Mary Rocha Appointed to Antioch Unified School District Personnel Commission

On Wednesday, the Antioch Unified School District in a 4-1 vote appointed Mary Rocha to the AUSD Personnel Commission.

The opening occurred after Darice Ingram, the Board of Trustees appointed Personnel Commissioner, had moved out of the District and created the opening. Rocha will fulfill the remainder of the term which expires Dec. 1, 2017.

Rocha was the only applicant after the District posted and advertised the vacancy for 30-days in Ed Join, local newspapers, and public locations such as libraries and city offices.

According to the staff report:

Ms. Rocha has over 44 years in public service, with 16 of those years serving as a board trustee for the Antioch Unified School District.  She is familiar with the policies, procedures and budgets for the school district, as well as personnel commission rules, and regulations.  Ms. Rocha believes in the underlying philosophy of the merit system to include providing the best qualified candidates for employment in a timely and efficient manner to support the District’s goal to advance student achievement.

During the discussion, Board Member Chrystal Sawyer-White stated there appears to be a conflict of interest with the appointment stating she would have a conflict overseeing an employee (Louie Rocha) in the District.

Staff quickly pointed out that Mr. Rocha at Antioch High is a certificated employee and would never be subjected to the Personnel Commission that is for classified employees only.

Board Member Debra Vinson called it “odd” that they only had one applicant.

“Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t know if people are interested in these things or if they even care, but so it would just be a notification and then 30-days to apply so would that then open it up for other people to apply?” asked Vinson.
Staff explained they have followed the same process they have always followed which is guided by state laws. They also highlighted if the Board cannot decide on an applicant, then the State of California would decide on an applicant.

Board Member Diane Gibson-Gray provided some history saying she had to “tap Darice on the shoulder to apply” because it’s difficult to get applicants.

Staff further highlighted during the 2014 application process, they had 2-applicants and in 2011 they had 3 applications. Before that, there was 1 application.

Vinson stated her displeasure with only 1-applicant.

“Sometimes when you bring it out over the holidays, I know you followed the process, but the only reason I am discussing because I had people asking and I don’t know. They are asking me where was it. How come you don’t have any people with parents in the district that is applying so I have had a number of people with different questions that I could not answer,” said Vinson. “The other thing is the conflict of interest and looking at this, sometimes do you believe there is a problem with objectivity.”

Staff again stated they believed Ms. Rocha would be objective and there would be no conflict of interest because it was for “100% classified employees” and if there was a conflict they would abstain.

The board voted 4-1 with Vinson dissenting to approve Rocha to the personnel commission.