• Thanksgiving Holiday Break Reminder

    SB Unified Updates November 21, 2025 Thanksgiving Holiday Break Reminder In observance of the holiday, please be aware of the following closures: All Schools Closed: Monday, November 24th - Friday, November 28th District Office Closed: Thursday, November 27h & Friday, November 28th  We look forward to seeing everyone when our doors reopen on Monday, December 1st. Resources Available If someone you know needs food this holiday season, please consider contacting one of the following organizations: SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FOODBANK  LOCATIONS: https://foodbanksbc.org/get-help/ WESTSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER 423 W VICTORIA ST  MON & WED 1PM-3PM  FRIDAYS 9AM-11AM HARDING SCHOOL AUDITORIUM 1625 ROBBINS ST  4TH TUESDAY OF THE MONTH 2PM-4PM UNITY SHOPPE - 805-965-4122 1401 CHAPALA ST MON-FRI 12PM-5PM Referral needed from your school’s Family Engagement Liaison  SALVATION ARMY 423 CHAPALA ST  EVERY TUES 9AM-12PM & 1PM-4PM  EVERY WEDNESDAY 1PM-4PM & 5:30-7:30PM CATHOLIC CHARITIES - 805-965-7045 609 E HALEY ST  MON-FRI 9AM-4:30PM LA CASA DE LA RAZA - 805-699-5450 601 E. MONTECITO ST.  M-F 2PM-6PM Happy Thanksgiving!   Academic Corner: Upcoming Exams and Test Preparation Students should be aware that exams are just around the corner. We encourage students to begin reviewing their notes, participating in study groups, and utilizing any additional resources provided by their teachers. Our teaching staff is committed to supporting every student through this process, offering extra help sessions and guidance as needed. Let's work together to ensure that all students feel prepared and confident to succeed in their exams. See study group options listed below: Join a study group   Celebrations or Questions? If you have an SB Unified celebration or question to share, please email info@sbunified.org.

    Saturday, Nov 22 2025

  • You Are Invited! District Emergent Multilingual Lear...

    Dear Families of  Em ergent Multilingual Students: We invite you to our next  DEMLAC meeting. When:  Thursday, November 20, 2025 Time: 6:00 - 7:30 PM (doors open at 5:40) Location:  720 Santa Barbara St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Please click  →   RSVP  to confirm your attendance   In-person at the District Office Board Room.  Childcare and Dinner will be provided   . If you need more information about RSVP or the purpose of the meeting,  p lease contact Janina Martinez, Education Services Family Engagement Unit Liaison for more information at (805) 803-3148 or email  jsmartinez@sbunified.org We look forward to connecting and collaborating with you on behalf of your Multilingual Learners at Santa Barbara Unified School District.  With Gratitude, Dr. Deborah Martinez Director, Educational Equity and Multilingual Services  Santa Barbara Unified School District 720 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara, California 93101 deborahmartinez@sbunified.org  

    Friday, Nov 14 2025

  • Storm Notification

    SB Unified Updates Family Newsletter November 12, 2025 The National Weather Service is forecasting a storm will hit Santa Barbara County, beginning Wednesday evening, November 12th, and continuing through Friday. School will remain open as usual. We will provide updates as necessary.  The following conditions are possible countywide: Flooding in low-lying areas and strong winds Brief, heavy rainfall Small hail and lightning associated with thunderstorms Shallow debris flows for locations in and beneath recent wildfire burn areas, including the Gifford and Lake Fires  In the event of a Flash Flood Warning, move to high ground immediately. We encourage everyone to stay informed and take necessary precautions to stay safe.  Resources Public safety officials are closely monitoring the incoming storm. The best and fastest way to stay up-to-date on this storm is by subscribing to alerts at readysbc.org or monitoring updates on your local broadcast tv, radio, and online news publications. You can get emergency alerts sent straight to your phone by signing up at: https://www.readysbc.org/ Be aware that travel routes could be impacted by the storm. Check for road closure updates:  https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ For the latest weather outlook, please visit: https://www.weather.gov/lox

    Thursday, Nov 13 2025

  • Reminder! No School/District Office Closed Tuesday 1...

    SB Unified Updates November 10, 2025 Reminder! All SB Unified Schools and the District Office will be closed on Tuesday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day. We look forward to seeing everyone return on Wednesday, November 12th.

    Monday, Nov 10 2025

  • Unified Link- Armory Project Update, High School Aca...

    Unified Link Santa Barbara Unified Family Newsletter November 7, 2025 Dear SB Unified Families, As we enter the Thanksgiving season, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to all our families, caregivers, and community members who are vital to our students' lives. We value our opportunity to make a difference and are aware that we have 125 instructional days left. Your child’s preparation and future are our guiding star.  The laughter of our children, the dedication of our staff, and the strength of our partnerships bring us joy.  We understand that this season can be tough for some, especially with rising living costs, disruptions to family, and food insecurity. You are not alone. Our schools are here to offer care and connection. This season encourages us to be grateful and to look out for each other. We see hope in the small acts of kindness that happen daily: a helping hand, a shared meal, or a child's smile. These moments remind us that brighter days are ahead. Thank you for your trust and partnership in education and community. I hope this season brings you a sense of comfort, peace, and a fresh outlook for what lies ahead. Wishing you and your loved ones a warm and meaningful Thanksgiving season. Sincerely, Dr. Hilda Maldonado Superintendent Santa Barbara Unified School District Sharpening Our Core Priorities Even as our student progress continues to rise, we know there is more work to do to ensure success for all learners. On October 20th, our teachers learned best practices to support Emergent Multilingual Learners and students who are economically disadvantaged, helping close persistent gaps and strengthen instruction across classrooms to name a few. They also explored how the arts and belonging help every child feel seen and supported. Professional learning days like this are an investment in your child’s education. By continuing to learn and refine their teaching, our educators are putting our district’s priorities Literacy, Math, Alignment, and Belonging, into daily practice. We are also listening to staff feedback to make each learning day even more meaningful. Out of 770 teachers and staff 556 responded to a survey as follows: 80% of respondents in elementary schools gave a positive rating to both the morning and afternoon sessions. 198 employees responded to this question. 76% of respondents in junior high or high schools rated their sessions positively. 358 people responded to this question. Part of the survey includes feedback on ways to improve, the work of leaders and teachers is interdependent and we know that providing feedback ensures we all work together to help students thrive. Thank you for your partnership in helping every student in SB Unified thrive academically and personally.   SB Unified Update: Armory Project Santa Barbara Unified continues to work with 19six Architects on the Phase 1 planning and design for the Armory, an initiative to transform the historic National Guard Armory into a vibrant Career Technical Education (CTE) and multi-use facility serving students, staff, and families. Engaging the SB Unified Community Before launching community input meetings, the District must first complete the process of obtaining California Department of Education (CDE) approval to use the site for school purposes. Together with 19six, the District is currently: Engaging state agencies to begin additional environmental and geotechnical studies. This process may take up to 18 months. Coordinating with the City Planning Commission. Verifying historical documentation records related to the Armory’s past use. Schedule site visits with CDE field representatives to complete required on-site reviews. As we get closer to the final approval, 19six and Santa Barbara Unified will begin hosting community meetings and surveys to gather feedback on design concepts and potential uses, including CTE programs, staff housing, and shared community spaces. How to Stay Informed If you would like to receive periodic updates about the Armory Project, please sign up for email notifications. As the project advances, the District will share details about upcoming town hall meetings and opportunities to provide input on how this site can best serve our students and community.   New: SB Unified Arts Event Calendar! We are excited to announce the development of a brand-new SB Unified Calendar of Arts Events! Our students showcase their incredible talents throughout the year in performances, exhibitions, and concerts across the district. To better celebrate and promote these vibrant cultural opportunities, we are compiling a comprehensive, easy-to-access resource. This new calendar will be your single source for knowing when and where to enjoy student work in visual arts, music, dance, and theater. Click here to view what’s coming up soon at our District! Don’t see your event on the calendar? Email Arts Teacher on Special Assignment Anna Pilhoefer at apilhoefer@sbunified.org.    High School Academy Enrollment Process The Santa Barbara Unified enrollment and transfer process is fast approaching, with the first day set for December 1. You can learn more about the enrollment process here.  For students attending high school next year, an additional application is required for some academies/ programs, while others have a lottery system due to high demand.  Please note that If a student is interested in attending a school outside of their school of residence or is interested in a pathway, academy, or program of choice that is not available at your school of residence, parent/guardian(s) must submit an Intra-District Transfer application for the 2025-2026 school year January 24, 2025 at 5 pm in addition to any academy application listed below. Academy/Program  Application Due Date  Links DPHS: Engineering Academy Saturday, December 13th, 2025 https://www.dpengineering.org/admissions-timeline.html SMHS: Accelerated Academic Program for Leadership and Enrichment (AAPLE Academy)  Monday, January 12, 2026 https://www.aapleacademy.com/important-dates-information/ SBHS: Media Arts and Design Academy (MAD) Academy Interest Form window: November 2025 - March 1st, 2026 https://www.madacad.com/join-mad SBHS: Visual Arts and Design Academy (VADA) Academy Interest Form window: November 2025 - March 1st, 2026 https://www.vadasbhs.org/enrollment-faq-selection-timeline SMHS: Health Career Academy Monday, January 12th https://www.smhealthacademy.org/new-page-2 To learn more, visit the websites above or contact your school counselor.   SB Unified & 7 Schools Named to 2025 California Honor Roll! We are thrilled and incredibly proud to announce that Santa Barbara Unified School District has been recognized by the Educational Results Partnership (ERP) for the 2025 California Honor Roll! This prestigious honor is based on sustained academic growth in English Language Arts and Math over the past three years. This recognition shows that our strategic focus on equitable outcomes is working, as the Honor Roll specifically recognizes success in closing achievement gaps. Massive Congratulations to Our Recognized Schools: This achievement is a community-wide success, with seven incredible schools earning a spot on the Honor Roll for their commitment to academic excellence: Elementary (Star Elementary): Adams, Franklin, Roosevelt, and Washington. Junior High (Star Intermediate): Goleta Valley and La Colina. High School (Star High School): Dos Pueblos Senior High. This success is a testament to the dedication of our students, educators, and the entire community, fulfilling our Vision: Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day.   Supporting Our Multilingual Learners This fall, we launched new training for teachers as part of our Master Plan for Emergent Multilingual Learners. All 3rd–5th-grade teachers, along with English, Science, and Academic Language Development teachers in grades 7–12, completed the first session of our Integrated English Language Development (i-ELD) series. This training gives teachers practical strategies to support language development and academic success in every classroom.   DEMLAC: Parents and Schools Working Together The District English Learner Advisory Committee (DEMLAC) began its 2025–26 school year on October 15 with strong participation from parents and school representatives. District leaders shared updates on student progress and our plan to expand i-ELD training for teachers. Families also highlighted the many ways schools are supporting multilingual learners. The next DEMLAC meeting will be held on November 20, 2025.   Celebrations National School Psychology Week During the week of November 3–7, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and schools across the United States will celebrate National School Psychology Week (NSPW) 2025. This week recognizes school psychologists' vital contributions and their essential role in supporting students’ learning, behavior, and mental health in schools and communities. A heartfelt thank you to all Santa Barbara Unified School District school psychologists for everything you do to support our students, staff, and families. Your dedication, expertise, and compassion make a lasting difference every day. College Night In collaboration with SBCC and CSCI’s Cal-Soap Program, SBUSD hosted our annual College Fair Night at Dos Pueblos High School.  This event was an opportunity for SBUSD students and families to interact with admission representatives from a wide range of postsecondary institutions, including in-state, out-of-state, public, and private institutions. Students also had the opportunity to attend workshops focused on financial aid and admissions. Affording Your College Dream Information Session 140 students, parents, and community partners gathered at Westmont College for the 4th Annual Affording Your College Dream. An event designed to help families of 11th & 12th graders navigate the financial side of college. Learn about scholarships, grants, loans, and budgeting your financial aid award. This event was put on in a collaboration between PEAC SBUnified, REACH, and Westmont College, with guest presenters, Superintendent Dr. Hilda Maldonado, Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbar,a and Cal-SOAP. Successful Adult Services Transition Fair SB Unified and the Santa Barbara County SELPA recently hosted the Adult Services Transition Fair at Dos Pueblos High School on Tuesday, October 28. This vital event connected over 30 vendors and community agencies with SB Unified families and students with disabilities to plan for the move from public education to adult life. Families received valuable information on key resources, including employment, day programs, education, advocacy, and residential services. A big thank you to Dr. Leslie Martinez, Assistant Principal Jessica Sanford, and Dos Pueblos High School for successfully hosting this important community effort!   Upcoming Events November 11- Veterans Day (District Closed) November 17-21- Elementary Parent Teacher Conferences November 18- Board of Trustees Meeting November 20- DEMLAC General meeting   Celebrations or Questions? If you have an SB Unified celebration or question to share, please email info@sbunified.org.

    Saturday, Nov 08 2025

  • Important information about enrollment and transfers

    SB Unified Updates November 3, 2025 Dear Santa Barbara Unified families:   Enrollment New student enrollment opens December 1, for those enrolling for the first time and for former students who are returning after an extended absence from the Santa Barbara Unified School District. In addition, for those interested in a school transfer for the 2026-27 school year, the open enrollment window will open that day as well. Families who are enrolling with the Santa Barbara Unified School District for the first time, may either complete the enrollment process through the Aeries Online Enrollment portal, OR you may contact your child’s school for assistance.   For 2026-27, children are eligible for Transitional Kindergarten if they turn four (4) by September 1. Children are eligible for Kindergarten if they will be five (5) on or before September 1. Open House For information about upcoming tours or Open Houses in elementary or junior high, contact your school of interest directly for more information. For information regarding high school open houses click here. Intra-District Transfer (transfers within SBUSD) If you are interested in your child attending a school OUTSIDE of their school of residence, but live INSIDE the Santa Barbara Unified District Attendance Area, you will need to complete a transfer request in addition to the enrollment process. The priority window to apply for a transfer is December 1, 2025 through January 16, 2026 at 5 PM. Online Transfer Application opens December 1 on the District website - here. Additionally, paper applications are available for pick up at each school site, in the Student & Family Services office located at 720 Santa Barbara Street, or on our website here Priority window transfer decisions will be made and families notified by February 27, 2026. Decisions and notifications for transfers submitted after the priority window will be made on April 2, 2026.   Inter-District Transfer (transfers between districts) If you are interested in your child enrolling in Santa Barbara Unified District school, but live OUTSIDE of the District’s Attendance Area, please contact your District of Residence for further information on Inter-District Transfers.     Student(s) already attending a school in the Santa Barbara Unified School District on an Inter-District Transfer must renew their Inter-District Transfers each year. The window to submit an Inter-District Transfer for the 2026-2027 school year is December 1, 2025 through January 16, 2026 at 5 PM.   Reminders Here are a few friendly reminders from the Student & Family Services Team to keep in mind during our Open Enrollment and the Transfer Application Window: Information for enrollment, transfers, and open house events can be found on our website at https://www.sbunified.org/schools1/enrollment-registration  Student enrollment is based on the student’s home address. If you are interested in attending a school outside of your attendance area, an approved transfer is required.  The deadline to submit a transfer application is January 16, 2026 at 5pm. Transfers submitted after January 16, 2026 are considered late transfers and will be reviewed on space availability and in the order in which they are received.  Transfers received after the July 2026 deadline will only be reviewed for 2nd Semester/Term 3. All paper transfers applications must be submitted to the Student & Family Services Office.  Families cannot submit their applications to our school sites.   If you have questions, please contact your child’s school or Student Services at (805) 963-4338 ext. 6278 (English and Spanish) and/or ext. 6208.

    Tuesday, Nov 04 2025

  • SBUSD AND SBTA HOLD FIRST NEGOTIATIONS SESSION FOR ...

    Labor Negotiations Update Santa Barbara Unified School District October 30, 2025 SBUSD AND SBTA HOLD FIRST NEGOTIATIONS SESSION FOR 2026-2027 CONTRACT District Initial Proposals Cover Work Calendar Development Process and Secondary Late Start/Professional Learning Community Meetings SBTA Initial Proposals Cover Early Childhood Education Meetings, High School Librarian Work Year, Union Time During Professional Learning Days, and Elementary Teacher Preparation Time This is the Santa Barbara Unified School District’s (SBUSD) first Negotiations Update for 2026-2027 “reopener” contract negotiations between the District and the Santa Barbara Teachers Association (SBTA). “Reopener” negotiations mean this is the third year of a three-year contract.  The parties can negotiate over Wages, Health and Welfare Benefits, and three additional articles chosen by each party. The District will distribute the Negotiations Update after meetings with SBTA to inform our community on the progress of negotiations. Before providing proposals to SBTA, the District negotiations team presented the values that will serve as its criteria to analyze proposals and counterproposals from both parties during these negotiations: SBUSD Values in Negotiations  SBUSD will continue to: Improve student outcomes and be student-centered  Focus on results Support quality educators to promote success for all students through targeted, evidence-based professional development. Explore and be open to innovation.  Remain transparent and fiscally solvent in both the short and long term. SBUSD and SBTA also agreed to “Bargaining Norms” for this year's negotiation process. District Initial Proposals Cover Work Calendar Development Process and Secondary Late Start/Professional Learning Community Meetings Calendar Development Process: SBUSD proposed simplifying the process for negotiating the annual calendar. Secondary Late Start and Professional Learning Community (PLC) Meetings: SBUSD proposed clarifying junior and high school teacher PLC and staff meeting schedules to allow for schedule variations under unique circumstances. SBTA Initial Proposals Cover Early Childhood Education Meetings, High School Librarian Work Year, Union Time During Professional Learning Days, and Elementary Teacher Preparation Time Early Childhood Education (ECE) Meetings: SBTA proposed updating the ECE PLC requirements, allowing virtual and in-person collaboration meetings, and compensation for meetings extending past 4 p.m. High School Librarian Work Year: SBTA proposed extending the high school librarian work year from 190 to 194 days.   Union Time During Professional Learning Days: Proposes reserving 60 minutes on three districtwide PD days for SBTA to communicate with members regarding association business. Elementary Prep Time: SBTA proposed increasing elementary teacher prep time by substituting prep time for some existing PLC meetings.  The District looks forward to continued collaborative negotiations with SBTA. Next Steps:  The next negotiation session is on November 14. Dr. John Becchio- Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Conrad Tedeschi, CPA- Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Joanna Powell- General Counsel ShaKenya Edison- Assistant Superintendent of Student & Family Services Casie Killgore- Franklin Principal Bill Woodard- Dos Pueblos Principal Gregory J. Dannis- Labor Negotiations Counsel

    Friday, Oct 31 2025

  • 10/28/25 Board Recap

    SB Unified Board Brief October 29, 2025 October 28, 2025 Board Meeting Recap This article summarizes the October 28, 2025, Board of Trustees Meeting. The full agenda is available on our website: Board Meeting Agenda   Student Outcomes Report Shows Improved Student Belonging and Gains in Literacy Trustees reviewed a comprehensive Student Outcomes Report on Tuesday, highlighting positive and supportive school cultures and continued academic growth. The report focused on two key areas, highlighting the need to create safe, joyful, welcoming schools as a base for engaged learners. Culture & Climate: Students Feel More Connected District efforts to foster a sense of belonging and supportive relationships are gaining traction, according to the Fall 2025 Panorama Survey. Belonging Rises: A total of 16 of 19 schools (84%) improved in students’ self-reported sense of belonging. Secondary Leap: Students in Grades 7–12 reported a substantial 8-percentage-point jump in favorable responses for Sense of Belonging and an 8-percentage-point increase in Engagement since the previous semester. Supportive Adults: Favorable responses regarding Supportive Adult Relationships remained high across all grades, indicating that the focus on staff serving as "trusted adults" is effective. Academics: Higher Than the State in ELA SB Unified's work on foundational literacy is yielding positive results. Districtwide proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) is now 51.7%, ahead of the California state average. Significant Growth: A key finding showed a group of students starting at 40% proficiency in Grade 3 reached 52% by Grade 6. Equity Focus: The Hispanic/Latino student group saw an 18-percentage-point increase in proficiency over that same period, outpacing county and state growth for that group. High School Outcomes: High school graduation rates remain strong at 94.6%, and the number of students completing UC/CSU college prep requirements is increasing. The District will continue expanding the LETRS Science of Reading training for all teachers and refining the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)—to close remaining achievement gaps and ensure a positive campus experience for all 11,981 students. Harding Principal Veronica Binkley and San Marcos Principal Dare Holdren also presented examples of the great work happening at school sites.  At Harding, Principal Binkley attributes her recent test score growth to: Alignment: Educators aligning to improve academics and social-emotional learning. Agency: Teachers innovating together, partnering with parents so students take ownership of their learning. Action: Learning comes alive through projects, problem-solving, and real-world application. Principal Holdren says San Marcos staff are moving metrics by working on three key areas: Focus on School Culture Alignment around Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) Intentionality and explicitness in teaching and learning.   SBTA Labor Negotiations to Begin Thursday; Process to Start CSEA Negotiations Underway The Board of Trustees adopted the final list of topics that the District will bring to the bargaining table with the Santa Barbara Teachers Association (SBTA). The first bargaining session will be on Thursday. Topics up for discussion include:  Wages, Health & Welfare Benefits, Hours/Conditions, Rights and Obligations of Parties and Class Size. In September, Board President Gabe Escobedo read a statement from the Trustees that said in part: “Our goal is simple: to partner with SBTA and CSEA to offer the best contract we can, in service of our educators, staff, and ultimately, our students’ success.” The District also began the Sunshine process to start negotiations with our classified employee union, California School Employees Association (CSEA). The hearing highlighted the following articles that CSEA wishes to negotiate: CSEA Rights, Working Out of Class & Reclassification, Transfers In addition, Professional Learning Programs will be discussed as a continuation of a topic that was not settled during the prior negotiations.  SB Unified will bring its sunshine letter for its initial reading on November 14.    Partnership Brings College Tutors The Board approved renewing the work-study agreement with Westmont College, which will place highly qualified college students as tutors and program leaders in two key after-school programs. The agreement allows Westmont students to work with SBUSD's A-OK and PEAC after-school programs, providing direct academic support to younger students. The partnership utilizes the Federal Work Study Program, which covers a portion of the college students' hourly wages. Benefit to Students: The district benefits by gaining qualified tutors from a local college. Fiscal Savings: The program also delivers a direct fiscal benefit to SBUSD, resulting in an estimated savings of $7,425 for the 2025–2026 school year. The total cost to the district for three after-school staff positions is $11,500. The agreement was approved as an action item under the Educational Services department and is effective for the 2025–2026 academic year.   Board Denies Olive Grove Charter School-SB Charter Renewal The Board voted 3-2 to deny a charter renewal petition for Olive Grove Charter School – Santa Barbara. The decision follows a comprehensive staff review, which concluded the charter school has not made sufficient academic progress toward meeting the standards as required by state law. Key findings supporting the denial included: Declining Performance: Multi-year academic proficiency drops, with ELA falling from 46% to 31% and Math from 11% to 4%. Low Standards: California School Dashboard data shows performance is "significantly below standard". Programmatic Gaps: Limited implementation of standards-aligned instruction, student supports (MTSS), and English Learner programs. Course Access: Limited to no availability of A–G (UC/CSU prep), Advanced Placement, or Career Technical Education offerings. This decision will be taken to the CA State Board of Education as part of the school’s appeal process.  If the denial is upheld, the closure will take effect June 30, 2026. Affected students who reside within Santa Barbara Unified boundaries can attend District schools and programs next year.    Committee Corner Finance Advisory Committee The Santa Barbara Unified School District Finance Committee met on October 21, 2025, with key discussions centering on a presentation from Human Resources on certificated classroom staffing level planning and the committee's operational mandate. Staffing Decisions and Flexibility Dr. John Becchio led a presentation on staffing, highlighting the need to distinguish between flexible and mandated elements like class sizes and ratios. Key points of discussion included: Elementary Staffing Projections and Attrition Secondary Load Financial Impact Layoff Notices The next meeting is on November 4, 2025. Tech Use Committee Facilitated by Rob Cooper, the SBUSD Tech Use Committee focused on ensuring transparent, responsible, and balanced technology integration. Key decisions and discussions: AI Policy: The main goal is a policy that ensures responsible innovation. The committee recommended clarifying the 'why' behind AI use, strengthening privacy/equity language, and defining related professional development. Device Use: Panorama data showed improved understanding of the 'Off & Away' policy, but continuous reinforcement is needed, especially at the high school level. For iPads, the priority is evaluating MDM tools to balance visibility with teacher flexibility and address concerns about filtering accuracy. Communication: All staff-to-student communication must use approved, auditable channels (e.g., ParentSquare, Google Classroom) for professional accountability and safety. The committee's immediate next steps include drafting an iPad usage survey, investigating new and improved management tools, and exploring resources for looking deeply at AI in education. The committee’s next meeting is January 22, 2026. Collaborative Spirit Award Superintendent Hilda Maldonado announced the new Collaborative Spirit Award, which highlights great teamwork happening in our schools and District. First up: The inaugural Santa Barbara Unified Collaborative Spirit Award is proudly presented to the Harding 6th Grade Team and IB Coordinator (Mika Burkett, Megan Reed, Natalie Lyman, and Maddy Bordofsky). This team demonstrated exceptional vertical and horizontal collaboration by establishing a comprehensive model for upper-grade success. Their efforts included: Elevating the 6th Grade Exhibition with a new Community Series that inspired student inquiry and global citizenship. Implementing consistent, data-driven instructional strategies across the 3rd–6th grades, including maintaining live data trackers and facilitating purposeful small-group instruction. Taking instructional leadership by meeting monthly with 3rd–5th grade teachers to ensure smooth vertical alignment and student mastery. The positive impact of their work is clearly reflected in Harding School's double-digit gains on state testing in 2025 and a strong culture that prepares students for secondary school success. They are truly the unifying force that elevates both student achievement and school pride. They will also receive gift cards sponsored by Schools First Credit Union as a recognition of their work.   Upcoming Events November 5- High School Showcase (Earl Warren Showgrounds) November 11- Veterans Day (District Closed) November 17-21- Elementary Parent Teacher Conferences November 18- Board of Trustees Meeting November 20- DEMLAC General meeting   Celebrations or Questions? If you have an SB Unified celebration or question to share, please email info@sbunified.org.

    Thursday, Oct 30 2025

  • October 14, 2025 Board Recap

    SB Unified Board Brief October 15, 2025 October 14, 2025 Board Meeting Recap This article summarizes the October 14, 2025, Board of Trustees Meeting. The full agenda is available on our website: Board Meeting Agenda   District Submits Its Negotiation Proposal to Teachers’ Union Building on the steps taken at the last meeting, the Board held the public hearing to start the process to “sunshine” (publicly announced) the district's proposal to begin contract negotiations with the Santa Barbara Teachers' Association (SBTA) for the 2025-26 school year. The District's negotiation proposal includes four articles: Wages, Health & Welfare Benefits, Hours/Conditions and Class Size. The Board will vote to approve its Sunshine letter at the October 28 meeting. Negotiations will begin after that vote.   A-OK After School Program Hits Record Enrollment The board received an update on the district's A-OK After School Program, which provides free educational and enrichment opportunities to students. The program is currently serving over 1,300 students, which is a record high for the district. Program Growth and Staffing: Despite reducing the number of program coordinators from three to one, the program has continued to grow and thrive. Since the 2023-24 school year, the program has added over 520 students and 92 staff members to meet the demand. The district maintains strict staff-to-student ratios: 1:20 for grades 1-6 and 1:10 for TK and Kindergarten. Focus on Need and Equity: While interest in the program is high across the board, the district is focusing its efforts on prioritizing families with the greatest need, specifically those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged. The goal is to ensure every child who truly needs after-school care has access to it. The program also provides one-on-one support for students with disabilities to ensure equitable access for all. Enrichment and Budget: Funding for A-OK requires the district to provide nine hours of learning and care per day, including a full day of summer programming. To be responsible with taxpayer money, A-OK staff is working hard to use in-house talent and find low-cost, volunteer, or privately funded enrichment activities. This allows them to prioritize resources for hiring qualified staff to serve more students.   Update on Combatting Hate and Bias in Schools The board received a progress report on the district's ongoing efforts to address incidents of hate, bias, and anti-Blackness across all schools. This work is managed through a districtwide system called Recognize, Respond, Report (3Rs). The 3Rs system was created to ensure there is a consistent way to track and handle these serious issues. Key updates to the system include: Training more staff on how to properly respond to an incident. Allowing all employees, not just administrators, to file an official report. All reports are monitored at the district level to look for trends and ensure accountability. The report shared data that showed a drop in the number of reported incidents: the district recorded 163 reports during the 2023-24 school year, which decreased to 80 reports in the 2024-25 school year. This data will continue to guide the district's future policy and programs.   Special Education Update: Inclusion, Compliance, and Equity The board received a comprehensive report on Special Education, which supports about 1,800 students. The department is focused on four main priorities: high-quality instruction, compliance, family engagement, and reducing disproportionality. Inclusion: The district maintains a strong commitment to inclusion, with 85% of students with disabilities learning in general education classrooms. Instructional Tools: Teachers are receiving intensive training on specific reading programs like Wilson Reading System (WRS) and the Unique Learning System (ULS). Secondary schools are using a co-teaching model and a new specialized Math I course. IEP Compliance: Compliance for holding IEP meetings on time increased to 88%. The district is also implementing new procedures to ensure paraeducator support is based on student data and need, promoting independence. Equity and Engagement: Efforts to reduce the over-identification of Hispanic/LatinX students for a Specific Learning Disability are showing progress, with the risk ratio dropping from 4.09 to 3.09. The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is launching a survey to get family feedback on the IEP process.   October is National Dyslexia Awareness Month The Board adopted Resolution No. 2025-2026-12, officially recognizing October as National Dyslexia Awareness Month in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Why this matters: Prevalence: It's estimated that 15–20% of the population has dyslexia—meaning about 1 in 5 people experience some form of the learning disability. The Challenge: Dyslexia primarily affects reading, spelling, and writing, and can impact a student’s emotional well-being and self-image if not addressed. The Potential: The resolution emphasizes that individuals with dyslexia often have average or above-average intelligence and can excel in school and their careers with proper identification and support (including instruction, accommodations, and assistive technology). The district encouraged staff, families, and the community to work together to raise awareness to better identify, treat, and support all students with dyslexia.   Committee Corner Instructional Council Meeting Recap The Instructional Council met to discuss a new Supreme Court ruling, and also to provide early input on the district's long-term strategic plan. Supreme Court Case: The team was introduced to the Mahmoud v. Taylor Supreme Court decision (which affects parent notification and opt-out rights for certain lessons). Members provided input on a tentative plan for how the district will implement the Supreme Court’s ruling. Input was also collected from principals and public comment at Tuesday’s Board Meeting. The final plan will be shared with staff after it is finalized and approved by the Board. If you would like to provide feedback, you can email info@sbunified.org.  Strategic Plan: The Council began shaping the new 3-year Strategic Plan by giving input on draft belief statements. These statements will guide future goals aligned with the Board's priorities: literacy, math, alignment of academics, assessment & achievement, and belonging and community. Next Meeting: The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for November. Finance Committee Meeting Recap The committee approved the August 26 minutes and revised bylaws. They reviewed reports on Historical Financial Data, Arts Funding/Prop 28, and the Transportation Budget. Future topics include Smarter School Spending, Secondary Staffing, and the Bond Program. CABAWE Retreat: Focused on Black Student Equity The Committee Advancing Black Achievement, Wellness, and Excellence (CABAWE) met to set their action plan for 2025-26, focused on four key priorities: Curriculum: Emphasize joy-centered, culturally sustaining learning and develop a Pro-Black Instructional Resource List. Accountability: Expressed concern over inconsistent follow-up on reported incidents (via 3Rs) and requested disaggregated data to identify trends. They stressed the need for better staff training in handling anti-Black incidents restoratively. Ethnic Studies: Recommended expanding Ethnic Studies into elementary schools and continuing staff training in Cultural Humility. Partnerships: Requested a streamlined process to fix persistent issues with community partnership agreements (MOU, payments) that support Black students. Human Resources Benefits Committee Recap The committee reviewed rising benefit costs and plan changes: Dental Costs Up: The shift to the richer $3,000 Met Life Dental Plan drove a 5% cost increase for the district ($700,000 more). Health Plan Highlight: The Gold Proactive Care PPO was promoted as a popular, no-deductible option for employees. Tax-Savings Hike: Limits for tax-advantaged accounts will increase in 2026: FSA Health Care to $3,400 and FSA Child Care to $7,500. Enrollment: 1,072 employees enrolled in benefits during the last Open Enrollment. Arts Funding Transforms Goleta Valley Junior High The committee saw the latest example of arts funding in action with the major upgrades at Goleta Valley Junior High (GVJH). Thanks to the Arts Block Grant, the school's video production class now has state-of-the-art equipment, including cameras used to make major motion pictures. These upgrades are giving students a high-level, hands-on experience in filmmaking.   Upcoming Events October 16- DEMLAC General Meeting- 6:00 p.m. October 20- Professional Development Day (No School for Students) October 23- Tech Use Committee- 6:00 p.m. October 28- School Board Meeting   Celebrations or Questions? If you have an SB Unified celebration or question to share, please email info@sbunified.org.

    Thursday, Oct 16 2025

  • Board Brief: Approval of the 2026-27 School Calendar

    SB Unified Board Brief September 24, 2025 September 24, 2025 Board Meeting Recap This article summarizes the September 24, 2025, Board of Trustees Meeting. The full agenda is available on our website: Board Meeting Agenda   Approval of the 2026-27 School Calendar The board approved the school calendar for the 2026-27 school year. The calendar is available here.   Happy 150th Birthday, Santa Barbara High School! The board took a moment to celebrate a major milestone: the 150th anniversary of Santa Barbara High School. The board approved a resolution to officially recognize the achievement. For a century and a half, Santa Barbara High School has been a big part of the community, known for its strong academics and athletics. They've also been innovative over the years, with notable programs like the Multimedia Arts & Design (MAD) Academy and the Computer Science Academy. We're especially proud of the new Interpretation/Translation Pathway, a program that is the first of its kind in the state, empowering our students with essential skills for the future. The school's newspaper, The Forge, is the second-oldest high school newspaper in California, having been published since 1914. This is just one example of the school's long history of excellence. The recap also mentioned the school's new Interpretation/Translation Pathway, a first in California. It was a great moment to honor the school's rich history and look forward to its future.   Teachers’ Union Negotiations Moving Forward The Board approved SBTAs “sunshine letter” to begin contract negotiations with Santa Barbara Unified during the 2025-26 school year. This proposal outlines what contract articles SBTA intends to negotiate.  The articles in this proposal are wages, health and welfare benefits, and class size. The next step is for the District to bring its proposals and that will take place over two meetings in October. During the discussion, Board President Gabe Escobedo read the following statement: “We heard the concerns raised by SBTA, and we believe that we can still meet our original intention behind sunshining on October 28th, which was to move forward thoughtfully, grounded in clarity and a collective understanding, while making adjustments to better support participation. With site leadership input gathered and articles still in development, we will now bring our sunshine letter forward on October 14th. This is a tight turnaround, but we are committed to doing it. We have also worked hard to establish calendar dates for negotiation, and those will be sent to the SBTA President, with the earliest bargaining date availability set for late October. At the same time, our responsibility remains the same. We will need crucial fiscal information, including updated property tax revenues in November and our first interim budget in December, before making commitments on proposals that contain financial costs. This is essential to being transparent and ensuring that any agreement is sustainable for the long term. Our hope is that this adjustment demonstrates our willingness to listen and to respond when possible, while also creating the best conditions for productive negotiations. By working collaboratively with SBTA and CSEA, we believe we can reach agreements that support our educators and staff and, most importantly, center the success of our students.”   An Update on Student Reading Support The board received a detailed report on how the district is helping students who are struggling with reading. The district uses a system called Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to make sure every student gets the help they need. Tier 1 is the high-quality reading instruction all students receive in their regular classroom. Tier 2 and Tier 3 are the extra layers of support for students who need more help. Tier 2 is usually for small groups, while Tier 3 provides more intensive, one-on-one assistance. What's New in Elementary Schools? The district is using a new test called mCLASS for all students in kindergarten through second grade to identify reading difficulties early. For students needing more support, schools use a dedicated time during the day called Power Hour for small-group instruction. There is also an after-school program using the Lexia digital platform for students who need intensive, research-based help. For students with special needs, the district is using the Wilson Reading System for focused, one-on-one help. What's Happening in Secondary Schools? At the junior high and high school levels, students who need extra support receive it through a combination of small-group help within their English classes or during dedicated "Flex Time" periods of before/after school interventions. They use a program called Lexia PowerUp for this targeted support. Investing in Teachers The district is also focusing on training teachers in the mCLASS Universal Screener, LETRS, Lexia Core 5,  Lexia English, and Lexia PowerUp.  These trainings are designed to give teachers the skills and tools needed to help students with specific reading challenges. Finally, the report mentioned that the district is partnering with community groups like the Santa Barbara Education Foundation and United Way to expand after-school literacy support for students. The board will receive a similar update on math interventions at a meeting in November.   Welcome to Our New Legal Counsel The board welcomed the district’s new in-house Legal Counsel, Joanna Powell, who was at the meeting to introduce herself. Ms. Powell brings a unique perspective to the role, having started her career as a second-grade teacher in the Bronx. This experience gives her a valuable understanding of both the classroom environment and the legal side of education, making her a great fit for the district.  Ms. Powell’s position is new and replaces the work done by several previous general counsel's law firms in hopes of bringing down legal costs. She starts next week.   New Rules for Parent Notification and Opt-Outs The board held a first reading and discussion of several changes to the district’s Board Policies and Administrative Regulations related to religious beliefs, sexual health, and comprehensive health education. These updates were prompted by a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, Mahmoud v. Taylor, which affects how schools handle certain topics. The new guidance requires the district to provide parents with advance notice and an opportunity to have their children "opt-out" of lessons that include LGBTQ+ themes or characters on the basis that instruction may “substantially interfere with the religious development” of their student. This was the first time the board reviewed these proposed changes. The Board Policies will be brought back for a second reading and potential approval on October 28, 2025.   Exciting Arts Investment: Upgrades at McKinley School Some exciting news was shared about McKinley Elementary, thanks to recent arts funding. The funding is leading to fantastic upgrades that are making a real difference in both the classrooms and the school auditorium, creating a better environment for students to learn, perform, and create. It's great to see this support making a direct impact on the arts programs and the student experience at McKinley! Upcoming Events October 2- Board Holiday (All Schools and Offices Closed) October 4- SEAC Family Training - What to do when you do not agree with the IEP? October 14- Board Meeting October 16- DEMLAC Meeting October 17- End of 1st Term High School (Minimum Day) October 20- Professional Development Day (No Student Day) October 23- Tech Use Committee October 28- Board Meeting   Celebrations or Questions? If you have an SB Unified celebration or question to share, please email info@sbunified.org.

    Thursday, Sep 25 2025