COVID-19

(Updated 4-21-2021 @ 1:15pm)

Sample SDUSD COVID Non-close/Close Contact/General Exposure Notification Letter 

Click here for the Close Contact Letter.

Click here for the non-Close Contact Letter.

(Updated 4-1-2021 @ 3:05pm)

CTA’s Guide for Members on Leave Rights and Accommodations During Covid-19 (April 2021 Update)

Click here for CTA’s latest guidance on leave rights and accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act during Covid-19.

(Updated 3-30-2021 @ 11:10am)

Updated Ventilation Guide During Phase 2 Reopening

See the new, updated ventilation guide from SDUSD here.

(Updated 3-30-2021 @ 11:05am)

SDEA Screen Cast on Reasonable Accommodations During Reopening

(Updated 3-18-2021 @ 6:40pm)

KYR – Accomodations – Online Learning Edition – MAR 21

KYR – Covid Sick Leave – MAR 21

(Updated 3-15-2021 @ 10:30am)

After Marathon Bargaining Sessions our SDEA Bargaining Team Has Reached Tentative Agreements on Strong Science-Based Health and Safety Mitigations and on Instructional Models

Tentative Agreements Include a No Layoffs Protection and Stable School Nurse Staffing!

All Together These TAs Comprise a Full Agreement on Safely Resuming Onsite Instruction

Information Meetings and Ratification Process to Come

After marathon negotiations our SDEA Bargaining Team has reached a landmark safety agreement that requires strict school site and workplace safety mitigations to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

The teams also reached an agreement on instructional models that attempt to balance the needs of our students remaining online with our students who choose to return onsite. While these instructional models present challenges, we also know that they are limited to the remainder of this school year. This agreement, if ratified, would require the District to provide online-only educators for students who may remain online in the fall, when we will have new rosters and can build distinct instructional models based on the needs of our students.

It’s critical to remember that this is bargained language and that any agreement is the result of compromise with the employer. Our team was able to extract significant improvements from the District’s initial proposals and while there were moments when it appeared we could be headed to impasse, we believe we’ve ended up with a package of agreements that will keep us all safe as we navigate these remaining weeks of the school year together.

Summary of Tentative Agreements

Please carefully review the Summary of Tentative Agreements. Early next week all members will receive more in-depth communications on the tentative agreements as well as information on the process and timeline for a union-wide ratification vote.

COVID-19 Health and Safety Tentative Agreement

Instructional Models Tentative Agreement

Other Tentative Agreements

• Reasonable Accommodations – 3/8/2021
• COVID-19 Leave – 3/4/2021
• Three Pillars for Reopening Agreement – 2/22/2021

Next Steps

Information meetings for SDEA ARs and CRs will be scheduled soon so that each site and program can hold an informational meeting prior to ratification. Please reserve questions until those materials are sent out and your AR has had the opportunity to attend an informational meeting. There is a lot of information in this package of agreements and we will find the time to go through it all together.

This pandemic has upended our lives, our communities, and our instruction. We’ve worked tirelessly to learn new teaching methods and meet the needs of our students. Throughout this difficult time we’ve navigated every challenge together as educators and union members. We will continue to do so as we once again adapt to changing circumstances to resume required onsite instruction with our students for the remaining weeks of the school year. While the coming weeks will present new challenges, we will address them together with solidarity, strong contract enforcement, and an unwavering commitment to our students and public education.

“The words in the tentative agreement represent the best of intentions in safely opening all our schools’ doors, regardless of one’s location or grade level. But the words, and the intent behind them, will greatly depend on our carrying them out, with a sense of respect and responsibility to each other.” – Mary Gantz, School Nurse and Bargaining Team Member

“I appreciate the work we did together to reach this agreement. We had to make difficult decisions but I do believe this agreement is strong and protects educators and our students.” – Stacy Hernandez, Dailard Elementary School Teacher and Bargaining Team Member

Together We Are Stronger and Safer!

SDEA Bargaining Team: Kyle Weinberg, Ed. Specialist/History Teacher/SDEA Vice President, Teri Ang, Drama Teacher, Mann MS; Rickeena Boyd-Kamei, Home/Hospital Teacher; Stacy Hernandez, 2nd Grade Teacher, Dailard El.; Sarah Darr, SLP, Millennial Tech MS & Scripps Ranch HS; Jared Enyart, Education Specialist, Mission Bay HS; Mary Gantz, Nurse; Eri Nall, Counselor; Ron Reese, Math Teacher, Henry HS; plus SDEA staff Abdul Sayid, Executive Director, and Sara Holerud and Jonathon Mello, SDEA Organizers

(Updated 2-25-2021 @ 12:00pm)

SDUSD Video on Ventilation

(Updated 2-23-2021 @ 2:35pm)

SDEA Bargaining Team Reaches Landmark Agreement with SDUSD – Agreement Sets Vaccines, Red Tier, and Strict Mitigations as Path to Reopening

SDEA and SDUSD have reached a landmark tentative agreement on a safe return to in-person instruction for this school year. This agreement requires the opportunity for full vaccination prior to resuming in-person instruction, along with SD County being out of the purple tier. Further discussions on instructional schedule and safety mitigations will take place on Friday.

Guided by SDEA members’ three pillars for a safe reopening of our school buildings (see below), the SDEA and SDUSD bargaining teams reached a tentative agreement (TA) early this morning, for the safe restart of in-person instruction and services.

The key elements of the TA include:

• San Diego County must be in the red tier (as currently defined by CDPH) or better,
• All educators must have access to vaccination (both doses) before being required to report onsite (and achieve maximum immunity before resuming in-person instruction),
• Strict safety mitigations must be in place.

This TA was informed by updated guidance from UCSD scientists and health experts and is also in line with what we know about SB 86, the bill that the both the CA Assembly and Senate are working on to support safe school reopening. Should case rates continue to decline so that San Diego moves out of the purple tier and the full schedule of vaccination becomes available for all school employees, the District is targeting the week of April 12th to resume in-person instruction.

The bargaining teams are meeting again on Friday to address remaining issues related to safe reopening. Remaining issues include the instructional schedule, preparation time, updated safety mitigations, accommodations, leaves, and ensuring stable staffing.

While some parents, politicians, and media personalities are advocating for a full return to campus without vaccines and without first reducing case rates in the community (and even in some cases without masks or social distancing), we believe the criteria in this agreement are necessary to keep educators, our students, and the community safe from this deadly virus.

Once the bargaining teams reach tentative agreements on the additional remaining items, SDEA leadership will send out a schedule for informational meetings and a ratification process and timeline as these agreements are subject to ratification by all dues-paying SDEA members.

With case rates falling and the vaccine supply increasing, this TA sets the stage for a safe return to onsite instruction for students whose parents opt to do so. At the same time, it is important for SDUSD to continue to support families who choose to stay remote and to protect against any reduction in support and services being provided to those students and families who’ve been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

COVID Vaccine Update

VEBA and the County Board of Supervisors are working together to prioritize and distribute vaccines to educators. According to the County Board Chair Nathan Fletcher, SDEA members should have access to the vaccine starting Monday, March 1. SDEA members would use a VEBA online portal to make appointments and would be able to access several vaccination centers, including those at Petco Park, RIMAC Arena, Grossmont Center, and in the South Bay.

VEBA is still working on setting up and rolling out the vaccine appointment portal. You will receive more information on this process as it become available.

Media Roundup

• COVID Disparities Continue with Vaccination Rollout
• SDUSD Board President Barrera on Fox 5: Lower case rates, vaccines, and safety mitigations are the three keys to further reopening of SDUSD buildings
• Some La Jolla Parents Advocate for Reopening Only When It’s Safe
• Polls show most — though not all — parents are getting the type of instruction they want for their kids
• Vaccinations for SD Educators Starting Soon

Together we are stronger and safer!

SDEA Bargaining Team: Kyle Weinberg, Ed. Specialist/History Teacher/SDEA Vice President, Teri Ang, Drama Teacher, Mann MS; Rickeena Boyd-Kamei, Home/Hospital Teacher; Stacy Hernandez, 2nd Grade Teacher, Dailard El.; Sarah Darr, SLP, Millennial Tech MS & Scripps Ranch HS; Jared Enyart, Education Specialist, Mission Bay HS; Mary Gantz, Nurse; Eri Nall, Counselor; Ron Reese, Math Teacher, Henry HS; plus SDEA staff Abdul Sayid, Executive Director, and Sara Holerud and Jonathon Mello, SDEA Organizers

(Updated 2-16-2021 @ 8:40am)

Parties Reach Agreement on Increasing Phase One Options for Families and Educators

After productive discussions this week, the SDEA and SDUSD bargaining teams reached an agreement on expanding student and educator opportunities for safe in-person Phase One participation.

Agreement Highlights:

• Creates new Learning Labs where elementary and secondary students who need a more stable environment for online learning can do so in a safe and supervised setting
• Expands the groups of high-need students eligible for Phase One
• Maintains the voluntary nature of participation in Phase One for both students and staff
• Ensures that resources for tutoring will be provided by the District to school sites
• Creates new Classroom Labs for educators to work with their students beyond Phase One appointments and in stable cohorts
• Requires ongoing and up-to-date communications to both staff and families on Phase One opportunities, health and safety protocols, available testing, and vaccination
• Expands the Children in the Workplace policy to provide greater support to participating educators beyond bringing our own children to our classrooms while we work

Updated communications on this Phase One expansion will be provided over the next couple of weeks.

(Updated 2-4-2021 @ 12:25pm)

CTA’s Guide for Members on Leave Rights and Accommodations During Covid-19 (Feb. 2021 Update)

Click here for CTA’s latest guidance on leave rights and accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act during Covid-19.

(Updated 1-12-2021 @ 12:10pm)

SDEA Safe Reopening Bargaining Platform

You can find the link to SDEA member’s demands for safe school reopening, when the science and conditions allow for it here in the SDEA Bargaining Platform. This platform is the result of SDEA member input via a survey circulated by SDEA prior to winter break to the membership, which asked for educators’ priorities necessary to make reopening of schools safe for students, staff, and the wider public.

(Updated 12-7-2020 @ 10:00am)

SDEA Bargaining Update – 12/1/20 & 12/3/20

Your SDEA Bargaining Team met with the District on Tuesday and Thursday of this week. We have reached agreements on:

• COVID-19 on-site testing pilot program for staff and students in Phase One
• Visiting Teacher participation in Phase One
• Addendum to the July 30 Online Learning MOU allowing temperature self-screening for SDEA members working from school sites

During Thursday’s session, the District shared some minor revisions to their Phase 2 through Phase 4 plan. The District also passed an initial proposal on how subsequent phases may look for students and educators. It’s important to note that this week the District announced that they will not be restarting in-person instruction in January as they had previously planned to do.

Given the current exponential spread of COVID-19, it is presently indiscernible when the District will be able to restart in-person instruction. That means, at this point, we do not know when it is safe to start Phase 2. However, we will negotiate with the District over their proposal using the input of SDEA members for implementation only when it is safe to restart in-person instruction.

COVID Testing Tentative Agreement

The Parties reached an agreement that allows nurses to participate in onsite testing on a voluntary basis. The testing program will begin at ten identified school sites and will expand to all sites based on the UCSD testing team’s capacity. The Parties will use this Phase One testing pilot to guide expansion of the testing plan in subsequent phases.

VT Participation in Phase One Tentative Agreement

The Parties reached an agreement on Visiting Teacher participation in Phase One which will provide additional work opportunities for VTs.  

Online Learning Health Screenings Addendum Tentative Agreement

The Parties reached an agreement allowing unit members who work on campus for Online Learning or Phase One to conduct a full self-screening at home, inclusive of a temperature check.  

Phases 2-4 Updated Plan and Initial Proposal from District

The District presented minor revisions to their reopening plan which reflected elements of the testing plan and the recent agreement on Phase One Expansion in secondary.  The District also presented an initial proposal (linked above) on future phases.

The District’s proposal did not include a specific start date for future phases. The SDEA Bargaining Team will now begin working on a counter proposal that reflects member input gathered through site and program input sessions.

While the parties will continue to work together to plan for a possible future reopening, it is at the same time very clear that the status of COVID-19 will not allow for a safe reopening of schools in the near term.

District’s Announcement on Postponement of Future Phases and CA Stay-Home Order

The District’s recent announcement on the postponement of school reopening and the implementation of strict stay-at-home measures by the Governor remind us that the spread of COVID-19 is far from being under control and that what happens outside of our schools has a direct impact on whether or not they will be able to open safely. These stay-at-home measures will not impact Phase One or Phase One Expansion onsite appointments, which remain voluntary for SDEA members.

Future Bargaining Dates

The next scheduled bargaining date is Thursday, December 10, 2020.

Together We Are Stronger!

SDEA Bargaining Team: Kyle Weinberg, Ed. Specialist/History Teacher/SDEA Vice President, Teri Ang, Drama Teacher, Mann MS; Rickeena Boyd-Kamei, Home/Hospital Teacher; Stacy Hernandez, 2nd Grade Teacher, Dailard El.; Sarah Darr, SLP, Millennial Tech MS & Scripps Ranch HS; Jared Enyart, Education Specialist, Mission Bay HS; Mary Gantz, Nurse; Eri Nall, Counselor; Ron Reese, Math Teacher, Henry HS; plus SDEA staff Abdul Sayid, Executive Director, and Sara Holerud and Jonathon Mello, SDEA Organizers

(Updated 11-20-2020 @ 2:40pm)

Modeling the Impact of Asymptomatic Testing Strategies in Schools by Dr. Natasha Martin, Associate Professor, Division of Infections, Diseases, and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego

Click HERE for the presentation.

(Updated 11-16-2020 @ 4:30pm)

SDEA Bargaining Update – 11/12/20

Your SDEA Bargaining Team met with the District yesterday and reached two Tentative Agreements: Phase One Expansion and 2020-2021 Evaluations.

Please take the time to carefully review this update and the attached agreements. SDEA President Kisha Borden and Vice President Kyle Weinberg will review the agreements during tonight’s Facebook Live at 5:30PM.

Phase One Expansion Tentative Agreement

The agreement on Phase One Expansion provides opportunities for early education and secondary educators to participate in this voluntary phase that can include appointment-based instruction, assessments and/or services to help mitigate learning loss for students.

Early learning and secondary educators can begin these appointments as early as December 7th. Due to the voluntary nature of this phase, educators can also choose to begin participating at a later date.

Elementary educators, in addition to secondary and early learning educators, will now have the opportunity to extend their workday to receive compensation for in-person appointments that take place in addition to their live instruction. Compensation for appointments will require prior approval from your administrator and must occur outside of the regularly scheduled mandatory minutes of instruction, assessments and/or services. SDEA will work in collaboration with the District to send out sample schedules regarding these changes. Stay tuned.

Note: SD County being placed in the Purple Tier does not impact SDUSD’s Phase One, although it does prevent any full school reopenings in the County.

2020-2021 Evaluation Tentative Agreement

SDEA and SDUSD have been working on creating a new evaluation process to eventually replace the Stull Evaluation Process with one that is not punitive and which fosters educator growth and development. This new Educator Effectiveness and Empowerment (E3) Process is a big shift from the previous Stull process. Over the past several years, many sites throughout the District have already participated in pilots of E3.

This school year, classroom educators who are on their evaluation cycle year will have the opportunity to participate in a modified or full version of the E3 Process and will receive an effective rating for their participation. Classroom educators who participate in the modified or full E3 Process will be able to adjust their schedules in order to participate in mandatory trainings.

Classroom educators who are on their evaluation cycle year can alternatively choose to participate in the Alternative Evaluation Process defined in Section 14.7 of the union contract. Participation in this alternative process does not guarantee an effective rating.

Classroom educators who are not in their evaluation cycle year may also choose to participate in the full E3 Process and will receive an effective rating for their participation. For these educators who volunteer, the 2020-21 school year will be considered an on-cycle evaluation year.

SDEA and the District are currently working on the non-classroom educator E3 Process. In the meantime, during the 2020-2021 school year, non-classroom educators who are on their evaluation cycle year will participate in the Alternative Evaluation Process, and will receive an effective rating for their participation. When the non-classroom educator E3 Process is finalized, SDEA will work to ensure that non-classroom educators are held harmless when piloting that program, similar to the classroom educator pilots.

Future Bargaining Dates

The next scheduled bargaining date is Monday, November 16, 2020. We anticipate a COVID-19 testing proposal from the District’s bargaining team.

Together We Are Stronger!

SDEA Bargaining Team: Kyle Weinberg, Ed. Specialist/History Teacher/SDEA Vice President, Teri Ang, Drama Teacher, Mann MS; Rickeena Boyd-Kamei, Home/Hospital Teacher; Stacy Hernandez, 2nd Grade Teacher, Dailard El.; Sarah Darr, SLP, Millennial Tech MS & Scripps Ranch HS; Jared Enyart, Education Specialist, Mission Bay HS; Mary Gantz, Nurse; Eri Nall, Counselor; Ron Reese, Math Teacher, Henry HS; plus SDEA staff Abdul Sayid, Executive Director, and Sara Holerud and Jonathon Mello, SDEA Organizers

(Updated 9-2-2020 @ 4:50pm)

Tentative Agreement Allows for One-on-One or Small Group TK-5 Appointments On-site; Online Learning Continues

Our recently ratified MOU on continued online learning included an agreement to continue to bargain the impacts and effects of the eventual return to onsite instruction. Utilizing more rigorous safety standards recommended by UCSD and in anticipation of updated guidelines from the CDPH that were released on Tuesday, your Bargaining Team has reached an agreement with the District on a small-scale “Phase One” plan to allow educators to provide appointment-based support to students with the greatest needs in the TK-5 grade levels.

READ THE FULL TA HERE

To be clear, these were NOT negotiations for a later full reopening of schools. Both parties agree that the highest safety standards and criteria must be met and followed before any students return to school sites, let alone large numbers, and that a slower and safer approach is what is recommended by both the science and the best practices of countries that have reopened schools successfully. Though some states and districts have and will continue larger scale reopenings with lesser safety standards, we believe those are examples of what not to do. Just as San Diego Unified was one of the first large districts to close at the start of the pandemic, this agreement means that SDUSD will be the first to limit on-site “reopening” to a small scale that adheres to the most current science on the mitigation and suppression of COVID-19.

It is also important to point out that although SDEA members at secondary schools and PreK have expressed interest in providing similar on-site support to students, both parties are in agreement that will follow the recommendations of UCSD experts by beginning with a small scale approach at the elementary level.

This agreement requires strict safety standards and allows for appointment based on-site supports for TK-5 students while following all terms and conditions of our July 30th Online Learning MOU, including the prohibition on members being compelled to work on-site which means educators can provide these appointments on a voluntary basis.

The implementation of Phase One will not begin until specific safety conditions have been met AND after educators have time to meet with and get to know our new students. The parties will discuss the implementation of this agreement at a later date as now is a time to focus on the start of the new school year and online learning.

SDEA ARs and CRs will review the Tentative Agreement at the September 2nd SDEA Rep. Council, after which they will be able to answer questions from SDEA members at sites and programs.

READ THE FULL TA HERE

As we prepare to return to continued online learning, let’s remember the need for grace and flexibility as many people, especially working families, are still struggling to survive this pandemic. Together as union members we can and must use the power of solidarity to fight for and win the schools and communities we all deserve.

Together we are stronger!

(Updated 9-2-2020 @ 4:50pm)

CTA’s Special Education Assessments Guidelines

Click here for CTA’s latest guidance on SpEd Assessments guidelines.

(Updated 8-25-2020 @ 2pm)

CTA’s Guide for Members on Leave Rights and Accommodations During Covid-19

Click here for CTA’s latest guidance on leave rights and accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act during Covid-19.

(Updated 7-31-2020 @ 9:40am)

Tentative Agreement for Distance Learning/Teaching

The Parties met yesterday on Wednesday, July 29th for the eighth bargaining session over continued online learning. Thursday morning, after more than 14 hours of bargaining we reached a tentative agreement (TA) on continued online learning.  

Earlier in the morning on Wednesday, both teams met with UCSD’s top health and science experts for a conversation that will aid in future negotiations on the science based plan to safely reopen schools. This initial conversation with top experts is one part of a more formal process to provide safety recommendations that the parties can then use in bargaining.

While acknowledging that we are still in a crisis, our SDEA Bargaining Team worked to find an agreement that allows for continued flexibility while also providing a more robust educational program for our students. We’ve also ensured that there is a process to monitor and assess the implementation of online learning in the fall as we all know there will be challenges both known and unknown.

Continuing online learning was the right thing to do as it will help keep educators, students, and our families safe amidst a deadly pandemic. At the same time it has and will continue to create real challenges for us as educators, for our students, and for working families. This creates even greater urgency to advocate for legislation that supports working families who need access to resources like child care and paid leave.

Moving forward we will continue negotiations and discussions on the conditions for a safe reopening of schools, the impacts and effects of the District’s creation of TK/4 classrooms, educator evaluations in the online setting, and more.

It’s also important to remember that the state budget that was passed and keeps our schools funded relies on an expectation of significant federal resources without which massive cuts will occur. We must continue to build our union here in San Diego and with educators across the state so that we have enough power to win the resources our schools need and deserve.

Take the time to carefully review the entire TA as we work to schedule upcoming virtual AR/CR meetings followed by virtual site and program meetings where we can all review the TA and have questions answered. An update on the schedule for these meetings will be sent out shortly.

After the informational meetings, all SDEA members will have an opportunity to vote to ratify this TA before school starts and as we continue working towards a comprehensive and science based safety plan.
After carefully reading the TA and prior to the informational sessions, if you have clarifying questions about the TA please send them to SDEABargainingUpdate@sdea.net.

Read the full TA here.

Together we are stronger (and safer)!

Take the time to carefully review the entire TA as we work to schedule upcoming virtual AR/CR meetings followed by virtual site and program meetings where we can all review the TA and have questions answered. An update on the schedule for these meetings will be sent out shortly.

TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER!

(Updated 7-23-2020 @ 5:40pm)

FaceBook Live Update Re: Fall Distance Learning Bargaining

https://www.facebook.com/SanDiegoEducationAssociation/videos/612058339688306/

(Updated 7-17-2020 )

Governor Newsom Makes Announcement of School Reopenings

Today, Governor Newsom issued clearer directions to districts on criteria for safe reopening that are in line with the proposal made by our SDEA Bargaining Team that it must be science that determines when it’s safe to reopen. The most important update is that schools in counties with high rates of coronavirus infections are required to keep campuses closed until they can meet certain public health standards. We are conducting further analysis of the new guidelines/rules and will provide more details in the coming days.

Action Alert – Contact Your Senators Today

Demand the Senate take similar action now! Schools cannot re-open safely with massive budget cuts, fewer educators and less help for students.

The COVID-19 crisis has pushed unemployment to Great Depression-era levels and massive budget cuts to schools are on the way, threatening educator jobs and the ability to safely re-open schools to serve our students. The House passed the HEROES Act, which could keep hundreds of thousands of educators from getting pink slips. Our students have suffered during this crisis — especially students of color, those with disabilities, and in poverty — and need more attention and instruction from educators than ever before. The Senate cannot delay any longer. It must deliver for our students and educators right now.  

Use this link https://educatingthroughcrisis.org/take-action/ to take action now!

(Updated 7-8-2020 )

SDEA President Kisha Borden and SDUSD Superintendent Cindy Marten Issue Joint Statement

“As we continue to work together to plan for the 2020-2021 school year, the first priority for educators and administrators continues to be the health and safety of our students, staff, families and community. We note with alarm the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases throughout California. Therefore, we want to take this opportunity to affirm that we will only resume on-site learning when it is safe to do so. The decision to resume on-site learning will be made only after extensive conversations and collaboration with public health officials and health experts. Together, we will provide for a safe and educationally enriching return to student learning, whether online or in-person, on August 31, 2020.”

CTA July 8 Statement on COVID and Safely Reopening Schools

“Since schools closed in March, CTA has said that the health and safety of our students and educators must always be our top priority and our guiding principle during this crisis. Much is still being learned about the COVID-19 virus. The recent surge in the infection rate and the closure of indoor activities in 26 counties gives us pause around the state’s preparedness for safe in-person school instruction in a short six- to eight-week time frame. In this current situation, we believe that the “Precautionary Principle” should guide us. This means taking the most preventative action in the face of uncertainty to protect students, educators, and our communities. Simply said, California cannot reopen schools unless they are safe.”

See full CTA Statement here.

Together We Are Stronger!

(Updated 7-6-2020 )

Important Note

As a union, we have the right under California law to negotiate the impacts and effects of the District’s programmatic plans. Our impacts and effects negotiations must also stay within the confines of the law–in other words, we cannot try to negotiate away things that are required by law. We will be engaging in these negotiations with the District over the next few weeks on their plan.

Health and Safety

The District shared that they are following state and county health guidelines for physical distancing and safety measures when designing their plan for returning. Due to the fluidity of this pandemic, the below safety measures being contemplated may change.

Educators will be asked to assist in maintaining health and safety procedures for students and staff. This will include all staff assisting with supervision. Additional hand washing and hand sanitizing stations will be added throughout every campus. Daily disinfecting will be happening in all occupied spaces with a focus on high-touch surfaces. There will be a larger custodial sub pool to ensure that this daily cleaning is not missed and adequate supplies inclusive of soap, paper towels, hand sanitizer and appropriate PPE will be maintained throughout the year. The District is also looking at ways to increase its use of health office staff. SDEA believes that the CARES Act monies SDUSD has for reopening must be deployed to staff up health and safety critical positions.

The District’s plan, in accordance with California Dept. of Public Health guidance, requires students and staff to wear face coverings. Individual accommodations could be made for students and staff who cannot tolerate a face covering for independently verifiable medical reasons. Additional PPE (i.e. face shields) will be provided depending on teacher and/or student accommodations.

According to the District’s plan, guidelines on physical distancing will be attempted where possible on all parts of campus. There may need to be reconfiguration of classroom furniture to maximize the classroom space to spread students out. In situations where recommended physical distancing is not possible, desktop barriers will be provided for student, and educator, desks.

The District will be following current stay-at-home protocols for those that are exhibiting COVID-related symptoms. For staff, students and visitors, there will be a pre-screening checklist and temperature checks prior to or upon entering campuses. A separate COVID-19 isolation area will be available separate from the health office in the event that a student or staff member displays symptoms during the school day.

Determining Member Assignment and Staffing

Many SDEA members have expressed their concerns about returning to schools based on underlying health conditions. The District will start a process, following the Americans with Disabilities Act, over the summer to begin determining accommodations necessary for our members to return to schools safely. Stay tuned for more information on this process from Human Resources within the next month.

There will be situations this upcoming year when a teacher is absent. For short term absences of ten days or less, the District is planning for students to receive pre-planned online learning supervised by school staff. For long term absences of more than ten days, the District is planning for a trained core group of visiting teachers to support the impacted class(es). Visiting teachers will be organized by cluster to ensure that clusters and schools with chronic visiting teacher shortages are filled according to the District’s plan.

The District also shared with us that they would like a grace period the first several weeks of school while class sizes and caseloads balance out. They anticipate more fluctuation during the first six weeks of school than a traditional year. They do not intend to allow class sizes or caseloads to grow to unreasonable or unsafe numbers. The SDEA team expressed our dismay at the counterintuitive notion of needing increased class size when social distancing and lowering class size is so important.

On-Site Learning

As mentioned above, the restart of on-site learning will be dependent on the spread of this virus; if it is out of control as it is today, it will be impossible to return to school. The District’s plan for on-site learning will include:

• Daily, but at times shortened, in person instruction.  
• Students will have access to supports and enrichment opportunities and technology will still be incorporated.  
• The face-to-face time with students will be much shorter.
  • The District has expressed an openness to more minimum days for elementary schools in their discussion with us.

The District would leave it up to sites to determine the best schedule that fits their students’ needs and to help reduce the number of contacts made in a day. For secondary schools, this could include students taking two courses for a six-week period, taking four courses for nine weeks with an A/B schedule, or a 4×4 schedule in 9 week intervals.

Continued Distance Learning

The District also presented a plan for continued distance learning for families that do not want to come back to in-person schools. Their new plan envisions the use of specified distance learning platforms (i.e., Edgenuity, Google Classroom, etc.) across specific schools. This plan would also allow for students to retain their enrollment at their school. In the District’s plan staffing for distance learning would be accomplished by a combination of ADA accommodations and/the administrator’s assignment authority.

Mixed Roster Learning

The District also presented a plan for mixed-roster learning. In this plan, educators would be on site and have a roster of students receiving either online or in-person instruction. The same teacher would be providing both in-class and online instruction. In-person lessons would be recorded for students at home to access at any time.

Educator Supports

Professional development will continue for the 2020-2021 school year for both in-person and online teaching. The focus will be on quality online teaching and culturally responsive teaching practices. Teachers will also be provided mini-lessons on health and safety, technology to enhance student learning, and social-emotional learning interactions.

Highlights from Q&A Portion of SDEA/SDUSD Bargaining Team Information Session

Q. Is the District’s position that we will definitely return in-person schools on August 31st?

A.  Whether we return on August 31st or later will depend on the progression of COVID-19 and health and safety guidelines. However, we have to plan for what eventual reopening will look like regardless of the date of reopening of in-person schooling.

Q. If I am uncomfortable returning to school in-person due to health or other reasons, will I have the option to stay home and do distance learning?

A.  The District will be using the Americans with Disabilities Act’s workplace reasonable accommodations process for verifiable disability to determine whether or not the District can accommodate a person’s request to not return to in-person work. Each accommodation request will be based on the specifics of each individual’s context and circumstances.

Q. Does the District have sufficient COVID testing capabilities?

A.  They are working with the County of San Diego to improve their testing capabilities.

Q. Will there be a COVID leave bank, or will I have to use my own sick days if I contract COVID or if I have to self-quarantine?

A.  There is additional leave funded through CARES Act, but that leave will expire on Dec. 31st. This is another example where a school specific bailout from Congress is so essential to help fund reopening.

(Updated 6-12-2020 @ 11:00am)

SDEA President Kisha Borden’s End of Year Video Message

Kisha would like to share some concluding thoughts with the entire SDEA membership.

SDEA Reaches Agreement with SDUSD Addressing the End of the 2019 – 2020 School Year

(Updated 6-1-2020 @ 3:30pm)

Click here for the new MOU regarding the end of the 2019 – 2020 school year.  Click here for a Know Your Rights flyer summarizing this MOU.

SDEA President Kisha Borden’s Facebook Live Stream from 5/26/2020

(Updated 5-26-2020 @ 4:30pm)

https://www.facebook.com/SanDiegoEducationAssociation/videos/3256263104384592/

SDEA Reaches Agreement with SDUSD Addressing Summer School and Distance Learning

(Updated 5-14-2020 @ 12pm)

Click here for the new MOU regarding changes to summer school for the 2019 – 2020 school year.

SDEA Reaches Agreement with SDUSD Addressing Visiting Teachers, Unemployment, and Distance Learning

(Updated 5-14-2020 @ 12pm)

Click here for the new MOU regarding Visiting Teachers for the remainder of the 2019 – 2020 school year.

CA Alliance for Community Schools Letter to the State Officials

(Updated 4-23-2020 @ 3pm)

A coalition of teachers unions from across the state, that includes SDEA, are calling on the Governor, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and CA Senators and Assemblymembers for much more state funding to address the COVID-19 crisis and the inequities our students face during this crisis.  See the letter here.

SDEA Reaches Agreement with SDUSD Addressing 2020 Post and Bid

(Updated 4-15-2020 @ 11am)

Click on here to see the MOU on the 2020 Post and Bid, which has been slightly modified in light of Covid-19.  

SDEA President Kisha Borden’s Facebook Live Stream from 4/3/2020 Addressing SDEA Member’s Concerns Re: Covid-19

(Updated 4-4-2020 @ 3pm)

https://www.facebook.com/SanDiegoEducationAssociation/videos/2383294971960434/

SDEA Reaches Agreement with SDUSD Addressing Distance Learning

(Updated 4-3-2020 @ 2pm)

After two days of productive negotiations with the District, our SDEA Bargaining Team has reached an agreement on the impacts and effects of the implementation of distance learning for the remainder of the school year.

This agreement ensures that the distance learning plan being created by the District recognizes the impacts that COVID-19 has (and will continue to have) on educators and our families, and our students. This agreement also recognizes that no distance learning model can ever replicate or replace our brick and mortar schools.

Highlights of the agreement:

• Provides for a limited and flexible work day for all SDEA members

• Requires that members receive training and have access to the tools we need to make distance learning work

• Prohibits the requirement of live video being used for instruction/services and requires the district to develop a policy on the use of live video

• Suspends District and State summative assessments

• Ensures that student grades are not negatively impacted by the continued closure

• Prohibits daily prescribed schedules

• Prohibits the requirement to turn in lessons plans

• Allows schools nurses to volunteer for COVID-19 medical relief while maintaining paid status with SDUSD

• Requires that the District provide secure distance learning tools for IEP meetings and guidance on completing IEP assessments, writing IEPs, and implementing the special education program in the distance learning model

• Protects extended unit pay

• Addresses member evaluation and liability concerns

• Protects Visiting Teacher pay

• Provides additional access to worksites/workspaces

The full agreement can be read here.

A related Q & A can be read here.

Unit Member Workday:

This agreement allows the necessary flexibility needed in this time where we have to balance our work with our home and family responsibilities in ways that we’ve never had to do before. That’s why this agreement puts in strong safeguards to protect the need for flexibility for our members.

Pay and Benefits:

This agreement protects our pay and benefits during this crisis, including extended unit pay. The agreement also ensures that Visiting Teachers will continue to be paid for the remainder of the year, based on the March 24th MOU available here.

Educator Evaluations:

This agreement ensures that an SDEA member’s evaluation can not be negatively impacted because of the quality of their distance learning instruction.

Grading:

The law allows Districts to create the rubrics for grading (i.e. A-F, or Credit/No Credit) and it allows teachers to give the grades within those rubrics. The District’s plan, in accordance with directions from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) and the CDE, is to move to a rubric that doesn’t allow for grades going down from where they were as of March 13, 3020.

Many students across the state have not been able to fully access distance learning programs. Just as we are asking for flexibility from the District, this agreement affords the same flexibility and grace to our students who are facing potential challenges to accessing their education while they are at home.

In addition to the guidance from the CDE and SSPI, all educator unions in CA have thus far fought to ensure that the closures and emergency distance learning programs do not negatively impact grades. SDEA members also gave similar feedback on the recent survey.

Special Education:

There are still many questions regarding Special Education and distance learning, frankly, those questions have not been answered by anyone from the US Dept. of Education, to the California Dept. of Education, all the way down to our District. This will very much be a work in progress. However, Governor Newsom has ordered that schools across California are to stay physically closed, but will receive continued funding to provide distance learning, inclusive of special education. Although the recent Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act opens the door for potential waivers of IDEA rules, IEP timelines have not been waived at this time.

These facts mean that, as San Diego educators, we must work with the District to implement a distance learning program even though the guidelines are still being developed.

This is an issue across the state and as a union we are working with other large educator unions across the state to demand clearer guidelines and support for students with IEPs during this crisis.

CTA has created a document addressing some the concerns educators have around delivering special education services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The document can be found here.

Transition to Graded Instruction:

It’s important to remember that this agreement is NOT the District’s Distance Learning plan, which is being rolled out this week. Rather this agreement provides the necessary guardrails for our members as we head into this temporary new normal. The District’s distance learning plan will follow the terms of this agreement.

As educators, we should use the time between April 6th and April 24th (April 27 and May 11 for Year Round) to engage in professional development, develop our distance learning tools, reconnect with our students, and test out some of the strategies and programs that are being offered by the District. This is a time to transition to graded distance learning and it may look different for each educator.

A few weeks ago, none of us could have imagined how much our lives would be changed by this pandemic and that we would not be able to return to school to see our students and colleagues. We’ve taken this crisis seriously and we were one of the first districts to close to keep our students, families, educators, and surrounding community safe. Now we are ensuring that any temporary distance learning program is as accessible and equitable as possible, while taking into account the crisis we are in.

As union members, we have a real voice in our work and have shown time and time again that together we are stronger!

Tune into the SDEA Facebook page today at 3:00 PM for important updates from SDEA President Kisha Borden and stayed tuned for information on upcoming virtual union meetings.

Together we are stronger!

SDEA President Kisha Borden’s Facebook Live Stream from 3/27/2020 Addressing SDEA Member’s Concerns Re: Covid-19

(Updated 3-31-2020 @ 4pm)

https://www.facebook.com/SanDiegoEducationAssociation/videos/2649915568620289/

SDEA Board of Directors Calls on State and Federal Governments to Release Funds to Support the Most Vulnerable Students and Families During the Covid-19 Crisis

(Updated 3-25-2020 @ 1pm)

On March 20th, the SDEA BOE voted to support common-sense measures to support the most vulnerable in our communities. See the resolution here.

SDEA Reaches Agreement Protecting Educator Pay During School Closure

(Updated 3-24-2020 @ 11am)

Today, SDEA leadership and staff reached an agreement to protect educators’ pay during the closure due to COVID-19. The agreement achieves the following protections for union members:

  1.  All SDEA bargaining unit members shall receive full pay and benefits for the duration of the closure and will not be charged sick leave or docked pay during the period.
  2.  Visiting Teachers shall be paid for all confirmed assignments they had prior to the closure.
  3.  Visiting Teachers who did not have confirmed assignments shall be paid based on their average number of workdays prior to the closure.
  4.  SDEA and SDUSD will continue negotiations to ensure that Visiting Teachers have continued employment opportunities should the district move to Distance Learning.
  5.  Visiting Teachers are able to access the “alternative paid sick leave absence” program in the event they used sick leave prior to the closure due to COVID-19.
  6.  SDEA and SDUSD will continue negotiations regarding the impact of COVID-19 on transfers and Distance Learning.

Read the signed MOU here.

This crisis is showing the absolute importance of having a union and a strong public sector. SDEA, in partnership with SDUSD, is working to ensure our educators, students and communities have what they need throughout this time of crisis. SDEA members will continue to stand strong and be there for one another, our students and our communities. Look out for future updates!

In Solidarity,

Kisha

SCAM EMAIL ALERT

(Updated 3-23-2020 @ 12pm)

Members have informed SDEA that they are receiving the email below. Do not click on the link, nor respond to it, since this is a scam phishing email. Please just delete it:

“All staff & employee are expected to  verify their email account for new payroll directory and adjustment for the month of March  benefit payment. Please kindly Click MARCH-BENEFIT (Link deleted to protect everyone, but ends in “webwave.me”) and complete the required directive to avoid omission of your benefit payment for March 2020.

Thank you,

Payroll Admin Department.
© 2020 All rights reserved.”

SDEA COVID-19 FAQs

(Updated 3-19-2020 @ 5pm)

In his Tuesday press conference, Governor Newsom indicated that there may be a need for schools to remain closed through the end of the year.

While SDUSD has yet to decide on what will happen after April 6, it is possible that alternative means to provide a safe learning environment for our students, including online learning, may be considered.

A benefit of having a union is that the District cannot make these decisions without first bargaining with SDEA members.  SDEA member leaders are in discussion with the District about the impacts to member working conditions, including the implementation of distance learning, in the event that the District decides to remain closed beyond April 6.

Additional questions SDEA staff and leadership have recently received include:

Q&A:

Q. Can our Administration direct us to do work while schools are closed?

A. While there hasn’t been a District-wide directive to perform work while schools are closed, contracted educators are still receiving full pay and benefits and can have appropriate duties assigned to them.  This only applies to regular work days and hours. You will not be expected to do work during Spring Break, nor be available during the day.  

Q. Am I expected to prepare lessons for my students? 

A. No, the District has provided a centralized source of educational enrichment opportunities for our students during the closure. As this closure may be extended, we anticipate the need for some distance learning/teaching–the details of which would still have to be worked out. 

Q. What kind of work could we be expected to do during regular work hours on work days?

A. There is no requirement to provide any sort of direct instruction currently.  You can, however, be asked to answer emails, take calls, attend online meetings or conferences, update school or teacher websites, communicate with parents and students, enter grades, among other regular, non-instructional duties.  As a reminder, follow the District’s directive to not meet with any students/parents/staff people in person.  

Q. Could the district ask us to provide instruction to students online or remotely via web-based technology?

A. SDEA and SDUSD are currently negotiating a MOU that will address any distance/online learning directives that may arise in the future.

Q. Am I allowed to communicate with students while schools are closed?

A. Checking in with students regularly to ease anxiety and support their ongoing learning while at home is great. As always, adhere to the SDUSD code of conduct with students, which includes not conducting virtual, or in-person, meetings with individual students.

Q. Will SDEA members be paid during this closure? 

A. Yes, regular contract unit members will be paid (interns, temporary employees, including leave replacements and CCTE teachers, probationary and permanent employees, NOT Visiting Teachers).  Visiting Teachers with long-term assignments that are supposed to last through any part of the closure period, and any Visiting Teachers that had confirmed day-to-day assignments during the closure period, should also get paid.  Long-term Visiting Teachers whose assignment was going to end during the period of the closures, along with day-to-day Visiting Teachers who did not have any confirmed jobs during the closure period, do not have a guarantee of pay at this time; however, SDEA is working on making sure that the district does this through negotiations.

Q. Do Visiting Teachers have the ability to collect unemployment during this time? 

A. Yes, they do, especially day-to-day Visiting Teachers.

Q. If a Visiting Teacher had some confirmed work (either day-to-day and/or long-term assignments) during the period of the closure, can they still collect unemployment? 

A. Yes, they should apply for unemployment at this time.  If Visiting Teachers had confirmed job numbers over the closure period, SDEA is working on making sure that they get paid for that time through negotiations.  SDEA is also negotiating to make sure that Visiting Teachers who did not have confirmed jobs during the closure, also get paid during the period of the closures.  

Q. What happens if SDEA and SDUSD reach an agreement to pay Visiting Teachers during the closure, and a Visiting Teacher has received unemployment benefits?

A. Be aware that if SDEA reaches an agreement to compensate Visiting Teachers during the closure period, some Visiting Teachers who have collected an unemployment benefit may be required to pay some or all of their unemployment benefit back to the state.  SDEA suggests communicating with the CA Economic Development Department (EDD) if you have any questions about receiving pay from SDUSD and unemployment benefits at the same time, especially in the event an agreement is reached between SDEA and SDUSD on Visiting Teacher pay.

Q. How long will schools be closed? 

A. As of right now the plan is to close schools until April 6th. However, that could change based on the possible spread of this pandemic.

Q. Will we be required to work as emergency response workers? 

A. There are no current plans to direct members to work as emergency responders. However, we are looking at ways we can all be helpful during this crisis, including ways to safely volunteer. 

Q. Will our students have access to school-provided food during this closure? 

A. The District has several drive-through locations for students to receive meals.  Visit the District website for an updated list of locations and hours. 

Q. Can I go to my class/office when schools are closed? 

A. No, the District does not want staff going back on campus. 

Q. Are central office staff expected to physically come to work during this closure? 

A. No, the plan right now is for everyone to stay away from schools and District facilities. There may be limited numbers of staff who will be asked to telecommute. 

Resources:

Food distribution by San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO

• Sat., 3/21/20 at 10AM at Qualcomm Stadium
• Food for 500 families
• Stay in car to limit exposure, food will be put in your trunk

California Schools VEBA – Coronavirus Member Information & Updates

Unions United – United Way of San Diego – Providing a Safety Net for San Diego

• Rent and mortgage assistance
• Security deposit program
• Food bags
• Utility bill payments
• Unemployment claims
• For assistance under this program, contact SDEA President Kisha Borden at borden_k@sdea.net 

Sites to follow for updates:

Right now we all want to have the most accurate and reliable information, not rumors. These sites are a good starting place.

San Diego Unified School District – covid-19 page

• School closure information
• Free meals for students while schools are closed
• Instructional continuity resources and activities for your student
• Latest updates regarding covid-19 and San Diego Unified schools

San Diego County Department of Health – covid-19 page

• Closures
• Social distancing requirements
• Daily updates

Office of Governor Gavin Newsom – press releases

Sign up for CDC.gov email updates

SDEA Facebook

(Updated 3-18-2020 @ 5pm)

STRS Information

Here is CalSTRS’s information regarding how the closures affect your retirement (it does not).

(Updated 3-16-2020 @ 4pm)

SDEA OFFICE HOURS

As this crisis unfolds, we all are striving to make wise and timely decisions regarding support for our staff, members and students across the district. Therefore, the SDEA office will be closed in conjunction with San Diego Unified Schools until April 6, 2020.

However, the SDEA staff will continue to work with our members by telecommuting. The SDEA office general voicemail will be monitored during normal business hours. Also, the SDEA staff will be checking their e-mail accounts daily.

Kisha Borden (President): borden_k@sdea.net

Abdul Sayid (Executive Director): sayid_a@sdea.net

Sara Holerud (Field Organizer): holerud_s@sdea.net

Jonathon Mello (Field Organizer): mello_j@sdea.net

Anthony Saavedra (Field Organizer): saavedra_a@sdea.net

Morgan Thornberry (Field Organizer): thornberry_m@sdea.net

Rafal Dobrowolski (Contract Specialist): dobrowolski_r@sdea.net

Betty Timko (Finance Manager): timko_b@sdea.net

Lisa Steinberg (Membership / Secretary): steinberg_l@sdea.net

Nanette Najera (Building / Office Specialist): najera_n@sdea.net

COVID-19 IMPACT ON SPRING 2020 SDEA ELECTION

Due to the fast-evolving developments around COVID-19, the SDEA Election Committee has decided to delay the spring 2020 internal election. Given that we are at our core a democratic organization, this action was not taken lightly. However, the Election Committee feels that with schools and SDEA closing, we cannot run an election at this time.  This is due to both a lack of opportunity to campaign at school sites and the inability to allow in-person voting at SDEA if the office is closed.

Currently, we plan to run the election one (1) week after school resumes. The election would be run, given current information, from April 13^th-April 24^th. That, of course, may change as events warrant.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at sdeaelections@sdea.net.

Peter Oskin

Election Committee Chair

QUESTIONS ABOUT SDUSD PAYROLL AND BENEFITS?

(Updated 3-16-2020 @ 3pm)

Please direct payroll, health benefits questions to the District. You can reach SDUSD Payroll Department by email at payroll@sandi.net and the Employee Benefits Department at employeebenefits@sandi.net.

VEBA Update on the Coronavirus Coverage

(Updated 3-16-2020 @ 12pm)

VEBA is committed to the health and safety of our members. The VEBA Board has ensured that diagnostic testing and the accompanying physician visit will have no cost-sharing (copay, co-insurance or deductible), based on medical necessity by a physician, regardless of test result. Members will be responsible for the treatment of COVID-19, subject to their specific plan benefits.

Here are summaries of how each carrier will handle testing given the specifics of the plan: Kaiser and United Health Care. Please share with your employees so they understand their carrier’s coverage.

As with any public health issue, VEBA carriers continue to monitor the situation and follow all guidance and protocols issued by the CDC, state and local public health departments. For the latest news on coronavirus, please visit the CDC.

We will continue to update links with relevant information on www.VEBAOnline.com