AASD MEMBERS IN CENTRAL OFFICE – UPDATE ON REMOTE WORK PILOT PROGRAM. This information pertains to AASD members working in “central offices” and does not pertain to those assigned and working at school sites.
As you know, several months ago, the district rolled out a pilot program for remote work for central office staff. There were parameters in place that required department head approval, transparency to the customer, etc. The pilot also stated that remote work could not be used to provide childcare or elder care. The pilot was in place through July 30. AASD’s understanding was that once the pilot program ended, the district would consider a plan moving forward and that the various unions could then bargain impacts and effects of the decision (to allow remote work or not).
The message from the district is that the direction from the Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent is for all employees to return to the worksite by August 29. Department heads have been directed to work with their staffs on a plan to return to the work site. We have also been told that the district is continuing to discuss the possibility of remote work.
AASD has taken the position from the start that remote work is a benefit for the central office members we represent as long as the type of work assigned can be performed remotely and that working remotely is transparent to the customer. AASD fully understands that there is some central office work that cannot be performed remotely. AASD also believes that there are central office facilities (specifically the Education Center) where working conditions are not conducive to all staff working onsite (lack of air conditioning, many staff working in a small space, etc.). AASD has taken the position with the district that we wish to bargain a remote work policy. No bargaining has been scheduled at this time. AASD has also requested a copy of the recent survey regarding remote work, but we have not received it yet.
With COVID cases on the uptick again, AASD takes the position that the pilot remote work policy must remain in place until a remote work policy is bargained with the unions. The district has been notified of AASD’s position. If there is any significant progress, AASD will notify members by a Special Update via e-mail. At this time, the district response continues to be that all central office employees must return to the workplace by August 29.
AASD EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS REPRESENTED ALL AASD MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING AT THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS (AFSA) CONVENTION JULY 21-23. Members of the AASD Executive Board and AASD Staff were honored to attend the AFSA Triennial Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Hundreds of AFSA Members and AFSA Retirees attended from across the United States and the Territories of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and St. Croix. AASD Representatives attending were: President Jolie Pickett, Past President Juan Romo, Vice President Scott Thomason, Executive Board Members Irene Hightower, Gina Camacho-McGrath, Jesus Montana, John Aguilar, Dean Darley, Sharon Rubalcava, and AASD staff members Donis Coronel and Linda Crout-Hamel. It was a dynamic convention with professional development centered around running a successful union, the political climate, and many other areas of interest to union leaders. The keynote speaker was our former Superintendent and current Deputy Secretary of Education,Cindy Marten. https://www.theschoolleader.org/news/us-deputy-secretary-education-cindy-marten-delivers-keynote-speech-afsa-convention
Additionally, AFSA conducted union business and AASD delegates with voting rights were Pickett, Romo, Camacho-McGrath, Montana, Aguilar, Darley and Rubalcava (7 delegates). The following resolutions were unanimously approved. Click here for AFSA Amendments and Resolutions. AASD was proud that our President, Jolie Pickett, was asked to introduce Resolution #7, Public Education: The Beacon of Democracy; and Executive Board Member, Sergeant Jesus Montana, was asked to introduce Resolution #9, Enhancing School Safety: Stopping Gun Violence. The AASD Board of Directors will be reviewing the approved AFSA resolutions and discussing them with district leadership.
Six principals from SDUSD (Melissa Agudelo, Stephanie Brown, Jamey Jaramillo, Cynthia Larkin, Nina Dixon-Mauricia and Melissa Roy-Wood) were presenters of “The Principals Trust” and provided an excellent session. For more information on The Principals Trust, click here https://theprincipalstrust.com/ Executive Director, Donis Coronel and Executive Board Members Irene Hightower and Jesus Montana were also selected as presenters at three of the sessions that were offered at the convention.
AASD Executive Director, Donis Coronel, was nominated and received a unanimous vote to serve a 3-year term on the National AFSA General Executive Board (GEB) as a Vice President. The AFSA GEB is comprised of AFSA President, Leonard Pugliese (Newark, New Jersey); Executive Vice President, Lauran Cherry (Oakland, California); Secretary Treasurer, Mark Cannizzaro (New York City, New York), and 15 Vice Presidents of which Donis will be one. This is a real honor and Donis will represent AASD and other administrator unions with conviction and integrity. Congratulations!
ALL AASD MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING ARE MEMBERS OF AFSA AND RECEIVE UNION PLUS BENEFITS. All members in good standing of AASD, as well as those retired and affiliate members who have selected to be members of AFSA, receive benefits from Union Plus. One of the current offers is for qualify legal assistance by signing up for a monthly “legal” plan through Union Plus. For more information, click below. Legal advice can be quite pricey! Here’s a way to reduce costs. https://unionpluslegal.com/?utm_source=solo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=07-18-22
DO YOU KNOW AN AASD MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING WHO GOES ABOVE BEYOND? Union Plus is going to award a grand prize of $25,000 and additional prizes totaling $110,000 to deserving union members who are nominated and go above and beyond. Click below to nominate an AASD Member in Good Standing! Deadline to nominate is August 8. https://www.unionplus.org/laborday?utm_source=solo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=07-29-22
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).
AASD-Represented CLASSIFIED Job Postings Manager, Community Relations, Closes 8/5
Visual and Performing Arts Facilities Manager, (SDSCPA) Closes 8/7
School Police Captain, Closes 8/15 https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sandi?page=1
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
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)
