LAST CHANCE -- DEADLINE IS EXTENDED TO MONDAY, MAY 8, 5 PM, 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
Note – Due to the cost of the food/beverages, if you RSVP and then find you cannot attend, AASD will have to invoice you for the cost of the food/beverages.
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.
MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING, AFFILIATE MEMBERS AND RETIRED MEMBERS -- CONSIDER ATTENDING THIS IMPORTANT WEBINAR – MAY 9 AT 3PM. You are invited to an important webinar being hosted by our national union, AFSA, and in conjunction with Kaiser Permanente, on Tuesday, May 9th at 3pm PST, Resilience in School Environments, Understanding and Practice. The webinar is part of AFSA’s offerings during May, which is Mental Health Awareness month. AASD knows that our members in good standing, affiliate members and some of our retired members are all dealing with tremendous amounts of stress personally, as well as supporting staff and students who may be struggling. This webinar will provide resources, strategies, and tools to support our members in their own personal lives, as well as our member’s efforts to help those around them. For more information about the webinar and to register, please follow the link below. Thank you for all you do for others – now it’s time to take care of yourself! https://www.theschoolleader.org/news/addressing-school-leader-mental-health-webinar-may-9
IMPORTANT FOR MEMBERS WITH STUDENT LOANS. Do you or a family member have student loans? This is a short timeline; however, the National Student Debt Forgiveness Center is working with individual AFSA members to reduce and/or forgive their student loan debt. The National Student Debt Forgiveness Center is eager to assist AFSA members and their family members. However, we have learned that half of the borrowers will no longer be eligible for loan forgiveness as of May 31 and the rest will only have until the end of 2023 to qualify. We learned that one AFSA member from Montgomery County, MD worked with the National Student Dept Forgiveness Center and just this week had $37,000 in student loan debt forgiven! If you are interested in taking advantage of this program, we suggest immediately contacting the following individuals and letting them know that AFSA referred you. Don’t delay!
Natalie LuongoNatalie@nsdfcgroup.com If you don’t reach Natalie or get a timely response, contact Nick Spina, Chief of Staff, at AFSA nspina@afsaadmin.org 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.
Are you the subject of a complaint that has been filed? If there is any sort of investigation regarding the matter, please contact AASD for support and guidance. You are entitled to a union representative in this type of matter.
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).
AASD-Represented CERTIFICATED Job Postings Principal, Linda Vista Elementary, Closes 5/10
Principal, Bird Rock Elementary, Closes 5/10
Associate Principal, Hoover High, Closes 5/10
Associate Principal, Twain High, Closes 5/10
Associate Principal, Canyon Hills High, Closes 5/10
Associate Principal, Pacific Beach Middle, Closes 5/10
Associate Principal, Gage Elementary, Closes 5/10
Associate Principal, Logan Memorial Educational Complex, Closes 5/10
Principal, Rolando Park Elementary, Closes 5/10
Principal, Wegeforth Elementary, Re-Post, Closes 5/11
Instructional Coordinator, Mann Middle, Closes 5/11
Program Manager, Instructional Media Services, Closes 5/14
Program Manager, Special Education, Closes 5/26 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@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 shares in the sorrow of so many of our colleagues in remembering Jose Delao who worked in the Credentials unit of Human Resources. Jose passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Friday, April 28. Jose was known by so many of our AASD members for his work, particularly with certificated staff, over his career with SDUSD. He was a fixture in Human Resources and known for his kindness, willingness to help, caring personality, and his over 40 years of dedicated service to SDUSD. Jose was a caretaker by nature – caring for friends and family including his elderly parents. He will be truly missed by so many – colleagues, friends, and family. Rest easy our dear friend. Services are as follows and all are welcome to attend.
Immaculata Catholic Church on University of California (USD) Campus
Friday, May 5 – Rosary at 6:30pm
Saturday, May 6 – Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, May 6 – Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery (following the Mass)
AASD has learned of the death of former member and retiree, Gilbert Gutierrez, Sr. Mr. Gutierrez was a principal in San Diego Unified and in Los Angeles Unified prior to retirement. He passed away on April 8, 2023. Our sincere condolences to the family including his son, Gil Gutierrez, Jr., who was also a former principal in San Diego Unified. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sandiegouniontribune/name/gilbert-gutierrez-obituary?id=51693562
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
