CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2025-27 AASD OFFICERS. Congratulations to the following AASD Officers who were elected for a two-year term effective July 1, 2025:
Irene Hightower, President
Jeff Thomas, Vice President-Classified
Kristi Hunter-Clark, Vice-President-Certificated
Gina Camacho-McGrath, Secretary-Treasurer
Thank you to all who voted and to our AASD Officers for their work on behalf of AASD.
AASD extends our sincere gratitude to our outgoing AASD President Dr. Jolie Pickett, who is retiring on June 30. Dr. Pickett has been the AASD President since 2017 and has led the union with integrity and professionalism. Congratulations on your retirement, Dr. Pickett!
AASD IS SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS ON THE AASD BOARD OF DIRECTORS.Nominations are being accepted for the AASD Board of Directors. Members in Good Standing may nominate another member or self-nominations are accepted. The deadline to submit a nomination is April 21 at 5:00 PM, with voting to take place electronically between May 1-14. If you are nominating another member or self-nominating, please send your nomination to Donis Coronel by April 21 at 5:00 PM. (donis@unitedadmin.us).
The commitment for serving on the Board of Directors includes monthly Board meetings (September to June) with no meeting in May – typically on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 3:00 to 4:30 PM via Zoom, with an in-person meeting in December and June. Additionally, Board of Directors members are expected to attend AASD events, as appropriate. The term begins on July 1, 2025, and is a 2-year term. There are no term limits.
Nominations are being solicited for the positions listed below. If the incumbent has indicated they are running again, that note is made. In the case where the incumbent is running again, any other member in good standing may also elect to run. Note that there are three (3) positions below where the incumbent is not running again.
Associate Principals Representative (incumbent Robin Peters has stated she is running again)
Central Office Certificated Management (incumbent Dean Darley has stated he is running again)
Classified ManagersRepresentative
Classified SupervisorsRepresentative (Norma Velasquez has been nominated)
Elementary PrincipalsRepresentative (incumbent Vince Anthony has stated he is running again)
Food Services Supervisors/Area Supervisors Representative (incumbent Lisa Peoples has stated she is running again)
Senior High Principals Representative (Eric Brown and Jeff Sabins have been nominated)
Additionally, AASD welcomes the following members to the Board of Directors (effective July 1) who will be finishing out the final year of the 2-year term for members who are taking the SERP:
Steve Ditto, Manager, PPO who will be appointed on July 1 to finish the term of Jim Hallauer as the Co-Chair (Classified), Professional Development Committee
Sara Guinn, Operations Specialist, ELO who will be appointed on July 1 to finish the term of Samantha Clabaugh as a Classified Manager Representative
Jack Lucero, Supervisor, Transportation who will be appointed on July 1 to finish the term of Brian Kenworthy as a Classified Representative, Health, and Welfare Committee
AASD IS WORKING FOR YOUR BENEFIT ON SOME IMPORTANT MATTERS! Here are a few of the things AASD is working on with the District. Stay tuned for more updates as they become available. AASD wants members to know we are working on these important issues.
Remote work policy. On January 22, the District shared that they are working on a Remote Work Policy and plan to share it with AASD in late Spring. AASD followed up on April 4 and has been told that the policy is in final review by district leadership and should be shared with AASD very soon.
Bargaining Furlough Days for 2025-26. AASD was surprised to hear from Principals who attended a virtual meeting on Budget recently that there was an announcement that there will be NO MANDATORY FURLOUGH DAYS for 2025-26. They were told, however, that there will be the option of taking VOLUNTARY furlough days. AASD is waiting for more information from Labor Relations who apologized for the premature announcement. AASD followed up on April 4 and was notified this week that we should receive a proposal soon.
Non-Represented Positions. AASD is currently bargaining with the District on non-represented positions that AASD believes should be in the AASD bargaining unit. Bargaining occurred March 3 and there will be announcements forthcoming in April. The next bargaining session is scheduled for June 3.
Full Contract Bargaining. The AASD collective bargaining agreements expire on June 30, 2025. AASD will be submitting our initial proposal for bargaining in the next 60 days.
Leadership Coaches. The district will be bringing forth to AASD a proposal regarding a new stipend for principals to serve as Leadership Coaches. The AASD bargaining team will meet with the district on April 25 for an information session which will be followed up with a proposal to bargain. No bargaining will occur at the information session. AASD is working with the various principal groups for input.
WEEKLY MARKET REPORT FROM OCTAVIA WEALTH ADVISORS.Octavia Wealth Advisors, one of AASD’s premier vendor partners and sponsors, is dedicated to supporting our members in achieving their financial goals. We value our strong relationship with Jordan Colman and Dana Peacock, who provide expert guidance to our members. For assistance with financial planning and wealth management, please contact April Esparza at 619-812-5280 oraesparza@octaviawa.comto schedule an appointment with their team. Weekly Market Report
LAPA COMMITTEE REPORT.Our LAPA Committee met this week and reviewed over 50 bills. The committee voted to support two bills -- Assembly Bills (AB) 477 and 560, while going neutral on AB 1412. AB 477 will help school district employees receive a salary increase each year at least equal to the inflation rate. AB 560 will lower the caseload rate for special education specialists, such as Speech-Language Pathologists and School Psychologists. The committee chose to take a neutral position on AB 1412 regarding new students with IEPs who need to have an IEP meeting within 30 days of enrollment in our schools. Our current procedures follow this practice and will not impact our members or students.
Our Legislative Status Report lists all the bills we will review and for which we have taken a position. We welcome our members’ insights. If you become aware of legislation or have information to share with our committee, please contact Government Relations Officer Jesus Montana at jesus@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 DISTINGUISHED LEADER AWARDS. Each year, AASD honors members as AASD Distinguished Leaders. Please consider nominating a colleague for this award. We have wonderful co-workers throughout our AASD bargaining unit and in our retiree ranks who are worthy of this recognition. The AASD Member Relations Committee is hoping that you will take the time to nominate someone who goes "Above and Beyond!" Any member can nominate a colleague from any category (example: a Principal could nominate a BSS III/POS or a Food Services Area Supervisor could nominate an Associate Principal, etc.). The winners will be recognized at our annual Summerfest Celebration on June 6, 2025.
Click the link for a list of those honored as AASD Distinguished Leaders over the past five years. These wonderful folks are ineligible to be selected again, unless they have moved to a different job/category.
The following link will lead you to the nomination form. Nominations are due by April 30, 2025. Click the following link for the Google form and criteria. https://forms.gle/xhcSvWoGdff1UdSG7
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS/ASSOCIATE PRINCIPALS – COULD YOUR TK/KINDERS BENEFIT FROM AASD'S HOMEWORK KITS? Since 2014, AASD has been funding “homework kits” for incoming Kindergarten and TK students at a deserving elementary school (or schools). The Homework Kits are filled with school supplies that students can use at home when completing their homework. The kits are funded by AASD through fundraising efforts throughout the year.
If you would like your elementary site to be considered for the Homework Kits for the opening of the 2025-26 school year, please complete and submit the application no later than April 30, 2025. The AASD Member Relations Committee will review the applications and select the school(s) to receive the Homework Kits. The lucky school(s) will be announced at the beginning of June.
The following schools were awarded homework kits within the past five years. To allow others to receive this donation, these schools are not eligible to apply this year (5-year rule):
Balboa Elementary
Cabrillo Elementary
Encanto Elementary
Franklin Elementary
Freese Elementary
Horton Elementary
Juarez Elementary
Linda Vista Elementary
Normal Heights Elementary
Perry Elementary
Vista Grande Elementary
Webster Elementary
The following link will lead you to the form for consideration. Forms are due by April 30, 2025. Click the following link for the Google form. https://forms.gle/AF3T9UdAyinawk2S9
YOU CAN 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!
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!
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 (LAPA) 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.
SAVE THE DATE!Mark your calendar NOW for this AASD-sponsored event! More information will be forthcoming! This event is for all AASD Members in Good Standing, Affiliate Members and Retired Members. June 6, 2025, 5:00-9:30pm, AASD Summerfest Celebration (Marina Village, Baja Room)
AASD COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS. Click the links below for a copy of the AASD Collective Bargaining Agreements for our Classified and Certificated Units. The CBAs are also posted on the AASD website www.aasdcs.org. Feel free to print a copy yourself and/or save the electronic copies.
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 for 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.org for 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.
All applications are new this year and will ask for your signature. It is an e-DocuSign document embedded in the small red arrow next to signature…and you click on that arrow. On the line that says, “Referred By,” please make sure to add Deborah Burke’s name if it is not already listed there. After the application is COMPLETED and SIGNED, you can PRINT the page and SCAN it. Please send the scanned copy directly to Deborah Burke at dburke@acsa.org for processing. If you have any problems with DocuSign, sign your name as you regularly would on the printed copy, before scanning and sending the application to Deborah.
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.
Emeritus Lifetime - $700 (a one-time fee). May be paid in (3 equal installments of $233.34 (not offered after September 2024), via Master Card/VISA (full payment), or via a personal (full payment) check.
Full Regular Retired- $125/year paid via a monthly deduction of $10.45 from member’s STRS pension via a payroll deduction, or Master Card/VISA (full payment), or a personal check (full payment).
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.us at the AASD/UASC Office if you are interested.
PLEASE NOTE: Credit/debit card transactions will appear on your bank statement as "UASC Foundation."
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).
UNION PLUS - MONEY-SAVING PROGRAMS FOR AFSA MEMBERS.AFSAmembership 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, visit the AFSA website. In order to access member content, you must register for an account. Registration | AFSA Benefits
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
