KEEPING YOU INFORMED - Negotiations Update By Ruben Mancillas
Some dates to remember:
Today, May 30, is the deadline to file for the district’s retirement incentive. The irrevocable resignation/retirement form is on the district website under Human Resources.
Today, May 30, is the deadline to register for the Transcend summer PL on Friday, August 8. All unit members who choose to participate in this voluntary training opportunity will earn $525.00 for that day. See link here.
Friday, June 30 is the last day to submit the ABCFT President’s Survey 20204-2025. On Tuesday,, Ray sent an email with his end of the year survey. This is not a district survey, and your responses will remain anonymous. Ray will use your answers to provide the ABCFT Executive Board, ABCFT committees, and the ABCFT negotiating team with background information and guiding parameters, so that they can better serve the members’ needs.
Tuesday, June 3, is the next ABCUSD board meeting. The recommendation report for school consolidations will be a public hearing as part of the agenda. The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17. ABCFT will provide updates as to any decisions made at either of these meetings.
This week, Ray and I visited the staff of Tetzlaff Middle School. Tuesday night, I heard Chief Financial Officer Nguyen’s presentation at the last Finance and Audit Committee meeting of the 2024-2025 school year. Many of us are familiar with the meme (my kids show them to me!) about how if you work in a field that requires an “appreciation day,” you are likely undercompensated. I apologize for the unfiltered language I used with Toan in private, but while there is an acknowledgement of gratitude for having a job, that can’t be the last word on the matter. A district budget deficit is real. But salary schedules are too. I have been asked to write recommendation letters for more mid-career teachers than I can remember in the past. Losing talented professionals that ABCUSD has already invested resources in is not a sustainable model for excellence.
LACOE hosted a Budget Perspectives Workshop yesterday regarding the May Revise. Despite strong cash receipts throughout the entire fiscal year (including since the January budget), the revenue forecast has been significantly downgraded due to a more pessimistic economic outlook. This revenue downgrade is primarily based on trade policy and its impact on the stock market, consumer and business confidence, and inflation expectations. TK-14 continues to do well in the May Revision, particularly compared to the rest of the budget (Health and Human Services, Housing, etc.). There is a modest increase in ongoing resources, flexible one-time money, and few new programs or obligations (although implementation of recently created programs will still be a challenge). A refresher on Prop. 98; it is a constitutional amendment adopted in 1988 that establishes an annual minimum funding level for TK-14 education each fiscal year. The state calculates this minimum guarantee using one of three tests, or formulas that take into account factors such as state General Fund revenue, per capita income, and student attendance. Unfortunately, what was intended to be a “floor” is typically used as a “ceiling,” and Prop. 98 is subject to a number of accounting maneuvers that have both short-term and long-term implications for education funding.
Last night I attended the graduation at Tracy High School. It was a special moment to see my former students graduate and share in the celebration with families. End of the year activities remind me of the conversations I have with friends and neighbors who work in the private sector. As you might imagine, I am always “on” when it comes to advocating for public education and am prepared to push back against ill-informed comments that “teachers have such an easy schedule” and other myths that undermine the professionalism of education. I like to correct the “but you get summers off” narrative by reminding people that, even though we are only contracted to work for 184 days and thus only paid for 184 days, the teachers and nurses I know work much more than that to meet the needs of their students. Educators are rarely off the clock. We continually strive to identify areas for improvement, explore the latest tools and technologies that we can integrate, and apply the lessons learned from the most recent year to inform our practice for the following year. Many of us will be involved with summer school or other projects that help us prepare for our classrooms and offices when teachers and nurses officially return on August 11, 2025.
So while the mantra is to maintain a work/life balance, the reality is often that it feels like there is very little downtime. The uncertainty and resulting questions regarding the recommendation report for school consolidation are going to keep us busy around the union office in the coming weeks. But I encourage everyone to make time for family, friends, and yourself. We are most effective when we are not feeling stressed. Have something to look forward to that is relaxing and enjoyable. I have my predictable list of revival movies on my calendar and a stack of library books on my nightstand. My senior dog, Che, is going to get all the walks he deserves (this, according to him, is quite a lot). The whole family is excited about Fernando Valenzuela bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium in July. What is on your summer wish list? Whatever you have planned, do it with the confidence that you served the ABCUSD community well this year. You made a positive difference. Again!
In Unity,
Summer YOUNIONEWS UPDATES - School consolidation board decisions
Over the last month, there has been a lot of information about the school board possibly looking at the consolidation of schools. At this point in their process, no decisions have been made. Next Tuesday, there will be another hearing to discuss further the report by SchoolWorks, which outlined suggestions for facility changes. In addition to this topic, the school board will also be passing a budget for the next school year.
Ruben and I will be attending the board meetings over the Summer. Our current plan is to deliver a YOUNIONews on Fridays, those weeks in June when there is a school board meeting. Therefore, you can expect a YOUNIONews update on Friday, June 6th, and June 20th.
THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF THE YOUNION
Thank you, ABCFT leaders, for all you did this year!!! You know who you are!
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.
Except for a couple of years, there has been my annual ABCFT President’s Survey at the end of the school year. The President’s Survey is rooted in unionism and worker voice, and the survey has a fascinating history and development over the years.
I was recruited to serve on the ABCFT negotiating team in 2000, and within a couple of years, I was appointed to the ABCFT Executive Board as a Vice President at large. I was a doer, and then ABCFT President Laura Rico was a taskmaster. One of my duties as VP at large was to review the end-of-year survey that members would complete to evaluate their site or program administrators. I would run the scantrons that would come from every site/program through the machine at the union office, and then I would type all the handwritten comments scrawled on the backside of the scantrons or attached letters. I worked in this capacity for a couple of years and gained valuable insights into the administration across the district, particularly at the sites experiencing crisis.
The final resting place for the results from the ABCFT principals' survey was both part of its power and part of its dysfunction. I would take the scantron and comments for every school/program, put it in an envelope and deliver them to the principal/supervisor's mailbox sometime in August, before everyone came back for vacation.
Principals and supervisors would return to work after a few weeks of Summer vacation, and they would open the evaluations from the ABC Federation of Teachers. For many who received those surveys, it was disheartening, devaluing, and destructive. However constructive the criticisms were, the words stung and were a yearly reminder that teachers and administrators were trapped in a cycle of throwing stones at each other, saying the most hurtful things at each other, using scapegoating, finger-pointing, and sweeping accusations. A cycle of dysfunction that played year-round and a setup for failure for school improvement.
What was the purpose of such a survey, and how did it evolve into such a cutthroat game of insults and accusations? The principals' survey lost its effectiveness and became an envelope that principals would pull out of their mailboxes, only to be thrown directly into the trash unopened.
In 2005, an informal agreement was reached between the union and the district to explore a more effective way for teachers to provide constructive feedback about working conditions, their administrators, and the school or program culture. President Rico assigned me to lead the creation of a district/union committee, along with Dr. Cheryl Bodger and a few other representatives from each organization. We fought for a year behind closed doors over the soul of this new district-wide survey. The district wanted to cancel the survey, and on the ABCFT side, we never wavered in our desire to allow teachers to speak the truth. That year, an end-of-the-year joint survey went out to all teachers and nurses, and the lack of compromise on both sides created a survey that didn’t achieve anything close to what it was intended. It was such a bitter battle that Dr. Bodger and I didn’t speak to each other for months. I couldn’t be in the same room with her, but I also realized that the days of the ABCFT principal survey were gone, and with it that strong teacher voice that was aching to be heard.
I distinctly remember standing at the back of a board meeting at the doorway, and Dr. Bodger and I started talking about how we had failed in our task. Superintendent Smuts and President Rico still wanted a survey, so Dr. Bodger and I went back to the drawing board, and that year we put out the first-ever PAL Survey. The meat of the survey was focused on a research study we were doing with Dr. Saul Rubenstein from Rutgers University. The survey focused on labor management practices at the school/program level and school culture, but still had a couple of good questions about the administration.
Fast forward to me becoming the President of ABCFT in 2011. A decade of working on the negotiating team and collaborating on union projects, as evidenced by the survey, has shown me the value of ground truth and data. In my opinion, there is a relationship of trust between the ABCFT members and the leadership of their union. Members should have a safe space to write about their year, reflect on their accomplishments and challenges, or even scream at the sky about their frustrations. Everyone's opinion is valuable in some capacity, and I have used this annual president's survey as a way to gauge how schools are doing and the direction of the union. I’m not joking when I say that your input is what drives the direction of your union leadership. An organization without a means for us to communicate is an organization of disorganization.
Below is the link to this critical survey. Please take the time to fill it out, as I use the information I learn from it to guide our work as a union. Over the years, I have started sharing the results of the multiple-choice questions because they lead to productive conversations. However, I never share the results of your written answers because I want you to have a safe space as union members to share your thoughts, write out your frustrations, and share your visions for moving forward together.
Click the link to access the anonymous ABCFT President's Survey Link 2024-2025
The end of the school year and the feelings teachers and nurses experience on that last day are not something that anyone in the public will ever truly understand. Our jobs are all-consuming, rooted in emotions, relationships, and the people we interact with. It is good work, but it is exhausting work. With this in mind, now is the time for you to downshift your brain to a slower gear for a short time. Savor those mornings in the summer at your own pace and take the time to find what makes you happy and gives you the energy to come back and do it all over again.
Have a great Summer
In YOUnity,
Ray Gaer
President, ABCFT
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
Follow AFT President Randi Weingarten: http://twitter.com/rweingarten
----- NEWS STORY HIGHLIGHT-----
Arizona teacher pay vote fails
In Arizona, plans for a special election to raise teacher pay have collapsed due to Republican demands for a constitutional amendment on "school choice." With a record number of students receiving subsidies for private schools, concerns about budget implications are rising. Gov. Katie Hobbs has been active in vetoing several bills, including one that would require hospitals to check patients' immigration status. As she stated, "We need to ensure that all Arizonans have access to healthcare without fear." The political landscape remains contentious as lawmakers navigate education funding and social issues.
----- HARVARD VS DONALD TRUMP -----
Trump's war on Harvard escalates
Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law, argues that President Trump's actions against Harvard University represent a broader attack on higher education. The Trump administration's recent announcement prohibits Harvard from enrolling international students, which could have severe financial repercussions, as they make up 27% of the student body. Chemerinsky highlights that Kristi Noem, head of the Department of Homeland Security, stated: "Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country." The administration's demands include changes in governance and faculty hiring based on "viewpoint diversity," which Chemerinsky claims violates the First Amendment. He emphasizes that this unprecedented assault on academic freedom must be condemned by Congress and university leaders to protect the integrity of the U.S. education system.
Trump threatens Harvard's funding
President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw $3bn in federal grants from Harvard University, proposing to redirect the funds to trade schools. "I am considering taking $3bn of Grant Money away from a very antisemitic Harvard," Trump stated on Truth Social. This threat is part of a broader campaign against Harvard, which has faced restrictions on foreign student enrollment and demands for policy changes. Harvard President Alan Garber has rejected these demands, emphasizing the importance of academic freedom. The university has filed lawsuits against the administration's actions, warning that blocking foreign enrollment could severely impact over 7,000 international students. Trump's push aligns with his 2024 campaign focus on vocational education, while Harvard's substantial endowment of $53.2bn positions it to resist these pressures.
----- NATIONAL NEWS -----
Texas schools to display Ten Commandments
The Texas House of Representatives has passed a bill requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms, with a vote of 82-46. Governor Greg Abbott is expected to sign the legislation into law, which follows a similar bill that failed in 2023. However, the bill may face constitutional challenges, similar to those encountered in Louisiana. Critics, including state Rep. James Talarico, argue that such displays could alienate non-Christian students, with Talarico commenting: “Forcing our religion down their throats is not love.” The law is set to take effect in the 2025-26 school year, but lacks enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance.
Abolish the Office of Education?
In California, the role of the state superintendent of public instruction is under scrutiny, with calls for its abolition. The position, established in 1849, has seen its responsibilities diminished over the years, particularly after the implementation of Proposition 98 in 1988 and the local control funding formula in 2013. As Josh Newman, a senior fellow at UC Irvine, notes: "If increased funding hasn't produced gains, what's needed to change the trajectory of public education in California? Accountability." Despite a 30% increase in per-student spending from 2015-25, student achievement has stagnated, highlighting the need for a more effective governance structure. The idea of converting the role to an appointed position has been proposed, aiming to enhance coordination and accountability in California's education system.
Merced Sun Star San Luis Obispo Tribune Los Angeles Times
----- DISTRICTS -----
Huntington Beach library election heats up
The Huntington Beach library initiatives special election, scheduled for June 10, has ignited controversy within local governance. The City Council voted unanimously to investigate a resolution from the Ocean View School District Board of Trustees that supports Measures A and B. Councilmember Chad Williams expressed concerns about potential misuse of public resources, arguing that such conduct "raises serious legal concerns regarding the potential misuse of public resources for campaign purposes.” Ocean View School District Superintendent Julianne Hoefer and Board President Patricia Singer responded with a letter asserting their independence from the city’s jurisdiction, declaring: “OVSD will not cooperate with an investigation.” Tensions escalated as Williams criticized the framing of the school district as political opponents, while Trustee Gina Clayton-Tarvin defended their right to free speech on the matter.
Chicago schools' grading policy sparks debate
The debate over Chicago Public Schools' (CPS) "no-zero grading" policy intensifies as critics argue it may undermine academic integrity. Ellen Kennedy, principal at Richards Career Academy High School, said: "When students graduate and are working in jobs, what they experience around grace and flexibility at school is not going to match." The policy, which allows students to redo assignments and receive a minimum score of 50, aims to address absenteeism but has raised concerns about its impact on student motivation and effort. Jessica Bunzol, a transformation coach, emphasized that "F's are not motivators for young people," suggesting that the policy may lead to chronic absenteeism despite rising graduation rates. CPS officials maintain that they are focused on balancing student well-being with academic expectations, stating, "We recognize the complexity of grading and remain focused on equity."
----- WORKFORCE ----
Teachers battle social media distractions
Research Center, middle and high school STEM teachers identify social media and online gaming as significant barriers to student learning. Teachers reported that distractions from digital devices are more problematic than absenteeism or foundational knowledge gaps. One teacher noted that “Motivating students to do any kind of work is difficult,” highlighting the competition with social media. In contrast, students perceive their cellphone use as less detrimental, with only 2% acknowledging a negative impact on their learning. The survey revealed that 63% of teachers believe cellphone usage negatively affects education, while many students attribute their challenges to a lack of interest and support. As a response, at least 22 states are implementing restrictions on cellphone use in schools to combat these distractions.
----- CLASSROOM -----
Students unite against Trump’s policies
On Tuesday, hundreds of high school students in New York City participated in a walkout to protest against the Trump administration's policies, which they believe threaten democracy and constitutional rights. Organizers, including Nava Litt from Bronx Science High School, aimed to unite students from diverse political backgrounds, commenting: “We want to unite kids from all political stances around protecting the constitutional rights that we believe are being threatened.” The rally, held in Union Square, highlighted concerns over issues such as immigration enforcement and academic freedom. Many students felt compelled to voice their opinions, as they cannot vote yet. City Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos acknowledged the students' right to express their views but emphasized the importance of remaining in school for their education. Despite potential consequences, students prioritized their activism, believing that the long-term impact of their actions outweighed short-term repercussions.
Reading instruction takes center stage
The U.S. Department of Education has announced a renewed focus on reading instruction under President Donald Trump's administration, emphasizing "evidence-based literacy instruction" as a key priority for grant funding. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said "If you cannot read, you cannot learn," highlighting the importance of foundational reading skills. The initiative aligns with a national movement advocating for effective early-reading instruction, with over half of states passing related legislation since 2019. However, some experts express concern that the call for a "return to basics" oversimplifies the complexities of literacy education. Kari Kurto, national science of reading project director at the Reading League, stressed the need for continued funding for reading research to support effective practices. The federal role in reading has fluctuated over the years, and while the current focus aims to improve literacy, experts warn that a comprehensive approach is essential for addressing diverse student needs.
----- LEGAL -----
Tribes sue government over boarding school funds
The Wichita Tribe and the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California have filed a lawsuit against the federal government, claiming it misused trust fund money intended for Native children's education to finance abusive boarding schools. The lawsuit, submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, highlights that the government has not accounted for the estimated $23.3 billion appropriated for these programs. “The United States Government, the trustee over Native children's education and these funds, has never accounted for the funds that it took,” the lawsuit states. The tribes are demanding transparency regarding how the funds were spent and what remains. This legal action follows a 2022 report by the U.S. Department of the Interior, which condemned the legacy of the boarding school era, where many Native children suffered severe abuse and cultural erasure.
Merced Sun Star NJ.com U.S. News
Supreme Court declines to hear student gender speech case
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear the case of Liam Morrison, a Massachusetts middle school student who was prohibited from wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan “There Are Only Two Genders.” The decision leaves schools without further guidance on student speech that may be perceived as harmful to LGBTQ+ students. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., dissenting, emphasized the importance of protecting student speech, arguing that “A school may not engage in viewpoint discrimination when it regulates student speech.” The case, L.M. v. Town of Middleborough, raised concerns about the balance between free expression and the well-being of vulnerable student populations. The court's refusal to review the case means that the lower court's ruling, which favored the school, remains in effect, leaving many questions about student rights unresolved.
CNN Edition EdSource NBC News Education Week News
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