Patrick J. Furey, Esq.
Personnel Commissioners
The Commission meets every first and third Tuesday of the month at 3:30 p.m. in the District Board Room, 2336 Plaza del Amo. This is an open meeting and everyone is invited to attend.
Patrick J. Furey, Esq., Chair
Mr. Furey is a Senior Deputy County Counsel assigned to the Children's Services Division of the Los Angeles County Counsel's Office and is currently serving his second term as Civil Service Commissioner for the City of Torrance. Mr. Furey is a board member and currently is serving his third term as president of the Torrance Education Foundation. He is also the president of the Northwest Torrance Homeowners Association and a member of the City of Torrance Blue Ribbon Ethics Committee. Mr. Furey is the appointee of the classified unions to the Personnel Commission.
Harold (Hal) M. Klonecky, Ed.D., Vice-Chair
Harold M. Klonecky, Ed.D.
Dr. Klonecky has been a member of the Personnel Commission since the inception of the Merit System in 1989. He began his teaching career at North High School. He served as principal of Torrance High School from 1970 until his retirement in 1987 and continues to be active in community affairs. He is an avid golfer, walker and reader. He is the appointee of the other two commissioners.
Owen H. Griffith, Ph.D., Member
Owen H. Griffith, Ph.D.
Dr. Griffith was appointed to the Commission in May 1999. His many accomplishments include being a former member of the Torrance Unified School District Board of Education, 1967-1995, with five terms as president. He continues to be active in many local organizations and school related associations. He is the appointee of the Torrance Unified School District Board of Education.
The Personnel Commission is the mainstay of the merit system. It is an independent body composed of three persons appointed for three-year staggered terms. Commissioners are lay persons who must be known adherents of the merit principle. The Personnel Commission is responsible for maintaining a merit system for classified employees of the school system and for fostering the advancement of a career service for such employees. To execute these responsibilities the State Education Code provides that Personnel Commissioners shall classify positions, hear appeals of disciplinary and dismissal matters, and protests involving examinations, selection or appointment procedures, and prescribe rules related to a variety of personnel practices. Authority for Personnel Commission functions is provided by Sections 45220 through 45320 of the State Education Code.
