Ocean View personnel commission approves reclassification recognizing bilingual clerical specialist

The Ocean View School district’s Personnel Commission voted to reclassify an incumbent employee to the position of clerical specialist bilingual on a 3-0 vote, after district staff and colleagues urged approval during public comment.

Rashida Gates, director of teaching and learning, told the commission she was “so grateful” the body had taken time to review the duties of Liliana Montes and said the reclassification “validates all of the work and commitment” Montes brings to the department. Tricia Field, a curriculum specialist, said Montes’s bilingual skills are “critical in connecting with our families” and described Montes’s work with the translations department, Spanish dual-language immersion program and English learner services.

The commission considered item 13, a recommendation to reclassify an incumbent from specialist to clerical specialist bilingual. Commissioners discussed that the reclassification would affect the current incumbent and then moved, seconded and approved the recommendation unanimously by the voting members present.

Earlier in the meeting the commission approved the regular December meeting minutes; the record shows the motion passed with two yeas and one abstention. The consent calendar was also approved after a motion and second. The commission’s chair noted the absence of written communications and reported no items from closed session.

Commissioners praised district human resources staff for recruitment efforts and thanked members of the teaching and learning department for attending. The chair announced the next Personnel Commission meeting is scheduled for Feb. 13.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn in honor of noted wheelchair racer Jim Knob; the adjournment motion passed 3-0 and the commission adjourned at 4:41 p.m.