5 Weeks into the New School Year!
09/18/26 KHSTA UPDATE
It’s hard to believe we are already five full weeks into the school year. Hopefully, the hectic pace of the first few weeks has begun to settle, and everyone is finding a comfortable rhythm as we move further into the semester.
Updates will come out every Friday EXCEPT for the last Friday of the quarter. Please check your junk mail folder if you are not receiving them. Past updates will be archived on the KHSTA website (khsta.org).
LBGTQ+ AND FRIENDS MIXER
The CTA Sierra Service Center Council Equity Team will be hosting an LGBTQ+ Educators and Friends Mixer on Monday, September 21, 2026, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at The Botanist. Educators and friends are invited to join us for an opportunity to connect and build community.
Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/C5TnY8BbZ5MzZWBQ8
SALARY ADVANCEMENT UNITS - DEADLINE SEPT 30th
If you are completing units for salary advancement, remember the coursework must be completed by August 31st. Transcripts must be submitted by September 30th to be credited for this school year. This date was changed in the last bargain from October 31st.
EVALUATION REMINDERS
If you are being evaluated this year, there are several things to keep in mind. First, if you wish to ask for a new evaluator, you need to request a new evaluator within five days of being notified, in writing with the reasons for the request. The request does not need to be granted. By October 15th, a pre-observation conference should take place outlining the general procedures of the evaluation process. The evaluation article can be found in the Collective Bargaining Agreement on page 60.
PAID PREGNANCY LEAVE
Beginning January 1, 2027, California’s AB 126 provides eligible public school probationary and permanent employees with up to 14 weeks of fully paid pregnancy disability leave when they are unable to work due to pregnancy, miscarriage, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or related recovery. This leave may be taken before or after childbirth when medically necessary and does not require employees to use their accumulated sick leave or other available leave balances. Employees continue to receive health benefits during the leave, and the benefit is available regardless of length of service or hours previously worked. The new law represents a significant improvement for California educators who previously often had to use accumulated sick leave or receive reduced pay while recovering from childbirth or a pregnancy-related disability. This is not baby bonding leave. CTA’s frequently asked questions are attached here.
10 MINUTE MEETINGS
This month, the 10 Minute Meeting topic is The Bargaining Process. Site reps will be hosting a 10 minute meeting to tell you more about bargaining. A virtual 10 Minute Meeting will be hosted on Thursday, October 8.
10 Minute Meeting 8:00am: https://kernhigh-org.zoom.us/j/86720948007
10 Minute Meeting 4:15pm: https://kernhigh-org.zoom.us/j/86073436368
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):
New Educator North, November 13 - 15, 2026 (SFO Marriott, 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
New Teacher Mixer - Wednesday, October 14, 2026
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:
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. This month’s 10 Minute Meeting will be on the bargaining process.
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)
PAC Chair: Allysa Jones (FHS)
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, Vanessa Salazar
HHS: Meaghan Barber Smith,
Jennifer Nelson
IHS: Robb Polski, Tanya Whitehouse
KVHS: Casey Robinson
LHS: David Ziegler,
Marycoco Ramirez
MMHS: Rafael Ruiz,
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: Kim Gillis, Christopher Medina
Stockdale: Gaby Scully
TDS:
VWHS:
Vista: Brian Mlenar
West: Eliza Pearsey, Steve Willis
Liaisons
COUNSELOR: Joanne Barrick (HHS)
NURSE: Jamie Henry (IHS)
PSYCHOLOGIST: Angelina Gonzales (ABLE)
TEACHER-LIBRARIAN: Rosalie Fuentes (EBHS)
Copyright © 2026 Kern High School Teachers Association, All rights reserved.
You're receiving this email because you are either a) a member of the Kern High School Teachers Association or b) a member of the Bargaining Unit represented by the Kern High School Teachers Association.
Our mailing address is:
Kern High School Teachers Association
2441 F St
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Add us to your address book
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
