Santa Barbara teachers will no longer have department chairs, according to the new contract approved by the school board on Tuesday night. They will be replaced by Professional Learning Community leaders who coordinate assessments and curricula but do not serve the traditional role of liaison between faculty and administration. For this concession, the teachers will receive a 2 percent bonus in their final paycheck of the school year. Nonteaching employees will receive the same bonus. They will move immediately to non-pay status, however, if they are recommended for termination. Salaries will be negotiated in the fall.
