Parentsquare Logo

  • Flyer Friday: Cell Phone Committee Review Update & F...

    SB Unified Updates Family Newsletter June 6, 2025 Santa Barbara Unified’s Tech Use Committee met this week and proposed a series of changes to the District’s “Off and Away” Policy. Committee members in attendance included teachers, staff members, school and District administrators, parents, community members, and Board members.  These new recommendations to the District were developed after a series of three meetings with the committee and a Districtwide feedback survey and will be going to the board for approval on June 24, 2025: Elementary Off & Away will be formalized and expanded to all day.  Principals and district office staff will meet and align Parent Handbooks and create a one-page deliverable for families and teachers, ready before Back-to-School nights. Jr. High Off & Away will be expanded to all day at select schools. Students will be issued pouches to manage and practice self-regulation.  ETS will engage with vendors, and parent committee members will engage with foundations to seek funding.  Principals will update Parent Handbooks. Communications will be developed to inform staff, families, and students. High School Current Off & Away programs will be aligned and strengthened across high schools Principals will meet and align on committee feedback in June Principals will receive an intervention workflow for cellphone management.  District principals and administrators will meet to review these findings and implement potential changes. Additionally, meetings will be held with teachers and staff to coordinate the policy. We would like to thank the committee members who attended these meetings to review the policy and provide these recommendations. Their feedback is vital to creating joyful learning spaces for all.  Once agreements to the proposed changes to the cell phone policy have been made by school and District administrators and our union partners, the updated policy will be presented to the Board for approval on June 24.    "Readers are Leaders" Family Literacy Festival Join us on Saturday, June 7th from 10AM–1PM at Santa Barbara Junior High School for a fun-filled day of arts & crafts, book authors, literacy activities, and community resources for the whole family! Sponsored by Santa Barbara Unified School District and the Santa Barbara Education Foundation. Celebrate reading, learning, and community!   Celebrating Our Retirees We had a wonderful celebration honoring our employees who are retiring. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication and service to our district. Their contributions have made a significant impact, and we wish them all the best in their next chapter! Please join us in celebrating these employees if you see them! We'd also like to recognize to Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Kim Hernandez, who is retiring. We inadvertently omitted her name from our previous staff changes announcement. Kim, thank you for your invaluable leadership and years of service to the district. We truly appreciate all you've done and wish you a fantastic retirement.    

    Saturday, Jun 07 2025

  • Santa Barbara Unified Announces Public Review Period...

    Santa Barbara Unified’s proposed budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year is available for public inspection. This critical document outlines the financial plan for the district's operations, programs, and services for the upcoming school year. The proposed budget will be accessible for review at the  Santa Barbara Unified School District Office, located at 720 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara, CA , during regular working hours. For additional convenience, the budget document will also be available online at:  https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1749158000/sbunifiedorg/nv6j0jr41gelvmosbrv8/25-26ProposedBudget.pdf . The district encourages community members to review the proposed budget and participate in the upcoming public hearing to provide feedback. Key Dates for the 2025-2026 Budget Process: Public Inspection Period Begins:  June 5, 2025, at the Santa Barbara Unified School District Office (720 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara) during regular working hours. Public Hearing:  June 10, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Santa Barbara Unified School District Board Room (720 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara). Budget Adoption Meeting:  June 24, 2025, in the Santa Barbara Unified School District Board Room (720 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara). The Santa Barbara Unified School District is committed to transparency and community engagement in its financial planning. Your participation is vital in ensuring the district's budget reflects the priorities and needs of our students and community.

    Friday, Jun 06 2025

  • Family Newsletter: End of the School Year Gratitude

    SB Unified Updates Family Newsletter June 4, 2025 Dear families and guardians, As another school year comes to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you, our amazing families, for everything you do to support our students. So much happens every day in our classrooms and schools that truly shapes the well-being and success of the young people we serve. With you as our partner, we can all commit to fostering an environment where every student reaches their full potential. In a time when we often hear about challenges, we want to take a moment to share some exciting highlights from the district this year – stories of what's working thanks to your partnership and dedication! Please continue to share your own stories about how we're all making a difference for each other and for every student in our community.  In August, I shared my hope to deepen relationships, strengthen communication, create phone-free learning spaces, and ground our work in the values of love, justice, and humanity. ​​While this journey is ongoing, I have seen us take real steps forward. We’re not perfect, and we won’t always see things the same way, but what unites us is a shared commitment to doing right by our students and each other. I see a community not only doing its best, but often going above and beyond to bring our values to life in real and meaningful ways every day. Let’s finish the year with the same strength and grace that has carried us through. When we align with love, justice, and humanity, each of our efforts, no matter how small, contributes to a greater, shared purpose.  Thank you for everything. Let’s keep going, together. Enjoy your summer, Dr. Maldonado Superintendent DISTRICT END OF YEAR HIGHLIGHTS Second-Grade STAR Reading: Students meeting or exceeding standards increased from 40.8% to 50.7% this year, and those not meeting dropped from 41.9% to 29.2%. Third- Grade STAR Reading: Students meeting or exceeding standards increased from 37.8% to 43.6% this year, and those not meeting dropped from 42.3% to 35.3%. Fifth- Grade STAR Reading: Students meeting or exceeding standards increased from 41.8% to 45.9% this year, and those not meeting dropped from 41.4% to 35.4%. Sixth- Grade STAR Reading: Students meeting or exceeding standards increased from 40.5% to 45.6% this year, and those not meeting dropped from 31.1% to 27.5%. Seventh & Eighth Grade STAR Reading: 52.8% of Junior High students are reading at or above grade level. First-Grade STAR Math: In just three years, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding standards rose from 38.1% (’21-’22) to 50.9% (’24-’25). Third- Grade STAR Math: Students meeting or exceeding standards increased from 35.6% to 45.3% this year, and those not meeting dropped from 45% to 34.1%. Junior High CAASPP Math: The percentage of students Meeting and Exceeding Standards on the 2023-24 CAASPP Mathematics increased 4.79% in eighth-grade from 38.49% to 43.28%. Hispanic/Latino students (grades 4–6) in STAR math improved significantly, from 27.56% to 44.06% meeting or exceeding standards. English Language Progress Indicator: 1.8% increase from 45.1% to 46.9% in students making progress in learning English, according to the ELPI test. School Safety: Panorama survey data shows the number of students feeling safe on campus improved by 4% across the whole District. Teacher and Student Relationships: Students across all grade levels reported in Panorama surveys that social relations with their teachers improved 3% in secondary schools. School Climate Improvement: 4% increase in those reporting positively about the social and learning climate of schools, according to Panorama. PEAC Graduating Class of 2025: 192 students with 84% of them being A-G Eligible and having a 3.0+ GPA (an increase of 14% from the class of 2024). These accomplishments are in line with the goals set when students first enroll in the PEAC Program in 9th grade. A-G Readiness: 7% increase in the number of high school students on track to meet the A-G class requirement to attend college. College and Career Preparedness: 6% increase from 2019 in the number of students prepared for college, to 60.7%.   Family Literacy Festival Family Literacy Festival “Readers are Leaders”. Join us on Saturday, June 7th from 10AM–1PM at Santa Barbara Junior High School for a fun-filled day of arts & crafts, book authors, literacy activities, and community resources for the whole family! Sponsored by Santa Barbara Unified School District and the Santa Barbara Education Foundation. Celebrate reading, learning, and community!     Apple Device Community Sale We're thrilled to announce an exciting partnership between SB Unified and Second Life Mac. Together, we're hosting a Community Sale offering premium pre-owned Apple devices at incredible discounts, exclusively for our school community. 🍎 What: Santa Barbara Unified's Community Sale on Apple Devices 📅 When: May 1 to June 13, 2025 🔗 Where: store.secondlifemac.com 🏷️ School Discount Code: SantaBarbaraSummer Why this partnership matters to our school community: Access high-quality Apple technology at a fraction of retail prices Support our school's sustainability initiatives Enhance learning opportunities both in the classroom and at home Bridge the digital divide among our students and families From iPads to MacBooks, we have a wide range of devices to suit every tech need at prices you can’t beat. Each product is meticulously inspected by Second Life Mac and ready for its new home in our community. Don't miss this chance to upgrade your tech life while supporting SB Unified's mission of technological equity. Shop now using our exclusive school discount code! For more information, click HERE.   SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SEAC) MEETING & FALL 2025 FAMILY Join us for the first SEAC Meeting of the 2025–2026 school year: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM SBUSD Board Room We’re also excited to offer Fall SEAC Family Trainings in partnership with the Alpha Family Empowerment Center: Saturday, August 23, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM SEAC Parent Representative Training SBUSD Board Room Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Family IEP Basics SBUSD Board Room Saturday, September 20, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Family IEP Basics SBUSD Board Room Saturday, September 27, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM What Do You Do When You Do Not Agree with the IEP? SBUSD Board Room We look forward to seeing you there and partnering in support of all students and families! Special Education Celebrations Please join me in congratulating the following outstanding special education team members who have been recognized with the 2024–2025 Special Education Awards across Santa Barbara County. Their dedication, compassion, and excellence in supporting students and families truly exemplify the highest standards in our field. We are proud to celebrate their well-deserved recognition! Santa Barbara SELPA Award Rosemary Tafoya, La Colina – Junior High Special Education Teacher Jacob Boone, DPHS – High School Special Education Teacher Kristi Hann, District Office – Special Education Clerk Santa Barbara County Education Office Instructional Strategy Team Member Grant Recipient Nazy Tully, Monroe Elementary School SB Rotary Club Special Education Teacher Recognition  Sterling Henken, La Cumbre Junior High Victor Hart Memorial Job Developer Award Congratulations to Polly Pelly and Kelli Flores, WIN Teachers, for receiving the Victor Hart Memorial Job Developer Award! This recognition honors the outstanding work they’ve done in creating personalized and meaningful job placements for their students. Their dedication to supporting student success in real-world settings exemplifies the mission of the WIN program. Well done, Polly and Kelli! TOURETTE SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH 2025 Tourette’s Awareness Month is an annual event that aims to shine a light on Tourette Syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalizations known as tics. The month is marked by educational programs and advocacy efforts to support the Tourette community and promote understanding of the condition. https://tourette.org/awareness-month-2025/  

    Thursday, Jun 05 2025

  • Board Recap 5/27/25

    Santa Barbara Unified Board Meeting Update May 28, 2025 This message is a recap of the May 27th Board of Trustees meeting. These communications are sent after each meeting to keep the community informed. You can find the full agenda available at this link.   Board Finance Committee Discussed The School Board held a first reading discussion of a new Finance Committee. The group will learn about district finances, ensure transparent budgeting, and recommend ways to maximize funds for student learning. Nine members are slated to serve on the committee, including two Board members, an advisory student, members from both unions, two school site leader representatives, and two community members. The board will determine the selection criteria, term length, and bylaws at the next meeting on June 10th.   Board Policy Updates Begin The Board of Trustees began the process of approving annual updates to District Board Policies. The changes made reflect updates to state and federal laws that impact school operations.  The first series of updates under review is policies related to the Business Services and Human Resources departments. The policies will get a final approval at the June 10 Board Meeting. Other policy revisions will be brought forward at future meetings to be scheduled as well.   New K-2 Reading Screener (mCLASS) Approved The Santa Barbara Unified School District Board approved mCLASS as the new K-2 Universal Screener for reading, starting in the 2025-26 school year. This decision aligns with state requirements and the district's goal to improve early literacy. What is mCLASS? mCLASS is a tool that teachers will use to assess students in Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade. It helps identify students who might be at risk for reading difficulties early on, including dyslexia. It's available in both English and Spanish and helps track student progress. The main purpose is to: Identify students early: Catch reading difficulties as soon as possible. Provide targeted support: Ensure students get the right help they need through personalized instruction. Monitor progress: Track how students are improving over time. Provide teacher and parent reports on student progress. How was it selected?  A thorough process involved: Committees: District leaders and an advisory committee (including teachers, specialists, and school leaders) reviewed and piloted different state-approved screeners. Community Input: Staff, families, and community members provided feedback through dedicated forums. What happens next? Training: Teachers and staff will receive training on how to use mCLASS effectively. Data Use: The assessment results will help guide classroom instruction, form small groups for targeted support, and inform conversations with families. Family Partnership: A "Home Connect" feature will provide activities for families to support reading at home, and progress reports will be shared during conference week. This new screener is a key part of the district's plan to ensure all K-2 students build strong literacy skills.   District Emergent Multilingual Learner Advisory Committee (DEMLAC) Report The Santa Barbara Unified School District's District Emergent Multilingual Learner Advisory Committee (DEMLAC) shared its annual report, highlighting its vital role in supporting our students who are learning English and other languages. Made up of dedicated parents and executive officers, DEMLAC acts as a key advisor to the school board, shaping how the district serves its diverse student population. DEMLAC's work involves everything from helping to develop the district's Master Plan for multilingual education to reviewing student reclassification procedures and providing input on the district's overall accountability plan (LCAP). Looking ahead to the 2025-26 school year, DEMLAC has put forth several recommendations to further enhance support for our multilingual learners: Building Teacher Capacity: More specialized training for teachers and school leaders on the best ways to teach multilingual students. Strengthening Support Systems: Ensuring continuous and robust programs, like the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), to closely track student progress. Engaging Families: Improving communication with families through workshops and making meetings more accessible with childcare and meals. Innovating Programs: Introducing exciting new initiatives, such as integrating AVID strategies to promote a college-going culture, establishing English Immersion program, expanding Dual Language Immersion options, and creating a "Newcomer Academy" for newly arrived high school students in the second year of implementation. These recommendations underscore DEMLAC's commitment to ensuring every multilingual student and their family experiences equity and excellence throughout their educational journey.   Progress on Addressing Bias and Anti-Black Actions Santa Barbara Unified School District provided a progress update on its ongoing commitment to address incidents of hate, bias, and anti-Blackness within its schools. What has been done so far? Incident Response: A total of eighty (80) hate or bias-related incidents were reported and addressed using restorative and educational approaches, which represents a drop from the prior year. Improved Complaint Process: The district enhanced its Uniform Complaint Process (UCP) with a user-friendly flowchart, a commitment to a 10-day follow-up, and updates to the digital reporting system, including a feedback loop for complainants. Staff Training: The "Recognize, Respond, & Report (3Rs)" campaign continued, and all staff received three professional learning modules on bias awareness and identity. Site leaders also participated in racial healing workshops. Black Student Engagement: Events organized by Black Student Unions (BSU) and partnerships with community organizations like Healing Justice SB and UCSB Kindred have significantly increased Black student engagement and amplified their voices. Grant Funding: The district received a $200,000 grant from the California Department of Education for anti-bias education, supporting professional learning, BSU programs, and the expansion of Black Studies within the Ethnic Studies curriculum. What are the next steps for 2025-26? The Committee Advancing Black Achievement, Wellness, and Excellence (CABAWE) will welcome new members for the 25-26 school year. A Parent Learning Academy will be launched. Staff will gain access to Learning for Justice standards. Professional learning will continue to align with school-based efforts.   Board Resolution in Recognition of June as LGBTQ2IA+ The Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) officially declared June 2025 as LGBTQ2IA+ Pride Month via a resolution passed on May 27, 2025. The resolution affirms SBUSD's commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all LGBTQ2IA+ students, staff, and families, emphasizing anti-bullying efforts, curriculum inclusion, and the recognition of key LGBTQ2IA+ historical dates.   SBTA State of the Union Report Santa Barbara Teachers Association (SBTA) presented a 2025 State of Our Union Perception Survey. The report’s intent and purpose gained from this survey are intended to inform decision-making, target changes, and monitor progress with the intent to establish targets and monitor progress toward challenges faced by educators.  To read the report, click here.  

    Thursday, May 29 2025

  • Flyer Friday

    Flyer Friday May 23, 2025 Readers are Leaders" Family Literacy Festival Join us on Saturday, June 7th from 10AM–1PM at Santa Barbara Junior High School for a fun-filled day of arts & crafts, book authors, literacy activities, and community resources for the whole family! Sponsored by Santa Barbara Unified School District and the Santa Barbara Education Foundation. Celebrate reading, learning, and community!   CycleMAYnia This National Bike Month, Santa Barbara County’s “CycleMAYnia” features 47 exciting events that invite you to “Bike Your Way.” Join the City, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), and MOVE Santa Barbara County for a full month of ride-inspiring activities. Grab your helmet, explore the Bike Challenge, and check out the full calendar of events available now!

    Friday, May 23 2025

  • Leadership Updates: New Roles and Farewells

    We are pleased to share several important leadership updates and extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the following individuals as they take on new roles and opportunities: Santa Barbara High School We are thrilled to announce that Ed Gomez has been unanimously approved by the Board on May 6, 2025, as the next principal of Santa Barbara High School, effective July 1, 2025. Ed has been an integral part of the SBHS community as an assistant principal, and we are excited to see him continue to lead and inspire in this new capacity. The district has begun the process to identify his successor as assistant principal. Adams Elementary School Congratulations to Allison Quijano on her appointment as the new principal of Adams Elementary School, approved by the Board on May 27, 2025. Allison will officially begin her new role on July 1, 2025. We look forward to the leadership and care she will bring to the Adams community. La Cumbre Junior High School We are pleased to welcome Xóchitl Tafoya as the new assistant principal at La Cumbre Junior High. Xóchitl brings valuable experience from her current role as assistant principal at Franklin Elementary School and will be a great asset to the La Cumbre team. Farewells and New Beginnings We extend our deepest gratitude and warmest wishes to the following leaders who are pursuing new opportunities: Dr. Lynne Sheffield , Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, will be leaving SBUSD effective June 30, 2025. We thank Dr. Sheffield for her dedication and contributions to our district and wish her the very best in the next chapter.  John Schettler , Executive Director of Student & Family Services, has accepted an opportunity with Goleta Union School District as their new Assistant Superintendent for Student Services. Congratulations, John, and thank you for your service to our students and families. Natalie Spevak , assistant principal at SBHS, has accepted a new role with the Santa Barbara County Education Office in their Human Resources Department. We wish her continued success in this exciting new chapter. Jesus Campos , assistant principal at La Cumbre Junior High, will be stepping into a new leadership role as principal of Hollister Elementary School in Goleta Union School District. We are proud of Jesus and know he will thrive in this new position. Opportunities For those interested in exploring current vacancies or promotional opportunities within the district, please visit the  HR website  for updated listings. Let’s take a moment to celebrate these transitions and express our appreciation for the dedication and leadership each of these individuals has shown. We wish them all continued success and fulfillment in their new roles.

    Thursday, May 22 2025

  • Friday Flyer

    Friday Flyer May 16, 2025 Are Invited! District Emergent Multilingual Learner Advisory Committee (DEMLAC) Dear Families of Emergent Multilingual Students: We invite you to our next  DEMLAC meeting.  When:Thursday, May 22, 2025 Time: 6:00 - 7:30 PM 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, please 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    Help Inform Future Smartphone Use Policies at SB Unified! Dear SB Unified Families, Teachers, Staff, and Students, The Tech Use Committee is exploring ways to support student learning and well-being, specifically considering policies to reduce smartphone distractions during school hours. Your voice is critical as we evaluate the potential impact and interest in adopting a policy like all-day smartphone restrictions. Please take a moment to complete this short survey. Your thoughtful feedback will directly shape our next steps and recommendations. Thank you for your valuable input! Warm regards, Santa Barbara Unified School District SURVEY LINK.   Ellwood 20-Year Anniversary Event Join us for a special day honoring Ellwood’s past and looking ahead to its future. Whether you're a longtime supporter or new to Ellwood, you're invited! 11:00 AM – Tribute Ceremony at Ellwood Elementary (7686 Hollister Ave) 12:00 – 4:00 PM – Community celebration with fun activities at Sperling Preserve, just across the street Let’s come together to celebrate and inspire the next generation of Ellwood stewards!   May NAMI Speaker Join us on the 4th Thursday of each month to discover community resources that benefit you or your family. Our goal is to support your mental health and to make connections.   Black Grad Celebration 2025 Join us in honoring the accomplishments of Black students from TK through City College across South Santa Barbara County. Hosted by SBCC Umoja in partnership with Santa Barbara Unified School District, this event celebrates promotion, culmination, graduation, and transfer. Sunday, May 18 | 2:00–5:30 PM SBCC East Campus – Student Services Courtyard Presented in collaboration with SBCC Foundation, NAACP Santa Barbara, Gateway Educational Services, BSU Alliance, Juneteenth SB, and Healing Justice Santa Barbara. RSVP by Friday, May 16: https://forms.gle/jVhFyqGeBdRMhfJRA

    Saturday, May 17 2025

  • Santa Barbara Unified Board Recap: May 13, 2025

    Santa Barbara Unified Board Recap: May 13, 2025 May 14, 2025 The Santa Barbara Unified School District Board of Education met on May 13, 2025 to make decisions about staff reductions as part of broader budget balancing efforts.The draft of the District's Master Plan for Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLs) was presented for its first reading. Introduction of New Principal for Santa Barbara High Ed Gomez, the new principal of Santa Barbara High School, shared his vision and experience as he was formally introduced as the new principal at Santa Barbara High. Mr. Gomez, who has over 30 years of experience in education, is currently an Assistant Principal at the school. He will succeed Fred Razo, who served as principal for the last two years after returning from retirement.   The board voted in closed session to select Allison Quijano as the next principal for Adams Elementary School. Ms. Quijano has been a teacher and a Secondary Instructional Specialist and has worked on implementing the Universal Access program and Ethnic Studies.  Both principals will begin their assignment on July 1, 2025.   Staffing Reductions Finalized Certificated Staff The Board formally adopted a resolution to approve the reduction of particular kinds of certificated services, a necessary step in response to ongoing budget challenges. While these decisions are never taken lightly, the District emphasizes that the reductions were driven by a need to close a projected $9.6 million budget gap for 2025–26. Thank you to Santa Barbara Teachers Union for collaborating with HR staff to place staff and reaching a mutual agreement in lieu of hearings. See the agreement here: MOULayoffs.pdf Behind every position is a person who has served students and colleagues with care, professionalism, and purpose. District leadership acknowledged the difficulty of this process and shared that, through extensive work with site administrators and the Santa Barbara Teachers Association, nearly every affected employee has been placed in an existing vacancy created by retirements or resignations. Only two individuals are receiving final layoff notices as of this meeting, and even those cases may still shift depending on staffing over the summer. The eliminated positions include administrators, instructional support roles, and classroom teaching positions across multiple content areas, including: Director of Student Outcomes and School Performance 14 Multi-Tiered Support Specialists (MTSS) positions 2 Grant-funded Caseload Counselors 5 Junior High Overstaffing positions 1 Elementary Assistant Principal position 1 Technology Integration Support Specialist/Teacher on Special Assignment Subject-area reductions in Math, Science, English, Social Science, Art, and World Languages due to changes in high school course offerings Certificated Staff Reductions = $4.87 million Classified Staff The Board also approved a resolution finalizing reductions to certain classified positions. The District acknowledged the important and often behind-the-scenes work of classified employees—roles like administrative support, custodial services, curriculum support, and student engagement. Thanks to a collaborative process between the District and the California School Employees Association (CSEA), all employees impacted by this reduction were able to be reassigned to vacant positions. No classified employee received a final layoff notice.  For those reassigned to different or lower-level roles, rights of return have been preserved in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement. The classified reductions included positions such as: Chief Technology Officer position Director of Community Partnership position Food Services Manager Administrative Secretary III Family Engagement Liaisons Curriculum Specialists at multiple school sites Several vacant administrative and support roles Classified Staff Reductions = $957,827.00 Additional budget reductions were achieved through cuts and services in the following areas:  ZUM Transportation Reduction  Goleta Valley Zero Period $130,000.00  Roosevelt $140,000.00  4 SPED route consolidations $500,000.00  Total Transportation Reduction = $770,000.00 Additional Reductions/Savings Park Rangers MOU with City for after hours drive-by surveillance of schools = $36,000.00  PEAC hourly savings = $130,000.00  Savings for in-house legal (not originally included in total) = $200,000.00   Master Plan for Emergent Multilingual Learners The Board also received a presentation on the draft Master Plan for Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLs), a key step in strengthening academic and social emotional support for students whose primary language is not English. Developed with the support of District administrators and staff, Loyola Marymount University and rooted in the California English Learner Roadmap, the plan outlines a comprehensive approach across six focus areas: Identification and Placement Instructional Programs and Multilingual Pathways Progress Monitoring and Reclassification Staffing and Professional Development Family Engagement Evaluation and Funding Alignment The plan builds on the district’s 2019–20 META initiative and was shaped by input from teachers, administrators, and community stakeholders. The board members engaged in a discussion on the importance of this plan and more importantly set an expectation for its implementation. They emphasized the need to monitor the use of best practices, monitoring of both student progress and school program performance.  Final revisions are underway, with a full version and implementation roadmap expected to return to the Board on May 27. To read supporting documents and presentations, visit the SBUSD BoardDocs portal.

    Thursday, May 15 2025

  • Employee Arrested, Additional Survivors Sought

    The Sheriff’s Office informed us today of the arrest of an employee who is an assistant coach at Dos Pueblos High School.  We are actively responding to this news as the safety and wellbeing of our students is of the utmost priority. All employees in Santa Barbara Unified School District go through a thorough background check. (see Ed Code 33190).    The District staff will be fully cooperating with the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office.  We encourage anyone with additional information to contact school administration. As a reminder, all of our schools have mental health resources for students. Contact your school directly for a more detailed list of available support.  The Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help and asked that we share the information below as they seek additional survivors. Sheriff’s detectives have arrested a Goleta man for several felony child sex crimes and are reaching out to the public to identify additional survivors and provide safety information for parents monitoring children’s social media. Detectives began investigating a case regarding lewd images of children in April 2025 and identified the suspect as 42-year-old Shaun Donald Hertlein from Goleta. Detectives also learned that Hertlein worked with children through his affiliation with a church in the 5800-block of Cathedral Oaks Road as well as assistant coaching for freshman boys football. There are many ways for victims to come forward. Below are additional resources: Detectives encourage anyone with knowledge of additional crimes associated please contact  Detective F. Arnoldi by phone at (805)681-4150. If you would like to be anonymous, you can submit information online at:  sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip  or by calling (805)681-4171. The District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s department encourage anyone who may be reluctant to come forward to reach out to:  Victim Advocates are available to ensure that survivors are kept informed and supported throughout the criminal justice process. Survivors have the option of contacting the Victim-Witness Assistance Program directly at (805)568-2400 or toll free at (855)840-3232.    The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind survivors that they can also find support services through our community partner,  Standing Together to End Sexual Assault (STESA). Services offered by STESA include a confidential 24-Hour hotline, legal and medical advocacy and accompaniment, and counseling. You can reach a STESA advocate at any time by calling (805) 564-3696.

    Monday, May 12 2025

  • Friday Flyer May 9, 2025

    Friday Flyer May 9, 2025 Help Inform Future Smartphone Use Policies at SB Unified! Dear SB Unified Families, Teachers, Staff, and Students, The Tech Use Committee is exploring ways to support student learning and well-being, specifically considering policies to reduce smartphone distractions during school hours. Your voice is critical as we evaluate the potential impact and interest in adopting a policy like all-day smartphone restrictions. Please take a moment to complete this short survey. Your thoughtful feedback will directly shape our next steps and recommendations. Thank you for your valuable input! Warm regards, Santa Barbara Unified School District SURVEY LINK   Black Grad Celebration 2025  Join us in honoring the accomplishments of Black students from TK through City College across South Santa Barbara County. Hosted by SBCC Umoja in partnership with Santa Barbara Unified School District, this event celebrates promotion, culmination, graduation, and transfer. Sunday, May 18 | 2:00–5:30 PM SBCC East Campus – Student Services Courtyard Presented in collaboration with SBCC Foundation, NAACP Santa Barbara, Gateway Educational Services, BSU Alliance, Juneteenth SB, and Healing Justice Santa Barbara. RSVP by Friday, May 16: https://forms.gle/jVhFyqGeBdRMhfJRA

    Saturday, May 10 2025