Barstow Unified Personnel Commission cites surge in applications, seeks laptops and staff to speed hiring

The Barstow Unified School District Personnel Commission on Thursday described a surge in applicants and limited internal capacity that is slowing hiring and onboarding for classified positions. Commissioners and staff discussed buying laptops to expand in-person testing capacity, pressing trustees for clearer guidance about minimum qualifications, and exploring a budget request for at least one additional benefited staff position.

Mr. Ortiz, speaking during the director’s report, said the commission is processing 564 applications this month — “over 50% of our entire year's work” — and outlined a schedule of upcoming tests and applicant counts. He said the office is targeting testing dates for nutrition services (54 applicants, testing Feb. 4), senior office assistant (119 applicants, testing Feb. 11), and ground maintenance (54 applicants, testing Feb. 18). For custodial recruitments the office is targeting testing on the 20th and had 124 applicants listed. The commission currently tests 13 candidates at a time at the adult-education center and staff proposed purchasing about 40 laptops so the office can test up to 40 candidates in one session.

Why it matters: the surplus of applications and limited testing throughput mean vacancies remain open longer, creating classroom and operations strain at schools that need paraprofessionals, campus safety staff and nutrition services employees quickly.

Commissioners pressed staff to clarify minimum qualifications and testing protocols so trustees and applicants understand who is eligible to test. Participants repeatedly emphasized that applicants must meet minimum qualifications — for example, a high-school diploma or GED and, for some jobs, a California driver’s license and insurability — before they can take position-specific exams.

On procurement and technology, commissioners discussed whether tablets or Chromebooks could be used for testing. Staff reported a compatibility problem with Chrome/Google and the district’s testing software, so Chromebooks are not currently usable. That pushed the discussion toward buying Windows or other laptops; the commission discussed a requisition already in process and agreed to follow up on buying additional machines.

Staffing and budget: commissioners and staff discussed the commission’s small staffing footprint (roughly 3.75 full-time-equivalent hours currently dedicated to commission operations) and options to increase capacity. A benefited senior office assistant split with another department was estimated to cost about $50,000; the commission agreed to explore cost-sharing or savings elsewhere in its budget to fund added hours and to raise the request with district cabinet and the superintendent if warranted.

Training and outreach: commissioners agreed to invite trustees and CSEA representatives to a regional CSPCA conference in San Diego so board members better understand the Personnel Commission’s role and processes; registration costs were discussed as roughly $800 per person plus hotel and mileage.

Public comment and tone: Marcus Chavez, who identified himself as the public information officer for Barstow Unified (speaking in a personal capacity), opened public comment with condolences to the commission and thanked staff for flowers sent after his father’s service. Several commissioners offered condolences and brief memories.

Next steps: commissioners recorded follow-up action items — pursue the laptop purchase to expand testing capacity, work through the district budget process to request additional staff time, and send conference invitations to trustees and relevant union representatives. The meeting adjourned at 5:09 p.m.