School Board Allocates Funds for Gang Interventionists

Tackling the issue for the fourth time in five weeks, the Santa Barbara School Board on the evening of Tuesday, September 23, tentatively approved funding for the hiring of two gang intervention specialists. Though the positions – officially titled “outreach workers” – will each make between $31,000 and $39,000 plus benefits a year, the board earmarked $100,000 of state block funding for the positions with a unanimous vote on Tuesday night. How the job will function – specifically the ways in which they will facilitate both prevention and intervention – are still up for debate. To that end, the board also approved the formation of a steering committee comprised of two board members and Superintendent Brian Sarvis with the intent of fleshing out the details of the positions as well as oversight of the employees once they are hired. The matter is expected to return to the board for final approval next week.