WISHING ALL AASD MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING, AFFILIATE MEMBERS AND RETIRED MEMBERS A JOYFUL HOLIDAY SEASON AND A PROSPERIOUS NEW YEAR. As we approach the festive season, the AASD Board of Directors and UASC Staff want to take a moment to extend our warmest wishes to each and every one of you. The holiday season is a time of reflection, gratitude, and celebration, and it is with great pleasure that we convey our sincerest wishes for joy, peace, and fulfillment to you and your loved ones. In the spirit of unity and collaboration that defines our organization, we want to express our deepest appreciation for the hard work, dedication, and resilience you have shown throughout the year. Our collective efforts have not only contributed to the success of our school district but have also strengthened the bonds within our Union family. During the holiday season, take time to cherish the moments with your loved ones, rest, and rejuvenate. Wishing you a holiday season of joy, warmth, and moments of happiness. And a Happy New Year!
The UASC/AASD office will be closed December 18 through January 2. We will reopen on January 3. If you have an urgent matter during the time the office is closed, please contact Executive Director, Donis Coronel, at 619-813-8792.
PRINCIPALS AND AP’S – HAVE YOU BEEN ASSIGNED 1:1 COACHING OR MENTORING OF ANOTHER PRINCIPAL OR AP? As most know, AASD has contract language allowing Principals and AP's to be assigned as a 1:1 coach/mentor to a new Principal or AP. There is an annual stipend for doing this work. For the 2023-24 school year, AASD was told that there would not be any 1:1 coach/mentor work assigned to Principals or AP's as another department would be handling that work. Therefore, no stipends would be paid. AASD is hearing from some Principals that they are being asked to coach/mentor new Principals. No stipend is being paid. Please complete the survey below so AASD can ascertain how prevalent this issue is and what AASD's next steps are. Please complete the survey by January 8. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJtof_OlCXxmk0nZGGAs9FBcWm26oOe4JVG9dhV3yXXAodsg/viewform?usp=sf_link
STATE PRESCHOOL STIPEND. AASD negotiated language that was Board approved in July regarding a new, one-time stipend for school administrators who have/had a State Pre School onsite. Here is the language:
12.00 STATE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM STIPEND The designated site administrator of a site with a State Preschool program will receive a one-time stipend of $600 in recognition of the State requirement to attend an orientation, preventative health training, and provide proof of vaccination status. This stipend will be paid one-time in the school year that the designated site administrator completes these requirements.
This $600 stipend will be paid to any designated site administrator that had a State Preschool program at their site in the 2022-2023 school year. Then, in the future, the stipend would be paid to any newly appointed designated site administrator to a site that has a State Preschool program or to any designated site administrator where a State Preschool program is newly added to their site, after that designated site administrator completes the requirements.
The stipend was scheduled to be paid in November; however, that did not occur. Payroll just confirmed that the stipend is being paid by a physical check that will be mailed this week to the home address of those eligible. Thank you to the Payroll staff for getting the checks out before the holidays. If you believe you are entitled to the stipend and do not receive it, please contact AASD’s Executive Director, Donis Coronel, donis@unitedadmin.us, after the holidays.
LAPA COMMITTEE REPORT In the past four years, AASD has had the privilege of working with our SDUSD Board of Trustees. Their willingness to have their doors open to hear our concerns has been appreciated. The development of this relationship was AASD's goal when the LAPA Committee was developed. As a result, the AASD Board of Directors voted on Wednesday to continue the relationship by endorsing SDUSD Board of Trustees Richard Barrera, Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, and Sabrina Bazzo for re-election to their respective offices in the March Primaries and November General Elections.
The LAPA Committee will now evolve by extending their endorsement interviews to include State Senate and Assembly candidates in January. Our committee will concentrate the invitation of candidates where their Senate or Assembly district falls within SDUSD boundaries. If you were given the opportunity, WHAT WOULD YOU ASK? If you have a question or two you would ask State Senate and Assembly candidates, send your question toLAPA@unitedadmin.us. Our committee will review all submissions as we finalize our candidate interview questions. We only ask that your questions be school related.
FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE CONTEMPLATING RETIREMENT. AASD and the District have signed an agreement which provides any AASD unit member who turns in a retirement notice to the District on or before January 15, 2024 with a $1,000 one-time payment. See link below to the actual agreement and details, including dates of eligibility. Note under the third “WHEREAS” that the District will NOT be offering a retirement incentive during the 2023-24 fiscal year. If you are contemplating retirement, please read through the MOU carefully. IMPORTANT: Any AASD member who is thinking of submitting their notice on or before January 15 in order to qualify for the one-time $1000 payment should contact the AASD Executive Director, Donis Coronel, to discuss the pros and cons. donis@unitedadmin.usor 619-813-8792.
AASD SUPPORTS OUR MEMBERS. Read below for an example of how AASD serves our members.
Having a hard time getting the information you need as an employee through a specific department? If you are having these challenges, contact AASD for assistance.
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 CONFERENCE ROOM. Need a place to hold a meeting? AASD has a conference room that can seat up to 25-30 people. We also have access to a second conference room in the hallway near our office that can seat up to 12 people. If you are interested in using either room, contact the AASD office to check availability. The room is available 8am to 5pm (unless booked). Usage prior to 8am or after 5pm would need to be worked out with the staff. To book our conference room, contact the office at 619-295-2118 or e-mail Donis Coronel(donis@unitedadmin.us)or Linda Crout-Hamel (linda@unitedadmin.us).
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!
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
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