Minutes-Regular Meeting-October 2, 2007
Personnel Commission
October 11, 2007
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Dr. Griffith at 3:30 p.m.
PRESENT
Personnel Commissioners:
Owen H. Griffith, Ph.D.
Harold M. Klonecky, Ed.D.
Patrick J. Furey, Esq.
Kris Koga, Ed.D., Director-Personnel Commission
Liane Kwan, Personnel Analyst
PLACE AND DATE OF MEETING
Torrance Unified School District Office Conference Room,
2335 Plaza del Amo, Torrance, October 2, 2007.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Dr. Klonecky.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES –Regular Meeting of September 18, 2007
Dr. Klonecky moved, seconded by Mr. Furey, that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 18, 2007 be approved. Motion carried 3/0.
APPROVAL OF ELIGIBILITY LISTS- Paraeducator-Tier I/Tier II, Instructional Assistant-Computer Lab
Dr. Klonecky moved, seconded by Mr. Furey, that the Eligibility Lists –Paraeducator-Tier I/Tier II, Instructional Assistant-Computer Lab be approved. Motion carried 3/0.
APPROVAL TO PAY INVOICE 10684922 – KRISTINE KWONG, ESQ., HINSHAW & CULBERTSON LLP
Dr. Klonecky moved, seconded by Mr. Furey, that Invoice 10684922 for Kristine Kwong, Esq., Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP be approved for payment. Motion carried 3/0.
APPROVAL OF ADVANCED PLACEMENT – JOB DEVELOPER
Dr. Klonecky moved, seconded by Dr. Griffith, that the advanced salary placement to Step 3 of Range 24 on the Classified Unrepresented Salary Schedule for Ms. Teresa Furey and Ms. Pooying Kimball-Huth, Job Developers, be approved. Motion carried 2/0. Mr. Furey recused himself from this item.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Job Announcements:
Child Development Instructor
Child Development Program Assistant-Tier II
Food Services Assistant
Food Services Satellite Operator
Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanic
HVAC Mechanic Trainee
Painter
School Bus Driver – Behind-the-Wheel-Trainer
School Bus Driver
Software Specialist
Next Regular Commission Meeting-
October 16, 2007, 3:30 p.m. – District Office Board Room
PCASC Spring Conference-April 25-26, 2008-Hilton Irvine/Orange County Airport
COMMENTS FROM STAFF
Dr. Koga noted that the Personnel Commission Office will hold Custodian Group Interviews on Friday, October 5, 2007 in order to fill four (4) new, full-time Custodian positions at the high schools and one (1) part-time position to be split between the Children’s Center and Carr Elementary School.
Dr. Koga added that the newsletter will be published on a quarterly basis, with the next edition focusing upon the reclassification process.
Dr. Koga stated she will set up a Reclassification Study Committee comprised of representatives from each union to review and update the current reclassification application. She further added that this newly-created form will be submitted to the Personnel Commissioners for approval.
Dr. Koga reported on the first meeting of the School Employment Law Consortium on September 21, 2007, entitled “The Alphabet Soup of Leaves,” in which they discussed the legal aspects of leaves of absences.
Dr. Koga then reported that the situation regarding the new waterless urinals had been resolved. She recounted her meetings with Mr. Isidro Herrera, Custodian, THS, and Mr. Mitch Tabaldo, High School Site Supervisor, THS, where they explained they did not receive proper tools or training to clean the new waterless urinals. Upon meeting with another school site, Dr. Koga added that Ms. Susanna Beasley, High School Site Supervisor, SHS, did receive a video and tools to properly train the custodians at South High School, and will gladly assist in sharing training materials with the custodians at Torrance High School.
Ms. Kwan reported on the Personnel Testing Council-Southern California Luncheon entitled “How to Succeed at Succession,” where the speaker discussed methods and procedures of succession planning. Dr. Koga added that this topic is critical information for our managers. She emphasized that managers should identify key talent and develop critical skills in their employees to keep the organization competitive and retain high-performing employees.
COMMENTS FROM PERSONNEL COMMISSIONERS
Mr. Furey announced a Torrance Education Foundation fundraiser scheduled for Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza.
Mr. Furey stated that for the fourth consecutive year, the Torrance Education Foundation will participate in the Torrance Chamber of Commerce Exposition at the Marriott on Thursday, October 11, 2007, 4:00-6:30 p.m.
Dr. Griffith announced he was selected as a judge for the ExxonMobil Pegasus Awards. He stated that $100,000 is allocated for all grade levels for awards in General Academics, Science, Engineering, and Math. He expressed great honor to participate in these awards that support Torrance schools.
Dr. Griffith commented that he was moved by the speeches given by TUSD Employees of the Year at the Educational Council of Torrance Luncheon on Monday, October 1, 2007 at the Ken Miller Recreation Center.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 4:08 p.m.
