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Board approves several resolutions, authorizes potential layoff notices amid negotiations
Summary
Trustees approved routine resolutions recognizing heritage and employee appreciation, approved a student discipline action, and authorized resolutions that would permit issuing layoff notices for certificated and classified staff while staff negotiates placements before May 15.
At its April 28 meeting the Santa Barbara Unified Board approved a series of action items including a student discipline case, a resolution recognizing May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, an employee appreciation resolution, and two resolutions that authorize issuing layoff notices for certificated and classified positions for the 2026‑27 school year.
On student discipline the board moved, seconded and approved the recommended action (Education Code 48918, case number 2025‑266‑17). The board also adopted Resolution 2025‑2026‑32 recognizing AAPI Heritage Month and a resolution recognizing certificated, classified, management and other education professionals for employee appreciation month.
Layoff authorizations and public concern: The board voted to authorize staff to issue notices under Resolution 2025‑26‑34 (certificated reductions) and Resolution 2025‑26‑35 (classified reductions) to meet statutory deadlines, while district negotiators continue to seek placements and work with unions to reduce the lists prior to May 15. During public comment Elaine Bryce of Student and Family Services said she and colleagues had received RIF notices and raised concerns about the timing, job‑description changes, and the process for reclassifying roles; she urged the district to explain why positions listed for reduction were created recently and to clarify reclassification requirements and seniority placement.
District explanation: Staff explained that the resolutions provide authorization to issue notices if necessary and that numbers on the list may change as the district negotiates bumping and placement with union partners; staff also noted vacant positions will be considered as potential placements prior to hiring new applicants.
Next steps: Negotiations with CSEA and other labor partners will continue as the district and unions work through bumping rights and placement; any issuance of final layoff notices would follow the processes described in the resolutions and applicable Education Code provisions.
