KEEPING YOU INFORMED - Negotiations Update By Ruben Mancillas
Our site visits have continued through the month of February. This week we were able to listen to and answer questions from the staff at Elliott and Bragg elementary schools. Thank you to the teachers and nurses who took the time to share with us and offer suggestions for improving their workplace and the conditions for their student learning. Similar to some other visits, we had questions regarding the upcoming calendar negotiations and a retirement incentive. To recap: we do not anticipate any significant changes to our current calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. This year our first day with students was August 12. Though it hasn’t been officially decided yet, my calendar planning would expect that the first day with students would be August 11. We have also heard from members that they would appreciate the bargaining team negotiating a calendar for multiple years into the future. The team agrees that planning for more than one year at a time benefits members and the community alike and will take this into consideration at the table.
ABCFT has consistently proposed a retirement incentive or golden handshake in our previous years of bargaining. The logic remains sound; if the district can incentivize teachers who are close to retirement into leaving then that allows for more savings to hire newer teachers who make less on the pay scale. The scattergram, or employee’s placement in terms of years served, is what the district would be looking at while matching that with their placement needs. If they have a large number of employees who are, in their estimation, likely to retire anyway, then they may not see the need to offer an incentive. If they have a number of members who are further away from the typical standard for retirement, the question becomes, what would it take to get them to file their retirement paperwork? The tension is in finding a place where the district feels that funding an incentive to achieve a targeted number of retirements is “worth it,” while the members want to see a number that makes it “worth it” to them.
Another theme we heard from members is the difficulty with behaviors, particularly in our youngest grade levels. Teachers and nurses are on the front lines; they can identify issues and have concerns not only about how to support individual students best but also about how struggles can negatively impact the learning environment of the classroom as a whole. We received questions about the timelines for assessments and the amount of extra work that the resulting meetings can require. Paraeducators are a valuable resource but are not the only answer in every case. Our members are grateful for the support that paraeducators provide. They went out of their way to say they deserve improved compensation, training, and workplace conditions to retain their much-needed services. Safety was noted as an issue. To paraphrase one teacher, “If we see a major problem, what are we waiting for?”
Last week, I was in Sacramento for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. My initial reaction was in admiration of the impressive dedication of the many education professionals who have been working for months and even years on meaningful improvements to programs and services. Agenda items included: recommendation of the workgroup to review the design and implementation of the Teaching Performance Assessments, a Child Development Permit workgroup field survey update, a potential adoption of proposed revised program standards and new expectations for speech-language pathology services credential programs, and flexibilities for commission-approved educator preparation programs due to the effects of the Southern California wildfires.
One of the commissioners read a Langston Hughes poem in recognition of Black History Month, and I will include the inspiring opening lines here:
Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.
(America never was America to me.)
Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed—
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.
(It never was America to me.)
O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
But opportunity is real, and life is free,
Equality is in the air we breathe.
Next Tuesday night, the school board will hold a special open session at 6:00 p.m. to review the budget. Given that the district needs to submit a budget to LACOE for approval, a reduction plan would need to be discussed if we enter into deficit spending. As we have reported in earlier updates, the COLA for the 2024-2025 is 1.07% and is not sufficient to meet the district's ongoing funding needs. There is some optimism regarding the improved statewide economic indicators as we move forward with the COLA for the 2025-2026 school year, which is currently projected to be 2.43%. We will attend this meeting and give a report in next week’s update.
In Unity,
FAQ - NEWS AND CLARIFICATIONS
Where is next year’s calendar? Are you guys holding it hostage? I need to plan for the future.
I’m happy to report that the ABCFT hopes to have a multi-year calendar negotiated and approved by early next month. There are discussions about professional development and small moving parts of the calendar that have been informally discussed. The school calendar negotiation process is perhaps one of the most impactful items on our agenda so both ABCFT and ABCUSD have taken care to look at a calendar that achieves the goals of both organizations.
Last week my principal held an emergency staff meeting about how ABC is dealing with law enforcement and immigration officers. What do I need to know to protect my students and myself?
All principals and directors were given a directive from the superintendent and board to make sure all staff understand our role with law enforcement and how we support students who may be struggling with the changes to immigration enforcement around schools. The ABC Federation of Teachers encouraged the district to provide this universal message in answer to the number of members who had contacted ABCFT about the issue of ICE or law enforcement entering our schools.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19sCwdN_K4AkFjOoKytq9RfR2-_dltK2csIMe-AM2QvM/edit?usp=sharing
I heard that several principals and district-level administrators will be doing walk-throughs over the next month. What is the purpose of these walk-throughs?
ABCFT was made aware of these walk-throughs during the planning process. We reached out to Dr. Castro to get a statement about the purpose of this activity. Dr. Castro, who is the Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services emphasized that “this is intended to help us refine the ways that we provide PRINCIPALS instructional feedback. I have told Principals that this is a process so that their colleagues and the district can give them feedback.”
She elaborated by stating, “In February, district personnel and school site leaders from elementary schools and high schools will be conducting brief, informal learning walks in the middle school classrooms. These learning walks are part of a district-wide effort to provide feedback to principals on the implementation of our instructional framework. The focus will be on observing classroom practices and gathering information to support ongoing professional development for school leaders. These learning walks are not part of any evaluative process and are intended to be part of the progress monitoring to provide principals feedback.”
In addition, there are discussions between ABCFT and ABCUSD about providing the joint opportunity for members of the ABCFT Executive Board to participate in joint walk-throughs with district principals to provide feedback and teacher insight to principals and district leadership about how observations can be done in collaboration with staff. ABCFT is thankful that the district is willing to partner on how to create a process that provides thoughtful feedback and opportunities for principals to become improved instructional leaders.
[Repeated from last week]
Temporary teachers got an official letter from the district stating that their employment for ABC is concluded at the end of the school year. What is this letter and what do I do?
This letter to temporary teachers is a state law that all temporary teachers must receive a notice by March 15 that their service ends after the school year is completed. This doesn't mean they don't have a position for the following school year, but it does allow the district to release teachers as needed. We encourage temporary teachers to discuss their status for the next year with their principal or program supervisor. The administrators are more aware of who will return and are always the best advocates for a position. They lobby the district for positions throughout the Spring.
MEMBERSHIP TAXES UPDATE
When members file for their taxes, we often receive questions about the amount of dues they can claim. Last year's dues were challenging to calculate due to changes in the dues and adjustments made in the middle of the year. Here is a link to the complete documentation of the dues and changes—this document also breaks down the monthly dues amounts.
You will find the details at the bottom of the document (CLICK THIS LINK).
Total full-time dues for January 2024 through December 2024 = $1,259.38
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 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.
When we started the ABCFT YOUnionews years ago, it was created to bridge the communication gap between the work of the ABCFT members and the ABCFT leadership. The newsletter was initially called the “Week in Review” mainly because I didn’t have a catchy name, but more importantly, it was a description of exactly what it stated. The newsletter was a way to communicate to members that the union was constantly working in the background and sometimes center stage on all matters concerning ABCFT members. A long-time belief of the ABCFT leadership is that it doesn’t have to be in the contract to be something to discuss. If it is important to our members, then it is vital to ABCFT. Our newsletter is a way of building a relationship with our members as well as a way to show accountability for work.
Several ABCFT Executive Board members are joining Ruben Mancillas and myself on our latest ABC school/program tour, where we do our best to engage as many members as possible to exchange ideas, float ideas, and discuss current issues and realities. More importantly, these visits with members put faces to the many emails and phone calls we take each day. What’s great is that we get questions sparked from a piece of information or a story someone read in the YOUnionews. For example, at a recent Kennedy visit a member wondered why the elementary student-free day was still attached to the Thanksgiving holiday week. Now that some principals are asking for report card oversight earlier in the month and progress reporting is happening earlier in the school year, student-free days are not as effective as intended for report card completion. The ABCFT member suggested after seeing that we were asking in the ABCFT negotiating survey that we should look at moving the elementary school free day to the first day after winter break. It just so happens that we were already thinking about a quick survey to secondary teachers about the possibility of moving the student-free day to the first day back from winter break, so serendipitously, the suggestion to put out to elementary school teachers a similar question about their student-free day. Those kinds of conversations rarely happen in an email exchange, but I’ve visited Kennedy every year since I became president, and I’ve worked to build trust with Kennedy's teachers. When someone feels comfortable and safe to tell you their ideas, it becomes a building block to success.
Okay, Ray, can you get to your point?
I’m talking about investing. I’m talking about building relationships with people, not just when things are on fire but. I’m talking about checking in with students or colleagues about how things are going in their lives. The more we build relationships, the more people we have collectively to work on solutions and develop new innovative ideas that work to meet the needs of more people. I don’t know how teachers will respond to our survey next week about student-free days, but listening to our members' insights only strengthens our bargaining at the table and makes us more reflective of the needs of our members, and that’s what matters most.
I look forward to seeing you at your school/program soon so we can talk and continue these incredible high-level conversations about finding a path forward together during a time when it can sometimes be hard to see the path below your feet.
Have a great President’s Day weekend!
In YOUnity,
Ray Gaer
President, ABCFT
CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
CFT member survey on literacy instruction
All CFT members who work in K-12 schools or in early education (including all educators who do reading instruction, in any grade) are encouraged to take the new CFT member survey on literacy instruction. The brief online survey is an opportunity to share your experiences and ideas about how the state can best support literacy education. In California and around the country, policymakers and advocacy groups are considering changes to requirements and guidance about literacy instruction. CFT has opportunities to be a part of these discussions, and the CFT Legislative Department is seeking input from you, the educators and practitioners who are in the classrooms, teaching students to read each day. Take the survey here.
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
Follow AFT President Randi Weingarten: http://twitter.com/rweingarten
----- NEWS STORY HIGHLIGHT-----
Linda McMahon pressed on Trump’s planned cuts to the Department of Education
In her confirmation hearing on Thursday for Education Secretary, Linda McMahon told the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) that she envisions vastly diminished role for the U.S. Department of Education in the future. “The president has given a very clear directive that he would like to look in totality at the Department of Education, and believes that the bureaucracy of it should be closed, that we should return education to our states, that the best education is that closest to the kids,” McMahon said, adding that she is open-minded on the return of the department's civil rights investigation arm to the U.S. Department of Justice, and on shifting IDEA responsibilities the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. During the hearing, McMahon also voiced support for more skill-based learning and dual enrollment in K-12. The HELP panel will vote on advancing her nomination to the full floor next Thursday, after which she is expected to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate.
Education Department reportedly issues staff with termination notices
Politico reports that the U.S. Department of Education made sweeping cuts to its workforce on Wednesday, with notices of termination given to staff in the department’s offices for civil rights, federal student aid and communications, as well as its legal department. Many of the terminations appeared to be targeted at department civil servants who were still probationary employees, people familiar with the matter said, though some non-probationary employees were also affected. The notices came on the same day that U.S. District Judge George O’Toole in Massachusetts allowed the Trump administration to move forward with a buyout offer encouraging federal workers to voluntarily resign, and ahead of today's Senate confirmation hearing for Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon. They also came as President Donald Trump reiterated his desire to close the Department of Education "immediately," describing it as "a big con job." Legislative measures outlining a roadmap to abolishing the department and giving control to individual states has already been floated, by Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Rep. Tom Massi (R-KY.)
----- AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHER TAKES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST DOGE -----
Unions sue to block DOGE data access
A coalition of labor unions, led by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), has filed a lawsuit to prevent Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team from accessing sensitive data from the Education Department, Treasury Department, and Office of Personnel Management. The lawsuit claims that the Trump administration violated federal privacy laws by granting DOGE access to personal information of tens of millions of Americans without consent. Randi Weingarten, AFT president, said: “The Department is effectively one of America's biggest banks — if there was a breach of this magnitude in the private sector, it would rightly be a national scandal.” The suit seeks to halt Musk's access to the data and calls for the destruction of any records already disclosed. The AFT represents 1.8m workers and is joined by other unions and individuals with sensitive information at stake.
----- NATIONAL NEWS -----
Denver schools fight back against ICE
Denver Public Schools is suing the Trump administration to prevent immigration enforcement at schools. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, challenges a policy that allows enforcement at "sensitive locations." The lawsuit claims that the policy has led to decreased school attendance, particularly among immigrant students, and has forced the district to divert resources from education to prepare for potential immigration actions. The district argues that the policy change has caused significant harm, stating: “Attendance has decreased noticeably.” Denver is believed to be the first school district to legally challenge this policy, emphasizing the need for safe educational environments.
Raids disrupt school attendance in Aurora
On February 5 2025, immigration raids near Laredo Elementary School in Aurora, Colorado, caused significant disruptions in student attendance. According to teacher Nate Madson Dion, while most of his fifth graders attended class, some were absent due to fears stemming from the raids. He noted, “They have people they trust, and they feel safe. But all that concern is still lurking.” Attendance in the district had already dipped to 79% on January 30, but rebounded to 90% on the day of the raids. Nearby Hinkley High School also experienced similar anxiety among students, with some feeling unsafe traveling to and from school. Superintendent Chris Gdowski of the Adams 12 school district reported a 5% drop in attendance, attributing it to the raids. The Aurora school district has since passed a resolution to support its diverse student body, which includes over 42% learning English as a new language.
Appeals court rejects White House bid to resume spending freeze
President Donald Trump on Tuesday lost the latest round in a court battle over his administration's bid to freeze federal spending, after the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to pause a court order requiring the government to continue delivering funds. Lawyers with the Department of Justice had asked the Boston-based 1st Circuit to stay a decision by John McConnell, a federal judge in Rhode Island, who determined that the Trump administration likely violated the Constitution when it tried to block trillions in federal funding through a now-rescinded directive of the Office of Management and Budget. David Barron, Julie Rikelman and Lara Montecalvo, the appeals judges assigned to the case, cited “well-recognized uncertainty” about whether the kind of stay the Department of Justice sought is legally available at this juncture, and said they were not persuaded it was justified. The court will consider issuing a stay pending appeal later this week, according to the order. The Trump administration had asked for an immediate administrative pause, which was rejected, as well as a stay pending appeal by Friday
ABC News USA Today National Review Politico
Education Department closes doors to lawmakers
Democratic members of the House were blocked from entering the U.S. Department of Education’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., Friday after requesting a meeting with Acting Education Secretary Denise Carter to discuss the Trump administration's efforts to limit department programming. About 18 members of Congress walked up to the visitor’s entrance asking to enter after holding a press conference about their concerns. A person who was not wearing a security uniform came outside and told the group they were not allowed to enter. During the Friday press conference, Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT), a former national teacher of the year, asked what would happen to the civil rights of 49m students, including 7m students with disabilities, if the Education Department shuts down. She also asked about the $1.6tn in student financial aid the department manages. “If you want to have some true oversight of the department, I’m here for it, but what you will not do is shut down this department and deny access to all of those children who need it while we’re in Congress,” Hayes said.
States sue Trump administration over cuts to federal research funds
The Trump administration has been sued by California and 21 other states to stop it from cutting key funding universities rely on to conduct scientific research and discovery. Last week, the National Institutes of Health issued a memo indicating that it would reduce the “indirect cost rates” that universities receive from the agency to 15%, nearly half the average rate that research campuses currently get. The lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, said the action would result in layoffs, suspension of clinical trials, disruption of ongoing research programs and lab closures. UC President Michael Drake commented: "This is not only an attack on science, but on America’s health writ large. We must stand up against this harmful, misguided action."
DOGE targets Education Department research arm in latest cuts
Dozens of researchers and contractors with the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education, were told on Monday to immediately stop work on research projects and program evaluations. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) terminated 89 contracts, worth $881m, along with $101m in training grants for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The research collected by IES is used by educators, state and local departments of education, school districts, colleges and other researchers to better understand student achievement, enrollment and a host of other important functions that shape the education system across the country. The cuts come with President Donald Trump expected to issue an executive order this month to wind down the Department of Education, and with Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon preparing to testify before Congress on Thursday.
----- STATE NEWS -----
California seniors skip financial aid
Fewer California high school seniors are applying for financial aid, with applications down 25% compared to previous years. Daisy Gonzales, executive director of the California Student Aid Commission, raised concerns that students fear their data may be used for immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. The number of seniors completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has dropped by about 48,000 students, with a significant decline among those with undocumented parents. The commission is holding a webinar to address these issues and encourage applications. If the trend continues, Gonzales fears, “we're losing another generation of students who should be enrolling, who should be succeeding.”
California school districts face $2bn lawsuit crisis
EdSource reports that California school districts are grappling with an estimated $2bn in claims due to a surge in lawsuits stemming from a 2019 state law that expanded liability for past child sexual assaults. The Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) warns that these legal challenges could lead to significant budget cuts, layoffs, and even bankruptcy for some districts. A report from the FCMAT suggests creating a voluntary victims’ compensation fund to alleviate financial burdens on districts. With many claims still pending, the final costs remain uncertain, but the average claim is around $2.5m per victim.
----- DISTRICTS -----
Los Angeles USD cellphone ban in focus
Los Angeles USD has voted 5-2 to implement a cellphone ban, ahead of the state-mandated deadline of July 1, 2026. Starting Tuesday, students must keep their phones off and stored away to enhance academic performance and mental health. School board member Nick Melvoin stated, “Kids no longer have the opportunity to just be kids,” emphasizing the need for students to engage more with each other. While some schools may allow phones in backpacks, others will require them to be stored in sealed pouches. Exceptions exist for students with health needs or individualized education plans. Phones will be off-limits throughout the school day, including during breaks, but can be used before and after school.
Pasadena schools utilize sniffer dogs
Pasadena USD has implemented a new policy where dogs will search backpacks, lockers, desks, and cars for drugs, alcohol, weapons, and other contraband. Previously, the dogs were only used in select schools, but now their presence will be expanded district-wide to enhance safety measures.
Seattle schools face $94m deficit
Seattle Public Schools is facing a significant budget deficit exceeding $94m, which threatens educational quality and may lead to job cuts. The district is seeking up to $60m from state lawmakers to help alleviate the financial strain. Board director Liza Rankin expressed concern, stating, “I would love nothing more than to be wrong about this.” The district is also asking voters to approve two levies to generate $747m for essential staff and programs. Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen emphasized the importance of supporting public schools, noting, “Funding public schools — and doing a better job of supporting our school districts — is our core constitutional duty.” Without state aid, the district anticipates increased class sizes and reduced staff, including part-time librarian positions. The administration plans to present more detailed budget proposals to the School Board in the coming months.
Ethnic studies petition gains traction
Residents in the Tamalpais Union High School District have rallied behind a petition supporting the district's ethnic studies program, countering critics who demand curriculum changes. The petition, organized by MVFREE (Mill Valley Force for Racial Equity and Empowerment), states: "The well conceived and popular ethnic studies course in Marin's public high schools is facing an organized attack." Critics, including Laurie Dubin of Tam Union Together, argue that they support a comprehensive ethnic studies curriculum but seek to address concerns about bias. Both sides agree on the importance of teaching the truth about historical injustices, with the petition emphasizing the need for "multicultural understanding and empathy."
San Luis Obispo Tribune
----- WORKFORCE ----
California's teacher diversity on the rise
According to the National Council on Teacher Quality, California boasts one of the most diverse teacher workforces in the nation, with 45% of teachers from historically disadvantaged racial groups. This increase is attributed to $1bn in state investments aimed at recruiting and retaining teachers. However, the report, “What Can California, Texas, and Washington D.C. Teach Us About How to Diversify the Teacher Workforce,” warns that easing licensure requirements may threaten teacher quality. Heather Peske, NCTQ President, emphasized, “Teacher diversity and high standards go hand in hand,” highlighting the importance of strong teacher data and policies that support teachers of color for improved student outcomes.
----- LEGAL -----
Trump signs order to protect women's sports
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order on National Girls and Women in Sports Day, titled "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," which prohibits transgender athletes from competing in girls' and women's sports. Mr Trump said: "With this executive order, the war on women's sports is over," emphasizing that schools receiving federal funding will be investigated for Title IX violations if they allow transgender participation. The order affects all levels from kindergarten to college and aims to establish a national standard for eligibility. NCAA president Charlie Baker expressed support for the order, stating: "We strongly believe that clear, consistent and uniform eligibility standards would best serve today's student-athletes." The NCAA is currently reviewing the order and will align its policies accordingly.
----- HEALTH & WELLBEING -----
Judge blocks Trump order on health care for transgender youth
A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration order that threatened to cut federal funds for hospitals that provide medical treatments for transgender patients under 19. U.S. District Judge Brendan Hurson in Baltimore issued the temporary restraining order during a hearing Thursday. “This is a population with an extremely higher rate for suicide, poverty, unemployment, drug addiction,” Hurson said during the hearing. Abruptly stopping their health treatments, he said, would be “horribly dangerous for anyone, for any care, but particularly for this extremely vulnerable population.” The ruling follows a lawsuit filed on behalf of families with transgender or nonbinary children who allege their healthcare has already been compromised by President Donald Trump's executive order directing federally run insurance programs to exclude coverage for gender-affirming care. The restraining order, in effect for 14 days, essentially puts the president's directive on hold while the case proceeds. The restraining order could also be extended.
Washington Post Wall Street Journal
----- HIGHER EDUCATION -----
UCLA suspends pro-Palestinian groups
UCLA has indefinitely suspended two pro-Palestinian organizations, Students for Justice in Palestine and Graduate Students for Justice in Palestine, following a protest that involved vandalism at the home of UC Regent Jay Sures. Chancellor Julio Frenk stated that the students violated conduct rules, emphasizing that “without the basic feeling of safety, humans cannot learn, teach, work and live.” The groups are barred from reserving campus space, applying for funding, or associating with UCLA during the suspension, which has no specified end date. This action aligns with the UC's new “zero-tolerance” policy for conduct violations, particularly in light of recent unrest. Sures, who is Jewish and an outspoken supporter of Israel, condemned the protest as antisemitic, while some faculty members criticized the suspensions as a form of violence against pro-Palestinian students.
At NTA Life, we’re here to provide extra peace of mind with individual supplemental benefits that offer tax-free financial support directly to you or your loved ones. Our benefits are designed to go above and beyond your major medical insurance, helping cover things like deductibles, co-pays, and those unexpected expenses that can come up during an illness or injury. We offer the following programs:
- Cancer Coverage
- Heart Coverage
- Hospital Coverage
- Accident Coverage
- Disability Coverage
- Life Insurance
- Specified Disease Coverage – which even comes with a return of premium after 20 years!
The best part? Most of our benefits are guaranteed renewable for life, meaning you can keep them even if you switch districts or retire.
We’re so thankful for the strong partnership we have with ABCFT, and we look forward to continuing to support and serve your incredible educators.
If you’d like to learn more, feel free to reach out anytime:
- Leann Blaisdell: 562-822-5004 | leann.blaisdell@horacemann.com
- Shannon Donovan: 714-727-8261 | shannon.donovan@horacemann.com
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