NICEVILLE — Northwest Florida State College President Ty Handy’s contract has been renewed for another three years.
Under the amended contract, Handy’s salary will increase by 1.5 percent like the rest of faculty and staff, and his compensation package will be increased by $500 to adjust to inflation. He also can cash in up to 10 unused days of leave instead of five days.
“It’s great to have a vote of confidence,” Handy said Wednesday after the board of trustees’ decision Tuesday night.
Trustees C. Wayne Ansley and Patrick Byrne voted against the contract.
Ansley and Byrne were appointed to the board in late March along with Mike Flynt and Brad Drake.
“I’m going to have a problem extending the contact … as I’ve only known you for three meetings,” Ansley said. “ … It’s nothing personal. I hope you understand that.”
Byrne said he was uncomfortable with keeping Handy on a three-year contract in light of controversy surrounding other Florida college presidents’ contracts. He said it would be better if the agreement was for two years.
He said he didn’t have any issues with any other part of the contract and complimented it.
“Quite frankly, I think it’s a deal if you compare his benefit package with his peer group,” Byrne said.
The trustees also approved NWF State’s budget for the next school year.
The $42.9 million spending plan calls for no tuition increases, but will raise the average student’s capital improvement fee by about $30 per semester.
“It continues to be tough times in Florida for higher education … but we understand that so we’re being very, very careful,” Handy said.
The budget provides a 1.5 percent pay increase for most faculty and staff, but doesn’t call for any major construction projects.
Budget projections were based on enrollment dropping about 3 percent from the 2012-13 school year.
“I’m pleased that we’re able to offer what we’re able to offer,” Handy said.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Katie Tammen at 850-315-4440 or ktammen@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieTnwfdn.