LAST CHANCE - THERE ARE SEATS AVAILABLE!!!!! DEADLINE TO RSVP EXTENDED TO JUNE 2 AT 5:00 PM! AASD SUMMERFEST IS JUST 1 WEEK AWAY ON FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2025.AASD's end-of-the-year celebration - Summerfest - is just around the corner! Join your colleagues for a Mexican Fiestaon June 6, 5:00-10:00 PM, at Marina Village, Baja Room, 1904 Quivira Way, San Diego 92109. The evening will include honoring our AASD Distinguished Leaders.
Summerfest is FREE for all members - Members in Good Standing, Affiliate Members and Retired Members. This festive, Mexican Fiesta-themed party includes appetizers, dinner, dessert, and beverages. Attendees will also enjoy music provided by a live band – The Bro Go’s!
Appetizers, buffet dinner, and dessert will be provided by Bekker's Catering. The delicious menu includes appetizers, cheese enchiladas, a taco/burrito bar, and all the fixings. Churros will be made and served onsite! Beverages will include sodas, iced tea, beer, and wine.
In keeping with this fun, casual event, we hope you will embrace the theme and wear CASUAL Fiesta attire. Come out to play and join the fun! The music will surely entice dancers to the dance floor as the Bro Go’s are an all-male tribute band that pays homage to the legendary ladies of the 80’s. Think Go Go's, Madonna, Joan Jett, and more! For more detailed information on Summerfest 2025, click here for theFLYER.
Your RSVP is required by the deadline of June 2.Click thisLINKto RSVP.If you plan to bring a guest, your guest RSVP and payment of $75 is due by the deadline of June 2. NOTE: Guests who are eligible to be Members in Good Standing of AASD, but have chosen to be “non-members,” are not eligible to attend as the guest of a member.
The Member Relations Committee and UASC staff have been working hard to provide all members with an awesome party that marks the end of the school year. Come join your AASD colleagues and friends for a great time...and maybe you'll be lucky and win one of the many fabulous door prizes (must be present to win)!
LEADERSHIP COACH (LC) OPPORTUNITY FOR PRINCIPALS. AASD and the District bargained a new Leadership Coach Stipend. Principals can find detailed information about this role here: 2025-26 Leadership Coach Professional Learning Plan
The District is offering Informational Sessions for interested leaders to learn more about this opportunity and to answer any questions:
* June 3 at 1:45 p.m. - In person: Crawford HS: 4191 Colts Way (92115)
The Application window is open, and selection will be on the following timeline:
* Application Window Open: May 28–June 6 (due by 5:00pm on June 6)
* Notification of Selection: June 26
* Program Launch: July 22–23 (CEL Institute)
Principals who are interested in this leadership opportunity are invited to review the full plan linked above and submit an application.
👉 Click here to apply!
Please reach out to Dr. Erin Richison at erichison@sandi.netwith any questions.
SAVE THE DATE! MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW! AASD will be hosting our annual “Back to School” Membership Meeting and Social on September 4, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Marina Village in the Captain’s Room. More information to come, but plan on attending to get important updates and to socialize with your colleagues. There will be beverages, appetizers, and lots of door prizes also! This event is for all AASD Members in Good Standing, Retired Members and Affiliate Members.
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.
Elimination of Vacant Classified AASD Positions. AASD has received a list of Vacant classified positions the district will be eliminating. Many are positions that the current incumbent is taking the SERP. AASD has demanded to bargain the impacts and effects of the elimination of positions particularly related to the issue of transfer of bargaining unit work. If a position is eliminated, AASD wants to know specifically where the work is being assigned or if the work is being eliminated. AASD will not allow AASD work to be assigned to another bargaining unit.
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. As of May 29, nothing has been received.
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 that we should receive a proposal soon. As of May 29, nothing has been received.
Non-Represented Positions. AASD is currently bargaining with the District on non-represented positions that AASD believes should be in the AASD bargaining unit. The parties have agreed on 10 positions that will be moved from non-represented to the AASD bargaining unit, and those employees in the positions have been notified. The following positions will move to the AASD bargaining unit effective July 1:
Director, Charter Schools Office
Director, Due Process Hearings and Mediations
Director, Fiscal Controls and Information Systems (FPC)
Director, Integrated Technology
Director, Real Estate
Director, Risk Management
Director, Special Education (2 positions)
Director, Special Projects
Director, Transportation and Distribution Services
There are approximately 15+ positions that the Parties are still discussing/negotiating moving from non-represented to AASD, specifically certain Directors and Sr. Directors. Bargaining will be scheduled for July and/or August. Thank you to Donis Coronel, Jeff Thomas, Samantha Clabaugh, and Brian Kenworthy for serving on this bargaining team.
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.
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. A major deadline passed last Friday, May 23, 2025; bills costing over $50K must pass out of their Appropriation Committee to stay alive. When the dust settled, our bills did well. Of the 35 bills we are monitoring, which were awaiting their fate in Appropriations, 25 bills survived and moved on to the floor for a final vote before heading to the other side of the legislature. Only one bill was held over to be discussed further before moving out. These bills are referred to as a two-year bill and will be heard in January of 2026. It has until January 31, 2026, to be voted out of the committee and on the floor. Otherwise, it dies at midnight.
The next deadline will be June 6th, when all bills from its side of the legislature must be voted out and sent to the other side. Beginning June 9th, all bills that have moved to the opposite side of the legislature can start being heard in policy committees.
Our LAPA Committee will meet on January 9th to discuss the surviving bills and determine our positions. Overall, our LAPA Committee continues to monitor over 40 bills as they progress through the legislative process in Sacramento. OurLegislative Status Reportlists all the bills we are reviewing and is updated daily. 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 atjesus@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 Principal Irene Hightower, Hancock Elementary: I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all AASD members and other District personnel who reached out following the plane crash that occurred on May 22. There is truly nothing that can prepare a school community for the impact of a small jet crashing just three blocks from campus, deeply affecting our students, families, and staff.
Associate Principal Jessie Salas, BSS III Jeff Palovich, and I are sincerely appreciative of the outpouring of concern, support, and generous offers of assistance during this incredibly difficult time. Your messages, thoughts, and emails brought us comfort and strength, and we are deeply thankful.
We would also like to extend special thanks to the Miller Elementary team—Principal Denise Goulart, BSS III James Brayall, and MC Patton—for their immediate and invaluable support. As the designated evacuation site, their responsiveness and care for our families were extraordinary. There are no words that fully express the depth of our gratitude for their partnership and compassion.
Thank you again for your continued support and compassion.
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 has learned that retired School Police Lieutenant Jim Pilling passed away on May 17. Lieutenant Pilling served San Diego Police Department (SDPD) for 10 years and then served the students and community with the San Diego Unified Police Department from 1975 to 2000 and retired as a Lieutenant.
AASD Retired Member and Retired Principal, Nestor Suarez, passed away unexpectedly on May 25. Nestor served AASD on the Board of Directors and Executive Board prior to retiring and has actively subbed for many administrators as a retiree. We are awaiting additional information. Sincere condolences to the Suarez family on their loss.
REMINDERS RSVP REQUIRED ...
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.
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 at patti@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 and 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
