Second in a series.

Re: “The Farris Wheel Whirls at Different Pace” 

“Here is my official sound-bite answer,” Dr. Dylan Farris said as he explained his still-new duties as Executive Director of Human Resources for the El Segundo Unified School District.

After starting the present term as the third-year principal of Culver City High School, Dr. Farris shifted to El Segundo seven months ago this week.

“My primary responsibility is ensuring that we have a well-cared for faculty and staff that are supported to provide the best possible educational experience for the youth of El Segundo.”

How different is working in human resources from traditional education, where Dr. Farris has spent most of his career?

Maybe not so different.

“Comparing being a principal to being in H.R.,” he said, “when I was a principal, I did do pretty much everything I have to do in H.R.

“Whether it is about hiring, counseling people about performance, all of those things you do as a principal, now I am doing them as a primary responsibility.”

True to his duties, Dr. Farris said the favorite part of his still-new job is “opportunities to give staff recognition and tell people they are doing a good job. Awarding Teachers of the Year and Classified Staff Members of the Year have been highlights so far.

“I am looking for ways to engage with faculty and staff,” said Dr. Farris, “that are not strictly policy- and protocol-related.”

(To be continued)