We are Community
Before beginning this week’s update, we want to acknowledge the tragedy that occurred at the Independence campus this past weekend. An event like this affects far more than those who were present. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the young man who lost his life, as well as the students, staff, and families throughout our district who have been impacted. As educators, we know that our students may process an event like this in very different ways. In the days and weeks ahead, I hope we can continue to support one another and provide our students with the stability, compassion, and sense of safety they need from the adults around them. We are a community, and difficult moments remind us how important it is to look out for one another.
Updates will come out every Friday EXCEPT for the last Friday of the quarter (the KHSTA Newsletter will arrive on these dates). Please check your junk mail folder if you are not receiving them. Past updates will be archived on the KHSTA website (khsta.org).
DISTRICT INFO - STUDENT ENROLLMENT DOWN
For the first time in a long time, KHSD student enrollment is down. While the district anticipated a decline this year, the decrease is roughly twice what was projected—an expected decline of approximately 400 students compared to an actual decline of about 800.
The immediate impact at school sites is that they may lose sections that were included in their staffing formulas last spring. This means there is a possibility that extended-day assignments could be pulled. It also almost certainly means some shuffling of students and classes, so your rosters may not be settled for another couple of weeks.
The larger concern is that declining enrollment also means declining revenue for the district, which will have broader financial implications moving forward.
CTA SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS
CTA’s Institute for Teaching (IFT) funds individual and team grants to make an impact and create change across classrooms. So far, IFT grants have funded over 643 projects.To get more information or to apply, use the QR code on the attached flyer. (The projects link requires your CTA member log-in)
CTA MEMBER BENEFITS
CTA Member Benefits department is offering monthly webinars showcasing member benefits. Some of the webinars include The Standard: Disability and Life Insurance, CTA University Credit Program, Provident Credit Union, Holiday Shopping, Travel Deals and Discounts, Retirement 101, CTA Disaster Relief Program, Summer Discounts, and the CALM app (which is free with CTA membership). A flyer is attached with a QR code with more information.
KHSD BOARD OF TRUSTEES ENDORSEMENTS
KHSTA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) interviewed candidates for the upcoming election and presented its recommendations to the KHSTA Representative Council. After considering those recommendations, the Representative Council voted to endorse Salvador Arias in Area 1 and Bryan Batey in Area 5. No endorsement was made in Area 4.
PROP 3
In November, Proposition 3 will be on the ballot. This measure is important because it would make permanent the funding that was originally approved through Proposition 30 and later extended through Proposition 55. The funding comes from an existing revenue source paid by California’s highest-income earners and provides critical support for public education.
Without continuing this funding, KHSD could lose approximately $75–76 million each year—nearly 15% of the District’s operating budget. This funding is essential to maintaining the programs, services, and resources our students and educators rely on.
KHSTA Executive Board members will be making presentations at your sites in the next several weeks. They are responsible for making sure the message gets out, so please make sure you attend and fill out a commitment card.
SALARY ADVANCEMENT UNITS
If you are completing units for salary advancement, remember the coursework must be completed by August 31st. Transcripts must be submitted by October 31st to be credited for this school year.
CONFERENCES
KHSTA offers scholarships for the following CTA conferences. KHSTA’s Exec Board reviews applications once a month, so please apply at least 30 days prior to the conference dates (exception would be made for the Special Ed Conference).
Conferences Available for the 2026 - 2027 school year (conferences will be added as they are announced):
Special Education, October 2 - 4, 2026 (Garden Grove)
LGBTQ+ Issues, November 6 - 8, 2026 (SFO Marriot, Burlingame)
New Educator North, November 13 - 15, 2026 (SFO Marriot, Burlingame)
CTA Organizing Academy, January 15 - 17, 2027 (Las Vegas)
Good Teacher North, February 5 - 7, 2027 (Burlingame)
New Educator South, February 19 - 21, 2027 (Hilton OC, Costa Mesa)
Equity and Human Rights, March 5 - 7, 2027 (Santa Clara)
Good Teaching South, March 12 - 14, 2027 (Garden Grove)
Women's Conference, April 16 - 18, 2027 (San Diego)
To apply for a conference: https://forms.gle/3aGLseLbXeRrJvgC8
IMPORTANT DATES
Wills and Trusts Workshop - Monday, October 19, 2026
A list of all the important dates in the contract is attached for your reference: Important Dates.
VIRTUAL OPTIONS FOR YOU
All of the following events will be virtual. Zoom links will be available in the updates as the date of the event gets closer. Here are some of the things that will be available:
Thursday, September 3rd at 5pm, KHSTA will be hosting a “Reading Your Paystub” Zoom meeting for those who need some help understanding it. Bring your paystubs and learn what each line means. Access the Zoom link here. The meeting ID is 864 2914 8863.
Monday, September 14th, a representative from The Standard will be hosting an informational session on the benefits The Standard offers for our new hires.The link to make reservations was sent out yesterday. Please let your new teachers know so they can reach out as some of them don’t get the updates. They can contact Cathy Adams for more information if they didn’t get the email.
10 minute meetings for anyone who is unable to attend their site’s 10 minute meetings -- these will occur on the second Thursday of each month.
EXEC BOARD/REP COUNCIL
The current list of KHSTA Exec Board and site representatives is listed below. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Happy Friday!!
KHSTA Executive Board
President: Cathy Adams (FrHS)
Vice President: Mindy Montanio (HHS)
Secretary: Stephanie Valenzuela (AHS)
Treasurer: Norma Procell (HHS)
State Council Reps
Elise Sotello (KL)
Candi Romero (TdS)
Tamara Clark (VWHS)
Joanne Barrick (HHS)
Jesse Aguilar (GVHS)
Membership Chair: Dave Ziegler (LHS)
Past President: Vickie Shoenhair (Shafter)
Site Representatives
Arvin: Stephanie Valenzuela,
Ty Newton
BAS: Linda Colvin
BHS: Hillary Sanders,
Randy Bennett
CHS: Kayole Bradford, Kim Henry
CVHS: Alix Garcia
DOHS: Olive Garrison,
Hannah Richert
District (includes all district programs):
Danny Arretche (KL),
Adriana Vasquez (TOSA)
EBHS: April Bynum,
Rosemary Silverman
Foothill: Elizabeth Deckard,
Allysa Jones
Frontier: Lara Winn
GVHS: David Lollar
HHS: Meaghan Barber Smith,
Jennifer Nelson
IHS: Robb Polski, Tanya Whitehouse
KVHS: Casey Robinson
LHS: David Ziegler,
Marycoco Ramirez
MMHS: Brooke Malley Ault,
Matt Day
NHS: Erika Zeimet, Tonya Davis
Nueva:
RHS: Kim Smith, Nathan Claunch
ROP/CTEC: Chad Wright,
Scott Trimble
Shafter: Jessica Smith,
Brian Feaster
South:
Stockdale: Gaby Scully
TDS: Candi Romero
VWHS:
Vista:
West: Eliza Pearsy, Steve Willis
Liaisons
COUNSELOR: Joanne Barrick (HHS)
NURSE: Jamie Henry (IHS)
PSYCHOLOGIST: Angelina Gonzales (ABLE)
TEACHER-LIBRARIAN: Amanda Rude (SHS)
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