House Education Committee passes HB1133 to allow vocational institute to hire president with industry background

The House Education Committee passed HB 1133 on Tuesday, adding a permissive hiring provision and an emergency clause to allow Northwest Arkansas Technical Institute (NTI) to begin a presidential search sooner.

Representative Steve Unger, sponsor of the bill, said the amendment "basically to declare an emergency" would help NTI, which "is currently looking for a president" after its president suffered a stroke roughly a year ago. Unger described NTI as "the last true vo tech school in Arkansas" and said the emergency clause would let the institute begin recruitment earlier.

The measure as amended would permit NTI—s board of trustees to consider candidates with an industry background in place of traditional academic qualifications. Unger and other supporters framed the change as aligning qualifications with the school—s mission to deliver short-term technical certificates and industry-focused training. "If it's somebody who had an educational background that knows their way around the shop floor to the Top Floor, that would be great," Unger said, praising local workforce director Mike Rogers as an example of the kind of industry-experienced leader supporters seek.

Committee members asked whether the permissive language would remove usual hiring safeguards. Representative McKenzie (vice chair) and Representative Beck were told the bill is permissive — it removes an existing barrier rather than requiring a board to hire a particular candidate. Committee discussion clarified that NTI retains a board of trustees that will conduct the search, and the board is appointed by community leaders under established local rules; members said the board will likely use standard search processes, such as hiring a search firm.

The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote and later approved HB 1133 as amended by voice vote. The transcript records committee assent with "Aye" and "No" responses but includes no roll-call tally in the record.

Supporters said the change responds to employers— demand for short-term, industry-specific credentials and would allow NTI to recruit leaders with direct industry experience. Opponents did not appear in the hearing record; one committee member voiced a question about minimum qualifications but accepted the sponsor—s explanation that the bill is permissive.

The bill will move on from the House Education Committee as passed and will be sent to the next stage of legislative consideration.