Personnel commission report: district moves to online testing, expands staff training and credential pathways

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Brent Marquez Valente presented the 2024–25 personnel commission annual report and described changes to recruitment and classified‑staff development.

Valente said the commission is modernizing its hiring processes by moving eligibility examinations from paper to an online platform (Canvas), streamlining onboarding with digital forms and expanding virtual interviews. He described a recent test where the district administered exams in the morning, interviewed candidates in the afternoon and had an eligibility list by the end of the day: "we tested in the morning, interviewed in the afternoon, and we had an eligibility list by the end of the day," Valente said.

The report also outlined partnerships with local universities (including USF, San Francisco State and Reach University) to support classified staff pursuing associate's and bachelor’s degrees and teaching credentials; the district offers reimbursement and is exploring on‑site class options. Valente noted plans to integrate payroll, absence management and time sheets on July 1 to reduce administrative duplication and speed onboarding.

Trustees asked about paraprofessional staffing and the district’s approach to maintaining active eligibility lists for commonly needed classifications; Valente said targeted recruitment, ongoing testing and partnerships with adult education and community colleges are part of the response.

Provenance: Personnel commission presentation and Q&A (topicintro: SEG 1662; topfinish: SEG 1975).