AASD EXTENDS WISHES FOR A SMOOTH AND JOYFUL OPENING OF SCHOOL.The AASD Board of Directors and Staff wish all of our AASD Members in Good Standing, Affiliate Members and Retired Members who are working, a smooth and joyful opening of school. You have all worked so hard to prepare for the staff and students to return whether you are at a school site or providing support to school via central office. In the words of First Lady, Jill Biden, “Education doesn’t just make us smarter. It makes us whole.” Thank you for what you all do to make our students “whole.” Have an amazing year!
HYBRID/REMOTE WORK BARGAINING (IMPACTS AND EFFECTS) UPDATE.On August 15 at 3:00 p.m., AASD received the counterproposal below from the District. Our AASD bargaining team is meeting later today (August 17) to review the counterproposal. As you know, the District’s final date for return to the workplace was August 16.
Thank you to those who are serving on the AASD Bargaining Team for this set of negotiations:
Donis Coronel, Chief Negotiator (UASC Executive Director)
Jesus Montana, Bargaining Chair (AASD Executive Board)
Jen Carpenter, Certificated Representative
Veronica Ortega, Classified Representative (AASD Executive Board)
Michelle Spence, Certificated Representative (AASD Workload Committee)
Jeff Thomas, Classified Representative (AASD Classified Vice President)
THE AASD WEBSITE HAS BEEN UPDATED.Thank you to the UASC Office Clerk, Patti Burch, for updating our woefully outdated AASD website and bringing it current! It is still a work in progress and Patti has worked hard to make it useable again. Our website iswww.aasdcs.org.
REMINDER – AASD EXEMPT UNIT MEMBERS HAVE PARTIAL DAY ABSENCE LANGUAGE IN THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT. Questions have arisen regarding partial day absence for exempt AASD unit members. This applies to all AASD certificated unit members and classified unit members who do NOT earn time and a half overtime. Those unit members who do not earn time and a half overtime are exempt employees (all certificated AASD members are exempt and some classified AASD members are exempt). As an exempt unit member, the following contract language applies to you:
Article 8, Section 3: PARTIAL DAY ABSENCES Given that exempt unit members have the supervisorial obligation to organize their workdays according to their work assignment and individual responsibilities, they necessarily will often work more than the standard eight (8) hour day. Consequently, and as a logical extension of their responsibility to individually manage their irregular work schedules, exempt unit members who report to work and depart prior to the end of their regularly scheduled time shall not have their pay or leave balances reduced.
What this means is that if you arrive late at work or depart early you do NOT have to take any sort of leave. The number of hours does not matter, as long as you arrive late or depart early (reported to work). All you are required to do is to make a notification to your supervisor. Examples:
I arrived at work at 8:00 a.m. and at 10:00 a.m. I have a dental appointment. I am not returning to work, as the dental work precludes me from doing so. I am NOT required to charge the six hours of absence (presuming an 8-hour day) to any sort of leave.
I was on my way to work and I got a flat tire. I typically arrive about 7:30 a.m. and I didn’t arrive until 10:30 a.m. because I had to take care of my vehicle. I am NOT required to charge the three hours of absence to any sort of leave.
I arrived at work at 7:00 a.m. and at 9:00 a.m. I left for my grandson’s award’s ceremony at his school. I came back to work at 11:00 a.m. I am NOT required to charge the two hours of absence to any sort of leave.
The partial absence language should not be applied to an ongoing request such as:
My daughter has softball every Friday at 1:00 p.m. so I need to leave early every Friday for six months. If approved by your supervisor, that type of partial day absence should be charged to an appropriate leave (personal necessity, PPI, vacation, unpaid, etc.). This type of request would require the approval of your supervisor.
Exempt unit members do NOT have the 2-hour personal business leave. Non-exempt unit members do.
If unit members have any questions regarding these types of leaves, please contact the AASD Executive Director, Donis Coronel, atdonis@unitedadmin.usor 619-813-8792.
LONGEVITY PAY. AASD classified and certificated unit members with 22 or more years of service to SDUSD in a monthly salaried position as of July 1, 2023, will receive the longevity pay at the end of September. Longevity pay is 2.5% of annual salary for those who made $100,000 or more (and meet the qualifications) in 2022-23. For those who made less than $100,000 in 2022-23, the payment is a flat rate of $2,500. If you are not sure if you qualify (22 years or more of monthly salaried service), you may check eligibility by e-mailing the Executive Director atdonis@unitedadmin.us.
CERTIFICATED AASD MEMBERS. Payroll has added the two or three PPI days for attending the Deloitte Courageous Leaders training to your PPI balance. The Deloitte PPI days must be used by June 30, 2024. AASD suggests writing “DELOITTE” in large letters on your request form to use those two or three specific days first. Those who attended in February 2023 on the holiday weekend earned three days. Those who attended any other date earned two days.
SAVE THE DATES. Mark your calendar now for the upcoming AASD events. More information will be forthcoming, but get these dates on your calendar now! Don’t miss out!
December 8, 2023, 5:00-9:30pm -- AASD Holiday Party, Marina Village, Baja Room
March 26, 2024, 7:00am-12noon – AASD/SDUSD Spring Conference, Marina Village
April 19, 2024, 6:00-10:00pm – AASD Casino Night Fundraiser for the Scholarship Fund, Marina Village
May 2, 2024, 4:00-7:00pm – AASD Membership Meeting, Location TBD
June 14, 2024, 5:00-9:30pm – AASD Summerfest Celebration, Marina Village
LEGISLATIVE AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS (LAPA) COMMITTEE Senate Bill 323 - Comprehensive School Safety Plans (CSSP): Individualized Safety Plans.
The LAPA Committee met on August 2nd to discuss Senate Bill 323 and recommend to the Executive Board that AASD oppose the bill. In short, the bill would have significantly increased our members’ workload. It would create a separate and independent committee to review and hold IEP meetings to create accommodations for each student with a disability and reconvene the committee after every drill the school holds to debrief, separately, to the Safety Committee. The Executive Board agreed and voted to oppose the bill on August 10, 2023. Immediately after the approval, AASD contacted the Senator’s office with our objects and discovered we were not alone. As a result, the bill was amended to allow a parent, educational rights holder, staff member, or pupil to address concerns with the Safety Plan if the plan is not practical to the student’s disability (i.e., no plan to help a student in a wheelchair on the 2nd floor to evacuate during a fire or earthquake). If the site principal or charter school director agrees with the objection, they can reconvene the Safety Plan Committee to address it. This amendment addressed LAPA’s and the Executive Board’s concerns. LAPA has recommended changing AASD’s opposition to neutral at the August 31, 2023 meeting.
Active bills with financial impacts will go before their respective Appropriations Committees in the coming weeks but must be voted out by September 1, 2023. We will continue to update our Legislative Chart as the Appropriations Committee determines which bills move forward. Click on 2023 Legislation Chartto view their current status. If you are interested in participating on our Legislative and Political Affairs (LAPA) Committee, please contact Donis Coronel at the UASC office.
Medical Care for Pre-Existing Condition
AASD would like to remind our members to take into consideration, prior to walking into a Workers Comprehension physician appointment, other issues or injuries occurring as a result of a work-related injury and discuss it with your Workers Compensation physician. Many patients only discuss the injury and do not consider residual effects the injury causes to other body parts. As an example, having soreness or cramps on your left leg due to overcompensating for an injury to your right leg. The California Constitution states that medical care for job injuries is to CURE or RELIEVE the effects of the work-related injury. If you have questions regarding Workers Compensation issues, AASD recommends you consult a Workers Compensation attorney for guidance.
AASD SUPPORTS OUR MEMBERS. Read below for an example of how AASD serves our members.
Many certificated AASD members who are in the process of clearing their credential received an email recently notifying them that the program was changing and that there would be a large out of pocket expense to them that was due by this week! AASD intervened and worked with Deputy Superintendent Bagula. The end result is that those currently enrolled in the program signed up under different circumstances, and Dr. Bagula said that the District will cover the additional expense. This was great news and was a direct result of AASD’s intervention.
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.
Principal Barb Waller would like to express her appreciation to Custodial Services Supervisor, Ruben Meave, for his support every single time she has asked for help. Waller states, “Ruben always makes time for me, always has great insight, and I know he always has my back. Having this kind of unconditional assistance is key to ensuring that I am able to be an effective leader. Thanks a million, Ruben!”
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
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.
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 herefor 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
