MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Community College System outlined its 2025 legislative priorities, most of which aligned with the FY26 budget request approved in December. The draft agenda, presented during a recent ACCS Board of Trustees work session, focuses on workforce development, expanded scholarship opportunities and facility improvements.
Boone Kinard, ACCS external affairs executive director, described the agenda’s “big four” priorities:
- A 15% pay raise, phased in over a three-year period, for staff and faculty;
- Increased funding for dual enrollment scholarships for high school students;
- Resources to expand ACCS Innovation Center offerings and enhancing workforce training programs;
- Additional funding to improve community college facilities statewide.
Alabama Daily News reported last month that community colleges are facing difficulties hiring instructors due to salary competition with the private sector and K-12 schools.
Kinard emphasized the need to fully fund employee health insurance and retirement benefits, citing increased costs resulting from federal changes. The board that manages Alabama’s health care program for teachers is going to ask lawmakers for an additional $134 million in fiscal year 2026 to start plugging an expected $283 million shortfall in 2027.
“We thought it was important to make sure that our employees at ACCS and our colleges are taken care of as part of that request,” Kinard said.
ACCS wants to maintain its historical share – typically 10% according to Kinard – of an expected $1 billion allocation from the Advancement and Technology Fund, which they’ve primarily used for capital expenditures. Kinard also highlighted the importance of securing a “good portion” of the expected $524 million in supplemental FY24 Education Trust Fund revenue to support facility improvements.
Additionally, ACCS should monitoring potential legislation connecting K-12 schools and workforce development, aiming to strengthen community colleges’ collaboration with the State Board of Education and State Department of Education.
While not taking a stance on gambling legislation, Kinard said if lawmakers file a gaming bill, he anticipates advocating for a share of gaming proceeds to fund scholarships for community college students.
“Certainly we want some of the proceeds specifically for student scholarships,” he said.
The Board of Trustees is expected to finalize the agenda at its February meeting. ACCS Chancellor Jimmy Baker is scheduled to present the system’s budget request to lawmakers on Feb. 5.
