(a) (1) (A) The Director of the Arkansas Heavy Equipment Operator Training Academy shall follow hiring procedures consistent with the policies of the University of Arkansas at Monticello in recommending academy personnel for hire.

(B) The Chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Monticello shall exercise final approval over the hiring of academy personnel.

(2) Persons employed by the academy as of July 1, 2003, shall be retained unless:

(A) They fail to fulfill their assigned duties; or

(B) Lack of enrollment in or funding of the academy necessitates staff reduction.

(3) The salaries of persons who are employed by the academy as of July 1, 2003, shall not be reduced as a result of this section and §§ 6-61-531 and 6-61-533.

(4) Persons who are nonclassified employees and faculty of the academy as of July 1, 2003, will remain under the academy's pay schedule.

(5) Persons employed by the academy as of July 1, 2003, may join the university's fringe benefits package, which includes the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System.

(6) The university will accept any leave balance for academy personnel that has accrued as of July 1, 2003, if the leave balance does not exceed the maximum leave allowed under Arkansas law.

(b)

(1) The director will report directly to the chancellor regarding the operation of the academy.

(2) The director shall be appointed by the Chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Monticello or his or her designee.

(c) The university shall continue to offer the technical certificates previously approved by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board for the training of heavy equipment operators.

(d) The Arkansas Heavy Equipment Operator Training Academy Advisory Committee shall continue to make recommendations regarding the operation of the academy and its curriculum.