AASD IS SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS ON THE AASD BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Nominations are being accepted for the AASD Board of Directors positions listed below. Members in Good Standing or Retired Members may nominate another member or self-nominations are accepted. The deadline to submit a nomination is May 4, with voting to take place at the AASD Membership Meeting on May 11. If you are nominating another member or self-nominating, please send your nomination to Donis Coronel by May 4 at 5:00 PM.(donis@unitedadmin.us).
The commitment for serving on the Board of Directors includes monthly Board meetings (September to June) – typically on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 3:00 to 4:30 PM via Zoom (with an in-person meeting in December and June). Additionally, Board of Directors members are expected to attend AASD events, as appropriate. The term begins on July 1, 2023 and is a 2-year term. There are no term limits.
Nominations are being solicited for the positions listed below. If the incumbent has indicated they are running again, that note is made. In the case where the incumbent is running again, any other member may also choose to run. There are two categories below where the incumbent is not running again.
Associate Principals Representative (incumbent Robin Peters has stated she is running again) Central Office Certificated Managers Representative (incumbent Dean Darley has stated he is running again) Classified Managers Representative Classified Supervisors Representative (incumbent Jonel “Shortie” Smith has stated she is running again) Elementary Principals Representative (incumbent Shannon Bussey has stated she is running again) Food Services Area Supervisor and Supervisor Representative (incumbent Lisa Peoples has stated she is running again) High School Principals Representative (incumbent Cynthia Larkin has stated she is running again) School Police Representative
NATIONAL MEMORIAL TO FALLEN EDUCATORS. Who knew there was a National Memorial in Kansas dedicated to school district employees who have lost their life in the course of their duties to public education? AASD Executive Director, Donis Coronel, learned of the memorial last year during her duties as a General Vice President of AFSA. Out of respect and curiosity, Donis went online and viewed the list by city of fallen school district employees where she found the names of Principal Burton Wragg and Building Services Supervisor Mike Suchar who lost their lives when a shooting occurred in 1979 at SDUSD’s Cleveland Elementary. Mr. Wragg and Mr. Suchar are also memorialized by a sculpture on the grounds of the Education Center. Donis noticed that a name was missing from the National Memorial – John Joaquin, a SDUSD bus mechanic who lost his life in the course of duty in December 2012. See below for an article written by AFSA in their recent newsletter.
Educators Line of Duty Deaths Remembered
The door just opened on the National Memorial to Fallen Educators, and a group of teachers, administrators and school staff from all over the country gathered to pay their respects to those who had dedicated their lives to education.
As visitors walked through the memorial in Emporia, Kansas, they were struck by the powerful words and images that celebrated the lives of educators. They saw photos of smiling educators, handwritten notes from students expressing their gratitude, and touching stories of how these individuals had inspired their students to reach for the stars and achieve their dreams.
In one corner of the memorial, a group of people stood together, holding hands and wiping tears from their eyes. They had come to pay tribute to their colleagues who had passed away, but also to honor the profession they had dedicated their lives to.
The memorial is a somber and poignant tribute and place of deep emotion—a site that evokes both sadness and respect for the sacrifices made by educators in service to others. It was dedicated in 2014 and serves as a testament to the sacrifices made by those who have devoted themselves to educating the next generation.
The idea for the memorial originated after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut. The events of that day in 2012 resulted in the loss of innocent lives, including educators and children. Among the fatalities were six school employees, including the school's principal, AFSA member Dawn Hochsprung.
Hochsprung was a beloved community leader who had been the principal of Sandy Hook since 2010. She was known for her dedication to her students and her innovative approach to education. During the shooting, she reportedly ran toward the gunman to protect her students and was fatally shot.
The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School had a profound impact on the community and the nation. It sparked renewed debate about gun control laws, led to increased security measures at schools across the country, and helped birth the national memorial.
When the memorial was first dedicated, Connecticut State Federation of School Administrators President, Dr. Anthony Salvatore, took part in the ceremony. Salvatore, who also serves as an AFSA general vice president, was an administrator at Sandy Hook Elementary School a year before the shooting, and personally knew many of the people who died that day.
Salvatore has taken on the cause of the National Memorial to Fallen Educators as his own, sharing information about the memorial so that fallen educators are remembered.
“One of the biggest fears that I keep hearing from survivors, teachers and family members is that people will be forgotten,” Salvatore said. “People in our community are distressed that the names of those that died will be lost and turned into statistics or be boiled down into a number. This memorial reminds us that the people who died are more than a number.”
On Sept. 21, 2015, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas introduced a bill to designate the memorial as the National Memorial to Fallen Educators. While the bill was signed into law finally on April 30, 2018, it did not provide federal funds; donations by private citizens and organizations are key to keep the memorial and the memory of these great educators alive.
At an AFSA General Executive Board conference in the fall of 2022, Salvatore gave an impassioned speech about the importance of the memorial, which inspired other AFSA members to act.
Donis Coronel, Executive Director of the Administrators Association San Diego City Schools, AFSA Local 134, and an AFSA general vice president, remembered that bus mechanic John F. Joaquin had lost his life on the job, and she did not find his name on the on-line list of those on the memorial. Coronel said, “Anthony’s words reminded me that a decade ago, a school bus broke down during a huge rainstorm, and unfortunately another vehicle slid and John was killed instantly.” Coronel alerted memorial staff and told them this story from a decade ago. This summer, Joaquin’s name will be inscribed on the memorial.
The design of the memorial is simple, yet powerful. A circular plaza is surrounded by granite columns inscribed with the names of fallen educators from across the country. At the center of the plaza stands a bronze statue of a teacher holding an apple, symbolizing the dedication and sacrifice of those who have given their lives in service to their students.
The names memorialized on the granite walls date as far back as 1764, before the Declaration of Independence was signed. Thememorial’s websitecatalogues the stories behind the names on the wall, providing a unique insight into the history of violence in American education. The oldest name inscribed is that ofEnoch Brown, who was killed in 1764 alongside 11 students in what is considered to be the first school massacre in America. Brown and his students were targeted by a group of Native Americans as retaliation against the scalping of their people during Pontiac’s War.
While stories such as Brown’s seem ancient today, the stories of other educators still resonate. In 1899,T.B. Hunterwas stabbed and killed by a student after disciplining the student for not listening during instruction.
Today, visitors to the memorial can pay their respects to these heroes and reflect on the profound impact that educators have on our society. The National Memorial to Fallen Educators stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of those who have given their lives in service to others.
Do you know of an educator who died while serving students? Send an email tohallfame@emporia.eduwith their name and story to request that they be added to the memorial. To donate,click here.
DEADLINE, TOMORROW, APRIL 28! 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!" Any member can nominate a colleague from any category (example: a Principal could nominate a BSS III/POS or a Food Services Area Supervisor could nominate an Associate Principal, etc.). The winners will be recognized in June at our annual Summerfest Celebration on June 23, 2023.
DEADLINE, TOMORROW, APRIL 28! ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS/ ASSOCIATE PRINCIPALS – COULD YOUR TK/KINDERS BENEFIT FROM AASD'S HOMEWORK KITS? Since 2014, AASD has been funding “homework kits” for incoming Kindergarten and TK students at a deserving elementary school (or schools). The Homework Kits are filled with school supplies that students can use at home when completing their homework.
If you would like your elementary site to be considered for the Homework Kits for the opening of the 2023-24 school year, please complete and submit the application no later than April 28, 2023. The AASD Member Relations Committee will review the applications and select the school(s) to receive the Homework Kits. The lucky school(s) will be announced at the beginning of June.
DEADLINE IS MONDAY, MAY 1 TO RSVP FOR AASD MAY 11 MEMBERSHIP MEETING. ALL MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING, AFFILIATE MEMBERS,
AND RETIRED MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND. AASD will be holding a membership meeting on Thursday, May 11, at 4:00-7:00 PM for all Members in Good Standing, Affiliate Members, and Retired Members. The location is Marina Village, 1936 Quivira Way, Seaside Room. The Seaside Room is at the north end of the complex. This is a business meeting as well as a social event and your attendance is encouraged. Additionally, voting will also occur for AASD Board of Directors positions (only AASD Members in Good Standing may vote). The schedule for the May 11 membership meeting is as follows:
4:00 to 5:15 p.m. Check In
Heavy Appetizers and Beverages (Beer, Wine, Sangria, Iced Tea,
Lemonade, Coffee)
Visiting With Our Vendor Partners
Networking/Social
5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Business Meeting Including Introduction of Candidates for AASD Board of
Directors Positions and Important Business/Bargaining Updates
6:15 to 7:00 p.m. Raffle for Door Prizes (must be present to win!) and Continued
Networking/Social
IMPORTANT: For planning purposes and due to the cost of the event (food and beverages) an RSVP is required by May 1, 2023. Please RSVP if you are attending by clicking the link below.
Note – Due to the cost of the food/beverages, if you RSVP and then find you cannot attend, you must notify the AASD office by close of business on May 1 to cancel your RSVP.
We are looking forward to seeing you at our AASD Membership Meeting! YOUR Union is only as strong as the participation of the members! This meeting is for all AASD Members in Good Standing, Affiliate Members, and Retired Members only. 12 bargaining as the
BARGAINING UPDATE. AASD is hopeful that we will have a bargaining session on May 10.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE The Legislative and Political Affairs (LAPA) Committee updated the Board of Directors on various bills at its April 26 meeting. The Board took action on three bills:
SB 643 School Safety: Safe-To-Tell Program
AASD initially took the position to oppose this bill, creating a statewide tip line program, due to our district already participating in our local program “Students Speaking Out.” AASD met with Senator Wilk’s staff and they agreed to amend their bill to require each district to create its own or participate in a similar program by SY 24-25. Based on the amended bill, no letter of opposition was created. The Board of Directors changed its position to become neutral on the bill.
SB 291 Pupil Rights: Recess
The board voted to support the bill’s effort to withhold a student from recess as an option for discipline, making recess a student’s right. Students can be held back from recess if their participation is deemed a danger to themself or another student.
SB 868 Pupil Safety: Trauma Kits
AASD’s legislative efforts have begun to be recognized. Senator Wilk requested AASD to review this bill and sought our support. The bill places a trauma kit in each classroom and requires annual review and training for all employees on the campus. The bill also protects our staff from being liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission of using the kits, as long as training is provided.
You can view the list of bills our LAPA Committee is reviewing or bills our Board of Directors has taken a position by clicking the following link:2023 Tracked Legislation.
If you become aware of a bill our LAPA Committee should review or if are you interested in being a member of the LAPA Committee please contact Donis Coronel atdonis@unitedadmin.us.
AASD SUPPORTS OUR MEMBERS. Read below for an example of how AASD serves our members.
AASD supports our members through networking with other unionized administrators’ unions throughout California. Through CAUSA (California Association of Urban School Administrators), AASD has developed a network of colleagues to share contract language with, brainstorm ideas, etc. Other California administrators’ unions exist in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, West Contra Costa, Sacramento, and Chula Vista.
This is another example of what AASD does to support our members. If you need assistance from AASD, please contact the office at 619-295-2118 or e-mail the Executive Director, Donis Coronel, atdonis@unitedadmin.us.
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@unitedadmin.us 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.
AASD sends our condolences to the family of former AASD member Judy Marian Tenorio, age 80, of San Diego California who passed away on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Judy was a long-time district employee, including the position of Principal, Instructional Leader, and Area Superintendent. She was a mentor and friend to many.
A memorial service for Judy will be held Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at All Hallows Church, 6602 La Jolla Scenic S Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92037.
AASD sends sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of our AASD Member in Good Standing, Shannon Dearborn, Program Manager, SPED. Shannon passed away unexpectedly on April 16.
A Celebration of Life will be held on May 20, 2023, from 11am to 2pm. All are invited. The Celebration of Life will be held at Admiral Baker Park in San Diego.
Shannon worked for SDSD for over 20 years in Special Education. She taught at San Diego High, Dana Middle, University City High and Clairemont High. She touched the lives of hundreds of students and was well loved and respected by all who knew her. In her personal life, Shannon loved her running group, Orange Theory, and especially running Disney marathons. Since she was such an avid Disney fan, her friends and colleagues are honoring her life with a Disney brunch. Please wear Disney apparel if you wish. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Shannon’s name to either the CASA organization https://gofund.me/c6aaa915or to help care for her beloved dog Baileyhttps://gofund.me/1abe6e37
REMINDERS
LOOKING FORWARD - MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW! MORE INFORMATION TO COME! AASD Summerfest End of the Year Event – June 23, 2023 at 5:00 PM at Marina Village. Free to all AASD Members in Good Standing, Retired Members, and Affiliate Members. More information will be forthcoming.
ESTATE PLANNING – DISCOUNT FOR AASD MEMBERS! AASD has a partnership with Greg Runge, Estate Planning Attorney. Greg has over 12 years of experience practicing in the areas of wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. He has been providing this service to our members for many years. In addition to his legal work, Greg is also a Lieutenant with a local police department, where he is in his 22nd 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 $950, which is 50% off the going rate for estate planning (more 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.comor call (858) 395-4011 and be sure to mention you are an AASD member, so you receive the discounted rate.
AASD OFFICE Office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday. We ask that you call the office before visiting to ensure that a staff member is in the office and 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). ACSA is a statewide organization for school leaders, serving more than 17,000 California educators and administrators in 19 regions throughout California, each made up of local charters. ACSA’s Mission: The Association of California School Administrators is the driving force for an equitable, world-class education system, and the development and support of inspired educational leaders who meet the diverse needs of all California students. Visit ACSA's website at acsa.orgfor more information about this organization.
Deborah Burke is our Region 18 ACSA Membership Services Representative. She is local and your completed membership applications can be sent directly to her. By completing your application and signing it, then scanning and attaching it to an email to Deborah, you will expedite the processing of your application. If you have any questions about ACSA, cost, benefits, opportunities, etc., please reach out to Deborah at dburke@acsa.org or at (619) 504-3512.
The following types of ACSA membership are available, as applicable, to people in San Diego Unified/AASD. All memberships can be paid by payroll deduction, personal check, or Mastercard/VISA. The following are descriptions of each type of application. SELECT UNION DISTRICTMembership: Click here for application. $1/day($30.42/month) for remainder of the current school year. Dues are prorated after July 1. Member may choose to be a Regular Member with full benefits or be a Consolidated Member, without legal support, but can contact advocates for limited consultation. Standard dues begin July 1 of their second year of membership.
ASSOCIATEMembership: (associate on cover – with Business Reply Mail cover) $250/year and prorated for new members joining after July 1. Can be paid by check (full amount), Payroll deduction (3 equal installments of $83.33; not offered after September), or VISA/Mastercard (full payment). Click here for application. RETIREDMembership: (2 types) Click here for application. Emeritus Lifetime - $700 (a one-time fee). May be paid in (3 equal installments of $233.34 (not offered after September), via Master Card/VISA (full payment), or via a personal (full payment) check. Full Regular- $125/year paid via a monthly deduction from member’s STRS pension via a payroll deduction, or Master Card/VISA (full payment), or a personal check (full payment).
If you wish to use ACSA's online application process to join, click here for the “Steps for Joining ACSA.”
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@unitedadmin.usat 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@unitedadmin.us.
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.
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@unitedadmin.us 619-813-8792 Office Manager, Linda Crout-Hamel --linda@unitedadmin.us 619-861-2701
