CENTRAL OFFICE REMOTE WORK UPDATE(Previously sent in a Special Update on Tuesday, July 18)
This information is for those AASD members (classified and certificated) who are currently working remotely on either a full-time or hybrid basis. If you are not an AASD Member in Good Standing who is currently working full-time remote or hybrid remote, you do not need to respond.
As you likely know, theattached communicationwent out to all district employees on July 18, 2023, ordering those who are currently working full-time remote or hybrid remote back to 100% in person work at their physical district site office no later than August 16. This directive is coming from District Leadership.
History: Following the pandemic, in the Spring of 2022, the District implemented a “pilot” Remote Work Policy that ended in late July 2022. AASD was told that when the pilot ended, there would be a Hybrid Work Policy in place. That did not happen. Some employees returned to the workplace by the time school started in August 2022; others did not. In September 2022, the District provided AASD with a draft Hybrid Work Policy document for review, and AASD was told that the policy would take effect January 1, 2023. AASD reviewed the draft and provided three very simple suggestions for improvement/clarification. It was very clear with the draft that Hybrid Work was a benefit and not an entitlement and it would work for some but not all. Despite AASD’s regular inquiries, the policy was not brought forward for the January 1, 2023 implementation. Through the Spring of 2023, AASD continued to inquire about the Hybrid Work Policy with little to no response. Some department managers were allowing AASD members to work remotely on a hybrid basis; others were not. Hybrid Work does not work for a large percentage of AASD members who must physically be onsite (Food Services Supervisors, BSS III, POS, Supervisors/Managers who supervise employees who are working onsite), but it does make sense and work for a small percentage of our classified managers/supervisors and a small group of central office certificated managers.
The District has the right to select the work location of any employee and to make a decision to direct all employees back to their school district work location. The decision is NOT negotiable. However, since some of our AASD members have been working remote or hybrid for over three years, AASD has the right to demand to bargain the “impacts and effects” of the decision and has done so. Again, AASD must reiterate that the decision to direct all employees to return from remote or hybrid back to the office is a District decision and is NOT negotiable. The “impacts and effects” are negotiable, and AASD will be bargaining within the next week with the District. AASD can, and will, make the argument with the District that some of our members do not wish to return to 100% in-person work and will provide the reasons. However, ultimately, it is the District’s decision.
AASD is aware that some of our members are most unhappy and upset with the District’s decision. That is understandable. AASD needs to go to the bargaining table with CURRENT information so we can bargain impacts and effects.
THANK YOU TO ALL ASSOCIATE PRINCIPALS, INSTRUCTIONAL COORDINATORS, AND PRINCIPALS WHO COMPLETED THE SUMMER SCHOOL SURVEY. The results are being provided to District Leadership to be considered when planning for next year. Your input is valuable and appreciated.
REPORT FROM THE AASD LEGISLATIVE AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS (LAPA) COMMITTEE.The LAPA Committee met on July 5, 2023, and reviewed several bills, including Assembly Bill 938. This bill is intended to ensure school districts minimally increase the salaries of classified and certificated employees annually at the level of inflation by reporting employees' salaries and their increases annually to the state. The LAPA committee presented AB 938 to the AASD Executive Board and recommended they support the bill. On July 13, 2023, the Executive Board agreed.
The Legislature will be on summer break until August 14, 2023. Our LAPA committee will meet on August 5 to review additional bills in preparation for their return, including a School Safety Plan bill that will increase the workload of our members. You can view the bills our LAPA Committee is monitoring and the bills AASD has taken a position on our2023 LAPA Committee Legislation Chart.
If you are interested in serving on our LAPA Committee, contact Donis Coronel atdonis@unitedadmin.usor at the UASC office at 619-295-2118.
AASD SUPPORTS OUR MEMBERS. Read below for an example of how AASD serves our members.
AASD has a conference room that can easily seat 25+ that is available for members to use. If you have a group that would like to use it to meet, contact the office at 619-295-2118 or e-mail our Office Manager, Linda Crout-Hamel, atlinda@unitedadmin.usto check availability. Our office is centrally located in Mission Valley, and our conference room is quiet and confidential.
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.
REMINDERS
AASD COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS RATIFIED BY AASD MEMBERS AND THE SDUSD BOARD OF EDUCATION ON JULY 11.The fully executed Collective Bargaining Agreements will be sent to the membership as soon as they are available. A link will be provided to AASD members – hard copies are no longer printed.
Important for all AASD Certificated members (Principals, AP’s, Instructional Coordinators and Central Office Certificated Members) and Classified Managers. Effective July 1, 2023, you are now eligible to receive mileage reimbursement for work-related travel via your own vehicle. Previous to this contract you were not eligible to submit for reimbursement. If you are driving for work-related duties, you may now track your mileage and submit for mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate, which is currently 65.5 cents per mile. Remember mileage does NOT begin at your home – it begins at your workplace for the day. For more information on how to complete an expense report for mileage reimbursement, please visit the District’s website, Staff Portal, and click on Departments/Accounts Payable. Click on Travel and Expense Job Aids, and then Travel and Expense Handbook, page 53. Further questions should be addressed to Accounts Payable regarding submitting a claim or for the rules related to mileage reimbursement. Note: Classified Supervisors have always been eligible to submit for mileage reimbursement, so nothing has changed for the Classified Supervisors group.
It has been confirmed that the negotiated raises will be reflected on the paycheck at the end of July. The 10% retro is scheduled to pay sometime in August (date TBD). Longevity pay (22+ years with SDUSD) will be paid at the end of September.
Those Principals or other AASD members who attended the Deloitte Courageous Principals training in Dallas, TX -- the MOU which provides you with two (2) PPI days has been approved by the Board of Education. Those two (2) extra PPI days must be used by June 30, 2024. If you attended Deloitte in February 2023 (on a holiday weekend), you receive three (3) PPI days that must be used by June 30, 2023. These are “use or lose” days. Don’t miss the deadline! AASD is not aware yet of the payroll process for using the days, so please write on the leave request form “DELOITTE PPI DAY.”
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@unitedadmin.us.
Finance Committee: Meets up to 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 monthly to review and make recommendations regarding legislation that affects education and our schools/employees. The committee also interviews school board candidates and makes recommendations for endorsement to the AASD Board of Directors. The committee typically meets the 2nd Monday of the month at 4:00 p.m. in person at the UASC/AASD office with an option to join the meeting via Zoom. Co-Chairs are Jesus Montana (interim) and Marci Lammey.
Member Relations Committee: Plans and supports the two large social events for members (Summerfest and the Winter Holiday Party) as well as provides support for any membership meetings. Responsible for the selection of AASD Distinguished Leaders annually. Coordinates the Homework Kits for UTK and Kinders at select schools. Responsible for other activities that support the membership. Typically meets monthly, the first Tuesday of the month from 3:30-5:00 PM in person with an option to join the meeting via Zoom. Co-Chairs are Susan Kent and Maria Moore-Flagg.
Professional Development Committee: Plans and coordinates the annual AASD/SDUSD Spring Conference each March. Also responsible for approving reimbursements to the Professional Growth Fund. Typically meets the first Wednesday of the month, as needed, 3:00-4:30 PM with an option to join the meeting via Zoom. Co-Chairs are Mario Garcia and Silvia Martinez.
Scholarship Committee: Plans an annual fundraising event (Casino Night). Coordinates the Scholarship Program including presentation of scholarships at school events. Meets monthly, as needed, typically the 4th Monday of the Month from 3:30-5:00 PM in person with an option to join the meeting via Zoom. Co-Chairs are Veronica Ortega and Sharon Rubalcava.
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 $10.50 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.
AASD CONTACT INFORMATION: Executive Director, Donis Coronel --donis@unitedadmin.us619-813-8792 Office Manager, Linda Crout-Hamel --linda@unitedadmin.us619-861-2701 Office Clerk/Membership Coordinator, Patti Burch -- patti@unitedadmin.us
