STRONGER TOGETHER
The quarterly newsletter is designed to be the voice of UAOS as a labor union and professional association, highlighting union news, activities, and advocacy. Please reach out to the UAOS office with questions, suggestions, and information you’d like to see featured in the next issue.
March2025
Message Message
UAOSPresident CaryKaufman
Witharoundfortydaysofschoolleftthisyear,weareinthe homestretch.Marchtendstobethemostchallenging monthoftheyearanditisalmostover!Withverylittlebreaks andthestatutorynoticingrequirementsforMarch15th,alot ofstressisplacedonus.Itisagoodtimetotakeastepback, breathe,checkinwithyourselfandtakecareofyourself. TherehasbeenalothappeninginUAOS;updateswillbe comingverysoon.Asmanyknow,weareactivelynegotiating withthedistrictaroundtheimpactstothechangestoCSMs andotherimpactsfrombudgetcuts.Negotiationsareagive andatake,butIamveryhopefulthattheoutcomeofthese negotiationswillsupportourmembers.CSMsshouldexpect ameetingtobecalledinthecomingweekorweeksto discusstheproposalsandelicitfeedback.
AnalarmingincidentoccurredatFremontHighSchoolonMonday,March17th,that Ibelieveyoushouldbeawareof.Overtheweekend,UAOSleadershipwasinformed ofadisputebetweenFremontadministratorsandanOEAmemberattheirsite.I wenttoFremontfirstthingMondaymorningtosupportourimpactedmembers.As Iwasleavingtheiroffice,multiplestaffmembersapproachedadministrationto informusthatamemberofOEAleadershipwasoncampus,refusedtosigninat theofficeinviolationofboardpolicy,andmadegeneralandspecificthreatsof harmtowardsFremontadministration.
AllUAOSmembershavearighttofeelsafeinconductingtheirwork. AllUAOSmembershavearighttofeelsafeinconductingtheirwork.
Itisneveracceptableforourmemberstobethreatenedbyanyone,including parents,otherdistrictemployees,ormembersofthecommunity.UAOSleadership wasatFremonttheentiremorningtoprovideemotionalandtechnicalsupport.We wanttoappreciatetheFremontstaffwhoensuredthatthisincidentdidnot escalateorleadtoaconfrontation.Fremontstaffalsomadesuretominimizeany interruptiontostudentlearning.
UAOSleadershipisheretosupportyou.Ifyouexperiencethreats,itisimportant thatyoureportthistoyoursupervisor,and,ifappropriate,fileaworkplaceviolence incidentlog,andinformus.
Weareheretosupportyou.Nomembersshouldeverfeeltargetedforconducting theirnormalbusiness.Itisneveracceptable.
Safety Resources Safety Resources
BelowarelinkstosupportUAOSmembers:
2024 -2025 UAOS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD CALENDAR
October 7, 2024 October 7, 2024
November 4, 2024 November 4, 2024
December 2, 2024 December 2, 2024
January 13, 2025 January 13, 2025
February 3, 2025 February 3, 2025
March 3, 2025 March 3, 2025
April 14, 2025 April 14, 2025
May 5, 2025 May 5, 2025
June 2, 2025 June 2, 2025
UAOS Mission
United Administrators of Oakland Schools (UAOS) serves Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) classified and certificated administrators in multiple job classifications by providing strategic representation, guidance, and collective bargaining to ensure professional, fair and equitable treatment of our members. UAOS advocates for and defends the rights and collective interests of its members so that they can be successful at providing a quality education to students attending OUSD schools.
The next UAOS board meeting will be held the Monday following spring break!
April 14, 2025 5:00 - 6:30 PM
UAOS Board Functions:
Budget development
The expenditure & disbursement of UAOS funds;
Collective bargaining negotiations, Administration of the CBA, UAOS and the District, and general union representation of the membership
Establishment of and reports of union committees
UAOS Board meetings;
Submission of reports and recommendations to the members, groups and agencies, including, but not limited to, the (AFL-CIO);
Monitoring and administration of the UAOS Legal Services Policy.
Appointment of persons to represent UAOS in connection with various labor organizations
Important Notice from the Health Benefits Governance Board
TO:
DATE: All Oakland Unified School District Benefits Plan
Participants March 10, 2025
Benefits Open Enrollment – March 24, 2025 – April 30, 2025
Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to revisit and refresh your benefits elections This year’s Open Enrollment period begins on March 24th and ends on Wednesday, April 30th. During this time, you may add or drop coverage for eligible dependents and/or make changes to your benefits elections. Please note the following:
• All changes made during open enrollment will be effective July 1, 2025
• ANYONE enrolled in a Flexible Spending Plan must re-enroll (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Transit)
Health & Wellness Fair – Wednesday, April 16, 2024
We encourage you to participate in the Health Fair on Wednesday, April 16th. This is an excellent opportunity to gain more information about our health benefit providers and programs. You will be able to learn about ways to improve and maintain your health, develop healthy habits, and gather information about how to make overall lifestyle changes to enhance your well-being. You will also have an opportunity to meet health insurance vendors, current providers, as well as HBGB Members
Be on the lookout for more information soon!
Sincerely,
The Health Benefits Governance Board of Oakland Unified School District
THE 2025 OAKLAND MAYORAL SPECIAL ELECTION
WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 15, 2025.
Ten candidates are running to be the next Oakland Mayor the including top two contenders, former Congresswoman Barbara Lee and former Oakland City Councilmember Loren Taylor. If you are an Oakland Resident, the voter registration deadline is March 31st, 2025.
The first day of early voting at the Registrar of Voters' Office is March 17. In-person voting locations open either 11 days (April 5) or four days before Election Day (April 12).
Learn more about Loren Taylor’s campaign: lorenforoakland.com
Learn more about Barbara Lee’s campaign: barbaralee4oakland.com
UAOS Advocacy in Action
Francisco Alvarado, UAOS Treasurer Behavioral Health Program Manager
General
Rachel Quinn Moyra Contreras Cary Kaufman Principal UAOS Executive Director SPED School Support Director
Lee Thomas, Community School Manager
Edana Anderson, Community School Manager
Anisa Rasheed, Assistant Principal
Money-Saving Programs
AFSA MEMBERS
Union Plus Hearing Discounts
Save over 40% on premium hearing aids at providers near you. Plus free hearing exams, free follow-up care and free batteries. To learn more and schedule your free hearing exam, call 877-8398117 or visit unionplus.org/hearing.
Union Plus Vision Savings
Save on eye exams, eyewear, contacts and more with two levels of insurance plans that provide vision coverage for lower out-of-pocket costs, plus a free discount vision plan. Visit unionplus.org/vision.
Union Plus Everyday Discounts
Your one stop shop for booking travel and accessing discounts on movie tickets, shopping, restaurants and more. We also offer savings at theme parks (including Disney), concerts, theaters and sporting events. Visit unionplus.org/entertainment.
Union Plus Cash Back Shopping Program
Get up to 40% cash back when you shop online at more than 5,000 retailers with BeFrugal. Visit unionplus.org/cashback.
Union Plus Pet Insurance
Union members who purchase our health insurance for dogs and cats, powered by Pets Best, are reimbursed up to 90% on eligible vet bills.* Visit unionplus.org/pets.
Union Plus Flower & Gift Discounts
Save 25% on hand-delivered flower arrangements, gift baskets or plants from Teleflora. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Visit unionplus.org/flowers.
Union Plus Consumer Tips
Tax season is back again. The Educator Tax Credit applies to eligible educators, including certain K-12 administrators. Check out more consumer tips including Seven Costly Tax Return Mistakes at unionplus.org/blog/consumer-tips
Sent to union mailing list on March 7, 2025.
UAOS has been working diligently to protect your rights during this very challenging time. The district and the OUSD board have been working through budget adjustments, with the goal of cutting $95 million from the 2025-26 budget. Many positions districtwide will be impacted by these budget reductions.
How has UAOS represented you? We have:
Attended OUSD Board meeting and spoken on your behalf in December, January, two meetings in February as well as the Budget and Finance Committee meeting
Held UAOS listening sessions for CSM’s to better represent your interests
Engaged with 5 of the 7 OUSD Board members individually to ensure they understand the impact of these cuts to our members, especially CSMs.
Sent a letter to district leadership expressing concerns about contract violations and PERB rulings that support our opinion that the proposed changes to CSMs are not allowable
Partnered with our legal counsel to explore ways to challenge the reductions
Some members of the OUSD board have also been working on efforts to address concerns related to the volume of consultant contracts. There has been a huge push, in the district and nationally, to limit the number of outside contracts districts approve, especially when the work could be completed by union members. Some school board members have proposed a limit to the total number of contracts on a yearly basis. They are also proposing the formation of a task force to review contracts and make recommendations on how to limit contracts. If a task force is formed, we will have a seat on that task force.
The OUSD Board voted on position reductions during their February 26th Board meeting. Among the cuts to UAOS members are the elimination of 17 UAOS positions and reduction in hours for several of our members, primarily our CSMs whose year was reduced from 12 months to 11 months.
Although the school board voted to reduce the CSM work year, there is hope. Three Board members specifically spoke out against the CSM changes. The cuts to CSMs were the most discussed cuts by board members of all the cuts. We cannot promise that this decision will be overturned, but we will continue to engage with board members about our concerns. The district MUST negotiate the changes they are planning. It is unacceptable for our members to miss a pay check in July and we will not accept that. Period. It is unacceptable for our members to lose out on 8.5% of their earnings. Period. These issues MUST be resolved by the district in negotiations.
If your position was eliminated or you experience a change in placement, we will reach out to support you.
Do not be discouraged as this is the time that the union must be at its strongest. It is important for us to be united as a union. We are committed to continue exploring all possible options to address the negative impacts of these decisions. The fight is not over.
