KEEPING YOU INFORMED - Negotiations Update By Ruben Mancillas
I met with Mr. Nguyen, ABCUSD’s Deputy Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer, this week to discuss the current state of the budget in ABC and the state of California.
This year’s COLA of 1.07% will prove challenging, but we have successfully dealt with even tighter financial scenarios in the past. Our current reserve allows us some flexibility to meet needs with one-time dollars. Our reserve may be less than that of other districts or even compared to statewide averages, but it is important to make apples-to-apples comparisons, with each district having its own respective circumstances. ABCUSD has a reserve that is sufficient to meet its budget needs and maintain the focus on spending to support the classroom.
Mr. Nguyen will present updated numbers at next week’s Finance and Audit committee meeting, but he did point out that enrollment continues to decline district-wide, with our current number of students being approximately 17,500. This is down from approximately 20,000 students during the pandemic years. Declining enrollment significantly impacts our overall budget because our funding is tied to our average daily attendance or ADA.
Thank you in advance to the site reps participating in next week’s PAL retreat. This is an opportunity for them to work directly with their site or program supervisor on issues specific to them. We have a number of new principals and/or site reps, so this retreat provides them with time to work together to craft solutions for their site needs.
Ray writes in his report below about the fifth pillar that we joke about: Entertainment. My pop culture reference immediately went to the 1974 MGM compilation film, That’s Entertainment!, but credit to negotiating team member David Hind for going with The Jam’s song of the same name(albeit without the exclamation point). We all work so hard that we deserve some entertainment and relaxation. Ray wrote eloquently last week about the struggles we can endure, some seen but often unseen, so it is essential to allow yourself some relaxation this weekend. And if you have any extra time for entertainment, or even entertainment!, so much the better.
In Unity,
COPE POLITICAL UPDATE
In compliance with legal guidelines, ABCFT does not use the ABCUSD server to host information concerning political actions. This is an informational item to inform our members where they can find political materials not hosted on the district servers. Reminder - Never use district technology or school sites to distribute, print, or campaign for political purposes.
Click here for all political information on ABCFT’s COPE Committee Webpage.
UNDERSTANDING THE MASTER CONTRACT
Request Procedure for Paid Leaves of Absence
Unit members who need to take a leave of absence for Bereavement, Critical Family Illness, Industrial Accident or Illness, Illness or Accident, or Personal Necessity shall notify and report their absence on the District absence management system. The system shall notify the immediate supervisor when the absence is entered.
When members enter a sick or PN absence into Frontline, that is all they need to do regarding notifying their site or program.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Class Maximums/Class Balancing
“School administration will have 30 school days from the first day of instruction to reduce each class roll to its appropriate maximum.” The 2024 deadline by which classes should be balanced is Monday, September 23.
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.
"Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11." —President Obama in a 2011 radio address
This week was historic for our nation as voters and the entire world held their breath during the US presidential race debate. For those who watched the presidential debate on Tuesday night it was the gossip for the rest of the week. Media outlets are having a field day and in the ABCFT Office, we joke about the Fifth Pillar of ABC being “Entertainment.” Tuesday night definitely fell under that Fifth Pillar but it was also informative about the candidates. A sobering side note is that, to my recollection, it was the first time since September 11, 2001 that the long shadow of 9/11 did not dominate this September week. And even though it wasn’t the main event this week, I could still feel it lurking in the wings. I love the quote above from Obama about acts of service and how meaningful they are to a spirit of unity.
I started my teaching career as a general education social studies teacher, but early on I decided to follow a different path as a special education teacher. I landed an RSP position at Artesia High School, a proud school in 1998 with a staff and student body that desperately needed the attention of the district office. Many schools were struggling. Special education in ABC was under funded, underrepresented and grossly neglected and I witnessed these conditions first hand and it activated me as a union member. The following year the district hired a new superintendent Dr. Ron Barnes, who looked across the district and recognized the glaring need for funding equity in proportion to the needs of the students they served. It was a revolutionary change.
Back then, if you had students with disabilities or unmet health, academic or mental health needs, there was little to no extra funding. Thankfully, the school funding formula changed in 2014-15 and the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) was implemented. The LCAP represents about 16% of our overall distinct budget and has guidelines that ensure that all educational partners (including the community) have a vote in what those funds are used for throughout the schol district. Before the LCAP, schools with high needs and extra challenges were left to what scraps they could get. The LCAP formula slowly changed the landscape. The early 2000s showed that Superintendent Dr. Barnes was an equity visionary who earmarked extra money and additional funds from ABCFT to concentrate on academic outcomes in some of ABCs most distressed schools. Dr. Barnes's focus on equity allowed ABC to jump ahead of many other districts.
One of the first projects that ABCFT and ABCUSD worked on together as part of a new agreement to work in partnership was the creation of the Special Education PROPs committee. PROPs stands for Pro-active Problem Solvers and was focused on Special Education issues exploding across the district, often leading to teachers quitting or filing grievances against the district. It was a hard time to be in special education and for a a decade or more, things improved. Then the pandemic happened and any progress made struggled to be maintained. It is for this reason, I would like to announce that ABCFT and ABCUSD met this week to formally revive the PROPS committee in a joint effort to lift special education issues so we can raise the level of support for special education students and teachers. There’s a saying that goes, raising the floor will raise the ceiling for all. Therefore, shortly there will be more information on PROPS in future issues of the YOUnionews but I wanted to highlight this effort.
PROPS is not the only effort that ABCFT is spearheading to help members in their classrooms. For example, Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten teachers are facing many classroom challenges that hinge on behaviors and how young children are not coming to school potty trained. A new reality that none of our primary teaching colleagues were ever prepared for as part of their daily classroom management responsibilities. To address this challenging new reality there are teams being formed to work those impacted teachers to work to find solutions. Dr Castro and myself will be doing a series of empathy interviews much like we did with math teachers last year to learn firsthand how best to support teachers and attack the issues systematically ( thanks Carol).
I’m currently working on the groundwork and collaborating with willing partners in preparation for the start of an ABCFT LGBTQAI+ Standing Committee, and I hope to feature that effort in October. In addition, the ABCFT Negotiating Team is working on a memberwide survey that will be used to prepare the team on what contractural issues need to be addressed at the negotiating table starting in January. In addition our ABCFT COPE Committee is working hard on the school board elections and working with all candidates to maintain an ABCUSD School Board that continues to value employees as a centerpiece for ensuring gains for student outcomes.
Those are just a few visual efforts that your dues help to fund so that you have a strong voice at the negotiating table, at the school site or program (thank you, site reps!), and representation in areas where ABC needs to strengthen efforts to create the best learning and working environment imaginable. We continue that march forward, or is it full circle since we restart PROPS….hmmm? It's a head-scratcher but it’s the right thing to do.
Thank you for all you do each day. Have a great weekend!
In YOUnity,
Ray Gaer
President, ABCFT
CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
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 - STATE OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION ---
A State-by-State Analysis of the Factors Influencing Teacher Shortages, Supply, Demand, and Equity
Newly updated resources on the teaching profession from our friends at the Learning Policy Institute:
Updated State of the Teacher Workforce map: This interactive map, the original version of which we shared during the convening, includes more than 40 indicators describing the state of the workforce of more than 3 million public school teachers in the United States. It has been updated with the newest national data on teacher turnover, salaries, school resources, teacher pipeline, teacher diversity, and the equitable distribution of uncertified teachers across schools
----- TRUMP/HARRIS ELECTION PLATFOMS ON EDUCATION -----
Here’s where Trump and Harris stand on 6 education issues
As presidential candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump don’t have a lot in common when it comes to their views on education.
Trump has said America’s public schools “have been taken over by the radical Left maniacs,” and that he wants to close the U.S. Department of Education.
Harris has vowed to keep the department open.Democrats are for free, universal preschool for all 4-year-olds.Republicans are for universal school choice, where parents have the power — and the public dollars — to enroll their children in any school they want, whether it’s public or private.
The list goes on.Ahead of the candidates’ only scheduled debate, in Philadelphia on Tuesday, we’ve put together a handy primer of their education views.
https://www.npr.org/2024/09/08/nx-s1-5103698/trump-harris-election-platforms-education-views
----- NATIONAL NEWS -----
Trump's debate remarks spark backlash
Former President Donald Trump's recent comments during a presidential debate have drawn attention to the challenges faced by immigrant students in Springfield, Ohio. With nearly 13% of the local school district's 7,400 students coming from multilingual backgrounds, the district is grappling with the need to provide equitable education amidst rising anti-immigrant rhetoric. Alejandra Vázquez Baur, co-founder of the National Newcomer Network, emphasized that such rhetoric can harm students' mental health and academic success. She stated: “When we fail to increase funding to meet the needs of any children... we make it difficult for school districts to meet their obligations.” However, districts that invest in programs for immigrant students, like dual-language immersion, have seen positive outcomes, including improved academic performance for all students. Pamela Shay, director of state and federal programs for Springfield schools, noted the opportunity to expose students to diverse cultures and languages, enhancing their educational experience.
US judge temporarily blocks new Biden student debt relief plan
Sept 5 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Thursday temporarily blocked President Joe Biden's administration from implementing its latest student debt forgiveness plan, just days after seven Republican-led states filed a lawsuit seeking to halt it.
U.S. District Judge J. Randal Hall in Augusta, Georgia, said the states had established a likelihood of proving the Education Department lacked authority to cancel student loans under the plan, which the states alleged it was on the verge of doing. Hall issued a temporary restraining order, opens new tab after Republican state attorneys general sued on Tuesday over a rule the Education Department proposed in April that would allow it to provide full or partial debt relief to certain types of borrowers.
https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-judge-blocks-latest-biden-student-debt-relief-plan-2024-09-05/
----- STATE NEWS -----
California schools await funding clarity
The California Department of Education (CDE) has updated the timeline for the Golden State Pathways Program, which aims to allocate $470m to high schools preparing students for college and lucrative careers. Initially announced in May, the awards to 302 schools faced delays due to a complicated application process and late deadlines, causing frustration among schools relying on this funding. EdSource reported discrepancies where some schools received up to three times their requested amounts. Revised grant qualification results will be disclosed on September 20, with a three-week appeal period following. CDE spokesperson Elizabeth Sanders stated: “We recognize the impact that this has had on districts, and every effort is underway to ensure that funds are distributed as swiftly as possible.” Funds are expected to be distributed to schools in early November.
----- DISTRICTS -----
LAUSD pays $24 million for abuse
Los Angeles USD (LAUSD) has agreed to a $24m settlement with three former students who alleged sexual abuse by teacher David Ostovich at Langdon Avenue Elementary School during 2006 and 2007. The lawsuit claimed that LAUSD officials ignored numerous complaints about Ostovich's inappropriate behavior at Germain Elementary School prior to his employment at Langdon. David Ring, attorney for the plaintiffs, stated, “This is an outrageous case that highlights LAUSD's systemic failure to protect children from known child molesters.” Despite multiple complaints, Ostovich continued to teach until he was finally removed in 2007 after further allegations surfaced. He was later criminally charged and had his teaching credential revoked. The settlement underscores the district's failure to act on prior warnings about Ostovich's behavior.
Court blocks school’s gender policy
San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Michael Sachs ruled that Chino Valley USD cannot enforce its policy requiring schools to disclose students' gender identities to parents. This decision follows a temporary restraining order against the policy since September. California Attorney General Rob Bonta praised the ruling, stating: “This ruling... reaffirms this obligation by ensuring no child becomes a target again.” Chino Valley board president Sonja Shaw criticized the ruling, claiming it represents “another dangerous step toward government overreach into our lives.”
EdSource The Sacramento Bee TTown Media
CUSD board prepares for strike
During a special meeting, the Cabrillo USD governing board unanimously approved emergency measures to address a potential teachers' strike. The resolution, passed with a 4-0 vote, empowers the superintendent to implement various actions if a strike occurs. These actions include hiring substitute teachers at higher rates, preventing students from making up grades for missed classes, reorganizing district staff to maintain school operations, and tracking teacher attendance. The board's decision comes amid growing tensions, with parents and teachers rallying outside the meeting, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Half Moon Bay Review https://www.coastsidenews.com/news/cabrillo-unified-and-teachers-still-without-a-new-contract/article_e385a67c-6c6b-11ef-8245-ffdbd441ea40.html
Huntington Beach welcomes its new superintendent
Carolee Ogata has recently taken on the role of superintendent at Huntington Beach UHSD, following the retirement of Clint Harwick. With over 32 years in education, Ogata has held various positions, including English teacher and deputy superintendent of human resources. She believes her diverse background equips her well for the challenges ahead, explaining: “I feel like I received a well-balanced education in how to run a school district.” Ogata is known for her warm demeanor and sense of humor, which she hopes will foster a positive environment for the district's 14,000 students. She acknowledges challenges such as budget concerns and aging infrastructure but remains committed to providing quality education.
Los Angeles Times
----- TECHNOLOGY -----
States step up AI guidance
Educators have increasingly sought guidance on artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 education, as highlighted in the recent State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) survey. The survey revealed that 90% of state education officials reported a growing interest in AI guidance, with 59% indicating their states have developed some form of AI policy. Currently, 23 states have released AI guidance, and 14% are working on broader AI initiatives, including teacher training. Bre Urness-Straight, director of educational technology for Washington state, emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration to ensure resources remain relevant as AI evolves.
Smartphone ban in schools coming soon
Local school districts are now mandated to create policies that limit or prohibit smartphone use among students. The state legislature has passed Assembly Bill 3216, which requires these policies to be developed and updated every five years. By July 1, 2026, governing bodies of school districts, county offices of education, or charter schools must ensure that students do not use smartphones while on school grounds or under the supervision of school employees. This move aims to enhance the learning environment and reduce distractions.
AI revolutionizes education landscape
Bill Gates declared the "age of artificial intelligence (AI)" in March 2023, noting that ChatGPT had amassed 100m users. According to McKinsey's 2024 Global Survey, 65% of organizations are utilizing generative AI tools, with that number rising to 72% for those using AI in at least one function. The Digital Education Council's 2024 Global AI Student Survey revealed that 86% of students are incorporating AI into their studies. However, while some educators are integrating AI into their curricula, many institutions are still developing policies for its use. Diane Gayeski, a professor at Ithaca College, emphasizes the necessity of AI proficiency for students, stating, "[AI] is an expected part of the portfolio." Despite concerns about academic integrity, a Stanford study found that cheating rates have remained stable since AI's introduction. As educators adapt, the focus is shifting towards collaboration and transparency in AI use, with Boston University's Azer Bestavros advocating for embracing AI to enhance teaching and learning experiences.
----- WORKFORCE ----
School superintendent turnover remains high
According to new data from the ILO Group, one in five of the nation's 500 largest school districts replaced their superintendents during the 2023-24 academic year. This turnover, at 20%, remains higher than pre-pandemic levels and reflects ongoing challenges in financial stability, staffing, and academic recovery. Julia Rafal-Baer, co-founder and CEO of the ILO Group, emphasized the need for "comprehensive policy changes to transform equality from a mere ideal into a tangible and integral part of our educational systems." The report also highlights gender and racial disparities in leadership, with women leading only 152 districts despite making up 77% of teachers. Furthermore, white men dominate district leadership, with 220 districts led by them. The report calls for increased transparency and diversity in hiring practices to address these disparities.
STEM teacher shortage: A growing crisis
The shortage of qualified STEM teachers is a pressing issue, as schools struggle to recruit and retain educators in high-demand fields like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Bailey Cato Czupryk, senior vice president of TNTP, highlights the challenges, stating: “It's a trifecta: It's hard to find those people, when you find them, they're more likely to leave.” Experts suggest that schools must innovate by forming partnerships with local businesses and universities to provide students with exposure to these fields. For instance, the Rural Schools Innovation Zone in Texas allows five districts to share resources and teachers, enhancing access to STEM education. Additionally, schools can leverage existing staff and invest in professional development to prepare teachers for STEM subjects. Ultimately, addressing this shortage requires collaboration among schools, government, and industry to ensure students are equipped for future careers.
----- CLASSROOM -----
Some schools reconsidering their policies on homework
Homework, according to recent research, is one of many factors affecting student mental health, pushing some schools to reconsider their policies, Axios reported. Based on a 2020 survey led by Stanford researchers, 67%of 50,000 high schoolers surveyed said homework was a major source of stress. For students with at least three hours’ worth of nightly homework, that percentage was 80%. But a correlation between homework and academic achievement — if it exists — is hard to measure, Stanford education researcher Denise Pope told Axios.
Only 33% of the surveyed students believe most or all of their assigned homework contributed to their learning.
“Am I giving homework so that I am keeping my administrators happy because I have to give homework?” Katie Trowbridge, a former Illinois high school teacher, posed as a hypothetical question to Axios. “Or am I giving homework because it is a meaningful exercise that kids need to do in order to establish learning and extend learning?”
In Herriman, Utah, Butterfield Canyon Elementary School has had a no-homework policy since 2020 to improve students’ social-emotional health, Axios reported. And the California Legislature recently passed a bill encouraging school districts to evaluate the mental and physical health impacts of homework assignments, Axios reported.
The proposed legislation awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature.
https://edsource.org/updates/some-schools-reconsidering-their-policies-on-homework
—--- Environmental challenges for districts-----
SoCal parents demand school closures amid smoke
In response to worsening air quality due to wildfires in Southern California, seven online petitions have emerged, urging local school districts to cancel classes. Lily Ponce, a concerned parent, expressed her worries, stating: “My daughter, who has asthma, recently voiced experiencing chest pain due to the poor air quality.” The petitions have garnered nearly 19,000 signatures, reflecting widespread concern among parents. While some districts, like Lake Elsinore, have closed schools, others, including San Bernardino City USD, are still evaluating the situation. Pediatric infectious diseases specialist Roopa Viraraghavan emphasized the need for closures, stating: “Anything above 200 is very unhealthy.” As air quality continues to deteriorate, many parents and students are left questioning the safety of remaining in school.
Heat wave forces schools to shorten days
Several school districts in Southern California, including Los Angeles USD Region North, have implemented minimum days due to record high temperatures. A district notification stated: “Due to ongoing concerns about air conditioning and the lack of swing space, a Minimum Day schedule will be implemented tomorrow at Noble ES, Woodlake ES and Canoga Park HS.” Similarly, Torrance USD announced that shortening the day “prioritizes the health and safety of our students, staff, and community.” These measures reflect the growing concern for
----- FINANCE -----
Funding crisis threatens literacy framework
In 2014, California introduced the English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework (ELA/ELD Framework), a pioneering initiative aimed at enhancing literacy for all students, particularly English learners. Despite its potential, the framework has never received adequate funding for implementation. Norma Carvajal Camacho, assistant superintendent of educational services for the Azusa USD, stated: “By integrating primary language instruction... we have created a more inclusive and dynamic learning environment.” However, without necessary financial support for professional development and instructional materials, many districts struggle to adopt its strategies. The framework emphasizes a comprehensive approach to literacy, integrating foundational skills, meaning-making, language development, effective expression, and content knowledge. It also recognizes California's linguistic diversity, advocating for tailored instruction for English learners. To improve literacy outcomes for California's 1.1m English learners, significant investment is essential to fully realize the framework's potential.
----- HEALTH & WELLBEING -----
U.S. high schoolers’ e-cigarette use down over past five years
U.S. teenagers’ e-cigarette use dropped by two-thirds over the past five years as health regulators cracked down on illegal sales and distribution of the addictive products. The National Youth Tobacco Survey of middle and high school students, conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that about 1.6m school children currently use the devices, a third of the 5m peak seen in 2019. Nearly half a million middle and high school students used nicotine pouches in 2024, about the same number as a year earlier, and more than one in five used them daily, the survey found. Brian King, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, said: "Our guard is up. We’re closely monitoring the evolving tobacco product landscapes for threats to public health, particularly when it comes to kids".
-----CHARTER SCHOOLS -----
Vouchers fail to boost student success
The debate over school vouchers continues, with many studies indicating they do not improve student academic outcomes. Josh Cowen, in his book “The Privateers: How Billionaires Created a Culture War and Sold School Vouchers,” highlights that “70% of voucher dollars go to families that already send their children to private school.” This raises concerns about the effectiveness of vouchers, especially in states like Kentucky, where a proposed Amendment 2 could allow public funds to support private education. Cowen warns that such changes could lead to significant funding losses for public schools, estimating a potential $1.2bn shortfall. The push for vouchers is often linked to broader cultural issues, with advocates shifting focus from academic performance to parental rights.
----- HIGHER EDUCATION -----
More high school graduates attending college than before
A higher percentage of 2022 high school graduates enrolled in college within a year of graduation compared to the year before, according to a report released Thursday by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
As reported by Higher Ed Dive, in 2022, 56% of graduates from low-income high schools attended college within a year of graduation, compared with 53.4% in 2021. The percentage went up from 65.5% to 66.3% at higher-income high schools.
Among graduates from high schools with high proportions of Black or Hispanic students, 58.1% enrolled in college within a year in 2022, up from 55.9% in 2021.
https://edsource.org/updates/more-high-school-graduates-attending-college-than-before
Colleges embrace AI in classrooms
As students return to school, colleges are adapting to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. According to McKinsey's 2024 Global Survey, 65% of organizations are utilizing generative AI tools, with 86% of students employing these technologies in their studies, as reported by the Digital Education Council's 2024 Global AI Student Survey. While some regions, like Hong Kong and India, have integrated AI into their curricula, the U.K. and U.S. are taking a more cautious approach. The need for educators to effectively incorporate AI tools into their teaching remains a significant challenge.
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