Twenty western and northern districts, 10 larger and 10 smaller than Seattle, were surveyed to determine the degree of responsibility of the Personnel Departments in selected functions in the following areas: (1) Certificated Staff, (2) Classified Staff, (3) Records and Payroll, (4) Salary Administration, and (5) Negotiations. Information was also sought regarding the position of the top personnel administrator and the major personnel problems as perceived by him. The major findings were: (1) the Personnel Departments of the majority of the districts are responsible for the personnel functions of the Certificated and Classified staffs and the Salary Administration; (2) the Payroll processing function is usually the responsibility of the Business Department; (3) negotiations are a separate function but receive input from the Personnel Department; (4) the overall personnel responsibility usually rests with an Assistant Superintendent reporting to the Superintendent or his Deputy; (5) the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel has ultimate responsibility for the Certificated and Classified staff whether they are administered as a unit or a separate division; (6) in districts with separate geographical administrative units, as in districts with a single unit, the personnel function is centralized; (7) staff development is most frequently the responsibility of the Curriculum/Instruction Division or Personnel; and (8) the major problems are in the area of personnel placement. These are complicated by the need for staff reductions, affirmative action and desegregation. (Author)