AASD Weekly Update 02-25-2021

REMINDERS

AASD MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING AND AASD AFFILIATE MEMBERS WITH AFSA – FREE COLLEGE! You are all members of AFSA/UNION PLUS. Union Plus is offering the following free college for members:

New Short-Term Certificates
You can now earn a skill-focused certificate if you are enrolled in the Business Management degree with Union Plus Free College, brought to you in partnership with AFSCME. These certificates will show any employer that you have the knowledge of a particular in-demand area of study. TELL ME MORE

For all Union Plus members and eligible family members -- get started by completing our online inquiry form. Free college advisors will follow up. Next classes begin March 29.
START ONLINE NOW
ALL AASD MEMBERS – PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS NEGOTIATED REGARDING PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT (PPI) DAYS.
Classified Members: Under the current contract all AASD classified members earn 4 PPI days per year on July 1. Under the current contract, AASD members may carry over up to 8 days per year. This means that by June 30 of any year, any PPI days on the books in excess of 8 days are forfeited. With the COVID-19 Memorandum of Understanding, an agreement was made to allow members to carryover additional PPI days. See narrative below:

Any employee who had a PPI day balance of between 9 and 12 days on June 30, 2020 was permitted to carry over up to 4 days that they would have lost on June 30 if not used. Days can be carried over until June 30, 2022. Example:

Mary currently has 12 PPI days on the books. She was planning to use 4 days before June 30, as she knew, per contract, she could only carry over up to 8 days on June 30. She gets her annual 4 day accrual on July 1 each year. With the school closures, she does not have the opportunity to use the 4 days. Per the MOU, she can carry over all 12 days into 2020-21 and on July 1 will receive her 4 day accrual and will have 16 days on the books. If she does not use any of those days during 2020-21, she will accrue 4 more days on July 1, 2021 and will have 20 days on the books. By June 30, 2022, Mary must use 12 days to bring her balance down to 8 days on June 30, 2022. If she does not bring her balance down during 2020-21 or 2021-22, she will lose the extra days accrued on June 30, 2022. Moral of the Story – find a way to use PPI days or you risk losing them! If you are in this situation with a high number of days – maybe take a day every other month for the next two fiscal years. If you plan ahead, it should be something that can be planned for and not make a huge impact on the site/department.

Certificated Members: Under the current contract all AASD certificated members earn 4 PPI days per year on July 1. Under the current contract, AASD members may carry over up to 8 days per year. This means that by June 30 of any year, any PPI days on the books in excess of 8 days are forfeited. With the COVID-19 Memorandum of Understanding, an agreement was made to allow members to carryover additional PPI days. See narrative below:

Any employee who has a PPI day balance of between 9 and 12 days will be permitted to carry over up to 4 days that they would have lost on June 30 if not used. Days can be carried over until June 30, 2022. Example:

Mary currently has 12 PPI days on the books. She was planning to use 4 days before June 30, as she knew, per contract, she could only carry over up to 8 days on June 30. She gets her annual 4 day accrual on July 1 each year. With the school closures, she does not have the opportunity to use the 4 days. Per the MOU, she can carryover all 12 days into 2020-21 and on July 1 will receive her 4 day accrual and will have 16 days on the books. If she does not use any of those days during 2020-21, she will accrue 4 more days on July 1, 2021 and will have 20 days on the books. By June 30, 2022, Mary must use 12 days to bring her balance down to 8 days on June 30, 2022. If she does not bring her balance down during 2020-21 or 2021-22, she will lose the extra days accrued on June 30, 2022. Moral of the Story – find a way to use PPI days or you risk losing them! If you are in this situation with a high number of days – maybe take a day every other month for the next two fiscal years. If you plan ahead, it should be something that can be planned for and not make a huge impact on the site/department.

Additionally, in recognition of the time certificated school site administrators (principals and vice principals) worked during Spring Break, all principals and vice principals automatically received 3 additional PPI days which must be used by June 30, 2023.

In recognition of the time certificated year round site administrators (principals and vice principals) worked during their “off calendar year round” time in April, all year round principals and vice principals received 3 additional PPI days which must be used by June 30, 2023. (Therefore, principals and vice principals assigned to a year round calendar will receive a total of 6 PPI days – the 3 from Spring Break and 3 additional).

Note to all (classified and certificated) -- due to the changes by adding additional time to use PPI days (and the additional accrual for Principals and Vice Principals), AASD strongly suggests that you keep your own records of your PPI days. To do that, AASD suggests that you work with your timekeeper NOW to get your current balance. If you are a traditional principal or vice principal, add the Spring Break additional accrual (3 days) and if you were a year round principal or vice principal, add the additional 6 days. Then all AASD members (classified and certificated) add the July 1 accrual of 4 days. All AASD members will have until June 30, 2022 to bring their balance down to a maximum of 8 days on the books). Remember, if you leave the District management team to a non-management position or if you leave the District, these days do not follow you and are not paid off. If you have questions regarding the PPI days, contact AASD Executive Director, Donis Coronel at donis@aasdcs.org.
VERY IMPORTANT FOR ALL AASD MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING AND AFFILIATE MEMBERS WITH AFSA BENEFITS. PLEASE READ THIS ACTION ITEM. All AASD Members in Good Standing are automatically members of the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) of which AASD is Local 134. This also applies to AASD Affiliate Members who have elected to be members of AFSA. NEW THIS YEAR -- YOU MUST UPDATE YOUR UNION BENEFIT FORM FOR 2021.

Each AFSA member, as part of their membership, receives AT NO CHARGE:

$2 million Educators Professional Liability Policy
$25,000 Criminal Defense Coverage
$15,000 Total Disability Benefit
$10,000 Accidental Death Insurance

To qualify for these specific benefits, your most current information must be on file with AFSA or you may be denied coverage. Once you click the link below, you will need to register or sign in. Please take the time to update your information so you don’t take a chance on being denied coverage at a later date. This is a very important action item. You may complete the form online or download it and send via e-mail or US mail. Don’t delay – this is critical for all members! https://AFSAbenefits.org
FOR FOOD SERVICES SUPERVISORS AND AREA SUPERVISORS ONLY
The information regarding the Summer Assistance Program has been posted. The deadline to sign up is March 1, 2021.
https://staff.sandiegounified.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=27969388&pageId=29674770
FROM RANCH EVENTS – CONTINUING TO PROVIDE GREAT MEALS AT A GREAT PRICE. TIRED OF COOKING? CHECK THIS OUT https://mdp-catering-events-inc.square.site/
Tired of cooking? As many of you know, all of the AASD events at Marina Village and Scottish Rite Center are catered by Ranch Events. They make and serve delicious meals! Ranch Events opened their kitchen at the Scottish Rite Event Center (in Mission Valley) for “take out” meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner. A dinner that serves 4 adults and 2 children is just $30 and individual meals or meals for 3 can also be purchased. A great deal for home cooked food. The website link is above, meals can be ordered in advance or the order can be placed on the same day (see website for more information). This is a great way to take a night day off from cooking and still be able to feed yourself and/or your family at a reasonable price. They also have vegetarian meals, soups and desserts as well as group platter meals. AASD has partnered with Ranch Events for many years and we are pleased they are able to provide this service which allows them to continue to employ staff. Feel free to share this information with anyone you wish to. Many of our AASD members have tried the meals and the feedback has been positive.
AFSA SCHOLARSHIP FOR GRADUATING SENIORS
The AFSA Diann Woodard Scholarship is available exclusively to the children of AFSA members in good standing. The AFSA General Executive Board selects the awardees based on academic excellence, passion for volunteerism and display of exceptional work ethic.

All AASD Members in Good Standing and Affiliate Members with AFSA are eligible for their graduating senior to apply for the American Federation of School Administrators Diann Woodard scholarship. Five $2500 scholarships will be awarded. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2021. (Last year an AASD member’s child was awarded one of the scholarships!). All applicants must be a graduating high school senior who will be attending college for the first time in 2021.

Students who apply must clearly express their goals for the future and appropriately tie these goals to their higher education aspirations. https://afsascholarshipapplication.org/
ACSA REGION 18 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS IN SAN DIEGO AND IMPERIAL COUNTIES
Region 18 of the Association of California School Administrators (San Diego and Imperial Counties) and the San Diego County School Boards Association are again pleased to offer ten (10) $1,000 scholarships as a result of donations made by both organizations and their generous business partners.

Students are encouraged to apply no later than March 29, 2021 by 4:00pm. Click on the link below to access the application. Application
If you are unable to access the link, please contact Stephanie Napier at: stephanie@acsaregion18.org.
SEE'S CANDIES See's is now offering gift cards instead of the paper gift certificates. The paper gift certificates are no longer available for purchase, but if you have any of the paper gift certificates, they are still valid and will be honored at stores.

The new gift cards are available for purchase from AASD by members in good standing, affiliate members and retired members. The gift cards are valued at $25, but the discounted cost for our members is just $21.25. This is a savings of $3.75 per gift card!

As you know, the AASD office is closed and staff is working remotely, but we can still offer this benefit to you. If you are interested in purchasing gift cards, simply email Linda Crout-Hamel (linda@aasdcs.org). Please email your request and provide your phone number so she can call you to discuss your order and payment options (credit or debit card, check). The gift cards will then be mailed to the address you provide.

In addition to these gift cards, Administrators Association of San Diego (AASD) members qualify for quantity discounts on See's candy at the Quantity Discount store on Rosecrans. To redeem your discount, show a valid photo ID, your AASD member card, and provide our account number 6472612 or the office phone number 619-295-2118. Note: the acronym "AASD" will not work for the business name. This discount is only valid at 3751 Rosecrans Street, San Diego, CA 92110.
AASD OFFICE CLOSURE. The AASD office remains closed, and staff are working remotely, until further notice.. The Daily Update will continue to answer any questions and address any of your concerns with regard to school closures, return to instruction and COVID-19 updates. The Weekly Update will continue as usual on Thursdays with a variety of news and information for AASD members.
IMPORTANT - PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS. AASD communicates with members via personal e-mail address. We do not communicate via "sandi.net." If you know of a colleague that is not receiving the Update, or if your personal email address changes, please remember to notify AASD by e-mailing our Office Clerk, Jim Costello, at Jim @aasdcs.org.
UNION PLUS - MONEY-SAVING PROGRAMS FOR AFSA MEMBERS! AFSA membership is provided to all AASD Members in Good Standing at no additional cost. For more information regarding AFSA and Union Plus benefits, please visit their website: https://www.theschoolleader.org/

IMPORTANT: For Members in Good Standing and Affiliate Members who have added AFSA -- If you have not turned in the “Combined AFSA Benefits Information Form,” please submit the form immediately. This form must be submitted in order to be eligible for the professional liability, legal services, etc. You do not need to list your full social security number on the form; however, AFSA has requested that you provide at least the last four digits. For a copy of the form, click here

For all our Members in Good Standing, and Affiliates and Retirees who have selected to be members of AFSA, there are many money-saving programs offered to you. Click here to review your many options!