AASD’S LEGISLATIVE AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS (LAPA) COMMITTEE HELPS TO SUCCESSFULLY STOP PROPOSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO SCHOOL DISTRICT SITE LEADERS AND OTHERS.The AASD LAPA Committee is chaired by Nina Dixon-Mauricia and Marci Lammey. LAPA is also very lucky to have Sergeant Jesus Montana on the committee as he brings years of experience in the political arena to our committee. Last month, Sergeant Montana brought a recommendation to the AASD Executive Board, Board of Directors and LAPA Committee that AASD send its first ever opposition letter to the Public Safety Committee and to the Education Committee regarding Senate Bill 1273. Senate Bill 1273 is authored by California State Senator Steven Bradford. On the surface, Senator Bradford’s proposed legislation did not appear to negatively impact school administrators/employees, but a deep dive into the legislation proved differently.
If approved this bill would make the following changes:
Would forbid a student of a district from being arrested for causing a willful disturbance. Upon the juvenile being identified as a student of the district, meaning any school in the district, it would remove the ability of police from assisting. This would include students, whether the student attends that school or a neighboring school, causing a riot at the school or even a school board meeting.
(a) It removes the requirement of promptly notifying law enforcement if a school employee is attacked, assaulted, or physically threatened.
(b) Removes the requirement of a district to create a procedure on how to contact law enforcement
(c) Removes the ability of the district to directly or indirectly prohibit an employee from contacting law enforcement
(d) Removes the protection for employees from sanctions being imposed on the employee if the employee notifies law enforcement if the employee is attacked, assaulted, or physically threatened.
(e) Removes the requirement of notifying law enforcement if a student assaults another with a deadly weapon, or a weapon other than a firearm, or when anyone assaults another person using force likely to produce great bodily injury.
(f) Removes the requirement of notifying law enforcement if a student unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, OR unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated, or been under the influence of, a controlled substance, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind.
(g) Removes the requirement of contacting law enforcement if a student of the DISTRICT possesses, sells, or otherwise furnishes a firearm or explosive UNLESS the possession of a firearm or knife is on campus.
(h) Removes the protection of OUR MEMBERS or their designee from civil or criminal liability for making a notification to law enforcement.
In short, if this bill passed and became law, it would prevent schools from calling law enforcement for support with students who injure our employees, cause a major disturbance, or severely injure our staff and students, while allowing district executives to order our members not to call the police (even if they are the victim) or face insubordination. It would have also opened OUR MEMBERS to lawsuits by our student’s parents if law enforcement is called, even if their child is guilty.
Please see the attached opposition letter that AASD sent to legislators regarding this proposed bill. (The link is below.)
On Tuesday, June 28, the Assembly Public Safety Committee heard SB 1273. The Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), of which AASD-represented school police personnel are members, took the lead at the table to oppose the bill and Sergeant Jesus Montana also called in to the hearing. The bill passed Public Safety Committee and was referred to the Education Committee, as a courtesy. Senator Bradford then pulled his own bill before it could be heard in the Education Committee (after hearing all of the opposition to the bill). This was the last week for the bill to be heard. The bill is now dead due to the opposition including AASD’s voice. This is a win for us!
AASD wants to thank Sergeant Montana for his advocacy and expertise in this arena. And thank you to the LAPA Committee Co-Chairs and Members who reviewed the bill and to the AASD Board of Directors for quickly assembling to vote to send the opposition letter.
Click hereto see the opposition letter sent by AASD.
AASD LAPA COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Nina Dixon-Mauricia, Co-Chair, Principal, Linda Vista Elementary
Marci Lammey, Co-Chair, Supervising Administrative Assistant II, Extended Learning
Miriam Atlas, Associate Principal, Garfield High
Jeff Friedenberg, Principal, Fletcher Elementary
Cristine Holmer, Area Supervisor, Food and Nutrition Services
Peter Johnson, Retired
Jesus Montana, Sergeant, School Police
Jeff Thomas, School Site Operations Specialist, CCTE
Scott Thomason, Principal on Special Assignment, Extended Learning
MORE INFORMATION -- AASD MEMBERS TO RECEIVE AN OFF-SCHEDULE BONUS TIED TO EXTRA WORK PERFORMED DURING COVID. The District and SDEA reached an agreement last month that has a positive impact on all AASD members due to the equity clause AASD bargained in our contract. The 4.5% of annual salary bonus will be paid to those in active status as an employee in September 2022 and will be paid in 10 installments September 2022 to June 2023. This is an “off-schedule” bonus and is a one-time payment. Members have inquired as to whether or not this off-schedule bonus will be counted as CalPERS or CalSTRS credit and the answer from Labor Relations is as follows:
At AASD’s request, the district reached out to both pension systems for clarification regarding the reportability of the 4.5% off-schedule bonus payment to be paid in the 2022-23 school year. Here is the information received from the pension systems:
For CalPERS, the bonus is not reportable at all.
For CalSTRS members, the bonus will not increase retirement payouts, but contributions will be taken for CalSTRS “classic” members (hired on or before December 31, 2012) at the 8% rate since they are “Defined Benefit Supplemental” earnings. For CalSTRS “Pepra” members (hired on or after January 1, 2013), these are non-reportable earnings and so no contributions will be taken.
FREE COLLEGE DEGREES FOR AASD MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.By being a Member in Good Standing, Affiliate Member with AFSA Benefits or a Retired Member with AFSA Benefits, you and your family members are eligible for the Union Plus program that offers free college degrees! To learn more about this program, please click the link below. FYI, AASD is Local 134 with AFSA which qualifies all members for this benefit. Several of our members or their family members have taken advantage of this program with great success. https://freecollege.unionplus.org/?utm_source=solo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=07-06-22
AASD BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Please join AASD in welcoming our 2022-23 AASD Board of Directors and AASD Executive Board. Executive Board Members are denoted with an asterisk by their name. Thank you to all for your service to our AASD members and to AASD. We appreciate YOU!
Officers:
President*: Dr. Jolie Pickett, Principal, Garfield High
Immediate Past President*: Juan Romo, Principal, Emerson Elementary (retiring September 7, 2022)
Vice President, Certificated*: Scott Thomason, Principal on Special Assignment, Extended Learning
Vice President, Classified*: Jeff Thomas, School Site Operations Specialist, CCTE
Secretary/Treasurer*: Gina Camacho-McGrath, Principal, Miller Elementary Board of Directors:
President, Police Management Association:* Sergeant Jesus Montana, School Police
Elementary Principal Representative: Shannon Bussey, Principal, Freese Elementary
Elementary Principal Representative:* Irene Hightower, Principal, Hancock Elementary
Middle Level/K-8 Principal Representative: Jamey Jaramillo, Principal, DePortola Middle
Senior High Principal Representative: Dr, Cynthia Larkin, Principal, Morse High
Central Office Certificated Representative:* Dean Darley, Program Manager, CCTE
Classified Manager Representative: Samantha Clabaugh, Operations Specialist, PPO
Classified Manager Representative: Jennifer Marrone, Business Manager, Food and Nutrition Services
Classified Supervisor Representative:* Paula Hamar, Supervising Rehabilitation Specialist, MHRC
Classified Supervisor Representative: Jonel “Shortie” Smith, Landscape Supervisor, Landscaping Services
BSS III/POS Representative:* Troy Hickey, BSS III, Pacific Beach Middle
Food Services Supervisor/Area Supervisor Representative: Cristine Holmer, Area Supervisor, Hoover Cluster
School Police Representative: Deanna Laramore, Communications Supervisor, School Police
Associate Principal Representative: Jennifer Nash, Associate Principal, Muirlands Middle
Associate Principal Representative: Robin Peters, Associate Principal, Madison High
Health and Welfare Committee Representative:* John Aguilar, Principal, Normal Heights Elementary
Health and Welfare Committee Representative: Phil Baertschi, Custodial Services Supervisor, PPO
ACSAR Representative: Pat Crowder, Retired AASD Committee Co-Chairs:
Finance Committee: Gina Camacho-McGrath, Principal, Miller Elementary
Bargaining Team Certificated Chair: Scott Thomason, Principal on Special Assignment, Extended Learning
Bargaining Team Classified Chair: Sergeant Jesus Montana, School Police
Professional Development Certificated Co-Chair: Julie Garcia, Director, Instructional Technology
Professional Development Classified Co-Chair: Mario Garcia, Supervisor, SPED Translation Services
Scholarship Committee Certificated Co-Chair:* Sharon Rubalcava, Program Manager, Counseling and Guidance
Scholarship Committee Classified Co-Chair:* Veronica Ortega, Operations Specialist, Counseling and Guidance
Legislative and Political Affairs Certificated Co-Chair: Nina Dixon-Mauricia, Principal, Linda Vista Elementary
Legislative and Political Affairs Classified Co-Chair: Marci Lammey, Supervising Administrative Assistant II, Extended Learning
Member Relations Certificated Co-Chair: Susan Kent, Associate Principal, Wangenheim Middle
Member Relations Classified Co-Chair: Maria Moore-Flagg, Retired
Retiree Network Co-Chair and Health and Welfare Committee Representative: Bob Raines, Retired
Retiree Network Co-Chair: Maria Moore-Flagg, Retired AASD Staff:
Executive Director, Donis Coronel
Office Manager, Linda Crout-Hamel
Office Clerk, Jim Costello (membership only)
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).
SPECIAL GRATITUDE When members wish to show their gratitude for other district staff, please contact Donis Coronel at donis@aasdcs.org and AASD will publish that message of gratitude in the next Weekly Update.
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.
REMINDERS
FROM OCTAVIA WEALTH ADVISORS – JORDAN COLMAN. At Octavia Wealth Advisors, we want to thank everyone who was able to come out this week (June 28) to our presentation on the Administrator’s Guide to Financial Freedom. We were pleased to receive all the positive feedback from the information we provided. As those who attended may have realized from the presentation, there are a lot of nuances to retirement and investment planning that are unique to every AASD member’s financial situation. As we discussed, our firm is a full fiduciary with a focus on financial planning and wealth management. If you would like to schedule a meeting to discuss your particular situation, please let us know and we can start working on building out your financial plan and analyzing your portfolio to help you assess if you are on track to achieve your goals.
We have always found that we like to be a resource to the organizations we work with and so we also did a presentation on alternative investments. The next 10 years in the market is going to look drastically different then the way the market has performed over the last 10 years. Our firm believes, and data has shown, that adding these alternative investments into your portfolio will lower volatility in your portfolio while not sacrificing returns.
Throughout and after the presentation, we were asked a series of questions about the current state of the stock market and some other questions pertinent to the current economic situation. We have attached the answers to those questions along with the presentation slides as a reference for anyone who was at the presentation or who could not make it. If you would like to discuss any of these topics with us, please let us know and we will be happy to schedule time to chat with you. We appreciate your partnership and hope to continue to add value to your organization in the future. Jordan Colman and Dana Peacock
WANT TO BECOME MORE INVOLVED AT AASD? JOIN A COMMITTEE!AASD has committees and we want YOU! Please consider joining a committee. Become involved! Support YOUR union! Committees are listed below. If you are interested in joining a committee, please email Donis Coronel atdonis@aasdcs.org.
Finance Committee: Meets 4 times a year to develop a draft budget and monitor the finances of AASD. Chair is Gina Camacho-McGrath. Legislative and Political Affairs Committee: Meets as needed to interview school board candidates and make recommendations for endorsement to the AASD Board of Directors. Review legislation that has an impact on education/schools. Co-Chairs are Nina Dixon-Mauricia and Marci Lammey. Member Relations Committee: Plans and supports the two large social events for members (Summerfest and the Winter Holiday Party). Responsible for the selection of AASD Distinguished Leaders annually. Coordinates the Homework Kits for TK and Kinders at select schools. Responsible for other activities that support the membership. Meets monthly, the first Tuesday of the month from 3:30-5:00 PM. Co-Chairs are Susan Kent and Maria Moore-Flagg (Retired Member). Professional Development Committee: Plans and coordinates the annual AASD/SDUSD Spring Conference each March. Also responsible for reimbursements to the Professional Growth Fund. Meets the first Wednesday of the month, 3:00-4:30 PM. Co-Chairs are Julie Garcia and Mario Garcia. Scholarship Committee: Plans an annual fundraising event (Casino Night). Coordinates the Scholarship Program including presentation of scholarships at school events. Meets monthly, as needed, 4th Monday of the Month from 3:30-5:00 PM. Co-Chairs are Veronica Ortega and Sharon Rubalcava.
LOGO WEAR. Did you know AASD has professional AASD logo wear perfect for wearing to work? We do! We have Polo Shirts in styles for both men and women. We also have denim shirts for men and women, and a V-neck T-Shirt for women. And we even have ball caps! If you are interested, contact AASD Office Manager, Linda Crout-Hamel, via e-mail linda@aasdcs.org or at the office 619-295-2118. The logo wear is very reasonably-priced. Payment can be taken over the phone (for debit/credit card) or a check can be mailed to the office. The logo wear can then be mailed or delivered to you. Look sharp wearing your AASD logo wear! Represent!
AASD OFFICE IS OPEN The AASD Office is open with health and safety measures in place. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Thursday. Staff will be working remotely on Fridays. We ask that you call the office before visiting to ensure staff are not offsite at an appointment, running work-related errands or at lunch. To check in before visiting, the office phone number is 619-295-2118.
The AASDWeekly Update will continue as usual on Thursdays with important news and information for AASD members.
MEMBERSHIP IN THE ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS (ACSA).There are two promotional applications starting this year.
$2 a day for Regular ACSA memberships.
$1 a day for districts with management team dues. Click herefor the application.
You will notice that on this new application form (in section 5), there are two options that will be in play starting this year…standard regular OR consolidated charter dues. The attached application would be used for SDUSD members. The SDUSD members fall in the Select Union category and will be eligible for the $1/day ACSA Memberships without the legal support or they can choose to do a Regular Membership with full legal support.
DISCOUNT MOVIE TICKETS. AASD has both AMC and Regal Entertainment Group (Regal/Edwards/UA) movie passes available to members in good standing, affiliate and retired members. Regal tickets are $9.00 each. These passes have no expiration date and are unrestricted, so they can be used any time and for newly-released movies.
The AMC tickets are $10.25 each, have no expiration date, and do not have any restrictions. Contact AASD to purchase tickets or if you have any questions.
Placing and fulfilling an order can be done via phone, email and U.S. mail. Please contact Linda Crout-Hamel linda@aasdcs.orgat the AASD Office if you are interested.
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 Linda Crout-Hamel atlinda@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!
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.
To review the benefits of being an AASD member, please Click here.
AASD COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS ARE 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 herewww.aasdcs.orgto 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.
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.
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 ON REMOTE WORKING DAYS: Executive Director, Donis Coronel --donis@aasdcs.org 619-813-8792 Office Manager, Linda Crout-Hamel --linda@aasdcs.org 619-861-2701 Office Clerk (Retired), Jim Costello --jim@aasdcs.org(Membership inquiries only)
