CHARLESTON -- A bill passed by the Legislature on Saturday would make all of the state's 10 community-technical colleges independent entities, including Marshall Community and Technical College in Huntington.

Supporters of the legislation say it will help the colleges focus on the critical task of workforce training.

The bill, which passed the Senate 27-6, becomes effective July 1, 2008. The vote in the House of Delegates was 64-33.

Sen. Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, said several studies dating as far back as 1971 have recommended that community and technical colleges become independently-accredited institutions rather than be under the umbrella of universities.

"At the same time, we never created a system that addressed a lot of our workforce development needs," he said. "We have finished between 45th and 50th in about every category of workforce development. That's why this bill is so crucial to us competing in the 21st century."

Gov. Joe Manchin agreed.

"If our skill levels aren't high enough, we're not going to be able to command high-paying jobs," Manchin said.

Plymale said another bill, Senate Bill 682, which gives the community and technical colleges funding from a bond issue, is vital to their success because it will provide the money needed to achieve autonomy. Marshall's college would receive $13.5 million.

Four of the state's 10 community-technical colleges already have some degree of independence from four-year universities, which supporters argue has helped them prosper. There was much discussion on the bill by a House-Senate committee Saturday because of several changes made by both chambers.

While the House's version of the bill only included the separation of one community-technical college from its four-year counterpart, changes by the Senate affected all 10 in the state.

The bill also established boards of governors for each of the other six community-technical colleges which aren't yet independent. Besides Marshall, they are Eastern West Virginia in Moorefield, West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery, Pierpont in Fairmont, West Virginia State in Institute and West Virginia University at Parkersburg.

Plymale said the Senate's version of the budget bill, which will be debated this week, contains $1.25 million for Marshall University to shoulder costs associated with the separation from Marshall Community Technical College.

Those opposing the bill have said independence could have a negative impact on community-technical colleges. Delegate Lynwood Ireland, R-Ritchie, said community-technical college graduates receive better consideration when applying for a job because their institutions are currently linked to larger, higher-profile schools.

To make his opinion clear, Ireland introduced an amendment in committee that would designate West Virginia University at Parkersburg as a regional campus of West Virginia University. The amendment failed and the joint committee substituted the House's version of the bill for the Senate's version.

Plymale responded that no matter the name on the degree, students at the community-technical colleges will continue to receive the same high level of education.

Supporters of the bill have said that independence will direct more revenue to the schools, boost enrollment and help focus on job training.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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