Personnel Commission

Merit System Rules and Regulations

The 51�Թ� Personnel Commission is guided by Merit System Rules & Regulations, which have been set forth to treat employees and applicants fairly and equitably.

The Merit System is a method of Personnel Management designed to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that the County Office hires and promotes qualified employees through a consistent, lawful, and job-relevant testing and hiring process. One of the fundamental goals of any public educational institution is to be accountable for representing the public interest. The community expects that public employment procedures be conducted in a fair, efficient, and transparent manner. The Merit System provides a personnel selection system that is open to all, free from political influence, and aims to provide highly qualified employment candidates.

Core Functions

Ensuring open competitive employment selection procedures for classified employees based on job relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Establishing and approving classified job descriptions and compensation for classified positions.
Hearing and resolving protests concerning employment examination or selection procedures.
Hearing and adjudicating classified disciplinary appeals.
Prescribing classified personnel management policies on matters concerning employee recruitment, selection, promotion and other employment subjects enumerated in the Education Code.
Working closely with the Superintendent of Schools to ensure efficient management of the classified service

Classification & Compensation Study

The 51�Թ� is currently undergoing an agency-wide Classification and Compensation Study for its classified employees, which is overseen by the Personnel Commission Services. Please visit our Classification and Compensation Study webpage for more information.

51�Թ� the Personnel Commission

Commissioners

The Personnel Commission staff is committed to providing "hands-on" service support in helping the 51�Թ� meet all of its classified human resources management needs while fulfilling our purpose to uphold the principles of fairness, consistency, and accountability in administering our merit-based employment program.

Quick Links

Personnel Commission Meetings

Classified Staff Recruitment

Merit System Rules & Regulations

Classification & Compensation Study

- Board of Education Appointee
- Appointment Date: December 1, 2020
Honors & Awards
- 2011 inductee into San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame
- Soroptimists Distinguished Woman of the Year Award
- South San Francisco Honorary Service Awards
Karen Schwarz joins the Commission with recent experience as a member of the governing board of the San Mateo County Community College since November 1995. She has served five terms as President of the Board and completed her 25-year tenure as Board President. She is the Past President of the San Mateo County Colleges Educational Housing Corporation Board which oversees the operations of the College Vista and Cañada Vista residential communities for faculty and staff. She previously served as an elected member of the San Mateo County Board of Education (1988-1994), including two terms as Board President. She has been elected and appointed to several educational and community associations, including the San Mateo County School Boards Association (President, 2001-02), California State School Boards Association, California County Boards of Education. She has extensive PTA executive leadership experience as past President of South San Francisco PTA Council.

Karen has been a resident of San Mateo County for more than 40 years. She currently resides in Redwood City. She is a long-time member of the League of Women Voters, was appointed member of the Redwood City Library Board, Past President of the Peninsula Hills Women's Club, and serves on 51�Թ� Compensation and Classification Advisory Committee. President of the Redwood City Friends of Literacy and member of the Canada College Presidents Advisory Council.
- Classified Employees Appointee
- Appointment Date: December 1, 2019
Ms. Veronica Palmer brings to the Commission an employment background in public service. Ms. Palmer worked as a Classified Employee of 51�Թ� for 20 years. During this time, Ms. Palmer has held various positions with California Schools Employee Association Chapter 887. Ms. Palmer is an active member of School Personnel Commissioners Association and currently serves on the 51�Թ� Merit Rules Advisory Committee. Ms. Palmer’s biggest passion is life-long learning about issues impacting the world today and advocating for human rights causes.
- Personnel Commission Appointee
- Appointment Date: July 13, 2022
Education:
- Skyline College 1985-1992
- Chabot College 1988-1987
Ms. Annette Shreve joins the Commission with a long employment background in education and public service. Ms. Shreve worked as a Classified Employee of Jefferson Elementary School District for 20 years and is an active and long time resident of Broadmoor Village in Daly City. Ms. Shreve has been active in the School Personnel Commissioners Association since 2010 and elder and current chair of Finance on the Session (Executive Board) of Broadmoor Presbyterian Church. She is formerly on the Executive Board of California School Employee Association Chapter 524, Executive Board Member of Garden Village PTA, Ben Franklin Middle School PTA, and Executive Board Member of Westmoor High School PTSA. Ms. Shreve states whether you are appointed or elected, it is important to serve your community whenever you are able.