AASU Members,
I am incredibly proud to congratulate you on a truly historic achievement—the official approval of our first collective bargaining agreement.
This contract represents more than negotiated language or compensation. It reflects the power of unity, professionalism, and shared purpose. Together, we established a foundation that recognizes the value of our work, strengthens our voice, and sets clear expectations for the future of our association.
Reaching this milestone required trust, patience, and collaboration. I want to extend sincere appreciation to our bargaining team for their tireless efforts, thoughtful advocacy, and commitment to representing our members with integrity. I also thank every AASU member who stayed engaged, asked questions, and ultimately voted to ratify this agreement. Your participation made this possible.
This first contract is not the finish line—it is the beginning. It gives us a strong framework to build upon as we continue advocating for fair treatment, professional respect, and working conditions that allow us to best serve our schools and communities.
Thank you for standing together and for believing in what we could accomplish as a united organization. I look forward to the important work ahead and to continuing this journey with all of you.
As you know, our new AASU contract was officially approved by the Board on January 26. Because of that approval date, here is how and when the pay adjustments will appear:
What’s coming:
- 3.5% ongoing pay raise, effective January 2026
- One-time off-schedule payment of 2.25%, calculated based on your salary as of December 2025
When you’ll see it:
- March pay warrant
- 3.5% pay raise
- 2.25% off-schedule one-time payment
- May pay warrant
- Retroactive pay for the 3.5% raise covering January and February
We appreciate everyone’s patience as payroll processes these adjustments, and we’re proud of what we accomplished together through this first contract. Thank you for your continued support and solidarity.
In unity,
Dianne Huslin
THANK YOU TO ANGIE SANTANA, AASU SECRETARY-TREASURER. The AASU Board of Directors thanks our Secretary Treasurer, Angie Santana, AP at Eastlake High, for her hard work and dedication to our union. Angie is moving up North to the Bay Area to be closer to family. We wish you the best, Angie!
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS. Nominations for Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year due February 26, 2026. Please place your nominations here using this link.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION. The AASU Scholarship is an award of $500 which is given to any AASU Member in Good Standing, whose child (including stepchild) is a graduating senior this year and applies for the scholarship. The Member in Good Standing’s child must meet the minimum requirements below and plan to go on to post-secondary education within one year of graduation. AASU also supports our members’ children who are non-diploma bound due to a disability. If the child is “promoting” and is going into an adult program they are eligible to apply for an AASU scholarship. Applicants who meet these conditions and who submit this application, along with the essay described below, will receive a scholarship. AASU Scholarship Application
LAPA UPDATE. AFSA has informed us that the House of Representatives passed a 2026 Fiscal Year Appropriations Bill, which would fund various departments, including the US Department of Education, but does not include the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS will only receive a Continuing Resolution that will fund the department for 10 days, ending on February 13th. Democrats voted against any DHS funding but had the votes to pass it and are now heading to the President for his signature. LAPA Report
Back in California, our LAPA Committee has released its 2026 Legislative Status Report, which lists the status of bills we followed in 2025. It currently shows which 2025 bills survived as two-year bills and which died on January 31, 2026. At the next LAPA Committee meeting, we will discuss new education-related bills introduced in 2026 and the status of any two-year bills still moving through the legislature.
Our LAPA Committee always welcomes our members’ insights and any members interested in joining our team. If you become aware of legislation not listed on our report, have information to share with our committee, or would like information about the committee, please contact Government Relations Officer Jesus Montana at jesus@unitedadmin.us.
VIRTUAL AASU MEMBERSHIP MEETING. Our annual AASU membership meeting will be virtual via Zoom this year. The date is March 12 at 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. and the Zoom link is below – note the change of time from last month’s newsletter. Mark your calendar now! Important updates will be shared and members will receive a briefing on certain articles of our new collective bargaining agreement. Additionally, there will be a presentation from Union Plus – a benefit all members receive through the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA). Those in attendance at the end of the meeting eligible to win $100 gift cards and one lucky winner will receive $500 in cash. Must be present via Zoom at the end of the meeting to be eligible to win!
Join Zoom Meeting (cut and paste for your calendar) March 12 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85265539099?pwd=K0PgkTCzz9rqH1ocgTNwlD47iCXhfN.1
Meeting ID: 852 6553 9099
Passcode: 748542
ACSA REGION 18 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GRADUATING SENIORS. Region 18 of the Association of California School Administrators (San Diego and Imperial Counties) and the San Diego County School Boards Association are pleased to offer ten (10) $1,000 scholarships as a result of donations made by both organizations and our generous business partners. The scholarships provide an award for ten (10) high school seniors who meet the following criteria: 1) pursue a career in education as a teacher or other certificated employee; 2) attend public high school in the San Diego/Imperial Counties area; 3) show proven academic success with at least a 3.3 cumulative grade point average; 4) involvement in community service; and (5) who may not necessarily qualify for financial aid. Please encourage students to apply at the following Google Form link no later than: February 27, 2026, by 4:00pm.
https://forms.gle/QycHCCC2wBxu5wuTA
Applications will also be accepted on this fillable PDF form and must be submitted by the February 27 due date.
CALSTRS AND CALPERS POWER OF ATTORNEY – IMPORTANT! All AASU Members in Good Standing are highly encouraged to complete the applicable retirement system Power of Attorney form. In the event the member becomes incapacitated and unable to manage their own affairs, the power of attorney can make decisions regarding the members’ retirement account. This is particularly important if the member is terminally ill and can no longer communicate or make decisions. To make decisions regarding the retirement plan, the form listed below must be on file with the retirement system. A medical or other type of power of attorney is not accepted by the retirement system. Please ensure you have this form on file. Hopefully, you never need it but if you do, it will give you peace of mind. Please feel free to share this information with co-workers and staff at your site.
CalSTRS
https://www.calstrs.com/power-of-attorney
CalPERS
https://www.calpers.ca.gov/members/retirement-benefits/service-disability-retirement/power-of-attorney
AASU UNION REPRESENTATION – KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! Under Weingarten Rights, AASU members are entitled to union representation in any meeting/conversation that “may” lead to discipline. If you are called to a meeting where you are unsure of the topic, ASK! If the topic is a meeting/conversation that “may” lead to discipline or an investigatory meeting, please contact Donis Coronel, Executive Director, AASU/UASC for representation to be assigned. Do not attend alone. Also, if you are in a meeting where things are moving in a direction that you feel could become disciplinary, kindly stop the meeting and state that you will reschedule the meeting when your union representative can be present. Know your Weingarten Rights!
What are Weingarten Rights? Named for a United States Supreme Court case, NLRB v. J Weingarten, Inc. 420 U.S. 251 (1975), Weingarten rights have been extended to public employees under California’s labor relations statutes. Simply put, an employee has the right to request a union representative in an investigatory interview when the employee has a reasonable basis to believe that discipline may result from any conference or meeting. The right to a union representative applies to investigatory questioning that is written as well as oral. The employee must assert their Weingarten rights – the employer has no obligation to notify employees of these rights. The employee does not have the right to choose who the union elects to represent them. The union representative has the right to sufficient information about the nature of the employee’s alleged wrongdoing before an investigatory interview takes place in order for meaningful representation. The union representative can ask clarifying questions, take notes, assist the employee in providing additional information, and provide moral support. Know your rights! Donis’ contact information is donis@unitedadmin.us or 619-813-8792. Put Donis’ contact information in your cell phone.
SAVE THE DATE – MARK YOUR CALENDAR. The AASU end-of-the-year celebration will be on June 9 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Location to be determined. Plan on attending with your AASU colleagues!