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Board approves joint sunshine proposal to open successor contract talks with educators' union
Summary
Santa Maria‑Bonita trustees approved a joint sunshine proposal with the Santa Maria Elementary Educators Association to open the successor collective bargaining agreement (expires 6/30/2026); union and district representatives described the process as collaborative.
The Santa Maria‑Bonita School District Board voted Sept. 10 to approve a joint sunshine proposal to open successor bargaining for the certificated bargaining unit agreement that expires June 30, 2026.
Dr. Bland introduced the district's sunshine proposal and said the district intended to open the full contract to successor negotiations. Kristen Lohr, speaking for the Santa Maria Elementary Educators Association, thanked the district for the collaborative, "unprecedented" joint sunshining process and said bargaining would begin the following morning.
Trustees expressed optimism about a collaborative approach while acknowledging that negotiations will be challenging. The board approved the motion by roll call; the vote carried unanimous among trustees present.
Next steps: bargaining teams from the district and SMEA to meet as scheduled; staff and union representatives will report progress back to their constituencies and to the board.
