AASD Weekly Update 8-20-2020
 

• CONGRATULATIONS TO ENCANTO ELEMENTARY – TK AND KINDER STUDENTS WILL BE RECEIVING HOMEWORK SUPPLY BAGS FROM AASD
  Each year, AASD supports one or more schools with AASD Homework Supply Bags for incoming TK and Kinder students – and this year the recipients are approximately 130 TK and Kinder students from Encanto Elementary.  Thank you to Principal Audra Mandler for applying to be considered.  The funds for the bags full of school supplies come from the 50/50 raffle fundraisers at the AASD social events last year.  With everything being different this year, in the interest of health and safety, the bags were not assembled by the Member Relations Committee, but instead were assembled by AASD Office Manager, Linda Crout-Hamel and her family (thank you Crout-Hamel family!) and delivered to Encanto Elementary by TOC Custodial Services Supervisor Troy Hickey, with assistance from Jack Weaver (thank you!).  AASD will not be able to personally present the bags to the students, but Principal Mandler will make the arrangements for the students to receive the bags.
  
  From Audra Mandler, Principal, Encanto Elementary:  “I would like to share my appreciation and gratitude for Linda Crout-Hamel, AASD Office Manager, and all of the AASD staff and Member Relations Committee who facilitated the Kindergarten homework supply bags awarded to Encanto Elementary. Our 124 littlest learners will start the year with the hands on tools and supplies they need to thrive in the new year! My learning community says THANK YOU!"
   
• INFORMATION FOR THOSE TRANSITIONING FROM YEAR ROUND TO TRADITIONAL
  Members inquired about when they are paid for the extra days worked in the 2020-21 school year during this transitional year.  Here is the information from Payroll:
   
  Each of the years of transition from year round to traditional, Payroll has done a transition for the sites -- all employees who work additional days were paid at the end of the year (for this year that will be July 2021).  It is a very large task for the Payroll department to accomplish as this affects all employees at the site.The fiscal year starts on July 1, 2020.  In looking at the day count for the required days an employee needs to work in order to satisfy the annual salary, the additional days would not be accomplished until June 2021.  This is why the additional monies will be paid at the end of the year (July 2021).
   
  It is true that if an employee resigns during the year, it could cause overpayment if the number of days worked times the daily rate of pay exceeds the amount of monies that has been distributed to the employee.  It is also true that if an employee moves from one position to another, a calculation for an adjusted annual salary is done and the employee is paid the adjusted amount on the first available paycheck.  Many times this would mean the employee may receive a significant amount less than what they are accustomed to and may cause hardship for them.  Payroll works very closely with these employees to spread that adjustment over several months so that they are able to meet their financial responsibilities.  This is why the payment for extra days is done in July 2021, after the full year is done.
   
  When this time is paid in July 2021, Payroll uses June dates on the pay line so the time will be reported to STRS/PERS as income for the 2020/2021 fiscal year.  Therefore, anyone retiring in June 2021 would receive the pay in July and it would count towards highest year of earnings.
   
• YOUR SURGE CAPACITY IS DEPLETED AND THAT’S WHY YOU FEEL AWFUL  --  A MUST READ!
  https://elemental.medium.com/your-surge-capacity-is-depleted-it-s-why-you-feel-awful-de285d542f4c
   
• FROM UNION PLUS (ALL AASD MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING ARE AUTOMATICALLY MEMBERS OF UNION PLUS, AS WELL AS THOSE RETIRED AND AFFILIATE MEMBERS WHO HAVE ADDED AFSA TO THEIR MEMBERSHIP)  --  ACCIDENT ONLY PET INSURANCE
  Safeguard your pet with the Accident Only Pet Insurance Plan at only $6/month for cats and $9/month for dogs.  Enroll today and after the short, three-day waiting period, you will have accident insurance.  https://www.petsbest.com/enroll/step1?utm_campaign=UPlusSoloAug2020&utm_medium=email&utm_source=UP_DGS&CI=UPEMAIL
   
  The Accident Only Plan does not cover disease or illness, so if you are looking for more comprehensive coverage also visit the link above to inquire there.
   
• AASD OFFICE CLOSURE - The AASD office remains closed, in conjunction with the San Diego Unified school closures, and per the orders of the Governor , until further notice. The Daily Update will continue through the closure 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.
   
• JOB POSTINGS FOR CERTIFICATED POSITIONS AND CLASSIFIED POSITIONS IN THE AASD UNIT.  AASD has been asked to publish the job postings in our Weekly Update.  AASD also suggests that all applicants (classified and certificated) mark their calendars to check weekly for new job postings each Monday.  This way, you will not miss out on a posting you might be interested in (as all jobs in the AASD unit must be posted for 10 days).  Additionally, jobs in other units will be posted.
  
  AASD-Represented CERTIFICATED Job Postings 
  None at this time
  https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sandi?page=1
  
  AASD-Represented CLASSIFIED Job Postings
  None at this time.
  https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sandi?page=1 
   
• CONDOLENCES. 
  AASD acknowledges deaths of our members, retirees, or their immediate family members via the Weekly Update.  If you have information on a death to be reported in the AASD Weekly Update, please contact any of the staff at the AASD office with the information.  We appreciate your help with this – we don’t always know right away when a death has occurred or the information on services. 
   

• IMPORTANT – ELECTRONIC LINK AVAILABLE!  FILL OUT YOUR AASD MEMBERSHIP RECOMMITMENT FORM NOW!  This information pertains to current AASD members who were AASD members prior to June 28, 2018.  It does NOT apply to Affiliate members or Retired members.  Many have asked how to “re-join” AASD in light of the Supreme Court Decision, Janus v. AFSCME.  If you were an AASD member on June 27, 2018, per the Decision, you automatically stayed as an AASD "Member in Good Standing" and will remain so.  However, we are asking all AASD members to re-commit to AASD by completing the google form (link below). This re-confirms your AASD membership and ensures that you have access to the benefits of being an AASD member – legal representation, AASD representation, discounted services, scholarships for your children, professional development reimbursements, etc. 
  
  Some of you have already filled out the new membership form over the past year – if so, it is not necessary to complete it again.  If you have any questions regarding the re-commitment form, please contact the AASD office at 619-295-2118 or e-mail one of the AASD staff members for assistance.  Thank you in advance for your commitment to our Union – AASD.    
  
  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQN05VdAieFTxevIu1yg5L_03zLGgIWt3Xl4Igv-Horazxcg/viewform 
  
  To review the benefits of being an AASD member, please Click here. 
   
• AASD COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS POSTED ON THE AASD WEBSITE. The collective bargaining agreements (contracts) for the AASD classified unit and the AASD certificated unit are posted on the AASD website.  The District no longer provides a hard copy to AASD members.  You are welcome to view the contracts on our website and feel free to print a copy, if you wish. To view the contracts, visit the AASD website at www.aasdcs.org and click on Governance/Contracts or Collective Bargaining/Contracts.
   
• AASD WEBSITE.  Click here www.aasdcs.org  to view our website.  The website is kept up-to-date and current for all of our members (members in good standing, retirees and affiliate members).  Visit the website to view the AASD calendar and for forms and information on our Union, as well as discounts for members.
  
  If you have any feedback on the  website, please e-mail jim@aasdcs.org with your comments.  We hope our website is a great resource for you!
   
• ESTATE PLANNING – DISCOUNT FOR AASD MEMBERS!   AASD has a partnership with Greg Runge, Estate Planning Attorney.  Greg is an estate planning attorney with approximately 10 years of experience practicing in the areas of wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney and advance health care directives. In addition to his legal work, Greg is also currently a Lieutenant with a local police department, where he is in his 19th year of service as a sworn officer. As a public employee, Greg is very aware of the unique estate planning issues that can come into play with our members. Greg has focused his legal practice on providing essential estate planning services to public employees and their families at an affordable rate.  This benefit is available to all AASD Members in Good Standing, AASD Affiliate Members and AASD Retired Members.  Greg is offering this service to our members for a flat fee of $750, which is 50% off the going rate for estate planning (very complex or very large estates may require a higher fee that would be individually negotiated with the member).  To contact Greg Runge, please e-mail gregrunge@gmail.com or call (858) 395-4011 and be sure to mention you are an AASD member so you receive the discounted rate.
   
• MEMBERSHIP IN THE ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS (ACSA). 
  There are many benefits of being an ACSA Member – as detailed in this handout. (click on link)   Dues are deducted 10 times a year (September-June).
  
  If AASD members are interested in membership with ACSA, please click on link for information on applying via the website. 
   
• AASD PROFESSIONAL GROWTH GRANT.  The Administrators Association San Diego City Schools (AASD), in conjunction with the San Diego Unified School District, provides financial grants to members to assist them in their professional growth. Unit members who participate in professional development activities related to job-connected skills or potential careers with the District may qualify to have the cost of registration fees defrayed by available funds up to $100. This includes ACSA-sponsored Academies, Conferences and Institutes. Click here  for more details. 
   
• "BENEFIT HUB"  Benefit Hub is an online discount program.  All AASD members have access to thousands of discounts which allows you to save on everything from movies and theme parks to restaurants and sporting events. 
  
  This free service provides discounts to car rental companies, theme parks, hotels, and entertainment destinations (i.e., San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Universal Studios, Sea World, etc.). Register online to take advantage of these terrific discounts.  Special offers and discounts are always changing, so check back frequently.  You can purchase and print tickets from the convenience of your home. 
  
  The Benefits Portal - In addition to discounts and specials, BenefitHub also offers CASH BACK on some products and services!  Get to know the benefit portal by visiting the BenefitHub website.  The site is very user friendly.  It is easy to do a search under various headings and categories, including Newest, Most Popular, Local Deals, Health and Wellness and Pay Over Time,  just to name a few.  
  
  Benefit Hub Service - Gift Card Outlet - Save up to 15% on gift cards from over 70 popular merchants.  The NEW Gift Card Outlet is in the Discount Marketplace.
  
  Enter the following address in the browser bar, with no leading  w's - aasd.benefithub.com Do not do a "search" for Benefit Hub as it will take you to the wrong website.  Click on "Guest" at the upper right-hand side of the screen. Fill in the information and create a password.  If you have any questions about registering, or encounter any problems, call the AASD office for assistance.  If you have any questions about or need assistance with the Benefit Hub website, you can contact Support at (866) 664-4621.
   
• AASD Contact Information During the District Closure:
  Executive Director, Donis Coronel -- donis@aasdcs.org   619-813-8792
  Office Manager, Linda Crout-Hamel -- linda@aasdcs.org   619-861-2701
  Office Clerk, Jim Costello -- jim@aasdcs.org
   
  Please keep informed via the District’s website www.sandi.net, Daily and Weekly  Updates from AASD and via the AASD Website www.aasdcs.org.
   

Contacts

• AASD Board of Directors - http://aasdcs.org/board-of-directors/
   
•  AASD Office Staff - http://aasdcs.org/staff/