October 22, 2018
EDCAL 3
a publication of acsa’s member services and
member assistance and legal support team | volume 40
ACSA legal team successfully serving members
End of year analysis shows that our
Member Assistance and Legal Support
team served 7.4 percent more members in
the 2017-18 school year than the year prior.
The seven-person support team, overseen
by Senior Director of Member Services
Margarita Cuizon, handled approximately
800 cases and took nearly 3,000 phone calls
from ACSA members who needed assis-
tance navigating the education code and
their due process rights last year.
Forty-six percent of the members served
were site administrators, while superinten-
dents made up 20 percent. The rest of the
34 percent were members who held all other
job titles. While service increased, dollar
amounts paid out to panel attorneys slightly
decreased in 2017-18 compared to the year
before. In 2016-17, the legal team paid out
more than $264,000 in attorney time, but
only $253,500 was spent on panel attorneys
last year. This is a positive sign that our
small-but-mighty legal team is working
ACSA's Member Assistance and Legal Support Team stands ready to assist ACSA members when needed.
hard to help members resolve issues before
they require an attorney.
limited to:
• Breach of employment contract
• Contract review
• Tenure rights
• Credential problems
• Dismissal
• Demotion
• Salary policy disputes
• Suspension
• Retirement
We do not assist members with criminal
charges or civil actions.
Member Assistance and Legal Support is
a program run out of the Member Services
Department. If you have questions about
accessing your member benefits, you can get
connected three ways: by calling (800) 608-
2272; by using the “Legal Help” button on
the ACSA app; or by emailing office man-
ager Joanne Godfrey at [email protected].
Our advocates are available to assist
members with problems concerning, but not
Harnessing the voice of students
can increase school safety
The following article was submitted by
ACSA Partner for Purpose Thoughtexchange.
When Benje Choucroun, 13, spoke up
at a White House press meeting, both his
courage and words were stunningly memo-
rable.
“At my school, we recently had a lock-
down drill. One thing that affects mine and
others’ mental health is the worry that we
or our friends could get shot at school,” the
Marin Country Day School student told
the press.
The connection Benje made between
mental health and student safety is complex.
Even now, despite some healthy discussion,
many kids are still having negative experi-
ences at school.
The recent school shootings across the
country and subsequent nationwide protests
have made safety discussions a top priority
in every school district and community.
Students have been speaking out, calling
for those in charge to implement change in
the institutions where they spend so much
time. Much like their teachers and the other
adults with whom they share school build-
ings, students take their worries home with
them each night.
These kids deserve to have their voices
amplified and their experiences understood.
The international attention many of them
have received further underlines how essen-
tial it is they play a key role in the dialogue
around school safety.
Inviting students from every part of the
school community to add their voice is criti-
cal. It’s especially important to include those
students from whom teachers and principals
rarely hear. Without broad and diverse
opinions to form a thorough understanding
of students’ experiences, school safety deci-
sions are only partially informed.
Addressing fear
Resistance to involving students in school
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safety discussions comes in part from con-
cerns that talking about violence or danger
will increase their existing fears or anxiety.
In reality, it appears the opposite is true.
According to Mental Health America, it’s
not a matter of if we should talk with stu-
dents about school safety, it’s how. When
carried out well, these conversations actually
help ease students’ concerns about personal
safety.
The process of empowering students to
participate will help them feel less victim-
ized and more secure, according to Michael
Dorn, Executive Director of Safe Havens
International.
“One of the best forms of security is cre-
Ambassador outreach
ACSA Ambassadors continue to connect with members, sometimes by surprising them with a gift of ba-
gels from ACSA. Above left, Linda Hutcherson, and right, Brian Lee, visited members on their school sites
to share some breakfast goodies and talk about how ACSA can serve and benefit school leaders.
See SAFE SPACE, page 4
“ACSA is important to me because the organization puts our
students fi rst. While leadership opportunities are valuable
for our own networking and growth, the professional
development workshops ensure that we are meeting our
students’ academic and social emotional needs and preparing
them to impact the real world.”
Jonathon Brunson
Assistant Superintendent of Human Relations
Milpitas USD
Help us make sure your records are accurate by updating your member profile. Simply go to
www.acsa.org and click Login.