ABCFT YOUnionews for August 29, 2025
KEEPING YOU INFORMED - Negotiations Update By Ruben Mancillas
I am in Sacramento today for the CTC meeting. One of the agenda items is reviewing the design and implementation of Teaching Performance Assessments. Other Commission business includes possible appointees for the role of Educator Preparation Student Liaison and the approval of respective college programs for institutional approval.
This emphasis on supporting new and ongoing educators is one that we have consistently been messaging here at ABCUSD as well. We need to commit to working environments that are supportive to educators and students. And we have to create economic conditions that will not only encourage young teaching talent to choose our district but convince them to stay when compared to the salary schedules of neighboring districts. Our school board is holding a special session next Tuesday, September 2. Positive news shared at the last board meeting was that all of our comprehensive high schools are ranked in the top 25% of California schools. We celebrate this achievement and call for it to be mirrored with a push to have our total compensation be ranked in the top quartile of unified school districts in Los Angeles County. We encourage the board to consider an actionable plan to help us achieve this crucial goal.
Regarding our online Keenan training, please note that our contract states “unit members will be given the appropriate amount of time during their duty day to complete annual state mandatory training.” At many sites and programs this is provided by having fewer staff meetings in the weeks leading up to the Keenan deadlines. There should be no less than five hours set aside for Keenan training.
This year, there is an additional one hour online training required for secondary teachers. Teachers and nurses at secondary sites should reach out to their administration teams for information about the PRISM training. An email was sent but it lacked details and there was even some concern that it may be from a phishing account. Briefly, members only need to choose and complete one of the six courses. Each course should take approximately 60 minutes and progress does not save so once you start a course be prepared to finish it completely.
Our summer PL got me considering the evolving role of technology not only in education, but in our popular culture, too. One of my favorite songs by the band X has the clever title, “Your Phone’s Off The Hook, But You’re Not.” I realized that the concept of a phone being able to be taken off of the hook isn’t understood in the same way anymore. My own children can barely remember using a landline let alone the idea that by not placing the handset into the receiver you could block someone from calling you. As someone who loves older films, I have often been struck by how some classic movie plots would be rendered irrelevant with modern technology. A dramatic race against time? Just use your cell phone! But this week I have a recommendation for a movie that weaves the use of modern technology throughout the story in original ways. Decision to Leave is a 2022 detective story directed by Park Chan-wook that expertly features smart watches, voice recordings, and translation apps as part of the mystery. It made me realize how many ways there are for good writers to keep established genres fresh by using incorporating new technology in innovative ways. This is similar to teachers and nurses who are challenged to creatively utilize the latest tools to improve outcomes for our students. Keep up the good work and enjoy your Labor Day weekend.
In Unity,
HEALTH BENEFIT UPDATE BY Megan Harding
[Editor's note: Megan Harding has been a representative for ABCFT on the district health committee for over a decade. She and her team have been fierce advocates for the health benefits of all ABC employees. If you see her on campus sometime, let her know you appreciate all of her hard work in protecting our health plans. ~Ray]
The Health Benefits/Insurance Committee
Each month, representatives from the different groups in ABC meet to discuss insurance issues and needs. The committee is made up of 3 ABCFT members, 2 people from management, 2 AFSCME members, and 2 CSEA members. These individuals all have 1 vote. The other members of the committee consist of members of the brokerage firm; Burnham, the CFO, Asst. Superintendent of HR and Fringe Benefits representatives.
The goal of the benefits committee is to identify cost-effective benefits that best fit the needs of all employees. This is done by analyzing the current usage data, hearing from the different carriers regarding what is new and discussing best practices regarding communicating these benefits and utilizing them to their fullest potential.
In addition, the committee looks at the rates offered by our current carriers and discusses options to bargain, accept, or change carriers altogether. If needed, the committee meets once a month starting in December and ending in June.
The district is committed to providing health care for the employee and their family at no cost to the employee; at this time that free offering is Kaiser. If an employee chooses to go outside of Kaiser and opts for Blue Shield PPO, Access + or Local Access + the district will pay a flat rate. Anything above the rate will be on the employee.
Last year, the district paid a little higher than the flat rate for many Blue Shield members. This year, they made that adjustment and paid the actual rate. What this means is that even though there was a rate pass, meaning Blue Shield did not increase the price, the district readjusted what they should have been paying. This led to many Access + and Local Access + members paying a little more than last year.
This was not communicated to the committee, and therefore, many people were taken by surprise. Ruben Mancias and I met with the district, and we have agreed that moving forward, we will meet prior to open enrollment to discuss any future adjustments.
TECHNOLOGY UPDATES FROM IT
By Mike Lawrence, Director of IT in ABCUSD
Welcome Back, Teachers!
Three quick updates to share -
Online Print Ordering is here! As shared at the Summer PL, any district employee can now place orders through our district graphics shop through abcusd.us/print. More enhancements are coming, but you can price out jobs, upload files and submit them for supervisor approval all from your browser! Shifting to an online ordering system has also allowed us to lower our per-page cost, saving the district's (and your sites') budget!
AI Trust & Transparency - ABC Unified has updated the AI guidelines to better align with how we are using generative AI across the district. We are encouraging students AND staff to be transparent in how they engage students and colleagues in their use of AI to start a conversation, not an accusation. Two tools are available for this: these new badges to openly share how AI was used in our work, including homework. Two tools are now available: AI Trust You, a Google extension created by Laguna Beach USD, is detailed here. Jump into a Google Doc and give it a try! Also - AI Transparency Badges are now available to all here for use when assigning and submitting student work. Download the badges and start using them TODAY!
Canva for Education is here. ]
Exciting news – Canva Education is now live across ABC Unified! That means every teacher, student, and staff member has full premium access to Canva, the ultimate visual communication platform – 100% free! You can now easily share classwork with other teachers or students and collaborate seamlessly in the classroom.
And, of course, we ALSO STILL have access to Adobe Express, which is our chosen design suite for students. We’re just giving you an additional choice...
So What’s next?
Log in with your school credentials at www.canva.com and explore all the magic Canva Education has to offer!
If you’re already a Canva user, no worries! Just log out and log back in to be added to your new school team.
Here’s instructions on how to login and migrate any previous designs. You can copy designs to your new school team by following these steps.
Be sure to log out of Canva to get started!
Just for teachers - Don’t forget to check out the Canva teacher's guide! Even if you’ve used Canva before, this guide has some handy tips for navigating your new school account, which comes with a few added features.
Let’s get creative and start designing!
Wishing you all the best this coming school year!
ABCFT PRESIDENT’S REPORT - by 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 affecting their working and learning conditions, as well as their mental well-being. Our work as a Union is a larger conversation, and united, we make the YOUnion.
California schools shine in new rankings
California boasts some of the best public high schools in the U.S., according to the latest rankings by U.S. News & World Report. The report analyzed over 24,000 public high schools across the country for the 2025-2026 academic year. Notably, three California schools made it to the top 25, with Whitney High School in Cerritos ranking 16th nationally. Other top California schools include Oxford Academy in Cypress and the Science Academy STEM Magnet in North Hollywood, ranked 19th and 20th, respectively. The rankings highlight the schools' strong performance in state tests and graduation rates.
Merced Sun Star The Modesto Bee
Hard work and innovation pay off. Judging by the article above and how education is measured, the ABC teachers are among the nation's most impressive educators. This is a team effort, and we also have to recognize the importance of support staff, nurses, administrators, and a supportive board. ABC secondary schools all moved into the top quartile (25%) of all national schools.
I like what Ruben said at the last board meeting when he stated that it is exceptionally significant that our students are ranked among the top quartile. Twenty years ago, ABC teacher compensation was lower than the average, and over that time span, we have moved to just outside the top quartile. Teachers, nurses, administrators, and all our classified staff members deserve to have top-quartile wages that match their efforts. Let’s keep our collective eye on that goal for the coming years' compensation negotiations.
I’m going to push my report on health benefits till next week because I became a user of those excellent benefits when I wrecked my knee last weekend. Megan Harding from the ABCFT Health Benefits Committee did a good job keeping the conversation going in her article this week.
In the meantime, for you data crunchers out there, here is a list of how ABC matches up in salaries and benefits (H&W). These numbers indicate the percentage of overall (restricted and unrestricted) annual budgets allocated to salaries and benefits among these CFT school districts. The question becomes, we seem to be high on most ends when we compete at the state level but why aren’t these statistics resulting in competitiveness at the local level when we compare to districts surrounding ABC?
Next week, we will look deeper into what this chart tells us about our budgeting and where we are weak in our salary schedule, as well as data that will give you a five-year comparison of our year-to-year budgets.
In the meantime, I hope that you have a wonderful Labor Day weekend.
HAPPY PAY DAY!
In YOUnity,
Ray Gaer
President, ABCFT
A UNION OF EDUCATORS AND CLASSIFIED PROFESSIONALS
Second: Please share the Labor Day Picnic, Parade & Rally with your members.
On Labor Day: September 1, 2025, CFT members will join the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor Labor Coalition to celebrate the 46th Annual Labor Solidarity Parade and Picnic Rally.
Link: https://www.cftfightback.org/event-details-registration/la-labor-solidarity-parade-picnic-rally
Find a labor Day event near you: https://www.cftfightback.org/event-details-registration/join-a-labor-day-event-near-you
Follow AFT President Randi Weingarten: http://twitter.com/rweingarten
----- NEWS STORY HIGHLIGHT-----
Potty training woes in TK
As more four-year-olds enter transitional kindergarten (TK) in California, schools are facing unexpected challenges with potty training. Elyse Doerflinger, a TK teacher, noted: “They are younger, and they’re going to have more accidents.” With the expansion of TK to include all 4-year-olds, many students are not fully potty-trained, leading to varied approaches among districts. While some schools adopt a hands-off policy, others have developed procedures to assist students. Patricia Lozano from Early Edge California emphasized the need for schools to consider: “Are our schools ready for kids?” The lack of clear guidance and resources for educators complicates the situation, as many teachers feel unprepared to handle toileting issues. The California Department of Education's toileting toolkit suggests engaging with union representatives to clarify responsibilities. Ultimately, a collaborative effort between families and schools is essential for fostering toileting independence among young learners.
----- LACK OF DIVERSITY IN EDUCATION CONTINUES-----
Black teachers continue to leave education profession
As students and teachers return to school amid heightened anxiety from immigration issues and cultural conflicts, Black teachers are facing unique challenges that often lead them to leave the profession. Travis Bristol, a UC Berkeley professor, highlighted that while the number of Black teachers has increased, many are still exiting education. Research by Bristol and Desiree Carver-Thomas from the Learning Policy Institute reveals a significant decline in the proportion of Black teachers, dropping from 8.6% in 1990 to 6.1% in 2020. Bristol said: “If we keep front and center this idealized notion of what America could be... efforts to diversify the educator workforce should not be viewed as a threat.”
----- NATIONAL NEWS -----
Minneapolis school shooting leaves two dead
At least two children, aged 8 and 10, were killed, and 17 others were injured during a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday morning that occurred while students were attending Mass. The shooter, a male in his 20s, reportedly fired from outside the church using multiple firearms before taking his own life in the parking lot. All the injured victims are expected to survive, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said. FBI Director Kash Patel said his agency is “investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.” Annunciation Catholic School Principal Matt DeBoer said the school’s teachers acted quickly and heroically during the shooting, adding: “It could have been significantly worse without their heroic action. This is a nightmare, but we call our staff the dream team, and we will recover from this.”
Trump administration targets Denver schools
The Trump administration has determined that Denver Public Schools' (DPS) conversion of a girls' restroom into an all-gender restroom at East High School violates Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination. The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights stated that this change burdens girls by forcing them to seek single-sex facilities elsewhere, thus denying them equal educational opportunities. Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor said: “Denver is free to endorse a self-defeating gender ideology, but it is not free to accept federal taxpayer funds and harm its students in violation of Title IX.” DPS is currently evaluating its next steps following the findings and has been given 10 days to agree to a proposed resolution that would require reverting to single-sex restrooms and rescinding policies based on gender identity. Failure to comply could lead to enforcement actions affecting federal funding.
----- STATE NEWS -----
California schools embrace phonics to improve reading skills
California's public school system, which serves nearly 6m students, is witnessing some positive changes despite ongoing challenges. Recent "Smarter Balanced" assessments revealed that less than half of students met state standards in English, and only one-third in math. However, a significant shift to phonics instruction is expected to enhance reading skills, moving away from ineffective teaching methods. SchoolStatus also reports that chronic absenteeism has dropped from 30% in 2021–2022 to 20% in 2023–2024. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond said: "Due to historic investments in student supports and family engagement, California has cut TK–12 chronic absenteeism levels by one-third." While progress is evident, experts warn that maintaining attendance in middle and high school remains a challenge.
----- DISTRICTS -----
San Francisco schools pause grading reform
As the new school year begins, San Francisco USD has decided to pause its controversial proposal for standards-based grading. This decision follows significant backlash from parents and officials, leading to the abandonment of a pilot program initially planned for implementation in about 70 high school classrooms. Joe Feldman, founder of Crescendo Education Group and author of "Grading for Equity," emphasized the need for equitable grading practices, remarking: "Very few people would say that the ways that teachers grade are accurate, fair and consistent." Meanwhile, students will continue to be graded under the existing system, which has faced criticism for its variability and potential demotivating effects on students.
Philadelphia teachers union ratifies new contract
The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers has ratified a new three-year contract that includes annual raises of 3% and a $1,400 bonus for its nearly 14,000 members. Arthur Steinberg, president of the union, said: “Our goal for this collective bargaining agreement was really to set a floor for the future.” The contract also improves sick leave policies and introduces five weeks of paid parental leave for new parents. While the average salary for teachers in the district is $85,719, the contract aims to provide additional benefits for lower-paid staff, including paraprofessionals and secretaries. However, the school district faces uncertainty regarding funding as state lawmakers have yet to finalize the budget, leaving the district waiting on approximately $465m in expected payments.
D.C. schools reopen amid armed presence
Public schools in Washington, D.C., reopened on Monday with heightened security as thousands of National Guard troops, some armed, patrolled the area. Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed concern over parents' anxiety, commenting: "Parents are anxious. We know that our schools are the safest places for our students. And we invest a lot in their learning. And if they're not at school, they can't take advantage of that learning. So, I would just call on everybody to leave our kids alone, let them get a great start to their school day and school year and the rest of their lives." The presence of armed troops was a result of a directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with the military emphasizing that force should only be used as a last resort.
----- TECHNOLOGY -----
Melania Trump launches AI contest for K-12 students
Melania Trump has invited K-12 students to participate in a nationwide contest aimed at using artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle community issues. In a video announcement, she produced an AI-narrated audiobook of her 2024 memoir "Melania", commenting that she had "seen firsthand the promise of this powerful technology," and adding: “Now, I pass the torch of innovation to you,” encouraging students to showcase their creativity. The Presidential AI Challenge, as it is called, requires students to work in teams, sponsored by an adult mentor or teacher, to complete projects using AI tools. Michael Kratsios, director of the White House science and technology office, emphasized the importance of having "America's youth plugged in and working on and using AI tools.” Registration opens soon, with submissions due by the end of December, leading to regional competitions in the spring and a final event at the White House for national winners. The initiative follows an executive order by President Donald Trump to advance AI education for American youth.
----- SPECIAL EDUCATION ----
Support for special education teachers needed
Special education teachers face significant stress and burnout due to heavy workloads and insufficient support. Research indicates that 21% of public schools were not fully staffed with special education teachers at the start of the 2023-24 academic year, as many leave for other teaching roles or careers outside education. Natasha Veale, dean at Greensboro College, emphasizes the importance of principals providing emotional and practical support. In her book, How to Retain Special Education Teachers: A Transformational Leadership Guide for School Administrators, she outlines a framework for principals to enhance their leadership capacity. Veale says: “Outside of all the technical things... they also want to know that they matter and that they're important.” She offers four strategies for principals to support special education teachers, including fostering relationships, encouraging innovative solutions, and recognizing cultural differences.
----- CLASSROOM -----
Ditching Chromebooks: A teacher's bold move
Marcie Samayoa, a chemistry teacher in Los Angeles, has decided to limit the use of Chromebooks in her classroom after experiencing significant distractions from her students. “It became overwhelming for me as a teacher,” she explained, reflecting on the challenges posed by digital devices. A 2021 survey from the EdWeek Research Center indicated that 90% of district leaders provided devices to every middle and high school student, but many educators now find these tools to be a source of frustration. Samayoa has transitioned to using paper and pencil for most assignments, which has led to increased student engagement and reduced distractions. “I saw a huge difference in attention,” she noted, emphasizing the positive impact of this change on her teaching experience. While she acknowledges the necessity of using Chromebooks for certain tasks, she plans to keep their use limited.
Parents push back on LGBTQ+ lessons
In the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing parents to withdraw their children from LGBTQ+ materials in schools, conservative leaders in California anticipate a surge in opt-out requests. Troy Flint, spokesperson for the California School Boards Association, expressed concerns about the potential chaos, noting: "There is a lot of trepidation about how to handle this issue." The ruling, stemming from the case Mahmoud v. Taylor, raises questions about the handling of opt-out requests and the verification of religious beliefs. Yale Law School professor Justin Driver warned that the implications extend beyond LGBTQ+ topics, potentially affecting various subjects. As conservative groups mobilize to demand opt-outs, advocates fear that such actions could lead to discrimination and a chilling effect on LGBTQ+ students, thereby threatening the future of inclusive education.
Report on equitable grading policies - And finally for now, this piece from Education Week reports on a new Fordham Institute/RAND study on teachers views on grading practices increasingly employed by school districts, such as no zeros, no credit for class participation and more. Here's What Teachers Really Think About Equitable Grading Policies
----- LEGAL -----
Lawyers drain school budgets
California's Pacifica School District and Cabrillo USD are facing significant financial strain due to their reliance on legal representation, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars more annually than comparable districts. An investigation by Coastside News revealed that these rising legal costs are draining budgets, highlighting the increasing tensions within the districts. As noted in the report, "Districts’ reliance on lawyers highlights rising tensions and drains budgets." This situation raises concerns about the impact on educational resources and overall district operations.
SCOTUS ruling shakes schools
A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor mandates that schools allow parents to opt their children out of lessons containing LGBTQ+ references due to religious objections. The decision has left many questions unanswered, particularly regarding implementation and the responsibilities of educators. Ian Hanigan, a spokesperson for the Orange County Department of Education, said: “We're all working through this together” to navigate the legal implications. The California Department of Education cautioned that the ruling offers little guidance on how schools should identify materials that may raise religious concerns. Concerns have been raised about potential censorship of educational content, with fears that topics like evolution and slavery could also be targeted. The ruling has sparked anxiety among parents and students about the inclusivity of schools for LGBTQ+ youth.
----- HEALTH & WELLBEING -----
School mental health screenings on the rise
Nearly one-third of K-12 public schools in the U.S. now mandate mental health screenings for students, according to a recent RAND report. The study, which surveyed 1,019 school principals, revealed that 30.5% of schools require such screenings. While most principals notify parents and offer in-person treatment, less than 20% provide telehealth options. Challenges remain, with 40% of principals finding it difficult to ensure students receive adequate care. John Gies, principal of Shelby High School, noted, “It actually was a little bit better than I anticipated.” Despite progress, barriers persist, particularly in rural areas, and only two states have laws supporting universal mental health screenings. Gies emphasized the need for continued funding to address the mental health crisis in schools.
----- HIGHER EDUCATION -----
Colleges report significant drop in international students
Delays in visa processing have resulted in approximately 750 fewer international students arriving at the University at Buffalo for the fall semester. Tomás Aguirre, the dean of students, acknowledged the challenges faced by these students, commenting: "We know you have had to overcome hurdles to be here." The Trump Administration's tightened visa policies have led to significant delays, with many students unable to secure appointments in time. Fanta Aw, from the Association of International Educators, predicts a drop of about 150,000 new international students this fall, which could cost local economies up to $7bn. Despite these challenges, the University at Buffalo maintains that international students do not take spots from qualified American students, emphasizing their cultural and financial contributions to the campus.
Trump administration tightens visa rules
The Trump administration has proposed new regulations to tighten visa durations for international students, cultural exchange visitors, and media members, marking a significant shift in immigration policy. According to the administration, the changes aim to better "monitor and oversee" visa holders in the U.S. Currently, F, J, and I visas are valid for the duration of the program or employment, but the new rules would impose fixed time limits. In 2024, there were approximately 1.6m international students on F visas, alongside 355,000 exchange visitors and 13,000 media members. The public will have 30 days to comment on this proposal, which echoes a similar initiative from 2020 that was later withdrawn by the Biden administration. NAFSA, representing international educators, has opposed such measures, advocating for more flexible visa policies.
----- INTERNATIONAL -----
South Korea bans phones in classrooms
South Korea has enacted a nationwide ban on mobile phones and digital devices in classrooms, set to take effect in March 2025. This legislation, which received bipartisan support, aims to address concerns over youth addiction to social media. Cho Jung-hun, a lawmaker from the opposition People Power Party and a sponsor of the bill, said: "Our youth's addiction to social media is at a serious level now." Surveys indicate that 37% of middle and high school students feel social media impacts their daily lives, with 22% experiencing anxiety when unable to access their accounts. While many schools already have restrictions in place, the new law formalizes these measures, allowing exceptions for students with disabilities or for educational purposes. Some youth advocacy groups have opposed the ban, citing potential violations of children's rights.
El Salvador introduces strict new student dress code
In El Salvador, principals have begun greeting students at school gates to inspect their haircuts and uniforms, a move aimed at restoring discipline in schools previously plagued by gang influence. President Nayib Bukele's administration, under Education Minister Karla Trigueros, emphasizes the importance of students' appearances, stating that failure to comply with the new standards would be seen as a “serious lack of administrative responsibility.” The initiative has led to increased business for barbershops, as students seek to adhere to the rules. Parents like María Barrera support the changes, believing they instill discipline from a young age. However, critics, including human rights lawyer Jayme Magaña, argue that the requirements may burden families with limited resources.
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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