The classification and compensation plan shall not apply to:
1. Exempt employees specified in Section 8-11-260;
2. Academic personnel;
3. Officials or employees whose salaries are fixed by statute;
4. Such other positions the General Assembly may elect to exempt from time to time;
5. Such other personnel employed by the State institutions of higher learning and/or medical institutions of education and research as are recommended by the respective governing bodies and approved by the Department of Administration.
6. Instructional positions for which certification is required at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind.