Personnel Commission reports digitized hiring and training goals; board approves principal appointment and retirements

Assistant Superintendent Brent Marquez-Valenti delivered the Jefferson Elementary School District Personnel Commission's 2025–26 annual report, describing efforts to modernize hiring and support classified staff. His presentation detailed nine strategic goals including moving eligibility exams to Canvas, expanding recruiting via EdJoin and Indeed, onboarding on Informed K12, virtual interviews, ERP financial-system implementation, expanded professional development partnerships with local universities and Jefferson Union High School District, and targeted training for custodial, food-services, and special-education instructional assistants.

Trustees commended the commission's work and asked for follow-up information such as outcome metrics for staff pathways and degree-completion partnerships. Marquez-Valenti said eligibility lists were established for 30 job announcements and noted work to accelerate hiring and better align job descriptions with current duties.

On personnel actions the board approved the appointment of Padma Desikachari as principal of Margaret P. Brown School (effective July 23, 2026; salary step and double-MA stipend noted in the personnel report). Desikachari addressed the board, thanked staff and community partners, and spoke to her eagerness to serve the school. The board also accepted retirements for two classified custodial employees, Ronald Tom (effective June 5, 2026) and Ernesto Perez (effective June 10, 2026).

Trustees asked for future agenda follow-up showing quantitative outcomes from the district's staff-development and recruitment partnerships.