Gov. Rick Perry has proclaimed Oct. 12, 2011, to be the second Texas Education Human Resources Day. The Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators (TASPA) initiated the effort to recognize the important contributions made by human resource staff to public education.
TASPA’s 2011 President Sheri Blankenship, assistant superintendent for professional services in Hereford ISD, had this to say about the significance of this day: “People are our greatest resource. Human Resource Department personnel work behind the scenes with little recognition. Texas Education Human Resources Day provides an opportunity for this group to be recognized for the challenging work they do each day in order to provide the best education for all students.”
Texas school HR administrators play a critical role in many areas, most notably in hiring quality teachers, aides, and other classroom personnel. Those efforts make a significant contribution to higher student achievement in Texas school districts.
But that’s not all. Most often, HR personnel handle some or all of the following tasks: personnel records and data systems; substitute employment and payroll; pay strategy and administration; employee grievances and investigations; leave benefit administration, health insurance, workers’ compensation and unemployment claims; staffing formulas and position control systems; new employee orientation to the district; and NCLB compliance and reporting. Plus other duties as assigned, of course!
As an HR administrator, you are often tasked with recognizing the contributions of others. Oct. 12 is your day, so take a little time to note your own contributions and those of your department.
To help district leaders recognize and honor their HR personnel, we have prepared a sample board resolution 
and a certificate for them to use.
