Teachers Union and School District Reach Deal

After months of negotiations, it appears the Santa Barbara School District has reached an agreement with the Santa Barbara Teachers Association (SBTA) in regard to the ongoing state budget troubles. On the hook at least $10 million worth of budget cuts this year, the District’s Board of Education approved a tentative budget that called for up to 10 unpaid furlough days for teachers next year should the worst-case budget scenario play out in the months ahead. The SBTA agreed to the potential maximum of furlough days only if the state budget situation requires it, and in exchange for the potential of a one-time one-percent pay schedule increase in each of the next two fiscal years should the district end up with a general fund balance in excess of 6 percent.