CSEA Juneteenth Settlement Information and Process
Numerous California school districts, including Kern High School District (“KHSD”), are respondents in a class action suit in Alameda County Superior Court regarding compensating classified California School Employees Association (“CSEA”) employees (and some limited retirees) for Juneteenth in 2021, 2022, and 2023. KHSD has recognized Juneteenth since 2023, and is required by the November 21, 2024 court order in California School Employees Association v. Albany Unified School District et al., (Case No. 22CV005456) to compensate eligible employees/retirees for Juneteenth in 2021 and 2022.
The court order sets forth a time sensitive process for employees and retirees to make a claim for compensation and for the school districts to respond. You can access a copy of the court order and settlement agreement here: https://csea.com/issues-advocacy/juneteenth-settlement/juneteenth-settlement-agreement
If you have questions about this settlement, please inquire with CSEA by emailing [email protected]
KHSD’S Juneteenth's Process
STEP ONE – YOU MUST FIRST SUBMIT A CLAIM BY FEBRUARY 19, 2025
In order to receive compensation, classified CSEA employees and retirees must first submit a timely claim – on or before February 19, 2025 - which will be evaluated by KHSD to determine if you are eligible for Juneteenth compensation. The claim form is an electronic form found on this website (link below). Late claims will not be accepted.
To be eligible to receive compensation, you must:
Be employed by KHSD as of November 21, 2024, unless you are an “eligible retiree”;
Be a CSEA member or a member of the CSEA Retiree Unit;
Have actually worked on June 18, 2021 (Juneteenth observed date) and been in paid status (either at work or on an approved leave) during any portion of the day preceding or succeeding June 18, 2021 and/or;
Have actually worked on June 20, 2022 (Juneteenth observed date) and been in paid status (either at work or on an approved leave) during any portion of the day preceding or succeeding June 20, 2022;
Submit a claim to KHSD on or before February 19, 2025;
Sign and return an electronic employee waiver after receiving your eligibility determination.
STEP TWO – DETERMINATION OF YOUR ELIGIBILITY AND AMOUNT
After KHSD receives your claim form, it will review internal payroll records to determine your eligibility for compensation and how much you are owed. You will be notified of the results.
Employees will receive their eligibility determinations and compensation amounts by letter, sent via US mail to your last known address on file with Human Resources, on or about April 21, 2025. Please make sure your address on file is accurate.
STEP THREE – SIGN THE WAIVER OR FILE A DISPUTE
After you receive your eligibility determination and compensation amount via letter, you must go online and sign an employee waiver in order to receive the determined compensation.
That waiver form is also electronic and will be located on this website (below). You must submit your waiver timely, and it must be received on or before May 22, 2025 by the KHSD. Late waivers will not be accepted.
If you receive your eligibility determination letter and disagree with the KHSD’s assessment of your eligibility or the determined amount of compensation, you may file a dispute. Your dispute form and resolution agreement must be submitted to KHSD on or before May 22, 2025. The dispute and resolution documents are online on this website (below). Disputes will be handled according to the dispute process outlined at Paragraph 7 of the Settlement Agreement. Click here to read the Settlement Agreement. Late dispute forms will not be accepted.
DISPUTE FORM AND RESOLUTION AGREEMENT
STEP FOUR – RECEIVE YOUR PAYMENT
If you were eligible for compensation and timely submitted your claim form and employee waiver, KHSD will make payments by July 21, 2025. Compensation is equal to the actual amount an employee earned on Juneteenth in 2021 and/or 2022, less standard and customary payroll deductions. Your payment will be made in the same manner as your normal paychecks.