School Board approves tentative agreements between Santa Barbara Teachers’ Association and district

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-The Santa Barbara Unified School Board unanimously approved tentative agreements between the Santa Barbara Teachers' Association and the Santa Barbara Unified School District on Tuesday evening.

The vote is the final step before implementing the agreements.

"I do want to recognize the SBTA leadership and particularly their negotiation team, I also want to recognize the hard work that happened in the process with the people actually sitting at the table and trying to get to a settlement," said Assistant Superintendent Dr. John Becchio.

Becchio said the tentative agreement represents a substantial increase in salary and benefits.

Board member Rose Munoz said she was glad to hear it included dental care and health improvements.

"This will substantially improve our employees standing in the community," said Becchio.

The contract also includes reduced class sizes and some changes in working conditions and hours.

About 92 percent of the voting members of the Santa Barbara Teachers' Association approved the deal.

Teachers are slated to get a 10 percent salary increase in the new school year, and a 5 percent increase the following year.

They will iron out a third year increase at a later date.

The amount will depend on property tax revenues and whether they are better than projected.

Even so, one teacher said he has heard from newer teachers who say it is not enough to keep them in the community where housing prices are higher than surrounding areas and where other districts pay more.

The settlement follows almost a year of demonstrations, negotiations and student walkouts.

During an impasse, a third-party mediator was brought to Santa Barbara to help bring the opposing sides together.

One of their longest meetings occurred during graduations.

The newly appointed Santa Barbara Unified School District Student Board Member Erick Gonzalez said students will be happy the differences are settled.

"I'm glad that our teachers are in a more satisfied position," said Gonzalez,"There was a student walkout for many of campuses earlier last year and I am glad that the student connection to the teachers is always supportive."

Gonzales will start his senior year at Santa Barbara High School when teachers will get their first paychecks reflecting their hard-fought raise.

Your News Channel will have more on the agreements tonight on the news.