AASD Weekly Update 4-30-2020

REMINDERS

AASD DISTINGUISHED LEADER AWARDS. Each year, AASD honors a number of members as AASD Distinguished Leaders. Please consider nominating a colleague for this award. We have wonderful co-workers throughout our AASD bargaining unit and in our retiree ranks who are worthy of recognition. The AASD Member Relations Committee is hopeful that you will take the time to nominate someone who goes "Above and Beyond!" You can nominate a co-worker from any category.

The following link will lead you to the nomination form. Nominations are due by June 30, 2020. Click below for the link to the form and criteria. Please note the extension in the due date to June 30.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Jimt1745JbcutUcpPA5WaOoeZFaZob3f-gnvtxtQO2Q/viewform?ts=5c5b29cc&edit_requested=true
RESOURCES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE VEBA RESOURCE CENTER (VRC)
The VEBA Resource Center (VRC) has been working diligently to provide a digital platform for VEBA members to access during this time of school closures/quarantine. If you are on Facebook, you may access the VRC by typing in VEBA Resource Center. There are weekly chats with Dr. Tarane Sondoozi which are on various topics that address current issues. There are also a variety of other resources available including simple circuit training videos, healthy recipes, information on mindfulness and other topics. This is available to all VEBA members and their dependents. Take a look!
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 carry over additional PPI days. See narrative below:

Any employee who has a PPI day balance of between 9 and 12 days on June 30, 2020 will be permitted to carry over up to 4 days that they would lose 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 also 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.

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 on June 30, 2020 will be permitted to carry over up to 4 days that they would lose 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 also 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 will automatically receive 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 will receive 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 your are 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
ATTENTION CLASSIFIED AASD MEMBERS: FROM UNION PLUS (ALL AASD MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING ARE AUTOMATICALLY MEMBERS OF AFSA AND RECEIVE THE UNION PLUS BENEFIT).
Complete your Bachelor’s Degree for Free This Summer with no out of pocket cost. With the Union Plus Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program, you can finish your teacher education or business administration bachelor’s degree affordably, safely and on your own time. Because of the current economic and health uncertainty facing many union members, students who enroll in the summer 2020 term will complete their ENTIRE DEGREE FOR FREE (no out-of-pocket cost for tuition, fees, or e-books) until graduation, not just the summer term. In partnership with Central State University, this flexible, 100% online program gives you the ability to work on assignments 24/7. In addition, your courses are transferable to other schools and financial aid is available to students demonstrating need — including those affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Summer classes begin May 18, 2020. Get started by calling 888-897-9671 or enrolling online. Click the link for more information https://bachelorsdegree.unionplus.org/?utm_source=solo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=04-20-20
AFSA SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 20, 2020. In light of the current coronavirus situation, AFSA has extended the deadline for the 2020 AFSA Diann Woodard Scholarship Application to May 29, 2020. In addition to the deadline modification, AFSA has changed some of the requirements:
•   Students can submit the application package via email to afsa@AFSAadmin.org.
•   The file submitted should be a single PDF with all of the required forms and documents.
•   Send the application with "delivery status notification" and "return receipt" so you are sure it is received.
•   We will accept an unofficial transcript if you cannot obtain an official one.

- Each year AFSA provides five outstanding students a one-time, $2,500 award toward college tuition.
- All applicants must be a graduating high school senior who will be attending college for the first time in the award year.
- The program is designed to support students who express a strong commitment to pursuing education beyond secondary school.
- Students who apply must clearly express their goals for the future and appropriately tie these goals to their higher education aspirations.

Eligibility:
•   Applicant must be a graduating high school senior who is attending college for the first time in the award year.
•   Applicant’s parent or legal guardian must be an AFSA member in good standing.
•   Scholarship award check will be issued upon college enrollment verification.
•   Scholarship award funds may be used only for tuition, books, fees, supplies and equipment.

Download the application below:
https://www.theschoolleader.org/sites/default/files/afsa_scholarship_application_2019-2020_fillable.pdf?link_id=1&can_id=05b864ea44bb6dce5c5b196547fb9abb&source=email-remind-your-kids-2500-afsa-college-scholarship-2&email_referrer=email_755630&email_subject=deadline-extended-2500-afsa-college-scholarship

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE APPLICATION REQUIRES AN AASD UNION OFFICIAL SIGNATURE. DONIS CORONEL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WILL BE THE SIGNATORY. PLEASE E-MAIL THE APPLICATION TO DONIS FOR SIGNATURE AND SHE WILL SIGN AND SCAN BACK. donis@aasdcs.org
A MESSAGE FROM UNION PLUS (ALL AASD MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING AND SELECT AFFILIATE AND RETIRED MEMBERS ARE MEMBERS OF UNION PLUS VIA AFSA)
Union Plus Direct Help for Our Members. If your family has been directly impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic, please visit Union Plus’ Hardship Help Section at https://www.unionplus.org/hardship-help/union-plus-hardship-help-benefits?utm_source=enews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=03-26-20,
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.