Re: Involuntary Transfers of Psychologists and SLP Assignments

Dear AUSD Leadership and Board of Education Members,

I am writing to you today out of deep concern and heartfelt urgency regarding the involuntary reassignment of a large number of our school psychologists and several of our speech-language pathologists (SLPs).

Recent data indicates that approximately 65% of psychologists in AUSD have been, or are about to be, reassigned—many in the middle of the academic year. This level of disruption is not only unprecedented, it is deeply unsettling. Even more troubling is the fact that these reassignments were made without any meaningful opportunity for input from the professionals directly affected—those who work most closely with our students, day in and day out.

In previous years, AUSD followed a more collaborative process—inviting psychologists to share their preferences, strengths, and site-based insights before assignments were finalized. This practice not only respected the professionalism of our staff, but also fostered morale, continuity, and trust. Most importantly, it centered student needs and led to stronger outcomes. This year, that thoughtful approach was abandoned.

These decisions have been made behind closed doors, with little to no transparency and a disturbing lack of clear communication. Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, involuntary transfers must be based on legitimate, documented student needs. If such data exists, it has not been provided. Instead, vague and generalized statements have replaced open dialogue and shared decision-making.

This silence speaks volumes. What message are we sending to the psychologists and SLPs who work tirelessly to support some of our most vulnerable students? These reassignments imply that these professionals are interchangeable, disregarding the years they've spent building trust with students, families, and site teams. It suggests that the relationships they've carefully cultivated—and the specialized expertise they bring—are somehow expendable.

And the impact doesn't stop with staff. When you destabilize the support system around our students, they feel it. Their services are disrupted. Their trust is shaken. Their progress is jeopardized. In the lives of children who rely on consistency, these sudden moves create ripples of harm.

We understand that the District faces complex staffing and logistical challenges. But those challenges cannot—and must not—come at the expense of transparency, trust, or the well-being of our students and staff. These decisions must be guided by collaboration and rooted in both the language and spirit of our contractual agreements.

We respectfully but urgently ask the District to:

1. Reconsider the scope and implementation of the proposed reassignments.

2. Provide a rationale, supported by contract language, for all involuntary transfers.

3. Immediately engage ATA and affected members in meaningful dialogue.

4. Restore a transparent, inclusive, and respectful process moving forward.

Our psychologists and SLPs are not just staff—they are advocates, caregivers, and vital pillars of support for our students. The current approach undermines their work and diminishes their value. We cannot afford to lose their trust, their talent, or their dedication.

We remain committed to working in partnership with the District to rebuild the trust that has been shaken and to ensure that future decisions are made in the true best interest of both students and the professionals who serve them.

Thank you for your time, attention, and willingness to engage in this important conversation.

Sincerely,

Ana Dacaret

ATA Specials Segment Director

On behalf of the Alhambra Teachers Association

machucs@gmail.com

The results of the ATA Board of Directors election are in! Congratulations to the following individuals who have been elected to their respective positions:

- Juliet Wagner: Secretary

- Araceli Arzate: Treasurer

- Silvia Lohora: Elementary Segment Director

- Kristin Keenan: Segment Director (AHS)

- Ana Dacaret: CTA State Council Representative

Thank you to everyone who voted!

Members across California are stepping up, and ATA is united with our CTA partners to protect our schools. All school districts throughout the country are currently facing significant challenges to education funding, special programs, and school safety. At AUSD alone we are looking at a potential cut of $44,781,434 to the budget! These cuts would be devasting to our community and would have long-lasting effects for years to come.

The May 17th CTA action is a key day, and we need every ATA member there. If you haven’t RSVPed yet, now is the time to commit. This goes beyond budgets; it affects jobs, programs, and the future of public education.

Where: SpaceX-Corner of Crenshaw Blvd. & Jack Northrop Ave., Hawthorne, CA 90250

When: May 17, 2025

We are finalizing transportation, and you’ll receive that information soon. If you haven’t RSVPed, do it today and encourage your colleagues to join.

Let’s make our voices heard in Sacramento and Washington.

RSVP HERE

By Jennifer Lankford

Those of us who identify as LGBTQ+ - educators and students alike - are experiencing quite the dichotomous existence at the moment. On one hand, we’re in a blessed position to work for a district dedicated to backing us up if we are discriminated against. On the other, a community that already has a high number of people buying into hateful desires for queer folks to cease to exist is now further empowered by the current political climate.

In essence, for a brief moment there, it was the homophobic masses who had been forced into a closet of sorts by a natural flow of progress in our country. Now, they’re back out and proud about having the upper hand in all of the branches of government, and flaunting what that potentially means to those of us in education who simply want equal human rights under the law and in society; to be able to put up pictures of our families in classrooms, share school appropriate anecdotes or updates with our classes so they know a little about who we are outside of school (just like our straight colleagues), or bump into a student at a restaurant without having to pretend that our partner is “just a friend.”

We need to band together to make sure that queer folks in our district don’t have to hide, pretend, and cease to exist. Unfortunately, we have work to do in making sure the chain of command from parent complaint to admin to unit member is not tampered with in a way that doesn’t protect LGBTQ+ folks. Fortunately, we have legal rights and resources, a union that’s ready to help, and a district that’s willing to listen!

Please peruse and keep this wonderful CTA Pamphlet on Legal Rights for LGBTQ+ Employees and Students in your arsenal of resources. If you have any questions or concerns about discrimination of this nature, this pamphlet has plenty of valuable answers. And of course, when in doubt, contact your rep, Ralph Hernandez, or me, your friendly local ATA equity chair, Jennifer Lankford - jenlankford74@gmail.com.

ATA last updated its Standing Rules in 2016. We are long overdue to revise them. What are they? Standing Rules outline how the association operates. In recent years there have been committees that no longer exist, have been consolidated and new committees and positions have been created. Because of these changes we are in need of updatingour Standing Rules.

Attached are the proposed changes, with the original language. Together with Andrew Bitterolf, we reviewed the proposed changes based on feedback from the ATA Board of Directors. We are looking for input from members at this time to review and provide feedback.

Please take a look and feel free to send questions and/or suggestions to alana.acosta@sbcglobal.net

Thank you,

Alana Acosta-Martin

ATA Vice-President

The application deadline for the ATA Memorial Scholarship is Friday, May 9th, at 4:00 PM. ATA members with a child graduating from high school may apply for this scholarship, now totaling $800, thanks to an additional $500 contribution from ATA-Retired. Preference is given to children of active ATA members.

The application and selection criteria are linked below. A transcript is required, but a copy is acceptable. Contact us with any questions.

Click here to access the application.

Good news! As a CTA member, you now can share the Calm app with your dependents — at no extra cost.

Calm is the #1 app for mental wellness, designed to help you and your loved ones sleep better, reduce stress, and build healthier habits. It features:

• Guided meditations for stress, anxiety, and focus;
• Sleep stories (including some read by celebrities!) to help you fall asleep faster;
• Soothing music and soundscapes for relaxation; and
• Breathing exercises and mindfulness tools to stay grounded throughout the day.

How to Gift Calm to Your Dependents:
Eligible members can invite 5 dependents to join Calm. Visit CTAMemberBenefits.org/Calm for instructions.

It’s an easy, meaningful way to support the mental health of those you care about.

April 29

- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)

May 12

- Grievance (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

May 13

- Joint BOD and Rep Council (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

May 20

- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)

The Alhambra Teachers Association (ATA) exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the conditions of teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education; to ensure that the human dignity and civil rights of all children and youth are protected; and to secure a more just equitable and democratic society.

Email: ataoffice3030@gmail.com
Website: www.alhambrateachers.org
Location: 3030 West Main Street, Alhambra, CA, USA
Phone: (626)289-1933
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlhambraTeachersAssociation/