KEEPING YOU INFORMED - Negotiations Update By Ruben Mancillas
Welcome to May!
May 1 is recognized as Labor Day or International Workers’ Day in most parts of the world. The United States is an outlier in having our recognition on the first Monday in September. Labor Day is a public holiday in many countries with specific accompanying traditions. One that stood out to me is that in Bolivia the custom is that this is the day when wage improvements such as increases to the national minimum wage or other labor improvements are announced by the government.
In California, we have the upcoming May Revise but, depending on the projections, this can be a cause for either celebration or concern. At the moment, the projected COLA for the 2024-2025 school year is 0.77% but we will be providing an update after attending our upcoming budget conferences.
This 2023-2024 school year is the first in which the last day for teachers will take place in May. I have received some questions as to how this may potentially impact the delivery of checks. To clarify:
All ABCFT teachers and nurses will continue to receive eleven checks.
Members who have direct deposit will receive their checks for June and July as they normally would. June 1 and July 1 checks will be mailed to anyone who does not use direct deposit. The July checks will also be a little larger for those who have 403(b) withholdings and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) since these items will not be withheld in this payroll cycle.
Temporary teachers will have their June and July checks mailed to them as their direct deposit ends on May 31.
It does feel different to end in May. Our last rep council meeting taking place yesterday on May 2 was yet another reminder of our calendar change. But in terms of our checks there is a great deal of continuity. Eleven checks are still in place with the June 1 and July 1 checks being disbursed as usual.
Our two additional checks, a retro check and an off schedule payment are scheduled for no later than June 30. These two checks are part of our 2023-2024 salary agreement.
Thank you to Ray for mentioning the upcoming summer PL days on August 6 and 7 at Gahr High School. These are opportunities to spark and ignite our strategies and support but they are also a direct result of the ABCFT negotiating team’s efforts. Every ABCFT member can participate in these voluntary training days at a rate of $500 per day. Check your email for the upcoming registration.
In Unity,
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE -
Teacher Leaders Program Returns to ABCFT! By Tanya Golden
Deadline to apply has been extended to Friday, May 18, 2024
Have you ever seen a news report or talk show discuss issues around education, social and emotional issues, equity, or learning and thought to yourself or said to your colleagues, “Why don’t they just ask a real educator about ___________?”
The AFT Teacher Leaders Program is a union-sponsored program designed to help prepare YOU to be that classroom teacher, nurse, or speech and language pathologist facilitating discussion of the issues that affect our profession both here in ABC Federation of Teachers and nationally.
We are seeking teachers and nurses who would like to take an active role in influencing educational policy in, for example:
Promoting children’s well-being
Supporting powerful learning
Building capacity
Fostering collaboration
We will provide participants with opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills to influence policy locally, statewide, and nationally. This will include framing practical policy positions that relate to improved student achievement; conducting research in classrooms and schools; engaging the public and elected officials in community conversations about education; participating on advisory boards, panels, and task forces; developing policy recommendations based on research conducted; and publishing and disseminating findings and recommendations nationwide. Click here to apply.
Members selected for the program will:
∙ Increase their knowledge of major challenges facing the teaching profession through readings and discussions with leading policy experts
∙ Improve leadership skills
∙ Be recognized by the public and media
∙ Represent teachers nationwide as spokespersons and become members of a nationwide community
∙ Participate in conducting action research and using it in influencing policy
∙ Be awarded up to a $1500 stipend upon completion of the program
We are seeking a diverse group of teacher leaders who are active in their school community and have a track record in working to improve their school. This program will take place monthly, from September 2024 to April 2025.
The Teacher Leaders application is due no later than Friday, May 18, 2024. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Tanya at Tanya.golden@abcusd.us
Make a difference and join the 45 veteran ABCFT Teacher Leaders today!
UPDATE: Blue Shield Members: Providence Health & Services to remain in Network
(District) is pleased to announce that a new contract renewal is underway with an effective date of June 1, 2024 between Blue Shield and Providence & Health Services. This new agreement ensures Blue Shield members have continued in-network access to their Providence doctors, clinics, and hospitals.
Members who received contract termination letters regarding Providence Health and Services will receive communications this week with information on the pending successful negotiation. Members will be able to keep their Primary Care Providers (PCPs) with no action required.
If you have any additional questions, please reach out to your Fringe Benefits Team.
Jasmin Aguilar ext. 21245 jasmin.aguilar@abcusd.us
Wendy Cano ext. 21248 wendy.cano@abcusd.us
Thank you,
Natalie Breidenthal
Supervisor of Payroll & Fringe Benefits
IN MEMORIAM: ABCFT LEADER - Steve Harris
Lon Brunk posted the following information on Facebook.
"We are deeply saddened to share the news that our dear friend and colleague, Steve Harris (former ABCFT Executive President/PASS Coordinator), passed away last night after a long and courageous battle with dementia. He was in hospice care for several weeks, and the family will be holding a private funeral. A memorial service to celebrate Steve's life and legacy will be announced soon.
Steve was an exceptional educator and a relentless advocate for teachers and students. He dedicated his entire career to ABC, where he served as a teacher, coordinator of the groundbreaking PASS program, and member of the Special Projects Department. Additionally, he was the long-time editor of the union magazine ABC Teacher, for which he won numerous awards. His impact on education and his legacy as a friend and mentor will be deeply missed.
ABCFT PRESIDENT’S REPORT - Ray Gaer
Consistent and regular communication is a union’s most important tool for advocating for its members at the bargaining table. Every conversation with members is focused on the end result of negotiating for the future prosperity and well-being of ALL ABCFT members. This weekly report informs members about issues impacting their working/learning conditions and mental well-being. Our work as a Union is a larger conversation, and united; we make the YOUnion.
2023-2024 ABCFT State of the YOUnion
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” - James Baldwin. (Civil Rights Leader)
The by-laws for the ABC Federation of Teachers outline the expectation that each school year in May, the ABCFT Union President should give a State of Union Address. I think there were times in our ABCFT history when the membership rarely heard from the union president, and for some, that’s probably a good thing. In many cases, the membership had a transactional understanding of what the union did for its members. I see the State of the Union as a summary of the road we have collectively traveled, and what directions we would like to go collectively in the coming year. What a modern union does for its members often goes beyond the bread-and-butter print of a Master Contract agreement.
Last year, we were still in shock after seeing Dr. Sieu quietly depart from our orbit. However, life went on, and the ABC School Board made the resolute and unwavering choice of appointing a new superintendent to ABC that promised forward vision, organizational stability, educational excellence, and the value of collaboration as the building block for communication and success. These are all the qualities that have made ABC a lighthouse district in the world of education. The previous year, interim Superintendent Toan Nguyen stepped in and patched a sinking ship, which gave us a pause to gain our balance. I think Toan learned a lot about the classroom during that time, and he supported schools when it counted the most. I’d even say his heart grew three sizes larger. A lot was riding on who that next superintendent would be and how the teachers and nurses of ABC would be treated in the coming years. The appointment of Dr. Zietlow was a critical piece of the puzzle for ABC’s ongoing success.
Returning to how ABC operated as a district before the pandemic was not an option. We all tried, but it didn’t feel the same; education had changed. Since 2020, we’ve seen our institutional memory retire, leaving gaps in our systems and creating new challenges. We’ve seen a changing job market that doesn’t allow districts to fire their way to excellence, and we’ve seen more people walk away from education in disgust. People have been giving up on teaching, sometimes bailing mid-career which is unprecedented in educational history. The sink-or-swim mentality encouraged at the state level and trickled down to school districts has poisoned public education. We’ve all been in situations where we were given the keys and told to figure it out. Districts subscribed to the motto that you either sink or swim, which has devastated the teaching profession, nursing, classified employees, administrators, and most importantly, our students. The post-pandemic world has demanded that districts and teachers shift their mindset to provide teacher voice, discussions on workload, and more than a passing affirmation of work-life balance.
The pandemic mandated the education system to change our culture, and that has had profound effects on us. Each of us has had to do some soul-searching this year. For example, teachers across the district, regardless of the location of their school, see the need for more academic and program support because the needs of ALL students have become more significant. The call for more site support for teachers and students has become paramount. ABCFT took that message to the Superintendent.
Principals are tired of being just managers checking boxes and addressing the needs of escalating parent demands. They want to become once again instructional leaders who actually have quality time to build trusting relationships with their staff. How can teachers ask for support when their administrator is completely depleted and unavailable? ABCFT took that to the superintendent.
There was a time when some teachers could “turtle” in their classroom bubble and go years without the need for assistance or a reason to talk with the administration. Many of us started our careers on educational islands. Still, with our current students having more significant needs, it is not professionally healthy or wise to tackle all of these challenges alone. As a district, we are working toward systems allowing teachers to collaborate and problem-solve. ABCFT took that message of isolation to the superintendent.
A constant culture of change increases the demands on your workload, and if you’ve been reading YOUnionews, you know that WORKLOAD has become a four-letter word to me (along with STIS). Pre-pandemic teachers sacrificed untold hours of their lives to planning, grading, and doing extras for students. People talked about work-life balance, but as educators, many of us struggled to understand the true meaning of that mindset. This year, I’ve heard more members than ever say that they can’t do weekends and late nights like they did in the previous decade. ABCFT has lobbied loudly that employee work-life balance is a prerequisite for student success. We should never sacrifice our families or wellness for our jobs. If we aren’t at our wellness best, we can’t be the best for our students. ABCFT carried this message to the superintendent.
A District can’t afford to burn out its employees like in the past because there isn’t a deep pool of skilled educators to fill those empty classrooms. Every district, including ABC, has had open positions that an ABC Employee couldn’t fill. Some positions opened during the school year because someone quit on the spot. We struggle to find employees in Speech and Language, Special Education, Dual Language, Transitional Kindergarten, Career Tech Educators, Paraeducators, Substitute Teachers, and Administrators. This is not normal, and the consequence of having empty positions on your team is that the whole squad impacts the entire district. Our students pay the ultimate price for this instability.
Former ABC Superintendent Dr. Gary Smuts once told me during a conversation that “culture eats strategy for lunch.” I didn’t understand the depth of that statement because I was focusing on him picking at his fingernails as he often did in meetings in his office, but he was absolutely right: culture dictates your success every time. ABCFT will continue to discuss bread-and-butter issues (salary/contract/health benefits), but we also advocate for reasonable workloads, employee value, and work-life balance. A District with a culture that genuinely values people first doesn’t just live up to the minimum floor in the ABCFT/ABCUSD Master Contract. We all must move beyond the contract and consider what kind of culture we want in ABC. The superintendent is probably tired of hearing me by now.
Wow, that was a lot….here’s the bullet point version of this year:
PL was good at the beginning of the school year and it stayed strong all year (thank you, TOSAs).
ABCFT successfully negotiated a Master Contract that added new language for almost every ABCFT member level and program.
ABCFT members adjusted to a new calendar that started earlier and ended the first semester in December, a monumental change.
ABCFT successfully negotiated a raise that added up to COLA during an economic crisis.
ABCFT Site Representatives worked their tails off working with their administrators to keep things as smooth as possible, YOU are the unsung heroes of ABCFT, and your value can never be underestimated.
ABCFT members are ending this year with more pay, more teacher voice, contract protections, steady health benefits, and the whole two months of Summer to look forward to in the coming months.
Lastly, ABCFT Executive Vice President Tanya Golden is retiring after seven years of tireless work in the Union office on behalf of the membership. I hope you will attend the Union Social today to wish her well.
FORWARD WE GO!
In YOUnity,
Ray Gaer
President, ABCFT
CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
CFT Leaders Call on UCLA Chancellor Gene Block to Resign Following Violence on Campus
LOS ANGELES, CA – CFT President Jeff Freitas, UC-AFT President Katie Rodger, and CFT Universities Division Council President Mia McIver released the following statement calling for UCLA Chancellor Gene Block to resign:
“CFT and UC-AFT condemn the violent attack last night on the peaceful student solidarity encampment at UCLA as a criminal act. We also condemn the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), UCLA PD, and UCLA-hired private security for standing by without meaningful public safety intervention for hours while counter-protesters assaulted students with pepper spray, baseball bats, and fireworks.
“We call for the immediate resignation of Chancellor Gene Block for his failure of leadership. Chancellor Block has refused to meet with protestors to discuss their interests; instead he has created an environment that has escalated tensions and failed to take meaningful action to prevent the violence that occurred last night.
“Violence has no place in any peaceful protest or demonstration. Every individual has the right to express their opinions and advocate for causes that they believe in through peaceful demonstration, without fear of violence or intimidation. We stand against all forms of Antisemitism and Islamophobia.
“Our college and university campuses can and should be places for peaceful advocacy for justice and human rights, and we call for dialogue and negotiation as an essential path towards resolution. “We demand a thorough investigation by UCLA and the UC Office of the President (UCOP) which must conclude with accountability for those responsible for the violence and lack of response, and we call for a renewed administrative commitment to constructive dialogue with students, staff, and faculty at UCLA and all higher education campuses.”
The latest CFT articles and news stories can be found here on the PreK12 news feed on the CFT.org website.
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
Follow AFT President Randi Weingarten: http://twitter.com/rweingarten
----- NEWS STORY HIGHLIGHT-----
Texas AG sues Biden administration over transgender protections
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over new federal nondiscrimination protections for transgender students. The Education Department recently finalized changes to Title IX, which cover discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Paxton argues that the new regulations are "vague" and "overbroad" and rely on a misunderstanding of a Supreme Court ruling. Republican-led states, including Louisiana, have also pledged to reject the new rules, claiming they harm women and girls. All federally funded schools must comply with the regulations. The Biden administration has yet to finalize a separate rule governing athletics eligibility for transgender student-athletes.
----- NATIONAL NEWS -----
Florida ranks second-to-last in teacher pay, according to NEA report
Florida's average teacher salary has dropped to the lowest in the entire country, ranking second-to-last in the nation, according to a report by the National Education Association (NEA). The state's average teacher salary of $53,098 is behind only West Virginia, where average pay is $52,870. Florida's low teacher pay has contributed to a chronic teacher shortage in the state, with some school districts experiencing dozens of vacancies. Teacher unions and advocates are calling for increased investment in education to address fair and competitive pay for educators. However, Florida' Gov. Ron DeSantis has emphasized the state's higher minimum pay for teachers, despite concerns over wage compression for experienced educators. The Florida Education Association is urging state legislators to increase education funding by $2.5bn per year for the next seven years to address various issues, including teacher pay and student support services.
Florida Politics Orlando Weekly
Chronic absenteeism plagues schools
When it comes to public schools, chronic absenteeism has become a major problem that often goes unnoticed amidst other controversies. Since schools fully reopened, chronic absenteeism rates have remained high, with about 28% of students being chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year. This is a significant increase from the pre-pandemic rate of 15%. Chronic absenteeism not only affects students' academic performance but also their social and emotional development. It can lead to lower test scores, increased dropout rates, and negative long-term outcomes. The issue is particularly prevalent in disadvantaged areas, exacerbating inequality. Efforts are being made to address chronic absenteeism, including additional resources and support services. However, the complex nature of the problem, influenced by various factors such as housing instability and mental health concerns, makes finding solutions challenging.
----- STATE NEWS -----
California sues school district over controversial gender notification policy
The California Department of Education (CDE) has filed a lawsuit against Rocklin USD in Northern California, accusing it of failing to implement corrective actions for a gender notification policy deemed discriminatory. This policy, adopted in September 2023, mandates parental notification if a student requests to be identified by a name, pronouns, or bathroom use that differs from their biological sex. The CDE, which began investigating shortly after the policy's adoption, argues that this policy violates students' privacy rights and lacks any educational purpose. According to a report released by the CDE on February 1, 2024, the policy specifically targets a certain group of students and interferes unnecessarily in student-parent relationships. Despite the CDE's findings, Rocklin Unified has reportedly not complied with directives to cease implementation and communicate these decisions to school personnel and students. The lawsuit seeks immediate revocation of the policy and compensation for legal fees. The case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding parent rights and student privacy in school settings, reflecting wider national debates on these issues.
----- DISTRICTS -----
Pasadena USD explores affordable housing project for teachers and staff
California's Pasadena USD, and the Pasadena City Council, have held a joint meeting to discuss a staff housing initiative that aims to provide affordable housing for teachers, staff, and low-income students. The project would repurpose under-utilized school sites within the district and is funded by Measure O, a general obligation bond measure approved by voters in 2020. The initiative has received mixed reactions from residents and elected officials, with concerns raised about the impact on public education and the permanent use of properties. However, faith-based organizations and some community members support the project, citing the housing crisis and declining enrollment in PUSD schools. The district plans to work with its education housing partners to move the project forward in partnership with the city.
----- TECHNOLOGY -----
A Texas private school is using AI technology to teach core subjects
Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are changing the world as we know it, including inside the classroom. Alpha, an Austin private school founded in 2014 with students in kindergarten through 12th grade, has reportedly replaced educators with AI to teach students core subjects. Instead, teachers at the school are now referred to as "guides," according to a report from KVUE.
"We don't have teachers," MacKenzie Price, the school's co-founder, told the Austin news station. "Now, what we do have is a lot of adults who are in the room engaging with these kids, working as coaches." The guides instead help students to clarify academic goals they're working on, Price added."So it's the educational information that regular schools are also teaching with, but AI apps are feeding them to students at the appropriate level and pace that they need," Price told KVUE.
https://www.chron.com/news/article/texas-ai-schools-18447087.php
Alabama bans deep fake images to protect children
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has signed a bill banning deep fake images created by artificial intelligence (AI) under the state's child pornography law. The legislation was inspired by a cyberbullying incident at an Alabama middle school. The Alabama Child Protection Act of 2024, authored by state Sen. April Weaver and Rep. Matt Woods, was prompted by male classmates superimposing pornographic images with the faces of six female students. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall emphasized the state's "zero tolerance" for child pornography and expressed readiness to support law enforcement in utilizing the new law against child exploitation. The signing of the bill demonstrates Alabama's commitment to protecting children from the potential dangers of AI.
----- WORKFORCE ----
Addressing the teacher shortage: Enrollment in teacher prep programs rises
Recent federal data indicates a resurgence in enrollment for teacher preparation programs across the U.S., marking a potential shift toward addressing the long-standing teacher shortage crisis. From 2018 to 2022, these programs saw a 12% increase in enrollment, adding approximately 46,231 candidates. This growth, particularly significant during the pandemic, was observed in states like Maryland, Arkansas, and Florida, among others. Despite this encouraging development, the overall landscape remains challenging. The surge is not yet sufficient to meet the escalating demand for teachers, especially in regions like the South and Midwest or in specialized areas such as special education and math. The shortage is exacerbated by a broader educational downturn, with a national reduction of 300,000 teachers prepared annually compared to a decade ago, influenced by economic strains and shifting public perceptions of the teaching profession. Efforts to revitalize interest in teaching have included financial incentives such as stipends for student teachers in states like Colorado and Michigan, and a significant $30,000 living stipend in Maryland. These initiatives aim to make the teaching career path more viable and attractive. However, the challenge extends beyond just recruiting new teachers. The sector is also grappling with high attrition rates, with 10% of teachers leaving the profession by the end of the 2021-22 school year, up from 6% pre-pandemic, according to RAND Corporation. This underscores the need for a multifaceted approach that not only boosts recruitment but also enhances job satisfaction and retention through improved working conditions and opportunities for professional growth.
Redefining student achievement: Setting goals for future job market demands
David Scarlett Wakelyn, a former math teacher and developer of the Common Core State Standards, discusses the challenge of setting appropriate goals for student achievement in light of changing job market demands. Wakelyn references the research of Edwin Locke and Gary Latham, who recommend setting goals that are "difficult but attainable" and align with meaningful outcomes—such as preparing students for college and careers. According to projections by Georgetown University economists, by 2031, 72% of jobs will require some college education, significantly more than the number of jobs requiring a high school diploma four decades ago. This shift underscores the need for educational goals that prepare students to meet these future demands. In New York, while the Board of Regents has updated standards to align with college readiness, the actual achievement levels lag behind, with only 48% of third graders proficient in reading and writing. Wakelyn argues that setting a target of 72% proficiency aligns with the projected need for college-educated workers, making it a relevant and strategic goal for education systems. This target is not just ambitious but grounded in economic reality, aiming to equip students with the skills necessary for future job markets. Achieving this goal would require systematic efforts across all grades, increasing literacy achievement by 3% annually.
----- LEGAL -----
New regulations clash with Florida laws on transgender rights
Republican State AG Ashley Moody has initiated a legal challenge against new Biden administration regulations aimed at protecting transgender students from discrimination in educational settings. This action by Florida, joined by Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, aligns with a suite of lawsuits aiming to block the enforcement of regulations that expand protections against sexual harassment and violence but include provisions that facilitate access to bathrooms, changing rooms, and sports teams based on gender identity. Moody's stance reflects Florida's existing laws that restrict transgender access based on biological sex, highlighting concerns about privacy and safety in traditionally gender-segregated spaces. The legal filings argue that the Biden administration's interpretation of 'sex' in Title IX, which governs discrimination in federally funded education programs, extends beyond its original intent which they claim is strictly biological. Critics of the Florida-led lawsuit argue that it targets vulnerable students under the guise of protecting children, potentially undermining the inclusivity and safety of educational environments for all students. The outcome of this legal battle could significantly influence the application of Title IX and the rights of transgender students across the country.
----- HEALTH & WELLBEING -----
Teenage girls' popularity linked to lack of sleep
Scientists have found that popular teenage girls are more likely to experience insomnia symptoms and sleep less than their peers, according to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Sleep. The study, which investigated a sample of over 1,300 Swedish teenagers aged 14 to 18, found that popular girls reported shorter sleep duration and more difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep. The negative impact on sleep was observed both before and after the advent of smartphones. The researchers suggest that the gender disparities in sleep patterns might be related to the types of friendships girls and boys tend to have at that age. These findings add to the growing body of evidence that school schedules are not accommodating teenagers' sleep needs. "Teenagers are arguably the most sleep deprived population throughout the lifespan," said Serena Bauducco, a sleep researcher at Örebro University. The study highlights the importance of adequate sleep for teenage girls' mental health and school performance.
