College board to consider wage increase for employees

If approved, it was suggested that the district use approximately $250,000 out of its capital project funds to pay for a portion of the $583,000 increase, with the remainder paid for using carry forward monies. Currently NPC has approximately $30 million in carry forward funds. The team making the recommendations believes that this is necessary to retain and recruit staff and faculty. NPC currently has 14 positions open, many of which have been vacant over a year.

Pat Lopez, NPC faculty member and chair of the NPC Faculty Association said, “What we have seen happen is due to things like the cost of living but also significant increases in the benefits package and healthcare costs, many of our faculty and staff have seen their take home pay decrease in the last two years. We have serious concerns to what that will do as far as retention of current employees and recruitment of new employees.” Lopez also indicated that math and science faculty candidates have turned down positions at NPC due to the compensation offered.

Comparing to other community colleges, Cochise Community College is considering a 3.8 percent increase, Coconino Community College a two percent increase and Pima Community College has no wage increase in the works. The board will take action regarding the wage increase proposal in the future as they weigh the options.

NPC Friends and Family Executive Director Betsyann Wilson announced that Summit Healthcare has donated $5,000 in scholarship monies for the upcoming academic year. That money will provide five $1,000 scholarships to students in the nursing program. “Fall semester scholarships are all open for applications,” said Wilson. Wilson also reminded those in attendance that Arizona Gives Day is April 3. For more information on donating to NPC Friends and Family on Arizona Gives Day and how to donate see www.azgives.org.

Northland Pioneer College has an accreditation visit scheduled for November of 2019 to renew their accreditation and preparations continue. There is specific criterion that the college must meet in the accreditation process. The first criterion presented last month dealt with the college’s mission, academic programs and student services.

NPC President Dr. Jeanne Swarthout presented an overview of the second component of criteria for the accreditation visit. This portion includes integrity, ethical and responsible conduct. Meeting this requirement is shown in items such as audit results, policies and procedures and adherence to Arizona Open Meeting Law. Improvements to the current website will help with accessibility and improve the college’s position in meeting these criterion by giving easy access to important information like faculty credentials, handbooks, course schedules and program information.

Further evidence includes the commitment by the college to maintain academic freedom. Swarthout said, “We don’t have restrictions on academic or any free speech.” NPC policy and procedures affirms the commitment to freedom of expression. Unless pending legislative measures require changes there are no plans for revisions to those policies. NPC is confident that everything is in place and being addressed to meet these criterion required for accreditation.

Chief Business Officer Maderia Ellison presented the board with an adjustment to the fiscal year 2016-2017 adopted budget. This adjustment was a result of reconciliation. “We do this as an exercise in making sure that our budgets actually match our actuals,” said Ellison. NPC did not spend all of the funds in the general, auxiliary, restricted and unexpended plant funds. The adopted budget was $39 million but has now been adjusted to $28.5 million.

The next regular monthly Navajo County Community College District governing board meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on April 17, in the Tiponi Community Center on the NPC Painted Desert Campus in Holbrook.