WELCOME TO THE 2024- 2025 SCHOOL YEAR!
Thank you for your service to the students and families of Oakland UAOS members support all aspects of administrative work in OUSD, in Buildings and Grounds, Community School Managers, Vice Principals, Custodial Services, Facilities, Principals, Fiscal Management, Food Services, OAL, Communications and many central office employees who provide essential services to our community. OUSD could not function without the hard-working, dedicated members of UAOS We all know that your working conditions must change drastically if you are going to not only survive, but thrive. Public education is the backbone of a democracy and right now it is under attack, under-resourced and overly monitored
Your work has never been more important, and there has never been a more challenging time to work in a public-school setting. Last year we made significant strides in improving your working conditions by negotiating a new contract which includes a 21 5 % increase in salary and a $15,000 one-time payment. Community School Managers are now also receiving a $50 per month cell phone stipend and the stipend for Vice Principals has been increased from $25 to $50 per month. Other UAOS members required to use their cell phone for work will also receive the $50. Additional gains were made in Safety, Compensation for extra work and Professional Development. We are not done yet. We will be reopening for salary compensation for the 2025-26 school year for all of our members.
MEET THE UAOS PRESIDENT: CARY KAUFMAN
As many administrators know, there is no typical day on the job because there are so many moments you must adapt to. Serving as the Director of Special Education Middle School & Legal Support for the OUSD Special Education Department comes with difficult but rewarding responsibilities I manage due process filings, review special education administrative lawsuits, act as a first point of legal contact, attend hearings, and follow up with school sites and employees for resolution.
This can sometimes lead to remediation work to try and heal strained relationships. Another expansive area of my job is supporting our network of 11 middle schools and approximately 70 special education teachers. Deploying out to schools for learning walks and prioritizing 1 on 1's with principals is tied to my plan of strengthening collaboration between administrators and networks of partnerships as Union President.
Supporting families and students, especially those who have been disenfranchised, is one rewarding aspect of being an administrator. Right before this sit-down, I walked through enrollment options with a parent negotiating the waitlist process. She was emotional about the opportunities for her son and left feeling supported. She had always carried a positive outlook for her child, but it made a profound impact to see that we shared that vision. Lastly, it is rewarding to get into the classrooms and see students learn.
I witnessed inequities while going through public education in Los Angeles Unified. As I approached college readiness, I started to reflect on the impact I wanted to make. How did I find my way to Oakland schools? I came to the Bay Area for higher education, applied for Teach for America, and persevered as a Special Educator on a local assignment. I have never looked back and been with OUSD for 16 years. Starting as an educator and leading on the other side as an administrator, I’ve worn many hats throughout the district. I love the people and the families we serve. Maybe Oakland found me- it’s a special place to be.
I have been involved in Union work for many of my years working in the district, I was part of UAOS’ past two negotiation cycles. These experiences lead me to hammer home the importance of hearing what people want, and what they need. Not just hearing what they say first but digging deep to understand what their values are and what’s important to them. Getting to the root of what support looks like informs my advocacy and educational leadership.
Representation matters- UAOS is made up of 370 union members. We are responsible for almost every aspect of making sure this district runs. All of us are key- without one, the district will struggle. All of our members contribute to the success of the district and each other. Special Education being represented in UAOS is particularly important, many of our members, especially those in the school sites, support Special Education students. I am proud to see many of our members coming from the Special Education department, we have close to 20 members sharing my central location at Santa Fe, who do incredible work in program management, financial operations, and leading schools.
I also have school-aged children- they are eight and five years old; I love spending time with them and my wife. I enjoy spending my weekends cooking and staying involved in my children’s school site council.
applications! applications!
TheUnionPlusScholarshiphas provided30+yearsofhigher educationsupportforworking families.Theawardsare presentedannuallytounion membersormembersoftheir familieswhowanttobeginor continuetheirpost-secondary education.
In2024,209unionmembers andunionfamilymembers wereawarded$200,000in UnionPlusScholarships.
Current and retired members, their spouses and their dependent children
At least one year of continuous union membership by the applicant, applicant's spouse or parent (if applicant is a dependent). The one-year membership minimum must be satisfied by May 31, 2026. UAOS automatically enrolls our members into Union Plus for the time being.
The applicant must be accepted into a U.S. accredited college, university, community college, technical or trade school at the time awards are issued. Awards must be used for the 2025 - 2026 school year. Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply.
Applicants are evaluated according to academic ability, social awareness, financial need and appreciation of labor. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended. The required essays can account for up to half your total score.
PHOTOS: EDANA ANDERSON
