A SUCCESSFUL OPENING OF SCHOOL!As our AASD members opened our schools this week for the new academic year, the AASD Board of Directors would like to take a moment to thank each of you for your continued leadership and dedication. Your role as management/supervisory-level union members is vital to ensuring a smooth and successful start for our staff, students, and families.This year brings both opportunities and challenges, and your experience and guidance will be key in supporting our teams, fostering collaboration, and maintaining high standards across all schools and departments. AASD encourages you to stay connected, communicate openly, and continue advocating for professionalism, equity, and the well-being of all stakeholders. Let’s work together to ensure that the opening of school sets a strong tone for the year ahead.AASD supports our members and stands by your side as you do this important work. Wishing all AASD members a productive and inspiring school year.
RSVP NOW FOR THE 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)
2026-2027 WORK CALENDARS FOR PRINCIPALS AND ASSOCIATE PRINCIPALS. Click the link below for the work calendars for Principals and Associate Principals for the 2026-27 school year. The calendars are also posted on the District website. 2627 C12T PRIN E-M-K8 2627 C12T PRIN AP HS 2627 C12T AP E-M-K8
Thank you to members of the Calendar Committee who worked with the District on creating the work calendars – Kristy Aragon, Eric Brown, Jeff Thomas, and Donis Coronel.
YOUR AASD BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The following is a list of those who have been elected or appointed to serve on the AASD Board of Directors for 2025-26:
Officers:
President: Irene Hightower
Vice President – Classified: Jeff Thomas
Vice President – Certificated: Kristi Hunter-Clark
Secretary/Treasurer: Gina Camacho McGrath
Representatives:
Associate Principals Representatives: Jenney Nash, and Robin Peters
BSS III/POS Representative: Matt Fleming
Central Office and Instructional Coordinator Certificated Representative: Acacia Thede
Classified Managers Representatives: Sara Guinn and Bernie Kacijancic
Classified Supervisors Representatives: Paula Hamar and Norma Velazquez
Elementary Principals Representatives: Vince Anthony and Karon Schnitzer
Food Services Area Supervisor/Food Services Supervisor Representative: Lisa Peoples
Middle Level Principals Representative: Jamey Jaramillo
Senior High Principals Representative: Eric Brown
School Police Representative: Robert Bonilla
Committee Chairs:
ACSAR Region 18 Liaison: Pat Crowder
Health and Welfare Committee: John Aguilar and Jack Lucero
Legislative and Political Affairs (LAPA) Committee: Cristine Holmer
Member Relations Committee: Troy Hickey and Susan Kent
Professional Development Committee: Steve Ditto and Silvia Martinez
Retiree Network Committee: Maria Moore-Flagg and Bob Raines
Scholarship Committee: Mary Johnson and Veronica Ortega
Staff:
Donis Coronel, Executive Director
Linda Crout-Hamel, Office Manager
Patti Burch, Membership Coordinator
Ricky Mendez, Intern
Jesus Montana, Government Relations Officer
Labor Relations Representatives: Don Craig, Brian Kenworthy, Jesus Montana, Jolie Pickett, Juan Romo (as needed for representation)
IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ. CLASSIFIED POSITION ELIMINATIONS OF VACANCIES.AASD is entering into bargaining with the District regarding impacts and effects of the elimination of “vacant” classified positions in the AASD bargaining unit (supervisory and management). The decision to cut the vacant positions is that of the District; however, they must bargain the impacts and effects of that decision with AASD. Many of the positions that were eliminated became vacant on July 1 due to SERP. AASD’s concern is what has happened to the work that was assigned to these AASD-represented positions? Did it go to another AASD member? Has it been assigned outside of the AASD bargaining unit (which is not legal), or has the work gone away? To best represent our members, if you have any information on the positions on the list of eliminations (Position Eliminations 2025 - AASD), please click the link below and provide AASD with your perspective. Also, if you know of any vacant AASD-represented positions that are NOT on the list that are not being filled, please let us know via the link to the information document below. Deadline is August 15, 5:00 PM. If you already e-mailed Donis Coronel with your concerns, please complete the information document below so that all the information is in one place. Thank you!
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 has been scheduled for August 25. 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 McGrath, 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.School is back in session, and our state legislators will return to Sacramento on Monday, August 18, 2025. The following two weeks will be full of fiscal committee hearings, such as Appropriations, with a deadline to pass all bills out of Appropriations by August 29, 2025. Any bills not out of the Appropriations Committee cannot be heard again until January 2026. We have several bills pending in both the Senate and Assembly Appropriations.
Our Legislative Status Reportprovides an update on the status of this bill and all bills currently being monitored by the LAPA Committee. Bills with updates since the July LAPA meeting are italicized to assist our members in seeing the progression of each bill. 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.
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.
We are sorry to report the passing of Sherry Denise Gomez (Bodger), Retired Food Services Area Manager. Sherry passed away on July 28, 2025, in Arizona after a sudden and devastating medical event. She was 58 years old. Born and raised in San Diego, she spent most of her life here before moving to Arizona. Click here to read the full obituary.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2025, 1:00-4:00 PM, at the La Jolla Shores Hotel, 8110 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla 92037. Your RSVP is required by August 21.
REMINDERS
SAVE THE DATE – MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW! MORE INFORMATION WILL BE FORTHCOMING! AASD Winter Holiday Party -- December 12, 2025, 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. (Marina Village, Baja Room) AASD/SDUSD Spring Conference – March 25, 2026, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Marina Village) AASD Summerfest – June 5, 2026, 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. (Marina Village, Baja Room)
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 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 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
