IMPORTANT FOR PRINCIPALS, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPALS AND CERTIFICATED CENTRAL OFFICE MANAGERS. As most of you are aware, AASD negotiated language with the District regarding workload. AASD and the District have a Workload Work Group with representatives from the certificated AASD ranks and the District has representatives as part of the group. We typically meet 2-3 times a year following a survey of our AASD certificated members to hear their concerns about workload and to come up with solutions. AASD will be meeting with the District on November 8. Please click the link below to share your workload concerns. The deadline for the survey is October 30 at 5:00 p.m.Be a part of the solution! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7hspeE3vHAxWWHsT4T_MRgCeuhg6KZCETSbN6gHEpwJX_6A/viewform?usp=sf_link
OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR MEDICAL/DENTAL PLANS AND FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS. Open Enrollment is October 16 to November 10. There are some significant changes regarding the medical plans that “may” affect active employees and/or retirees. Please take the time to review the materials and attend an informational meeting/event so you have all the information you need to make an informed decision. Click this link to see the Open Enrollment communication. https://cdnsm5-ss18.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_27732394/File/Departments/Benefits/District%20Bulletin%20No.%2064%20Open%20Enrollment.pdf
Note: If you are a retiree or a “soon-to-be” retiree, you are encouraged to attend one of the meetings for retirees.
UNION PLUS SAVES OUR MEMBERS MONEY! All AASD Members in Good Standing and Affiliate Members/Retired Members with AFSA can save a lot of money! Who doesn’t want to save money?!?! Check out the Union Plus website – this service is free! In fact, following a recent Union Plus presentation, our Executive Director, Donis Coronel, reports that she used Union Plus to book a hotel room for two nights in Las Vegas. Donis had checked online and could not find a hotel in Las Vegas on the weekend she wanted to go for less than $325/night. Donis tried Union Plus and secured a nice hotel (5 star) for less than $135 per night including all fees and taxes! For more information on Union Plus and the products/discounts they offer go tohttps://www.unionplus.org/and create an account or sign onto your account. Remember when creating an account, you are AFSA Local 134. Now start saving money!
AFSA HAS YOU COVERED – PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE. As a member of AASD, you are also a member of the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) and as such you have up to $2 million in Professional Liability Coverage. AFSA provides all working members who are in good standing with professional liability protection in case of an adverse judgment in a lawsuit where the member is named as a party or defendant. This plan includes up to $1 million in protection against civil actions stemming from:
Bodily injury to a student.
Accidental death of a student.
Accusations of assault or battery.
Incidents involving corporal punishment.
Personal injury claims related to libel, slander or character defamation.
Violation of an individual's right to privacy or wrongful detention.
Damage or destruction of others' property.
In addition, AFSA provides an additional $1 million insurance coverage for acts or omissions related to employment liability. This coverage includes up to $15,000 for defense costs concerning employment liability acts or omissions, cases of sexual misconduct and corporal punishment. These provisions are subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the policy. This is yet another perk of being an AFSA, Local 134 member!
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 20, 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 1, 2024, 4:00-7:00pm – AASD Membership Meeting, Location TBD June 14, 2024, 5:00-9:30pm – AASD Summerfest Celebration, Marina Village
LAPA COMMITTEE REPORT.The Governor’s October 14 deadline to sign or veto over 1100 bills has passed, and AASD did well in the bills we took a position on. Of the bills we supported, ALL were signed into law, and the bills we opposed were Vetoed. This was a great first year for our LAPA Committee. All the bills can be viewed on our 2023 Legislative Chart. The LAPA Committee will review all the signed legislation that will go into effect on January 1, 2024 and affect our members. The report will be presented to the AASD Executive Board in November and released to our members by mid-November.
LAPA will now switch into Endorsement mode and will begin interviewing candidates for school board in December and conclude by January. The AASD Board of Directors has authorized our LAPA Committee to interview State Senate and Assembly candidates whose districts are within SDUSD boundaries, as well as State Constitutional Office candidates.
The LAPA Committee is always welcoming new members. If you are interested in joining our LAPA Committee, please contact Executive Director Donis Coronel at the USAC office.
REQUEST FOR PRINCIPALS FROM A DOCTORAL CANDIDATE
Hello and HAPPY NATIONAL PRINCIPALS MONTH!
My name is Amanda Cason and I am a doctoral candidate at GCU.
I am reaching out to school principals for my dissertation study. My research study explores the support school principals' experience.
Your perspective is valuable.
I am offering a $10 gift card to Amazon for individuals who participate in both the interview and questionnaire of my study. If you choose to participate, you can do one or both parts of the study. I want you to know your time is respected.
AASD SUPPORTS OUR MEMBERS. Read below for an example of how AASD serves our members.
Member-to-member conflict – The AASD Executive Director has intervened in several situations where members in our AASD unit have a conflict between themselves. Almost always, we are able to work it out. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help.
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 Executive Director, Donis Coronel, shares the passing of her beloved Aunt, Sue Jackson Carsten, on October 14 following declining health this past year. Ms. Carsten was a retired kindergarten teacher from SDUSD and taught at Cadman Elementary for over 35 years, retiring in the late 1980’s. After retirement, Ms. Carsten moved with her husband (Bob Carsten, retired from Pac Bell/ATT) to Colorado Springs, CO where they lived for 10 years and then re-located to Las Vegas, NV to be near family. Ms. Carsten passed away at the age of 89. She is survived by her husband, Bob, her two grandsons, Rob and Peter Swarowski, her niece, Donis Coronel and her nephew, Greg Wofford. She was predeceased by her daughter, Sherry Swarowski, who passed away in 2019.
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
