Julie Jensen took up the reins in the school district’s human resources office right in the middle of separate contract negotiations for teachers, educational assistants and food service employees.

Friday, August 20, 1999

Julie Jensen took up the reins in the school district’s human resources office right in the middle of separate contract negotiations for teachers, educational assistants and food service employees. On her first day she had to attend her first Austin Board of Education meeting. Her first day was retiring superintendent Dr. J. Douglas Myers’ last day – he’d been looking after the department until she started.

"It was definitely a full day, but it went really well," Jensen said on Thursday, already getting into the routine as director of human resources. It is a routine she’s determined to do better than ever.

"I want to recruit and retain the absolute best employees in all areas – whether it’s teachers, secretaries or administrators – to be a part of making Austin Public Schools the best district in the state," she said.

Her job, once combined with that of the district’s Community Ed director, is back to full-time human resources. Jensen is the one who will ultimately be responsible for all of the district’s hires, from determining a vacancy to advertising to interviewing to checking references to hiring. She’s responsible for firing too. And, although not immediately, she will take a leadership role in future contract negotiations, and make any necessary recommendations to the school board.

As far as the contracts currently being negotiated, Jensen said she will definitely be on hand to observe, but she didn’t know yet what her role would be.

In addition to personnel responsibilities, Jensen will also coordinate staff development and will be the person responsible for coordinating any actions required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Jensen moves to Austin Public Schools from Riverland Community College, where she had worked in human resources since 1995, and in the affirmative action and equity office before that. At Riverland she was involved in all of the hirings, plus she handled all harassment and discrimination complaints, as well as staff development and any ADA needs.

"The knowledge I acquired in employment law and related areas while working at Riverland will be particularly helpful here," she said.

Riverland employs approximately 300 staff, plus at least as many adjunct staff. Austin Public Schools counts 700 employees.

Jensen and daughter Rachel start in the K-12 system the same semester. Jensen’s hoping to move the whole family, which also includes husband Tom and 11-month-old Samuel, to Austin from Clarks Grove in the future.