SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) has reversed course on previously announced arts staffing reductions, rescinding layoff notices for junior high band and Santa Barbara High School theater positions.
The changes follow a meeting on Friday, May 2, with Superintendent Hilda Maldonado, Trustee Kafri, and San Marcos High School Principal Holdren.
Although two visual arts teachers, one each at San Marcos and Santa Barbara High, will not be replaced due to staff transfers, district leaders emphasize that no arts or music educators are being laid off for the 2025–26 school year. San Marcos High School is also set to add a new dance teacher, funded by Proposition 28, which earmarks dedicated funding for arts education statewide…