Area K Resource Kit
Area K is a strong, diverse team of CSEA members and member leaders working to help our students live a fulfilling life and create a thriving future for our members and their families. Because of the vast resources that exist just in our two large counties alone, we've created this page to easily get you to the right place.
The date above is when this page was last updated; contacts are current as of that date.
Who Do I Go to for Help?
It depends! Most issues or concerns with your job can be resolved with the assistance of CSEA staff (usually your Labor Relations Representative, or LRR), while other issues such as Chapter governance and the way your union operates can only be handled by Chapter, Regional, or Association leadership. You can also consult with your Standing Committee Area Representative. If you are completely unsure, contact your Chapter President (CP) or the Regional Representative (RR) of your Region first.
Resource Kit Index
Quickly tap to a resource here.
Area K Chapters, Regions, and Regional Representatives (RRs)
What Chapter / Region am I located in? Go to My CSEA to find out!
Area K encompasses approximately 24,000 CSEA members across 52 total Chapters in 8 Regions (37 Chapters in San Diego County and 15 Chapters in Imperial County). District K includes 6 Retiree Councils that serve CSEA members living in Area K who have retired from classified service.
Tap the Region number or Chapter name to visit their website.
(Jump to: Region 15 | Region 52 | Region 53 | Region 63 | Region 96 | Region 97 | Region 98 | Region 99)
Region 15
Mark Reagles, RR 15
Serving the Geographical Communities of East County: El Cajon, Dehesa, Grossmont, La Mesa, Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, Sycuan Reservation of the Kumeyaay People
- Cajon Valley 179
- Lemon Grove 280
- La Mesa-Spring Valley 419
- Grossmont High 443
- Dehesa 663
- Grossmont Cuyamaca CCD 707
CSEA retirees in Region 15 may live closest to Central San Diego Council 5056.
Region 52
Ahmad Swinton, RR 52
Serving the Geographical Communities of South County: Coronado, National City, San Ysidro, Bonita, Otay Mesa, South Bay
- South Bay Union Elementary 59
- San Ysidro 154
- National 206
- Coronado 386
- Southwestern College 524
- Sweetwater Union High School District
- Sweetwater Operations 258 (Maintenance, Custodial, Food/Nutrition, Support Services, Transportation)
- Sweetwater OTBS 471 (Office, Technical & Business Services)
- Sweetwater Paraprofessional 731 (Paraeducator Unit)
CSEA retirees in Region 52 may live closest to South West San Diego Council 5054.
Region 53
Susan Zarate-Sandoval, RR 53
Serving the Geographical Communities of the Valley: Calexico, Imperial (including County Office of Education [COE]), El Centro, Heber
- Calexico Unified 399
- Imperial Unified 565
- El Centro 595
- Imperial COE 614
- Heber 632
- Central Union High 726
- McCabe Classified 750
- Meadows Union 829
CSEA retirees in Region 53 may live closest to Imperial Valley Council 5044.
Region 63
Carlos Magana, RR 63
Serving the Geographical Communities of North County: Fallbrook, MCB Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, San Marcos, Encinitas, Bonsall, Vista
- San Dieguito 241
- Fallbrook 307
- Oceanside 370
- Vista 389
- San Marcos 413
- Classified of Encinitas 493
- Bonsall 703
CSEA retirees in Region 63 may live closest to San Diego North Coastal Council 5052.
Region 96
Matthew Busacco, RR 96
Serving the Geographical Communities of East County: Lakeside, Borrego Springs, Santee, Alpine, Jamul, Julian, numerous indigenous reservations
- Lakeside 240
- Mountain Empire Unified 441
- Borrego Springs Unified 464
- Santee 557
- Alpine 607
- Jamul 664
- Julian 807
CSEA retirees in Region 96 may live closest to Central San Diego Council 5056.
Region 97
Sylvia Alvarez, RR 97 & Area K Mentor RR
Serving San Diego Unified School District and San Diego County Office of Education (COE)
- San Diego COE 568
- San Diego Unified School District
- [OSS] San Diego 724 (Maintenance, Custodial, Food/Nutrition, Operations/Support Services, Transportation)
- [PARA] San Diego Paraeducators 759 (Paraeducator Unit)
- [OTBS] San Diego OTBS 788 (Office, Technical & Business Services)
CSEA retirees in Region 97 may live closest to San Diego Council 5009 or Central San Diego Council 5056.
Region 98
Maria Bravo, RR 98
Serving the Geographical Communities of the East Valley: Brawley, Holtville, Westmorland, Calipatria
- Brawley 335
- Holtville Unified 338
- Westmorland 352
- Calipatria 393
- Imperial Valley College 472
- Brawley Union High 534
- San Pasqual 600
CSEA retirees in Region 98 may live closest to Imperial Valley Council 5044.
Region 99
Juan Vargas, RR 99
Serving the Geographical Communities of: Escondido, Ramona, Valley Center, Pauma/Yuima and surrounding indigenous reservations, Warner Springs
- Escondido Elementary 150
- Escondido Union High 219
- Ramona Unified 733
- Valley Center-Pauma 795
- Warner Springs 842
CSEA retirees in Region 99 may live closest to Escondido Council 5030.
Area K Elected Leadership
Area K Director
Troy Johnson
Troy was first elected to the CSEA Board of Directors in 2022. He previously served as Alternate Area K Director, Regional Representative (RR) for Region 97, and Chairperson of the Research & Negotiations Committee (R&N). Troy works as the Senior Administrative Assistant in the Special Services Department of the Sweetwater Union High School District and is a proud member and Past President of Sweetwater OTBS Chapter 471.
Alternate Area K Director
Ahmad Swinton
Ahmad was first elected as AAD for Area K in 2023. He currently serves as RR for Region 52 and previously for Region 15. He is one of several CSEA representatives on the VEBA Board of Directors to advocate for better health and welfare benefits for all employees in public education. Ahmad works as a Child Nutrition Accounting Specialist for La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools and is the current Chapter President (CP) of La Mesa-Spring Valley Chapter 419.
State-Level Appointments - Area K Representatives
CSEA has several volunteer state-level positions appointed by the Association President (AP) to serve for a two-year term.
Standing Committee Representatives
Standing Committees address various topics and issues across CSEA. Find out more about Committees.
Budget
Appointed as needed
Community College "C3"
Colleen Moreno
Conference
Gabe Hernandez, Area K Rep
Joan Bohnstedt, Member-At-Large
County Office of Education "COE"
Appointed as needed
Standing Committee Chairpersons
Area K is proud to have 3 members appointed as Chairs of Standing Committees.
VEBA, VRC (Resource Center) & Benefits
Ahmad Swinton, California Schools VEBA Board Member
California Schools VEBA is the primary health, welfare, and benefits trust for many Districts in San Diego County. VEBA also operates several VEBA Resource Centers, or VRCs, that provide classes, advice, and services to better members' physical and mental health, and overall well-being. VRCs are located in Kearny Mesa, Mission Valley, and Carlsbad.
CSEA was one of the founding members of VEBA, and in addition to Area K's representation on the VEBA Board of Directors through Ahmad, 2 CSEA staff members and 1 Chapter President from across the state also represent CSEA on the VEBA Board.
Central Labor Council: San Diego / Imperial Counties (CLC, AFL-CIO)
Miguel Arellano, Labor Council Board Member
Representing San Diego Paraeducators Chapter 759
The Central Labor Council (CLC) is the regional arm of the AFL-CIO, the national organization for America's unions. CSEA is formally affiliated with the AFL-CIO at the national level, but Chapters can join the local CLC to expand its advocacy for labor. Benefits of joining the CLC include networking with other unions, assistance with organizing labor actions for your Chapter, and potentially receiving endorsement and resources for your local political campaigns (local boards of trustees). The San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council wields large influence in our Area and may give your Chapter the opportunity for political assistance your members need to effectively make positive change.
In order to join a CLC, your Chapter must follow the provisions of CSEA Policy 628. Consult with your Regional Representative (RR) as it requires amending your Chapter Constitution plus Association approval.
Miguel represents CSEA de facto through his service on behalf of Chapter 759 as a member of the Labor Council Executive Board.
San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council
Area K Member Benefits: Local Attraction Discounts
Area K is home to many attractions, and as a CSEA member, you get discounts to many of them for you and your family! Visit our Member Benefits page to learn more about discounts to:
- Flagship Cruises
- LEGOLAND
- Old Town Trolley Tours
- San Diego Zoo & Safari Park
- SeaWorld
Of course, there are discounts to other well-known theme parks just outside of Area K like Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm. A CSEA.com login is required to access this page.
Retirement in Area K
COMING SOON: CalPERS Board Election - Troy Johnson
Our Area K Director, Troy Johnson, is running for the CalPERS Board of Administration in 2025. The CalPERS Board is entrusted with overseeing the management, disbursement, and administration of our pension and ensure it is being invested wisely. We need Board members who will protect our pensions from being reduced, attacked, and dismantled by interests whose ultimate mission is to undermine working people.
You will be receiving information from CSEA about Troy's campaign soon. All Area K members are being asked to get involved in Troy's campaign.
CSEA Endorsement for CalPERS Board
CalPERS San Diego Regional Office (Mission Valley)
7676 Hazard Center Dr.
Suite 350
San Diego, CA 92108
The CalPERS Regional Office in San Diego helps members prepare for retirement and inquire about their pension and benefits. Don't forget to contact your Pre-Retirement Resource Committee representative and attend a Pre-Retirement seminar anytime before retiring. Remember, it's never too early to think about retirement.
District K Director (Retiree Unit): Bea Mora
Bea was first elected as the District K Director on the Retiree Unit Executive Board (RUEB) in 2024 after serving as RR for Region 53. She served for several years as the Area K Director prior to Troy succeeding her upon retirement. Bea retired as a Bus Driver / Service Mechanic Helper for the Central Union High School District, was a member of Central Union High Chapter 726, and now serves as CUHSD's newest school board member. She also serves as the Council President for Imperial Valley Council 5044.
The Retiree Unit Executive Board is elected by CSEA retirees, oversees CSEA Retiree Councils across the state, and reports directly to the CSEA state-level Board of Directors. It has no jurisdiction over Active members, but retirees can assist Chapters if authorized by the Chapter Constitution.
Merit System (Personnel Commission) Resources
The merit system is designed to hire, promote, and retain the most qualified classified professionals based on merit and fitness. In merit districts, CSEA members appoint one of the personnel commissioners who oversee the HR office dedicated to classified staff. Area K has strong involvement with merit system districts, including the first community college merit district established in over 50 years.
Area K Merit Chapters (Districts with Personnel Commissions)
The following Area K Chapters have Districts with personnel commissions.
- Escondido Elementary 150
- Cajon Valley 179
- San Dieguito 241
- Oceanside 370
- Vista Unified 389
- Calexico 399
- La Mesa-Spring Valley 419
- San Diego COE 568
- Grossmont Cuyamaca CCD 707
Visit the CSEA Merit System Committee website for additional resources for both current merit Chapters and non-merit Chapters that would like to learn about the system. In addition, the California School Personnel Commissioners Association (CSPCA) can give you additional resources and directly support your personnel commission. CSEA provides a short Merit System Training for members, and CSPCA holds an intensive Merit System Academy for members, District administration, trustees, and anyone interested in learning about merit.
Interested in learning more about laws governing merit systems? It's important to know what laws apply to your District, in addition to your local merit system rules and regulations, and your CSEA contract.
Always consult your LRR before attempting to enforce Education Code.
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