YOUR AASD EXECUTIVE BOARD AND STAFF WILL BE REPRESENTING AASD MEMBERS AT THE TRIENNIAL AFSA CONVENTION JULY 24-27! The AFSA Triennial Convention will be held July 24-27 and over 500 school leaders from the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Italy will be attending. Your AASD Executive Board will be in attendance -- Irene Hightower, President; Jeff Thomas, Vice President-Classified; Kristi Hunter-Clark, Vice President-Certificated; Gina Camacho-McGrath, Secretary/Treasurer; Members John Aguilar, Vince Anthony, Eric Brown, Paula Hamar and Veronica Ortega; and UASC/AASD Staff Donis Coronel and Jesus Montana. There will be excellent professional development related to union work and running a union representing school leaders as well as the business of AFSA, including the presentation of 10 Resolutions that will guide the work of AFSA over the next three years. This is an example of your AASD Executive Board working for your benefit at the national level.
WHAT IS THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS (AFSA) AND AM I A MEMBER? As a member in good standing of AASD, you are automatically a member of AFSA. AASD is AFSA Local 134, joining over 30,000 school administrators who are members of AFSA. AFSA is the only national union for school leaders. AFSA advocates at the federal level on behalf of all of us and for our students. In addition, AFSA offers “direct benefits” at no cost, including $2 million dollars in professional liability insurance and other free direct benefits. AFSA also offers many discounted products such as insurance. Click here for important information regarding our National Affiliate, AFSA.
If you have not done so already, be sure to complete the AFSA registration form to sign up and be eligible for these free benefits. Please go tohttps://afsabenefits.organd click on the blue “Register” button and complete the applicable form. This is an important step to be eligible for these benefits. The form asks for your “local” number. Please list Local 134 as your local number.
For additional information, visit the AFSA website: https://www.theschoolleader.org/. To access the additional UnionPlus discounts (rental cars, restaurants, hotels, etc.), click here:https://www.unionplus.org/. Your Executive Director, Donis Coronel, currently serves on the AFSA General Executive Board as a General Vice President and advocates for you! At the July Triennial AFSA Convention, Donis will be elected and installed at the Executive Vice President of AFSA.
AASD UNION REPRESENTATION – KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! Under Weingarten Rights, AASD members are entitled to union representation in any meeting/conversation that “may” lead to discipline. If you are called to a meeting where you are unsure of the topic, ASK! If the topic is a meeting/conversation that “may” lead to discipline or an investigatory meeting, please contact Donis Coronel, Executive Director, AASU/UASC for representation. Do not attend alone. Also, if you are in a meeting where things are moving in a direction that you feel could become disciplinary, kindly stop the meeting and state that you will reschedule the meeting when your union representative can be present. Know your Weingarten Rights!
What are Weingarten Rights? Named for a United States Supreme Court case, NLRB v. J Weingarten, Inc. 420 U.S. 251 (1975), Weingarten rights have been extended to public employees under California’s labor relations statutes. Simply put, an employee has the right to request a union representative in an investigatory interview when the employee has a reasonable basis to believe that discipline may result from any conference or meeting. The right to a union representative applies to investigatory questioning that is written as well as oral. The employee must assert their Weingarten rights – the employer has no obligation to notify employees of these rights. The employee does not have the right to choose who the union elects to represent them. The union representative has the right to sufficient information about the nature of the employee’s alleged wrongdoing before an investigatory interview takes place in order for meaningful representation. The union representative can ask clarifying questions, take notes, assist the employee in providing additional information, and provide moral support. Know your rights! Donis’ contact information isdonis@unitedadmin.usor 619-813-8792.
AASD BACK-TO-SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND SOCIAL. AASD will be hosting our annual “Back-to-School” Membership Meeting and Social on September 4, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 PM at Marina Village in the Captain’s Room. Plan on attending to get important updates and to socialize with your colleagues. There will be beverages, a taco cart, and lots of door prizes also! This event is for all AASD Members in Good Standing, Retired Members, and Affiliate Members. For planning purposes, an RSVP is required by August 27. Click the link below to RSVP.
Agenda:
4:00-5:15 PM – Food, drinks, visit vendor tables, socialize/network
5:15-5:45 PM – Membership Meeting
5:45-7:00 PM – Door prize drawings, continued visiting of vendor tables, continued social (vendor partners may leave by 6:15)
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 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 via Zoom. Co-Chairs are Steve Ditto and Silvia Martinez.
Scholarship Committee: Coordinates the Scholarship Program including presentation of scholarships at school events. Meets as needed, typically the fourth Monday of the Month from 3:30-5:00 PM via Zoom. Co-Chairs are Mary Johnson and Veronica Ortega.
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. Bargaining is scheduled for August 19. The members of the Classified Bargaining Team are: Donis Coronel (Chief Negotiator); Jeff Thomas (Bargaining Chair); Patti Burch (Official Notetaker); Michelle Jimenez; Ivan Martinez; Lumumba Mushonga; Veronica Ortega; and Colleen Robinson.
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 in August. Donis Coronel and Jeff Thomas will represent AASD in this bargaining.
Full Contract Bargaining. The AASD collective bargaining agreements expired on June 30, 2025. AASD will be submitting our initial proposal for bargaining in the next month.
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. On July 4th, President Trump signed the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” The big question is, how will it affect our members? The complexity of the approximately 1,000-page bill is too great to summarize in a single weekly article. Over the next few weeks, we will break down the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the bill. Two weeks ago, we discussed the good parts of the bill. Last week, we highlighted the problematic aspects of the bill, all of which pertained to healthcare. This week, we will discuss the ugly: the tactics used to avoid losing votes.
To keep voters “happy” with the tax changes, nearly all taxpayers will be shown how they will pay less in taxes. This includes taxes not being paid on overtime pay or tips. Additionally, taxpayers will be able to deduct the interest on their vehicle loans, and seniors aged 65 and older will receive an additional $ 6,000 deduction.
Only those with a Social Security Number (most of whom are voters) and who receive a gross income of less than $150,000 (or $300,000 if filing jointly) will qualify and receive the full deduction. Individuals or couples with higher incomes will be phased out of the deduction plan. The maximum deductible amount is $12,500 ($25,000 if filing jointly). The tip deduction will only be deductible for specific professions, a list that will be published by October 2, 2025. Unfortunately, many individuals who historically do not report their tips to their employers, in hopes of qualifying for the deduction, may find out they will not qualify and will pay more in income taxes.
The vehicle loan interest deduction is limited to specific vehicles which are assembled in the United States and financed or refinanced on or after January 1, 2025.
The ugly truth: all the tax breaks and deductions will expire on December 31, 2028, immediately after the 2028 presidential election.
As mentioned last week, there will be several cuts to Medicaid recipients. The Hill reported that nearly 12 million Medicaid recipients will lose medical insurance by 2034 when cuts to Medicaid are implemented. The question is, when will the cuts take effect? The uglytruth, it will begin taking effect on December 1, 2026. Why 2026? To avoid losing Republican votes during the midterm election in November 2026. The cuts to Medicaid will begin the following month.
We welcome our members’ insights. If you would like to share your input 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.
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
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!
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
