Minutes-Regular Meeting-May 17, 2005
Personnel Commission
August 27, 2001
May 17, 2005
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Dr. Klonecky at 3:30 p.m.
PRESENT
Personnel Commissioners:
Dr. Harold M. Klonecky
Dr. Owen H. Griffith
Mr. Steven M. Busch
Ms. Kris Koga, Director-Personnel Commission
Mr. Walt Heath, Associate Personnel Analyst
PLACE AND DATEOF MEETING
Torrance Unified School District Office Board Room, 2336 Plaza del Amo, Torrance, May 17, 2005.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ms. Koga.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES --Regular Meeting of May 3, 2005
Dr. Griffith moved, seconded by Mr. Busch, that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 3, 2005 be approved. Motion carried 3/0.
APPROVAL OF ELIGIBILITY LISTS -- Carpenter and Painter
Mr. Busch moved, seconded by Dr. Griffith, that the Eligibility Lists -- Carpenter and Painter be approved. Motion carried 3/0.
APRIL 5 LETTER REGARDING REQUIREMENTS OF EDUCATION CODE
Ms. Koga noted that in the March 23, 2005 Daily Breeze, Education Writer, Ian Hanigan wrote "Marcia Ventura, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office, said that translates into 50 percent of the votes cast, plus one." (Article attached) Subsequent to this article, a letter dated April 5, 2005 was sent to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Conny B. McCormack seeking correction of that misinformation. (Letter attached) Ms. Koga pointed out an excerpt from the letter from Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Conny B. McCormack dated April 29, 2005 (see attached): "We are aware of the requirements cited in your April 5 letter than an initiative ballot measure on the subject of termination of a school district merit system would require a majority "yes" of the total number of registered voters within the District. Our media spokesperson's misunderstanding of this requirement arose from the unusual nature of a "supermajority" requirement." Mr. Busch requested that a copy of this letter be forwarded to the Education Writer of the Daily Breeze, Ian Hanigan, and City Clerk Sue Herbers for the City of Torrance.
APPROVAL TO RENEWAL OF CONTRACT FOR RECLASSIFICATION STUDY
Mr. Busch moved, seconded by Dr. Griffith, that the Contract for Reclassification Study be approved. Motion carried 3/0.
APPROVAL OF REVISION OF JOB DESCRIPTION -- Paraeducator-Tier I/Tier II
The following employees addressed the Commission concerning this item:
1. Aaron Benton, Director-Special Education, described the recommended changes noting that a Paraeducator Committee (representatives from each school site) had also reviewed the recommendations.
2. Kathy Kelly, Paraeducator and member of Paraeducator Committee suggested that further study of changes was needed.
3. Roberta Beylea, Paraeducator, described the special needs of many of the students Paraeducators served.
4. Tony Hernandez, CSEA, suggested that Paraeducators needed union representation.
5. Kathy Gates, Paraeducator, agreed that further study of the job description was needed before approval.
6. Elaine Wixon, Paraeducator, agreed that further study of the job description was needed before approval.
7. Claudia Noble, Paraeducator, agreed that further study of the job description was needed before approval.
After hearing from all speakers, Commissioners tabled approval of this item until the next meeting. It was suggested that the Committee further study the recommendations and continue discussions with Aaron Benton.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Next Commission Meeting:June 7, 2005, 3:30 p.m. -- District Office Board Room.
COMMENTS FROM STAFF
Ms. Koga reported that staff was regulating permanent placements and that the four (4) custodian placements were now complete. Additionally, eligibility lists now being sent out are monitored for continued compliance with rules and regulations of the Personnel Commission.Personnel Commissioners commended staff efforts to ensure that classified employees receive the benefits of permanency (i.e., salary step increases, health insurance and PERS Retirement benefits).
MOTION TO ADD CLOSED SESSION ITEM
Dr. Griffith moved, seconded by Mr. Busch, that the Commission move into Closed Session with no intended action taken. Motion carried 3/0.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned 5:28 p.m.
