Personnel Commission

Woman taking notes on paper with a laptop in the background

Our Mission

We are committed to transparent practices, excellent communication, and trauma-aware, people-first service. By placing people before processes and systems, and maintaining a strong customer service focus, we partner with the Superintendent, leadership, and labor partners to support efficient, ethical, and high-quality personnel management across the San Mateo County Office of Education.

Merit System Rules and Regulations

The San Mateo County Office of Education Personnel Commission is guided by Merit System Rules & Regulations , which ensure employees and applicants are treated fairly and equitably.

The Merit System is a personnel management approach designed to ensure the County Office hires and promotes qualified employees through a consistent, lawful, job-relevant process — free from political influence and open to all. As a public educational institution, we're accountable to the community's expectation that employment procedures be fair, efficient, and transparent.

Core Functions

Ensure open, competitive selection procedures based on job-relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities
Establish and approve classified job descriptions and compensation
Hear and resolve protests concerning employment examinations or selection procedures
Hear and adjudicate classified disciplinary appeals
Prescribe personnel policies on recruitment, selection, promotion, and related matters under the Education Code
Partner with the Superintendent to ensure efficient management of the classified service

Classification & Compensation Study

In October 2024, the San Mateo County Office of Education completed a comprehensive classification and compensation study, resulting in two reports: a classification study and a compensation study, each with supporting deliverables included in the appendix.

The study was designed to:

Gather detailed insight into each position through Position Description Questionnaires (PDQs) and interviews with employees and management
Update the classification plan with revised class descriptions and position allocations that reflect the true scope of each role
Ensure ADA compliance and job-related qualifications across all class descriptions
Support succession planning through future training program development
Design an equitable, competitive salary structure

About the Personnel Commission

Commissioners

Serve as a Personnel Commissioner — Shape the Future of Public Education

Personnel Commissioners provide independent oversight of the classified merit system, ensuring that the San Mateo County Office of Education attracts, hires, and retains a highly qualified workforce through fair, transparent, and merit-based employment practices. Working alongside Personnel Commission staff, Commissioners help guide policies that promote equity, accountability, and public trust — decisions that ripple outward to positively impact students, educators, and communities throughout San Mateo County.

This is a rewarding leadership opportunity to apply your professional expertise in meaningful public service, champion workforce excellence, and help ensure that employment opportunities remain fair and accessible for all. Join us in making a lasting difference in public education.

Karen Schwarz

Board of Education Appointee
Appointment Date: December 1, 2020

Honors & Awards

2011 inductee into San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame
Soroptimists Distinguished Woman of the Year Award
South San Francisco Honorary Service Awards

Karen Schwarz joins the Commission with recent experience as a member of the governing board of the San Mateo County Community College since November 1995. She has served five terms as President of the Board and completed her 25-year tenure as Board President. She is the Past President of the San Mateo County Colleges Educational Housing Corporation Board which oversees the operations of the College Vista and Cañada Vista residential communities for faculty and staff. She previously served as an elected member of the San Mateo County Board of Education (1988-1994), including two terms as Board President. She has been elected and appointed to several educational and community associations, including the San Mateo County School Boards Association (President, 2001-02), California State School Boards Association, California County Boards of Education. She has extensive PTA executive leadership experience as past President of South San Francisco PTA Council.

Karen has been a resident of San Mateo County for more than 40 years. She currently resides in Redwood City. She is a long-time member of the League of Women Voters, was appointed member of the Redwood City Library Board, Past President of the Peninsula Hills Women's Club, and serves on San Mateo County Office of Education Compensation and Classification Advisory Committee. President of the Redwood City Friends of Literacy and member of the Canada College Presidents Advisory Council.

Veronica Palmer

Classified Employees Appointee
Appointment Date: December 1, 2019

Ms. Veronica Palmer brings to the Commission an employment background in public service. Ms. Palmer worked as a Classified Employee of San Mateo County Office of Education for 20 years. During this time, Ms. Palmer has held various positions with California Schools Employee Association Chapter 887. Ms. Palmer is an active member of School Personnel Commissioners Association and currently serves on the San Mateo County Office of Education Merit Rules Advisory Committee. Ms. Palmer’s biggest passion is life-long learning about issues impacting the world today and advocating for human rights causes.

Annette Shreve

Personnel Commission Appointee
Appointment Date: July 13, 2022

Education:

Skyline College 1985-1992
Chabot College 1988-1987

Ms. Annette Shreve joins the Commission with a long employment background in education and public service. Ms. Shreve worked as a Classified Employee of Jefferson Elementary School District for 20 years and is an active and long time resident of Broadmoor Village in Daly City. Ms. Shreve has been active in the School Personnel Commissioners Association since 2010 and elder and current chair of Finance on the Session (Executive Board) of Broadmoor Presbyterian Church. She is formerly on the Executive Board of California School Employee Association Chapter 524, Executive Board Member of Garden Village PTA, Ben Franklin Middle School PTA, and Executive Board Member of Westmoor High School PTSA. Ms. Shreve states whether you are appointed or elected, it is important to serve your community whenever you are able.