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Santa Maria Bonita board adopts school calendars and Black History Month resolution; public commenters urge ERIP relief and RTI improvements
Summary
The board approved the agenda, consent items and adopted 2026–27 and 2027–28 school calendars and Resolution 25‑14 recognizing Black History Month. Public speakers urged the board to exercise discretion on an ERIP waiting list and called for stronger RTI implementation for struggling students.
At its regular meeting, the Santa Maria Bonita School District Board of Education approved the meeting agenda, the consent calendar and adopted the proposed school calendars for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 school years. The board also adopted Resolution 25‑14 recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month.
The agenda was moved and seconded and passed by roll call votes that recorded ayes from Trustees Cordero, Valencia, Hollinshead, Lara and Cabral. The consent agenda was approved in a single motion. The calendars were presented by district staff along with a note that the two options mirror, in most respects, calendars used by the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District and reflect negotiated terms with the Santa Maria Elementary Education Association; the board ultimately approved the calendars as presented.
During public comment, Sonia Morris identified herself as a 33‑year district employee and asked the board to exercise its contractual discretion to allow additional employees into the ERIP program after she said HR had given her incorrect guidance about enrollment windows. Morris said she was later placed on a waiting list and cited contract language (transcript cites section "12.2 0.3") limiting participation to 15 employees at a time unless the board chooses otherwise. "I was given the incorrect information initially, and I do have email to document this that supports it," Morris told the board and asked them to consider the exception on equity grounds.
Jennifer Evans, who spoke as a teacher with 26 years' experience and advanced credentials, urged the board to strengthen implementation of Response to Intervention (RTI). Evans said that RTI should operate as a multi‑tiered system in which tiers are additive, that some students who need targeted instruction are being supported by aides rather than licensed intervention teachers, and that large class sizes have hampered intervention efforts. "Our RTI pyramid is upside down," Evans said, urging a fully supported tiered approach.
The board also considered several recognitions and community announcements, including a $20,000 cash donation from Community Friends of Santa Barbara that district staff said was used to provide holiday meals to more than 500 families.
The board adopted Resolution 25‑14 commemorating Black History Month and encouraging age‑appropriate activities in district schools. The motion to adopt the resolution was recorded as moved by Lara and seconded by Cordero and was approved by roll call.
No formal action was taken on the new school design presentation; that item was presented for discussion and follow‑up. The meeting concluded with reports from board members about community events and an acknowledgment of increased ICE activity in the area; one trustee asked district staff to prepare a briefing on how the district is supporting students and staff affected by immigration enforcement operations.
The board adjourned and announced its next regular meeting will be Wednesday, 2026‑02‑04 at 6 p.m.
