The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) is announcing the passing of longtime SCOE Personnel Commission member Earl Walker. Walker died April 6 following an extended illness. He had served on the Personnel Commission since 2002.
When Walker graduated from high school, his plan was to become a minister, but life took him on a different journey. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he worked in the Maintenance and Operations Department of the Grant Joint Union High School District. In 2007, at the 81st Annual CSEA (California School Employees Association) Conference, he was elected to the CSEA Honor Roll in recognition of his longstanding and exemplary service to the Association.
"Earl was always an extremely dedicated Commission member who was committed to the success of our employees, as well as the success of the programs they supported and represented. He worked tirelessly and we will miss him" said David W. Gordon, Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools.
"Earl was a principled man of honor and integrity and served the Commission with dedication and pleasure. We will miss his gentle ways and his presence. We feel lucky to have been touched by such a good man," Effie Crush, SCOE Chief Administrator for Human Resources.
The Personnel Commission of the Sacramento County Office of Education was established in December 1967 to administer the Merit System for classified employees, a personnel system of rules and procedures, similar to civil service, which governs classified school personnel. The Merit System is based on the principle of employment and promotion on the basis of merit for the purpose of obtaining the highest efficiency and assuring the selection and retention of the best qualified persons in the service of the Sacramento County Office of Education.
The Commission is comprised of three members that serve staggered three-year terms. One member is appointed by the Board of Education, another member is appointed by the classified collective bargaining employee unit (CSEA), and together those two members select a third member.