WTCS head resigns, recuitment for replacement underway

Dr. Richard Carpenter resigned as president of the Wisconsin Technical College System effective July 28th, leaving the WTCS Board to conduct its second presidential search in three years. Dr. Carpenter left the WTCS for the Community College of Southern Nevada, where he is serving as college president. Dan Clancy, the WTCS State Office's Vice President for Finance and Policy, has been appointed interim president. http://www.weac.org/Constit/WTCS/TechMemo/2004-05/9_14/1.htm

WTCS State Board approves 2005-07 budget request

The WTCS State Board unanimously approved at its August 25 meeting its 2005-07 budget request, a $34.5 million package intended in part to stop the decades-long decline in general state aid to the WTCS. The two-year budget proposal, which was developed by a committee that included representatives from WEAC, AFT-WI and several other constituent groups, also includes important elements intended to spur economic development, expand access to minority populations and increase financial aid to WTCS students. http://www.weac.org/Constit/WTCS/TechMemo/2004-05/9_14/2.htm

Congress considers Perkins reauthorization, funding

One of the primary pieces of federal legislation governing technical and vocational education, the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act, is currently being considered for "reauthorization," the process by which a federal program is continued and its funding ceiling is set. Originally established in 1984, the Perkins program is the main source of federal grants for states' vocational and technical programs at both the secondary and post-secondary levels. Wisconsin receives approximately $27 million from the Perkins program each year, about $14 million of which is retained by the WTCS. http://www.weac.org/Constit/WTCS/TechMemo/2004-05/9_14/3.htm

NESPA wins arbitration

Congratulations to the Northcentral Education Support Professional Association (NESPA), which won its interest arbitration case in early September.

As a result of the arbitration victory, support staff at Northcentral Technical College (NTC) will receive a 3.1% salary increase retroactive to the beginning of the 2002-03 fiscal year and an additional 2.95% increase retroactive to 2003-04. The award also maintains existing health insurance rates.

The arbitrator rejected the NTC administration's final proposal, which included a 2% wage increase in each year of the contract and would have doubled health insurance premiums.