Santa Barbara Unified Board Approves Reductions, Spares Some Elementary Positions
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — After a nine-hour meeting, the Santa Barbara Unified School District Board voted to reduce and eliminate several positions within the district in an effort to balance the budget and meet state requirements.
Shortly after 2 a.m. Wednesday, the board adopted a resolution to reduce a number of positions, including some English and math teaching roles.
According to Superintendent Hilda Maldonado, 36 certificated positions will be reduced, and 85 staff members will receive preliminary notices. Additionally, eight classified positions will be cut, with 19 employees receiving preliminary notices. Five management positions will be eliminated.
Maldonado explained that certificated staff hold teaching credentials or licenses, while classified staff include roles such as food service and maintenance workers.
Of the notices sent, district spokesperson Ed Zuchelli said the total anticipated teacher reduction will be 18.
Despite the reductions, the board directed staff to spare some specialized elementary school positions, including one music, one art, one physical education, and one STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) position.
"The board voted 3-2 to direct staff to find other ways to reduce the budget by an additional $525,000 and to keep the elementary specials teachers," said Zuchelli.
SBUSD is required to notify staff about potential layoffs with precautionary reduction-in-force notices by March 15. Final notifications will be issued by May 15.
"The overall goal is to reduce spending by $9.65 million to balance the budget and meet the state-required minimum 3% reserves in the coming years," Zuchelli said.
The reductions are due to several factors, including the expiration of COVID-related funding in the 2025-26 school year, rising salaries and benefits, declining enrollment, and a commitment to reducing class sizes.
"We are committed to navigating these challenges with transparency, compassion, and an unwavering focus on our students' success and wellness," Maldonado said. "Next year, our district’s resources—people, time and money—will be different, but the goals to improve student outcomes and experiences will continue to be our ‘north star.’"
Before the vote, many teachers, parents, and supporters spoke in opposition to the cuts, urging the board to protect positions in the arts and music.
Following the meeting, the Santa Barbara Teachers Association issued a statement:
"The Santa Barbara Teachers Association is proud to be part of such a vibrant community that came out in support of our arts and elective programs. We agree with Board Member Kafri that these cuts should be made further away from students in the classroom. We want our district to reprioritize its budget to save more positions that directly help students."
District staff has recommended an additional $4.22 million in cuts for the 2026-27 school year.
ORIGINAL REPORT: School districts are once again considering budget-related cuts as they plan for the future.
Potential reductions were on the agenda at Wednesday night's Santa Barbara Unified School District board meeting.
SBUSD is required to notify staff about possible layoffs with precautionary reduction-in-force notices by mid-March. Final notifications will be issued by May 15.
While the proposed cuts do not directly target music and arts programs, supporters of those programs showed up in force to voice their concerns.
Members of the La Cumbre Junior High Jazz Band performed Danny Boy and other songs outside before the meeting began. They later marched inside and played again.
Santa Barbara Junior High instrumental music teacher Kevin Christensen, who was recently hired, said he is worried about the possibility of being laid off under the "last hired, first fired" principle.
“A lot of jobs are on the line. I’m particularly here for the music positions. Music in Santa Barbara has a long, healthy tradition, but over the years, there has been a steady decline,” Christensen said. “We need to fight to add music and performing arts access for students at a time when they need connection, belonging and teamwork. Music can provide all those things.”
Parents at the meeting also expressed concern about the positions being considered for elimination.
The district has placed some popular jobs on the chopping block. Budget cuts are always difficult, as school funding depends on the state.
This year, SBUSD’s budget no longer includes COVID-19 relief funding. The district has also agreed to a new contract that includes smaller class sizes and higher wages.
San Marcos High School student Naomi Voigt credited her music teachers for inspiring her to audition for Teen Star.
Voigt said her family recently moved to the area and specifically chose a school with a strong music program. She went on to win the Santa Barbara Teen Star competition.
“If I didn’t have the arts, I wouldn’t have done Teen Star. I wouldn’t have won because I wouldn’t have been able to stand on stage,” Voigt said. “The arts teach you more than music.”
Her mother, Michele Voigt, echoed that sentiment.
“I’ve watched the arts shape a lot of people’s lives, including my own. I am a professional painter, so art is essential. It is not a luxury—it is culturally important to Santa Barbara,” she said.
She believes public schools provide an affordable way for students to access art and music education.
Grants and other funding sources cover mental health programs, so those are not included in the proposed reductions.
It remains unclear which positions will be eliminated, but the district is looking to cut 48 full-time jobs or their equivalents, totaling $9,442,364.
Possible cuts to the U.S. Department of Education are not part of this discussion but could impact public schools in the future.
Your News Channel will have more on the potential cuts in SBUSD tonight.
