scholarships.” She also informed the board of scholarships available for fall enrollment. For a full listing of scholarships, visit their website at www.npcfriendsfamily.org. NPCFF will also be opening for its spring scholarships on Oct. 1.

Wilson also stated that Pedal the Petrified, a bike ride fundraiser put on by NPCFF, will be hosted on Sept. 30 with a full register of 250 riders and a waitlist. “I have a waitlist at 25, I closed the waitlist because I don’t usually get 25 cancellations.”

During the construction report, Director David Huish gave an update on the White Mountain Campus Skills Center, stating that the automotive portion is 99% complete. “Students are in there working every day now. There are a couple items that the contractor needs to finish in the area such as touch up paint and things like that, and we’ve worked out where they will work around class schedules,” Huish stated. He added that the welding portion is short two electrical panels, which should be shipped out on the 22nd of this month.

President Chato Hazelbaker provided the board with updates to the college’s strategic plan and priority actions for the upcoming year. Topics focuses on increasing enrollment by meeting student needs and creating an Academic Master Plan to guide and develop programs.

Plans to increase enrollment include completing the Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) plan for the 2023-24 academic year. “It will probably be late this fall or early winter before you see the strategic enrollment management plan. But what we really discovered is it’s such a big thing that we really needed to get some additional training for folks.”

Chato also explained he often receives calls from employers looking for workers, which is why NPC will be implementing a Workforce Development Task Force. “We want one place to send all those requests to, so that we can really think about how we should respond as a college. And the other thing we want to do is, these are all folks that are in the community talking, so we want them to get together on a regular basis and talk about what is actually happening.” The college also has plans to improve sustainability of students and selecting leads for each priority action project.

Betsyann Wilson, acting as director of development, reported on the implementation and strategic plan for a Development Office at NPC. In her PowerPoint, it states that what she means by “development” is “a process of facilitating a college-wide culture for obtaining resources that support the college’s strategic plan, promote operational excellence and thereby advance its sustainability.”

Wilson stated the importance of a Development Office is it will help NPC focus development, take on pursuing grants, growing and strengthening partnerships, and supporting the strategic plan. “Basically, we want to become proactive instead of reactive with regard to our strategic priorities to advance.”

Wilson stated their big goal is a two-year strategic plan that results in NPC having the capacity, institutional culture and operational excellence in place to field a comprehensive development office.

Wilson invited employees to become involved in NPC development by taking an introductory grants class, learn project development and seek assistance from the Development Office.

The Assessment of Student Knowledge (ASK) Committee, which is a subcommittee of Instructional Council (IC), provided their yearly report to the board.

President Hazelbaker gave a report on the college’s enrollment, strategies to improve it and factors that affect enrollment.

Hazelbaker also provided a report on the request from Gila County Provisional Community College District to provide educational services to Gila County.

In new business, the board:

* Approved establishing a cash reserve of up to $6 million for proposed remodel and construction of facilities at Little Colorado Campus (LCC) in Winslow. It was originally estimated at $5.3 million, but was increased by the board for inflation purposes. Establishing this reserve commits NPC to use the funds only for this specific purpose per District Governing Board (DGB) approval. Capital policy 1926 addresses setting aside money over time to construct new buildings. Current unrestricted cash balance on June 30, 2022, is over $51 million.

* Approved a one-year renewal of services provided by Ellucian CampusLogic, including StudentForms with Insights for $37,518 and CampusCommunicator with Insights for $25,688, for a total amount of $63,206. Money for the renewal has been budgeted in the financial aid office budget.

* Approved the intergovernmental agreement between NPC and Apache County for school complex lease agreement.

* Adopted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 Expenditure Limitation Report.

* Approved an amendment to the adopted 2022 budget to reflect actual expenditures. The adopted budget in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, for the General Fund, Auxiliary Enterprises Fund, Restricted Fund, and Unexpended Plant Fund were $33.4 million, $350,000, $7.4 million and $17.2 million respectively. As the district did not spend all of the General Fund, Auxiliary Enterprises Fund, Restricted Fund, and Unexpended Plant Fund, as of June 30, 2022, the budgets for these funds were adjusted to the actual expenditure amounts of $23.2 million, $223,391, $7.3 million and $9 million, respectively.