ATA Weekly
January 9th, 2026
President's Message
Strong Momentum on Prop 55
Welcome back! After a well-deserved hiatus, we return to a new year full of promise and challenge.
We are nearly midway through signature gathering for the Proposition 55 extension, and your efforts are producing steady progress. We're moving closer to our 85 percent participation goal, with several having already met their site goals.
I want to recognize and thank the schools that reached their targets, with special recognition for those achieving full participation:
Emery Park
Garfield
LIFT
Mark Keppel HS
Monterey Highlands
Ramona
This progress happened because educators took time to talk with one another and follow through. Reaching high participation reflects trust among colleagues and a clear understanding of what is at stake for students and classrooms.
This work matters. Proposition 55 protects funding for staffing levels, class-size stability, and student services across AUSD. Without this extension, the District is projected to lose more than
$25 million in ongoing funding. Those losses would be felt districtwide.
If you have not signed yet, connect with your site rep this week and add your name to the petition. If your site already met its goal, please support nearby sites by sharing what worked and helping move this effort forward.
Every signature strengthens our position. This work protects the conditions our students need to learn and the stability our schools need to function.
Ralph Hernandez
AUSD Demographic Study and First Interim Financial Report
At a recent Board of Education meeting, the District received a study presented by Total School Solutions.
I encourage you to review the study closely. The information and assumptions outlined may influence future conversations about existing programs and long-term planning. Early familiarity helps us engage with confidence if related discussions move forward.
The study includes:
- California and Los Angeles County Actual and Projected Enrollment
- AUSD Actual and Projected Enrollment and Facility Information
- Alignment of Academic and Programmatic Goals
- Possible Next Steps for District Consideration
For additional context, the District recently presented its First Interim Financial Report. This report provides a snapshot of current fiscal conditions and projected finances. Read alongside the enrollment study, it offers a fuller picture of the factors influencing District planning.
Both items are shared for your awareness. We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available and as opportunities for member input emerge.
Important Reminders for Successful Stull Evaluations
We're now into the second half of the school year. If you are currently undergoing evaluation, your Stull evaluation is well underway. It's a good idea to address unfinished tasks to ensure a smooth final meeting in April.
You may already have completed your observation and are awaiting a follow-up meeting with your administrator. Please note that it's not your responsibility to chase them down - they have 10 days to meet with you after the observation.
If the observation didn't go as planned, you're entitled to assistance from your administrator. You can also request a second evaluation to demonstrate that you've implemented their suggestions effectively. Remember to make a good faith effort to put their advice into practice.
In addition, it's essential to gather documentation that demonstrates that you're meeting your objectives. For example, if you promised to assign specific types of work, keep samples to prove it. If you committed to contacting parents on a regular basis, keep a log or print out relevant emails.
It's important to note that your administrator must follow specific timelines. Your Stull may be declared invalid if it does not adhere to these timelines. In such cases, you will be evaluated the next time it would typically be your turn. However, it is not your responsibility to remind them of these deadlines.
Finally, remember that your ATA is here to support you with your Stull evaluation, as we do with all other aspects of your teaching career. If you anticipate any problems or concerns with your Stull evaluation, don't hesitate to contact your rep or call us.
CTA News
Scholarship, Grants, and Awards
Greetings CTA Members,
Did you know that CTA offers financial support to CTA members and their dependents throughout the academic year? One of the benefits of being an active CTA member is having scholarships, grants, and awards available to you and your dependent children. Some of the deadlines are quickly approaching. See the list of opportunities below and apply now!
CTA Scholarships
Deadline: February 6, 2026
The CTA Scholarships offer scholarships in the following categories. Scholarship funds must be used for education-related expenses only.
Dependent Children
This program offers up to 56 scholarships of up to $5,000 each to a dependent child of an active member of CTA, CTA/NEA-Retired or a deceased CTA member and be claimed as a dependent on the member's current year's IRS form.
Dependent Children in Honor of Del A. Weber
This program offers one scholarship of up to $5,000 to a dependent child attending continuation high school/alternative education program.
Members
This program offers up to 10 scholarships of up to $3,000 each to active members of CTA (including members working on an emergency credential).
CTA Aspiring Educators (CTA-AE) in Honor of L. Gordon Bittle Memorial
This program offers up to three scholarships of up to $5,000 each to active members of CTA-AE pursuing a career in public education.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: February 20, 2026
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program encourages Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) students to become educators, school nurses, school counselors or school therapists and to promote professional growth for BIPOC educators and Education Support Professionals (ESP) members.
César E. Chávez and Dolores Huerta Education Awards Program
Deadline: March 6, 2026
This award program provides recognition for educators and their students who demonstrate an understanding of the vision and guiding principles embraced by César E. Chávez and Dolores Huerta.
LGBTQ+ Safety in Schools Grant & Scholarship Program in Honor of Guy DeRosa
Deadline: May 29, 2026
The grant program will support groups, projects and presentations that promote understanding of and respect for LGBTQ+ persons. In addition, the scholarship program will support self-identified LGBTQ+ active CTA/CTA Aspiring Educators (CTA-AE) members enrolled in a teacher/counseling credential or graduate program who are pursuing a career in public education and who understand the importance of LGBTQ+ educators as role models in our public schools.
For questions, email scholarships@cta.org or ejd@cta.org.
Thank you.
Equity & Justice Department
Mark Your Calendars
January 13
- ATA Rep Council (4:00 pm, ATA Office)
- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)
February 2
- Grievance (4:00 pm, ATA Office)
February 3
- ATA Board of Directors (4:00 pm, ATA Office)
- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)
February 17
- ATA Rep Council (4:00 pm, ATA Office)
February 24
- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)
Contact Us
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/