SBCTC Policy Manual
Chapter 1: Statutes, Policies and Regulations Governing Washington Community and Technical
Colleges
This chapter contains policies related to the organization of the two-year college system and about other state agencies whose operations concern community and technical college education. Links are provided in the respective policy statements to RCWs, WACs, and procedures and guidelines that are relative to that policy.
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, the term “Board” or “State Board” shall mean the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
Policy history
Action | Description | Revision Date |
---|---|---|
SBCTC Resolution 02-09-16 | Board approved Policy Manual | 09/19/2002 |
The Community and Technical College Act of 1991 authorizes the two-year college system to provide for the increasing numbers of students requiring high standards of education in transfer, professional-technical and adult basic skills and literacy (see RCW 28B.050).
1.10.10 Cooperating Educational and Governmental Organizations
In carrying out the duties and responsibilities authorized by the Community and Technical College Act, the State Board and State Board staff work with other educational and government agencies to provide education and training to meet the needs of the state’s communities and the students they serve (see Cooperating Educational and Governmental Organizations under “Policy Resources” below).
Policy resources
The Community and Technical College Act of 1991 established a nine-member Board, appointed by the governor, with the consent of the Senate. Statutory provisions propose that State Board members represent the geographic diversity of the state, labor, business, women, and racial and ethnic minorities (see RCW 28B.50.050).
1.20.10 Bylaws of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Bylaws for the State Board were initially adopted in June 1967 following the Legislature’s adoption of the Community College Act of 1967. Since then, several revisions have been made to accommodate changes in the system (see SBCTC Policy Manual, 1.30 Bylaws of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges).
1.20.20 State Board organization and operation
The State Board consists of nine members appointed by the governor. Members serve for terms of four years (see WAC 131-08-005).
1.20.30 Appearances and presentations before the State Board
Members of the public who wish to make/request formal presentations to the State Board on matters relevant to community and technical college education or matters under consideration by the State Board will be given that opportunity consistent with regulations and procedures as codified (see RCW 42.30 and WAC 131-08-007).
1.20.40 General duties and responsibilities of the State Board
Duties and responsibilities of the State Board are set forth in the following:
- General. The board shall have general supervision and control over the state system of community and technical college (see RCW 28B.50.090).
- Adult Education. The board shall administer all federal programs for adult education (see RCW 28B.50.250).
- Real Estate. The board may sell, lease or exchange real or personal property from private sources (see RCW 28B.50.090(15) and RCW 28B.50.140 (4)).
- Construction. The board authorizes trustees of college districts to provide for the construction and related activities (see RCW 28B.50.330 through RCW 28B.50.440).
- Retirement Programs. The board authorizes the purchase of annuities or retirement income plans for certain college employees (see RCW 28B.10.400 through RCW 28B.10.423).
Policy history
Action | Description | Revision Date |
---|---|---|
SBCTC Resolution 20-12-49 | Board approved Policy Manual revisions | 12/02/2020 |
Passage of SHB 1102 | Capital Budget | 05/21/2019 |
Passage of SB 5045 | Construction Technical Corrections | 07/22/2011 |
Passage of ESHB 1981 | Retirement and Annuity Programs | 07/01/2011 |
Passage of ESHB 1847 | Bid Limits | 07/26/2009 |
Name
The name of this organization shall be the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
Legal basis
The legal basis for education in the community and technical college system is vested in the will of the people as expressed in the constitution of the State and the statutes pertaining to community and technical college education.
Authority
The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges shall act as the agent of the State in exercising general supervision and control over the state system of community and technical colleges. It shall be responsible for carrying out the responsibilities and duties imposed upon it within the confines of the authority, power, and discretion granted to it by law (see RCW 28B.50).
The Board shall appoint and fix the salary of a director who, under its supervision, shall administer the provisions of law and the rules and regulations established thereunder (see RCW 28B.50.060).
The Board shall authorize, by resolution, such special or standing committees as are deemed necessary. The role, responsibility, and/or authority of each committee shall be set out by the Board in the resolution. Special committees may be formed at the discretion of the chair, pending approval by the Board at the next business meeting.
No member of the Board shall have power to independently act in behalf of or bind the Board except the chair when directed and authorized by the Board to execute contracts entered into by the Board (RCW 28B.50.060).
Membership
Nine members shall be appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate (see RCW 28B.50.050).
All members shall be citizens and residents of the state.
The term of office of members of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges shall be four years and members shall continue to serve until the appointment and qualification of their respective successors. Each appointee to the Board shall have full authority to act following appointment, pending consent of the Senate.
Whenever there shall be a vacancy, the Governor shall fill such vacancy by appointment and the person appointed shall remain in the office only for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Members may be removed by the Governor for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.
Officers
At its annual March meeting the Board shall appoint a nominating committee to submit from among its members a chair and vice chair for nomination at its annual June meeting. The chair and vice chair serve as the elected officers of the Board.
At its annual June meeting the Board shall elect from among its members a chair and a vice-chair who, following the June meeting, shall serve for one year until successors are elected (see RCW 28B.50.070). No Board member may serve more than two successive terms in an officer position, regardless of the position held.
The chair shall preside at all meetings of the Board and shall sign all legal and official documents that require signature on behalf of the Board. While presiding, the chair shall have full right of discussion and vote.
In the absence of the chair, the duties of the chair will be assumed by the vice chair who shall act as chair pro tempore. The vice chair may serve as the successor to the chair.
The chair, vice chair, and the immediate past chair shall serve as an -Executive committee to assist the director with planning Board agendas and activities between Board meetings. No final actions shall be taken by the Executive Committee on behalf of the Board.
Director
The director shall be the executive officer and secretary of the Board and shall attend all meetings of the Board but shall not be entitled to vote in its proceedings. The director shall keep records of proceedings of all meetings and be responsible for the distribution of minutes of the meetings and other official actions of the Board. The director shall also post all legal notices and perform such other duties as are prescribed by the Board and by law (see RCW 28B.50.060).
At its first regular meeting of the calendar year, the Board shall appoint an Evaluation Committee. The primary responsibility of the Evaluation Committee is to recommend the process for evaluating the performance of the director in that year, and administer any process adopted by the Board.
Meetings
Regular meetings, of which there shall be a minimum of one per quarter, shall be held at the Board's established offices in Olympia or wherever the convenience of the public or of the community and technical colleges may be promoted, or delay or expense may be prevented. The annual meeting of the Board shall be held in the month of June (see RCW 28B.50.070).
Equity and accessibility are Board priorities in setting the location and structuring of Board meetings. Board members are highly encouraged to attend regular meetings in-person, if given the option and to the extent they are able. The annual meeting of the Board shall be held in the month of June (see RCW 28B.50.070).
Five members shall constitute a quorum, and no meeting shall be held with less than quorum present. The concurrence of at least five members is necessary to authorize any official board action. All members present at a public meeting must either cast a vote or indicate a desire to abstain from voting upon any question or motion properly before the Board.
Members of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges shall receive compensation not to exceed $50 and per diem in the sum provided by law for each day attending meetings of the Board and also for each day spent fulfilling duties as a Board Member. Members shall also receive mileage and other travel reimbursed as authorized under Office of Financial Management travel regulations (RCW 28B.50.050).
All State Board meetings will be held in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act and the Administrative Procedures Act, to the extent the acts govern.
Agenda
After consultation with the executive committee, an agenda for each regular meeting shall be prepared by the director and distributed to Board members no later than four days prior to the meeting. The agenda shall be amended at the time of the meeting upon the request of either the chair or director.
Minutes
Minutes of the proceedings of the Board of the previous meeting shall be prepared by the Secretary and distributed to the members with the next meeting's agenda.
A copy of all motions shall be recorded in full in the minutes. The names of those who make second motions and those who vote aye, nay or abstain shall be recorded. The official minutes shall be bound and kept in the office of the director.
Parliamentary authority
The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, shall guide the Board in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the bylaws of this Board or the laws of the state.
Amendments
These bylaws may be amended by a majority of the entire Board provided the amendment was submitted at the previous meeting.
Fiscal year of the State Board
The fiscal year of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges shall conform to the fiscal year of the State of Washington and shall be from July 1 ‑ June 30, inclusive.
Member attendance policy
Each member of the Board is expected to attend regular meetings of the Board and to be an active member of at least one committee established by the Board.
In the event a member is unable to attend a Board or committee meeting, the State Board office should be notified as soon as possible.
Each new member of the State Board shall, upon appointment, be furnished with a copy of this policy.
In March of each year, a report of the attendance record shall be sent to the Governor.
Policy history
Action | Description | Revision Date |
---|---|---|
Board Action | Bylaws most recently amended | 05/27/2024 |
Board Action | Bylaws amended | 09/12/2013 |
Passage of ESHB 548 | Bylaws initially adopted | 06/22/1967 |
The executive director of the state system of community and technical colleges is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the State Board.
1.40.10 Duties and responsibilities of the executive director
Qualifications, duties, and responsibilities of the executive director are set forth in statute (see RCW 28B.50.060).
1.40.20 Delegation of authority to the executive director
By resolution, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges delegates to the executive director authority to perform the following in the name of the Board. Delegation of these authorities, together with future delegations of the Board’s powers and duties, shall be filed in the executive director’s office.
- To negotiate and execute contracts and agreements necessary for the performance of
the Board’s or the executive director’s statutory duties, provided that:
- Funds are available for payment of such contracts and agreements and related costs.
- The initial obligation for the expenditure of funds does not exceed five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for information-technology expenditures and two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for all other expenditures.
- To make application for and accept federal and private funds available for educational purposes or to aid educational institutions or boards. Acceptance of such funds is subject to conditions attached thereto, the laws of the state of Washington, and State Board policies and rules.
- To regulate districts’ sale, exchange, and conveyance of community or technical college personal property (see RCW 28B.50.090(12)).
- To approve or disapprove applications for professional-technical programs submitted in accordance with State Board policies and procedures governing these programs (see SBCTC Policy Manual, Chapter 4: Instructional Program and Course Development).
- To set guidelines and receive and disburse funds for capital support, maintenance
and operation of community and technical college districts in conformance with state
and district budgets and RCW 43.88 (see SBCTC Policy Manual, Chapter 6: Capital Expenditures and Real Property Transactions). This authority includes:
- Distributing funds for project preplanning and master planning as appropriated and according to criteria reviewed and approved by the Board.
- Approving expenditures of local capital funds for projects up to one million dollars ($1,000,000). At each Board meeting, the executive director will provide a summary of projects approved since the prior Board meeting.
- Approving transfer of title to real property to a public agency.
- Approving easements to public agencies or utility companies.
- Approving the rental or lease of facilities by a community or technical college district that will have 24‑hour control of such facilities.
- Approving the rental or lease of community and technical college facilities to a lessee that will have 24‑hour control.
- Approving or authorizing local boards to approve the rental or lease of facilities by a community or technical college district that will not have 24-hour control.
- Executing documents required for Certificates of Participation and ground leases previously approved by the State Board in the capital budget (see RCW 43.88 and SBCTC Policy Manual, Chapter 6: Capital Expenditures and Real Property Transactions).
- To appoint a designee for the duration of an absence.
- To approve employee travel to Hawaii and foreign countries (see State Administrative and Accounting Manual 10.10.50(b)).
- To delegate signature authority to the SBCTC Division Directors and to other employees.
Policy history
Action | Description | Revision Date |
---|---|---|
SBCTC Resolution 13-06-33 | Increased Executive Director’s authority | 06/20/2013 |
SBCTC Resolution 13-06-33 | Removed the dollar limitations on the delegation of signature authority | 06/20/2013 |
Washington State is divided into thirty community and technical college districts.
1.50.10 District Designations
District boundaries are set forth in statute. The State Board is authorized to establish criteria and procedures for modifying district boundaries and may make such changes as it deems advisable (see RCW 28B.50.040, RCW 28B.50.020, RCW 28B.50.090 (6)).
1.50.20 District Leadership
Each college district has a board of trustees appointed by the governor, with consideration for appointments given to geographical diversity, labor, business, women, and racial and ethnic minorities (see RCW 28B.50.100; RCW 28B.50.140).
1.50.30 Criteria and Procedures for Modifying District Boundaries
The purpose of this procedure is to provide an orderly means of changing college district boundary lines and applies to the perimeters of a community college district if it be changed as a result of action by the State Board (see RCW 28B.50.040; Criteria and Procedures for Modifying Community and Technical Colleges District Boundaries under Policy Resources below).
Policy resources
Policy history
Action | Description | Revision Date |
---|---|---|
Passage of ESSB 6359 | Institutional coordination and partnerships | 06/10/2010 |
The State Board requires that college districts adhere to the requirements and procedures of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities for all colleges operated by that district. The college district shall seek membership and accreditation status in the Commission for all new colleges at the earliest possible time following establishment of the college.
Policy resources
The 1990 Legislature established the Exceptional Faculty Awards Program, a state matching grant program designed to assist community and technical colleges in creating endowed trust funds. These funds are designed to recognize outstanding faculty by providing faculty development awards to individuals or groups (RCW 28B.50.835 through 28B.50.844, WAC 131-16-450).
1.70.10 College Fund Requirements
Colleges must deposit all funds in a separate endowment account from which only the earnings may be expended for the purposes of the program. Colleges may request matching grants in $10,000 increments. (see Exceptional Faculty Awards Fund Procedures in Policy Resources below).
Policy resources
Policy history
Action | Description | Revision Date |
---|---|---|
SBCTC Resolution 04-05-13 | Exceptional Faculty Awards chapter added | 03/10/2005 |
Page Manager:
sherriot@sbctc.edu
Last Modified: 10/11/24, 12:13 PM