Annual Report, 2006-2007
Personnel Commission
August 26, 2007
Personnel Commission
TORRANCE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
MERIT SYSTEM
The classified employees of the Torrance Unified School District have operated under the Merit System since 1989. The system provides for equal opportunity for applicants by requiring competition for positions. The Merit System is a system of rules and procedures similar to civil service. Its fundamental purpose is to ensure that employees are selected, promoted, and retained without favoritism and prejudice on the basis of merit and fitness, with the Personnel Commission playing a crucial part in the recruitment, selection and retention of the District’s excellent classified staff. The Commissioners usually meet twice a month to consider examinations, eligibility lists, reclassifications, salary studies, rule changes, disciplinary appeals, and other areas of importance to all classified employees.
The Personnel Commission’s purpose is multifaceted. In accordance with the provisions of the Education Code, the Commission establishes and amends Personnel Commission rules that are binding on the District as a whole; conducts classification studies; recommends equity salary adjustments; conducts all classified recruitment and selection processes; establishes procedures for transfers; interprets rules and regulations; and conducts disciplinary hearings and appeals.
Merit Systems operate in approximately 97 school districts in California. Almost 60 percent of all classified school personnel in the state work under the framework of a Merit System and enjoy the equal opportunity and fair selection procedures which it generates.
TRAINING
Each year the Commissioners and staff participate in a variety of professional personnel management activities to maintain and enhance their ability to administer the Merit System in Torrance through organizations such as the following:
California School Personnel Commissioners Association (CSPCA)
Personnel Commissioners Association of Southern California (PCASC)
Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)
Cooperative Organization for the Development of Employee Selection Procedures (CODESP)
Personnel Testing Council of Southern California (PTC-SC)
Southern California Personnel Management Association (SCPMA)
Western Region Item Bank (WRIB)
ACTIVITIES OF THE PAST YEAR
RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION:
2005-06
Number of Applicants: 1769
Applicants Tested: 1177
Applicants Interviewed: 670
Applicants Eligible: 659
Eligibility Lists Established: 67
Certification Lists Created: 239
Transfer Requests Received: 89
Requisitions Received: 330
Requisitions Filled: 243
Requisitions Canceled/Held: 40
Permanent Employees Hired: 234
Substitute Employees Hired: 81
2006-07
Number of Applicants: 1771
Applicants Tested: 1117
Applicants Interviewed: 729
Applicants Eligible: 685
Eligibility Lists Established: 66
Certification Lists Created: 230
Transfer Requests Received: 93
Requisitions Received: 303
Requisitions Filled: 218
Requisitions Canceled/Held: 69
Permanent Employees Hired: 222
Substitute Employees Hired: 109
CLASSIFICATION & SALARY RECOMMENDATIONS
Requests for Reclassification: 77
Positions Reclassified: 170
Position Classifications Created: 10
Position Classifications Revised: 3
An annual classified salary survey was conducted to help determine like-pay for like-service. As is customary, benchmark and other classifications were included in the survey. A copy of the survey is available in the Personnel Commission Office.
STATE REIMBURSABLE FUNDING
Approximately 22 percent of the Commission’s budgeted costs for Fiscal Year 2006-2007 were able to be offset by State reimbursable activities regarding preparation for labor contract negotiations and contract administration. Commission provided documentation for salary surveys, reclassification studies, and discipline appeal hearings, among other things, accounted for such reimbursements.
CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK
The Rules and Regulations of the Classified Service was updated in April 2007 to reflect changes in the California Education Code and to ensure the most complete application of the merit system regulations for classified employees. This Classified Handbook is available online at www.tusd.org. A hard copy is available at the Personnel Commission office.
MERIT SYSTEM LAW
Requires Personnel Commissions do the following:
Ensure employees are hired in accordance with Commission Rules and Merit System Law on merit and fitness, without favoritism, interference, or influence.
Protect applicants and employees from discriminatory treatment.
Determine job-related educational and work experience requirements.
Ensure objective, job-related tests.
Provide for establishment of eligibility lists.
Provide for announcement of job vacancies to employees and the public.
Classify or reclassify positions.
Recommend salary schedules consistent with the principle of like-pay for like-service.
Establish reasonable causes for demotion, suspension, and dismissal.
Investigate and hear appeals of permanent employees who have been suspended, demoted or dismissed.
*California Education Code Sections 45240-45320
PERSONNEL COMMISSION STAFF
Kris Koga, Ed.D., Director-Personnel Commission
kkoga@tusd.org, ext. 6347
Liane Kwan, Personnel Analyst
lkwan@tusd.org, ext. 6341
Brandon Tietze, Associate Personnel Analyst
btietze@tusd.org, ext. 6343
Hiroko Sumi, Staff Assistant-Personnel Commission
hsumi@tusd.org, ext. 6342
HOW TO REACH US:
2335 Plaza del Amo
Torrance, CA 90509
Phone: (310) 972-6342
FAX: 310) 972-6345
24-Hour Hotline: (310) 972-6344
www.tusd.org
MISSION STATEMENT
Consistent with the Mission Statement of the Torrance Unified School District, the Personnel Commission provides essential service for classified positions in a cost-effective, responsive, pro-active, and professional manner with an emphasis on service excellence.
GOALS
Work closely with school management, staff, classified employees, and job applicants to improve upon customer service delivery in the areas of recruitment, classification, salary recommendations, and employee relations.
Support the District’s management and classified employee training programs to enhance staff professionalism.
Improve communications with school management, staff, classified employees, and job applicants.
Improve employment procedures by increasing the use of customized supplements, adding validity and reliability to test scores, and exploring selective certification concepts.
OBJECTIVES
Continue to revise and improve the TUSD Personnel Commission website.
Continue to revise and improve recruitment and selection processes to better meet District needs.
Update and revise the Personnel Commission’s applicant tracking processes.
Provide suggestions to the District’s programs for staff training, development, ethics, and character building.
Support the District’s Equal Employment Opportunity Plan.
Review and make recommendations on the Personnel Commission’s telecommunications system.
Continue to research and develop effective ways to communicate with all classified employees.
Continue distribution of the Commission’s agenda by email.
PERSONNEL COMMISSIONERS
Owen H. Griffith, Ph.D., Chair
Dr. Griffith was appointed to the Commission in May of 1999. His many accomplishments include being a former member of the TUSD Board of Education from 1967 through 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 TUSD Board of Education.
Harold (Hal) M. Klonecky, Ed.D., Vice-Chair
Dr. Klonecky has been a member of the Personnel Commission since the inception of the Merit System in the District 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.
Patrick J. Furey, Esq., Member
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.
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.
