Historic student walkouts continue as teachers negotiate new contract
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Some students have been showing their support for teachers in the Santa Barbara Unified School District by staging walkouts.
A walkout at San Marcos High on Monday followed one at Dos Pueblos High last week.
"The teachers deserve every cent that they get and more," said San Marcos High School Junior Benjamin Watson. "They've done so much to help us to help our school community. They're raising the next generation of our kids."
"And if we have to keep pushing our old teachers out because they can't live here and keep replacing it with new teachers, then our school has just seen a big depletion in pride and spirit with our staff," said San Marcos High School Junior Kian Strenn. "And all that just hurts the whole atmosphere of our school."
Students said another walkout will take place at Santa Barbara High School on Tuesday morning hours before the school board is set to meet for a third round of negotiations.
At issue is teacher pay.
The Teachers Association is asking for a 20 percent raise.
The district issued a negotiation update last month that said the SBUSD is proposing a 19% raise over two years in a $22 million compensation package.
That would involve an 8% salary increase in the 2024-2025 year and a 4% increase the following year.
Teachers said that only add up to 12 percent in waiting game.
But the district's plan would pay 75% of medical premiums and reduce class size.
If the issue isn't resolved on Dec. 12, negotiations are on the calendar for mid-January and early February.
The district's chief negotiator is Dr. John Becchio, who used to be the principal at Santa Barbara High School where the next reported student walkout is planned.
Santa Barbara Teachers Association President Hozby Galindo said teachers have rallied before school board meetings at the district office, but he called the student walkouts "Historic."
The district's public information officer was not available to comment but shared the California Ed Code 48205 that allows students to be excused to participate in political or civil events with prior notifications.
Without notification the walkout could be considered an unexcused absence.
Parents were notified if the absences were not excused.
