Mauricio Arellano, assistant superintendent of human resources in Palm Springs Unified School District, has received the 2012 Ray Curry Award for personnel excellence.
Arellano has served in his present position for 11 years. He has been a lead negotiator for both certificated and classified personnel. He has developed multiple professional development programs for PSUSD administrators, including those on employee discipline, labor relations and hiring practices.
Ray Clapp, the district’s governing board president, said it is Arellano’s “large helpings of patience” that created employee bonds that have carried PSUSD through four years of economic disaster.
Arellano said he is very honored by the award and credits those he works with.
“It means a great deal to me to receive an award that comes from my peers,” he said. “I am very fortunate to work along side many great people in the Palm Springs Unified School District, and I am equally as fortunate to have learned so much from my colleagues within the ACSA network.
“To be associated with Ray Curry in this manner, is very humbling. I thank my superintendent, Christine Anderson, for the nomination, and I thank the Human Resources Council and ACSA for selecting me.”
The Curry Award, named for ACSA’s premier personnel leader, annually singles out a member for his or her contributions to:
• the success of professional development activities sponsored by the ACSA Human Resources Council;
• accomplishments in the role of human resources administrator;
• other significant contributions in the field of personnel leadership; and
• outstanding professional qualities and traits.
Arellano was formally honored at the 37th annual ACSA Personnel Institute in Costa Mesa.
More than 200 school district human resources and personnel administrators had the opportunity to hear from attorneys on topics such as Workers’ Compensation, e-matters, and even a session on “Strategic Planning to Avoid ‘Wipeouts, Tweaks and Rag Dolls’ in Negotiations.”
ACSA President David Gomez and Interim Executive Director Karen Stapf Walters were in attendance, and ACSA Legislative Advocate Sherry Skelly Griffith was a featured luncheon speaker.
The highlight of the event was the Curry Award celebration. Arellano’s superintendent allowed the entire human resources office of the district to close for the day and support him.
The Personnel Institute Planning Committee this year included Carol Hansen, Dana Reginato, Debra Moore-Washington, Tanya Krause and Julie Mitchell, who all worked tirelessly in their efforts to produce the conference.