AUGUST 12, 2024! WISHING ALL AASD MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING, AFFILIATE MEMBERS AND SOME "WORKING" RETIRED MEMBERS A SUCCESSFUL OPENING OF SCHOOL. From your AASD Board of Directors -- As we embark on another school year, we want to take a moment to recognize and appreciate the critical role you play in shaping the future of our students, schools, and communities. Your dedication, vision, and leadership are vital in creating environments where both educators and students can thrive. Whether you are assigned to a school site or assigned to central office, your support is critical. This year brings with it new challenges and opportunities. As school district leaders, you are at the forefront of ensuring that our schools are safe, inclusive, and supportive spaces for all. Your ability to guide, inspire, and advocate for the needs of staff and students will be more important than ever.
We, as your Union, are committed to standing by you every step of the way. Our partnership is built on a shared commitment to quality education, professional growth, and the well-being of every member of our Union. We understand the complexities of your role and are here to support you in navigating the demands of the year ahead. As we move forward, let’s continue to work together to promote a culture of respect, collaboration, and innovation in our schools and departments. Your leadership is essential in empowering staff to do their best work and in ensuring that students receive the education they deserve. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to excellence and for the care you show in every decision you make. We look forward to a year of shared successes and continued collaboration. While the work is hard and the resources are scarce, we are in this TOGETHER.
JOIN US! RSVP NOW FOR THE AASD BACK-TO-SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP MEETING on August 29, 4:00-7:00 PM.AASD will be hosting a Back-to-School Membership Meeting at Marina Village, Captains Room (located on the north end of the venue). Come by and visit our vendor partners, hear important updates from AASD, and enjoy appetizers and beverages. You’ll also have a chance to win some great door prizes. All Members in Good Standing, Affiliate Members, and Retired Members are welcome. RSVP is required. Please RSVP via the link below. RSVP deadline is August 23.
Agenda:
4:00-5:15 p.m. – Networking, visiting vendor partners, appetizers and beverages
5:15-6:00 p.m. – Membership Meeting
6:00-7:00 p.m. – Continued networking, appetizers and beverages.
Door prizes will be given away at 6:15 p.m. "Must be present to win!"
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 UASC/AASD Executive Director, Donis Coronel, at donis@unitedadmin.us or 619-813-8792.
FOR ALL AASD MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING, AFFILIATE MEMBERS AND RETIRED MEMBERS. WANT TO LEARN ABOUT NAVIGATING LONG-TERM CARE?Come and learn about the essentials of long-term care and the importance of planning for future healthcare needs. Jordan Colman and Julie Udovch will be providing valuable information on how to navigate the complexities of long-term care and strategies to protect your family’s financial well-being. Join Jordan and Julie on September 10 from 4:00-6:00 PM in Old Town!RSVP is REQUIRED by September 1. Click here for more information on the event and RSVP information.
LAPA COMMITTEE REPORT.Legislative Update - Our committee has made a few changes since the recent retirement of our Committee Chair, Jesus Montana. We welcome Cristine Holmer, a long-standing committee member, as our new AASD LAPA Chairperson. UASC has hired Jesus Montana as the UASC Government Relations Officer. He will continue using his expertise in monitoring legislation and building relationships with our elected officials on behalf of all our UASC members. He will work with all the LAPA Chairpersons (AASD, AACV, and AASU) to ensure our members are well represented in Sacramento and locally.
Our state legislature has returned from its break and the only committee hearing bills are both Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees, where they determine if the cost of the bill outweighs the purpose. If they determine the cost does not outweigh the purpose but the cost is over $150,000, the bill is suspended until the Appropriations Committee Suspended Bill Hearing. Those hearings are scheduled for August 12, 2024, for the Senate and the Assembly on August 15, 2024. All the bills we supported have either passed through Appropriations or are pending Suspended Bill Hearings; none have been killed. We will update you next week after the next two hearings.
The Legislative Status Reportis continuously updated with all the bills being monitored. The LAPA Committee values your input and encourages you to reach out if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or recommendations. Your perspectives are crucial in shaping our advocacy efforts. If you come across a bill that you believe our LAPA Committee should review or are interested in joining the committee, we encourage you to contact Jesus Montana atJesus@UnitedAdmin.us. Your input and involvement are crucial to our advocacy efforts.
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 at donis@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 second Monday of the month at 4:00 PM in person at the UASC/AASD office with an option to join the meeting via Zoom. The Chair is Cristine Holmer and our UASC Government Relations Officer is Jesus Montana.
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 Troy Hickey and Susan Kent.
Professional Development Committee: Plans and coordinates the annual AASD/SDUSD Spring Conference each March. Also responsible for approving reimbursements from 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 Jim Hallauer and Silvia Martinez.
Scholarship Committee: Coordinates the Scholarship Program including presentation of scholarships at school events. Meets monthly, as needed, typically the fourth Monday of the Month from 3:30-5:00 PM in person with an option to join the meeting via Zoom. Co-Chairs are Mary Johnson and Veronica Ortega.
AASD SUPPORTS OUR MEMBERS.Read below for an example of how AASD serves our members.
Homework bags were delivered to 144 TK and Kinder students at Webster Elementary and Linda Vista Elementary this week. AASD supports our members by providing essential supplies to students so they have the tools they need for completing their homework when they are not at school. Thank you to the AASD Member Relations Committee for their work on this. A special thank you to Troy Hickey and Maria Moore-Flagg (Retired Member) for delivering the homework bags to the two sites.
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, at donis@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.
From Member in Good Standing, Barb Waller: Mary Wager, Human Resources Director, (and AASD Affiliate Member) is truly amazing! Once again she came through for our site, going the extra mile on a Saturday, to ensure that we were properly staffed for the opening of school! And I know it’s not just me that she helps…so many of my colleagues sing her praises every day for how she works tirelessly in service of us! Thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Mary! Please know how very much you are appreciated!
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
SUPPORT THE AASD SCHOLARSHIP FUND! A NEW WAY TO DONATE AND SUPPORT GRADUATING SENIORS. FOR THE COST OF A STARBUCKS COFFEE OR A VISIT TO FAST FOOD, YOU CAN SUPPORT OUR SCHOLARSHIP FUND! For years, AASD has supported our members by providing $1000 scholarships to the children of our members who are graduating from high school and going on to higher education. Each year, AASD awards between $15,000 and $18,000 in scholarships. In lieu of holding an annual event to fund the scholarships, the AASD Scholarship Committee, co-chaired by Veronica Ortega and Mary Johnson, has created an opportunity for our Members in Good Standing and Affiliate Members to make a nominal donation via payroll deduction to the AASD Scholarship Fund. With the support of our members, this option will allow our scholarship program to remain solvent and remain funded.
The AASD Board of Directors is encouraging all Members in Good Standing and Affiliate Members to consider donating via payroll deduction in support of our program. By clicking the provided link or scanning the QR code below, members can make a donation 10 times a year (August through May) of either $3, $5, $10 or $20 per month via payroll deduction. Those that sign up by September 1 will receive a Starbucks card as a token of our appreciation! Link - AASD Scholarship Payroll DeductionQR Code - Scholarship Payroll Deduction
Of course, any member (active or retired) can make a direct donation by sending a check to the AASD office, or calling the office with a debit or credit card information. Checks should be payable to "UASC Foundation," and in the memo, write “AASD Scholarship Fund.” Additionally, those wanting to make a MONTHLY donation outside of the payroll system can set up “Bill Pay” through their bank.
AASD would also like to acknowledge that all dues paid by AASD Retired Members (annually or one-time lifetime) go directly to the AASD Scholarship Fund.
Thank you in advance for your support! In order to continue the program without holding fundraising events we need your generosity!
PRINCIPAL AND ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL WORK CALENDARS FOR 2025-26. AASD had some issues printing the calendars. Please visit the employee portal on the SDUSD website and locate the final approved work calendars for Principals and AP’s for 2025-26.
ESTATE PLANNING – DISCOUNT FOR AASD MEMBERS!After some time away from this legal work to attend training for his full-time job as a police officer, Greg Runge, Estate Planning Attorney, has renewed his partnership with AASD. Greg has over 15 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 a Lieutenant with a local police department, where he is in his 25th 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-mailgregrunge@gmail.comor call (858) 395-4011 and be sure to mention you are an AASD member, so you receive the discounted rate.
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 Patti Burch atpatti@unitedadmin.us.
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.
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/UASC Office if you are interested.
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).
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 Patti Burch atpatti@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 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/UASC 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.
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
