LABOR DAY MESSAGE TO OUR MEMBERS. As we approach Labor Day, the AASD Board of Directors and UASC Staff take this opportunity to reflect on the significance of this day and the vital role each of you plays in our collective strength and success. Labor Day is more than just a long weekend — it is a tribute to the generations of workers who fought for fair wages, safe working conditions, reasonable hours, and the dignity of labor. It is a day to honor your hard work, dedication, and the solidarity that powers our union and drives progress for all working people. We are proud to stand together with you every day, advocating for better conditions, stronger protections, and the respect all our members deserve. Let this Labor Day remind us of what we have accomplished together — and what we can still achieve through unity, persistence, and collective action. We encourage you to take this time to rest, recharge, and celebrate the contributions of working people everywhere. The UASC/AASD office will be closed on Monday, September 1, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.
ICE ARRESTS NEAR SCHOOL PROPERTY. AASD thanks Superintendent Bagula and the SDUSD Board of Education for their support of Principal Miriam Atlas (Linda Vista Elementary) and the information/guidance provided to all Principals following the recent ICE arrest of a parent near a school campus. AASD supports the District’s position and is grateful for the resources that have been made available to all school administrators and others regarding this matter. Additionally, the AASD Legislative and Political Affairs Committee (LAPA) chaired by Cristine Holmer and under the leadership of UASC Government Relations Officer, Jesus Montana, have been very active in providing support or not supporting the various legislative bills about ICE presence on or near school campuses.
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS (AFSA) FORMALLY SUBMITS COMMENTS TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REGARDING ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE IN EDUCATION. On behalf of AFSA President Mark Cannizzaro, AFSA has formally submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Education in response to its Federal Register notice, “Proposed Priority and Definitions—Secretary’s Supplemental Priority and Definitions on Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Education.” You can read the comments and story about AFSA’s submission on the AFSA website -- https://www.theschoolleader.org/news/afsa-urges-balanced-ethical-approach-artificial-intelligence-schools.
In AFSA’s comments, the Department was applauded for recognizing the importance of AI literacy for students and for its commitment to expanding educators’ capacity to use AI effectively in teaching and learning. At the same time, AFSA urged the Department to ensure that principals, associate/vice/assistant principals, and other school leaders are explicitly included in professional development and training opportunities. As those responsible for managing instructional vision and culture, school leaders must be central to the conversation about AI’s role in schools. AFSA’s submission also highlighted two additional themes that came directly from the resolution on AI adopted unanimously at AFSA’s July convention:
Responsible and Ethical Use: AFSA has called on the Department to make stronger commitments to protecting student privacy, ensuring transparency and accountability in the adoption of AI systems, and providing educators and administrators with training on the responsible, ethical, and moral use of AI.
Preserving Human-Centered Skills: AFSA stressed that while AI holds great potential, it must not come at the expense of essential human qualities such as communication, empathy, teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. AFSA recommended that federal priorities and funding include safeguards to monitor the impact of AI on these skills and support balanced integration models that enhance, rather than replace, human connection.
These positions mirror AFSA’s resolution, Integrate Artificial Intelligence into Public Education with Integrity, which committed AFSA to ensuring that AI is introduced into our schools in thoughtful, equitable, and human-centered ways. By submitting these comments, AFSA is putting that resolution into action at the national level. As AI continues to reshape education, AFSA will remain engaged with policymakers and ensure that the voices of school leaders are at the forefront of this critical issue. AFSA will also continue to share updates and resources to support all members as these technologies are encountered in districts and schools. AFSA thanks you for your leadership and for ensuring that administrators’ perspectives remain central in shaping the future of public education.
AASD MEMBERSHIP – WE NEED YOUR HELP! With the SERP retirements, there are many new hires in the AASD unit. If you have a co-worker/colleague who is new to the AASD unit (principal, AP, Instructional Coordinator, Classified Manager, Classified Supervisor), please help us out by encouraging AASD membership and help them to get signed up, if they have not yet joined AASD. Our AASD Membership Coordinator, Patti Burch, does a fabulous job of reaching out to new potential members and quite a few have signed up to be part of AASD. However, we could use your help as sometimes it takes a familiar face to sign up a new member. Click the following links for the materials AASD shares with new potential members (AASD Benefits of Being a Member / AASD Mission Vision Statement / AFSA Benefits Brochure). If the person is interested in joining, here is the link to the membership application (AASD MIG Membership Application). Thank you for your help! Questions? Contact Patti Burch atpatti@unitedadmin.usor 619-295-2118.
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.
District Pauses Procedure for Classified Employees to Submit Paperwork for Job Studies/Reclassification. AASD received notification from the District that for 2025-26, no requests for reclassification will be accepted as the process is being paused. This is a district procedure and not a negotiated item, so the District may pause their procedure. Click the following links for the information/notification received by AASD. Notification_08.27.2025 - AP 7540 AP 7540 - Classification of Classified Staff Positions 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 was scheduled for August 19. The District team became unavailable to meet that day and said they would provide written information for our AASD team to review. Unfortunately, only partial information was provided. The AASD team reviewed the information provided and is hopeful the additional information will be provided in the next two weeks. 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 occurred on August 25, and two additional positions were moved from non-represented to AASD represented. There are additional conversations occurring about other non-represented positions over the next month or two. 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. Survey data from early July will be used to help guide our bargaining proposals. The AASD Bargaining Teams are:
Bargaining Team – Certificated:
Donis Coronel – Chief Negotiator
John Aguilar – Chair
John Bosselman
Eric Brown
Michele Cain
Richard Nash
Richard Ojeda
Lauren Robinson
Patti Burch, Notetaker
Bargaining Team – Classified:
Donis Coronel – Chief Negotiator
Jeff Thomas -- Chair
Michelle Jimenez
Ivan Martinez
Lumumba Mushonga
Veronica Ortega
Colleen Robinson
Patti Burch, Notetaker
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. The end of the first half of the two-year legislative cycle is near. On Friday, August 29, both Appropriation Committees will review all their suspended bills and determine which will move forward, which will be held for further consideration, and which will die in their committee. The threshold to suspend a bill in the Assembly Appropriations Committee is a bill that will cost the state more than $150,000; in the Senate, the threshold is $50,000. Our LAPA Committee has 25 bills pending their review, which include bills related to substitute teachers, Career Technical courses, and immigration policies.
As soon as we are notified of the decision on our bills, we will update our Legislative Status Report. Bills with updates since the July LAPA meeting are italicized to help our members track 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 get in touch with 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.
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
