By Rosanne Crawford, Exec Team Member of Coalition for Neighborhood Schools
The recent article in edhat submitted by The Santa Barbara Teachers’ Association shows they want to put students first in creating equity at all schools. According to the article, it’s not the first time they have tried to improve equity between schools.
“According to Dr. Hilda Maldonado at a school board meeting on May 28, 2024 (minute 1:28:35), ‘The seventh period is a negotiated item with SBTA. It’s not something we can unilaterally implement… It’s something we would have to talk to them about to bring forward in future talks.’ However, now that SBTA is trying to work with the district, they refuse to address this at the bargaining table.
“Our students always come first, so we’re prioritizing the needs of our students and families before requesting a salary increase this year,” said SBTA president York Shingle. “Our students deserve better, and unfortunately, SBUSD administrators continue the pattern of not prioritizing our community and disrespecting our teachers. We are tired of the games,” SBTA stated.
The district’s response has changed, however, and they now claim the negotiation for equitable electives are non mandatory subjects and doesn’t belong in Labor Contract, as evidenced in another recent edhat article.
With Bill Banning as the new President of the Board of Education for SBUSD, Banning has shown a commitment to integrity to follow board policies and a high level of professionalism in his last years on the Board. I look for good things this year in board leadership as he assumes the role of President.
Board members Sunita Beall and Celeste Kafri have demonstrated a commitment to supporting teachers and students. They have been holding public outreach meet-ups at Tucker’s Grove that have been well attended by teachers and the community. Engaging, listening to feedback as to where problems are, and promoting supportive discussion re solutions is effective.
Equity of programs was the prominent discussion of one meeting; some schools are perceived as better because they offer different electives. Those schools are in high demand, considered more desirable for incoming transfers, and are limited by capacity.
All schools should be good schools. As a member of the Coalition for Neighborhood Schools, Lack of Equity is the main reason I ran for the County Board of Education in 2022.
Helping our districts build and implement equitable, excellent instructional programs for all students in their local contexts is key. Between the schools, there is a lack of consistency with everything from Core subjects to electives.
Another problem, I believe, is the practice of tracking non-English and bilingual speakers at the elementary level from the point they enter the SBUSD. The policy is that if a child speaks both English and Spanish, and was foreign-born, they are placed in a different class than English-speaking students.
Please support the Santa Barbara Teacher’s association. You can show your support by attending the Tuesday, Feb 10th meeting at 5:30 pm at the SBUSD Administration Office at 720 Santa Barbara St. Agendas are posted on the SBUSD website 72 hrs before the meeting date https://www.sbunified.org/
The website gives you an option of participation by Zoom or you may provide feedback by emailing dist_board@sbunified.org
Op-Ed’s are written by community members, not representatives of edhat. The views and opinions expressed in Op-Ed articles are those of the author’s.
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The SBUSD board just voted to increase their own pay by $1600/month when they all have other day jobs (or are retired). At the same time, they gave zero ground in negotiations on:
– reducing the number of students assigned to each guidance counselor
– paying librarians for a few extra days of work before the first day of school, to get books and supplies ready (work which many are already doing for free)
– Providing a certified teacher librarian at every elementary school, or
– Giving a little bit of a break on health insurance costs to married couples who both work for the district
Whack!
I personally have not seen “tracking” at the elementary level. However, lack of equal resources is definitely a problem. Maldonado sucks.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Maldonado es mal. She built an unprecedented administrative staff with triple-digit salaries on a foundation from L.A where she was previously, one of the worst districts in California.
We need new Board members to support Kafri and Beall; they are the minority and are working hard to change things. They are supporting the teachers, students, and families. The Board majority is so worried about losing their control that Gabe Escobedo is leaving his seat early to run for City Council, and Maldonado and her “majority” will then appoint someone of their choosing. Rose Munoz, who has just been warming the seat and voting yes to anything Maldonado wants, is not running again; at least there will be one seat voted on in the next election.
We shall keep trying, but the majority have it locked down. Thank you, Laura Capps, for bringing Maldonado into town as the top pick to hire as superintendent and recommending the Board hire her. Since her arrival, Maldonado claims Equity is her motto, actions speak louder than words!
A big thank you to Edhat for running this article that says it like it is!