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In This Issue...
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Gary Smith Appointed to PVUSD Personnel Commission
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Gary Smith Appointed to PVUSD Personnel Commission
Decision Settles Membership of Embattled Group Linked to
Superintendent Mays’ Departure and Personnel Director’s Resignation
By Michael Thomas
Pajaro Schools’ Personnel Commission is largely responsible for establishing job descriptions and pay scales for the district’s classified personnel. But over the past year, the Commission has produced more controversy than decisions.
A string of appointees to the three-member panel has departed in frustration and Commissioner Jack Hayes was implicated in a scandal that former Superintendent Mary Anne Mays cited in her resignation.
However, on Oct. 19 Gary Smith, a former Watsonville fire chief and assistant city manager, was appointed to fill the empty seat on the Commission. Smith will serve as the neutral member. His appointment was the decision of Hayes, who represents the Classified Services Education Association, and Commissioner Mary Ann Gomez, who represents the Board.
Smith was Gomez’ pick for the position, while Hayes had wanted to appoint Leon Mattingly, a former Pajaro employee who is a friend and neighbor of departing Board president Sharon Gray.
The deadlock lasted for months, with State Superintendent Jack O’Connell declining to make a decision. O’Connell press secretary Hilary McLean said the local resolution was what O’Connell had hoped for.
“He supports the fact that it’s a mutually agreed upon individual. That’s the best thing for the community,” McLean said.
Smith said he was surprised by the sudden appointment, but that he had worked to make inroads with Hayes.
“Somehow, though we were both very active in the community, we had never met each other,” Smith said. “We had lunch together. … And I got to know Jack a little better.”
Commission Finally Filled after a Year
In late 2005, veteran personnel commissioner Lupe Gill was at the end of her term on the three-member Commission. While she wanted to serve again, Hayes would not agree to her reappointment. Then-commissioner Dr. Jeanne Linsdell supported Gill; however, she was willing to discuss others including Gomez. According to Lindsdell â€" who later resigned over the matter â€" instead of nominating Megan Booth at a Commission meeting, Hayes went to Superintendent O’Connell. Despite protests from Linsdell, O’Connell appointed Booth.
However, not long after Linsdell’s resignation, Booth also resigned.
Until this summer, Hayes was the only Commissioner. Then Pajaro trustees, after several meetings, finally appointed Gomez to replace Linsdell.
Smith will serve through December of 2008, completing the term of Booth.
Hayes said he was ultimately swayed by Smith’s qualifications and experience managing public employee groups.
“I think all three of us will be able to move forward now,” Hayes said.
Hayes said that Mattingly, formerly his choice for the Commission, “was kind of on the fence in that he does a lot of traveling.”
Smith said that the Commission could now get back to business.
Commission Will Have to Replace Director Benson
In addition to normal duties, the Commission will also have to work with District administration to find a replacement for Kathryn Benson. For the moment, her job duties are being handled by Larry Lane, a retired teacher and Watsonville High principal who has also served as Assistant North Zone Superintendent.
Benson resigned saying that Hayes had harassed her, including accusing her of embezzlement even after an internal investigation had cleared Benson of all charges. Benson has filed a lawsuit against the Pajaro District and names Hayes and Board President Sharon Gray.
Lane said that finding a permanent replacement for Benson will require cooperation, including drafting a job description and deciding how to recruit. Hayes thinks it will take about six weeks to fill the job and claims he has no one in mind for the post.
“Absolutely not,” he said. “It will be a very objective search with intense advertisement and recruiting.”
He also wants to limit the scope of work for the job, which carries the official title of Director of Human Resources for Classified Staff. Benson spent most of her time on classified staff, with about 20 percent of her focus shared with certificated staff issues, for which Robb Mayeda is officially the Director.
According to Lane, “She was helping out with NCLB requirements and teacher certification. That also comes into play with classified classroom aides. They have to pass a test or have an AA [degree].”
Smith believes some cross-over involvement with the management of teaching staff may be a good thing. Hayes thinks it’s not effective.
“That position should be devoting 100 percent of its time to the Commission,” he said.
The District has over 900 classified staff for whom the Commission and the Director of Human Resources are responsible.
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