Following a three-year term as president of the ACSA Human Resources Council, Tanya Krause has handed over the reins to Carol Hansen, assistant superintendent-human resources in ABC Unified School District in Cerritos.
As the council’s new president, Hansen hits the ground running, as she has served on the HRC for the past three years as the Region 14 representative. She has also served as co-chair for the Personnel Institute, one of two professional learning events the HRC plans each year.
“I’m very excited about serving as the new Human Resources Council president,” Hansen said. “Collectively, the background and experience of our HRC members serves as a great resource of knowledge and expertise in the area of human resources that can be tapped by ACSA members who may need some assistance in the area of HR.”
Krause, who has served the HRC since 2000 and has co-chaired the Negotiators’ Symposium, agrees.
“As with any group, there is a cadre of wonderfully dedicated, hardworking individuals who always show up to help when you call,” she said.
But Krause admits she has faced the challenge of unwanted turnover on the council.
“In the past, people didn’t want to leave,” she said. “Budgetary issues have hampered some of the activities we had enjoyed previously. A freeze on travel and conferences made it difficult for some council members to attend meetings or PD events. This put some challenge on the continuity we were able to maintain due to more turnover.”
Nevertheless, the HRC has lived up to its primary goal to provide leadership, direction, clarification and understanding in such areas as personnel practices, employer/employee relationships, fair and equal employment practices, contract management, negotiations, retirement, legislation, credentials, management team concept, individual rights and staff-related issues.
Recent activities of the council are:
• Reviewing teacher, principal and classified evaluation templates and processes from each council member, to identify best practices.
• Providing input on the Adminis-trative Services Credential reauthorization, both in writing as a council and in person to such key players as California Preliminary Administrative Credential Examination Task Force member Pat Godwin and ACSA Educational Services Executive Michael Bossi, who shared sample questions for the CPACE.
Krause participated on the ESEA Taskforce as liaison to the HRC on the teacher and principal evaluation component. She has spent significant time with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, most recently on ASC issues and professional standards. CTC Executive Director Mary Vixie Sandy was scheduled to attended the council’s most recent meeting.
Krause has also fielded calls from the ACSA professional standards staff on a variety of employment issues.
During each HRC meeting, significant time is dedicated to information shared by council liaison Legislative Advocate Laura Preston.
“She brings a lot of information to the council and solicits feedback for potential bills coming forward,” Krause said.
Now Hansen is poised to continue the momentum. She is particularly proud of the council’s in-service products.
“Our HRC helps plan and host two very important ACSA conferences: the Personnel Institute and Negotiators’ Symposium. Our goal is to provide top-notch professional development and networking opportunities in the area of human resources for all ACSA members,” Hansen said. “Our events are not only for HR folks. Many site administrators as well as superintendents regularly attend our events.”
The Personnel Institute for 2012-13 is scheduled for Sept. 19-21, and the Negotiators’ Symposium will be held Jan. 23-25, 2013.
Hansen has been an educator for 27 years and was named ACSA’s 2011 Personnel/Human Resources Administrator of the Year. In addition to her work on the Personnel Institute, she has presented at numerous ACSA Personnel Academies on the topic of contract management.
“Carol has served on the council for the past few years and has been an active member of the council,” Krause said. “She is very knowledgeable in HR matters, and I feel very confident in handing the baton to her.”
Meanwhile, Krause will continue to serve the council for up to three more years as past president.
“I will continue to support Carol; be available to answer questions; present at our PD functions; and continue working closely with CTC issues, especially the Administrative Services Credential,” she said.
For more information on the Human Resources Council, visit www.acsa.org/hr.