Santa Barbara Unified approves precautionary layoff notices as finance committee urges deeper administrative review

Santa Barbara — The Santa Barbara Unified School District board on Feb. 24 authorized staff to begin issuing preliminary reduction-in-force (RIF) notices for classified and certificated positions, a precautionary step trustees said was necessary as the district faces a narrowing reserve.

The decision followed a finance-committee presentation that highlighted a decline in enrollment, rising personnel costs and a projected need to identify roughly $2 million in reductions for the coming fiscal year and $4 million the next year. Finance Committee Chair Conrad Tedeschi told trustees that a targeted review of general-administrative expenses and participation in a Government Finance Officers Association diagnostic could identify further savings.

Why it matters: District leaders said salary and benefit increases together with declining enrollment have pressured the general fund and require early planning. Staff proposed roughly $5.2 million in non-site RIF-position reductions and about $1.6 million in contract cuts — approximately $6.8 million total — as part of a package that would help meet the multiyear targets.

Public speakers, union representatives and parents warned that cutting front-line staff would harm classrooms and student support. "If our district's mission is 'every child every day,' don't take away the people that help those children every day," David Jackson, a Dos Pueblos teacher, said in public comment.

The board vote and next steps: The board approved the classified reductions resolution and later approved the certificated reductions resolution; staff said the March 15 deadline requires issuing preliminary notices before a final May 15 determination. Staff explained the RIF process includes reviewing vacancies and attrition first, applying seniority and bumping rules, and negotiating with unions to reassign or place employees where possible.

Claims and scrutiny of financial assumptions: Several public commenters and committee members questioned revenue and property tax projections and urged the board to exhaust administrative and contract cost options before issuing notices. Todd Voigt, a finance-committee member, said a focused G&A analysis suggested potential savings that could reduce the number of layoffs; he urged the board to delay action until those reviews were complete.

What trustees said: Some trustees voiced concern about the short public notice and recommended additional meetings or committee work to explore options. Others argued the legal timing required the board to act now to preserve staff rights and provide time for accurate implementation of the complex seniority and bumping process. President Banning framed the action as precautionary, not final: board members can rescind or modify notices through May 15 if further savings are identified.

Next steps: Staff will begin bumping and notice procedures; the finance committee will continue a deeper review of administrative expenses and run the recommended diagnostic. The board asked staff to prioritize strategies that would protect positions closest to students and to return with additional analysis and options before final layoff notices are issued.

Ending: Board members said they share concern about the human impact of RIF notices but framed the votes as steps to preserve fiscal stability and keep the district solvent while pursuing options to limit job loss.