California Code, Education Code - EDC § 88064

(a) To be eligible for appointment or reappointment to the commission, a person shall meet both of the following requirements:

(b) No member of the governing board of any community college district or a county board of education shall be eligible for appointment, reappointment, or continuance as a member of the commission.  During his or her term of service, a member of the commission shall not be an employee of the district.

(c) As used in this section, “known adherent to the principle of the merit system,” with respect to a new appointee, shall mean a person who by the nature of his or her prior public or private service has given evidence that he or she supports the concept of employment, continuance in employment, in-service promotional opportunities, and other related matters on the basis of merit and fitness.  As used in this section, “known adherent to the principle of the merit system,” with respect to a candidate for reappointment, shall mean a commissioner who has clearly demonstrated through meeting attendance and actions that he or she does, in fact, support the merit system and its operation.