District Committees

Academic Committees

District Arts Steering Committee

The purpose of the District Arts Steering Committee is responsible for guiding the district’s long-term strategic plan for arts education, ensuring that Proposition 28 funding is used to expand existing arts programs. The committee reviews and updates the Strategic Arts Plan, arts funding (Arts Block Grant & Prop 28), and develops proposals to enhance arts educator staffing, facilities, and community engagement opportunities.

District Arts Steering Committee
Meetings

SBUSD Board Room
720 Santa Barbara Street

October 21, 2024

District Representatives

Director, School Performance & Student Outcomes:
Anna Pilhoefer
apilhoefer@sbunified.org

Chief Operations Officer:
Steve Venz
svenz@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

Elementary Arts Teachers
Secondary Arts Teachers Administrators
Parents

District Emergent Multilingual Learner Advisory Committee (DEMLAC)

Agendas & Minutes

D I S T R I C T E M E R G E N T M U L T I L I N G U A L
L E A R N E R A D V I S O R Y C O M M I T T E E

The District Emergent Multilingual Learner Advisory Committee (DEMLAC) advises the Santa Barbara Unified School District Administration, School Board, and District Advisory Council on matters related to educational programs, policies, procedures, budget, program planning and specific actions being taken for English Language Learners in the District.

DEMLAC will establish and maintain intra-district communication and encourage the sharing of needs, accomplishments and activities that support a high quality program for English Language Learners at all levels of language learning and academic development. The District staff will report to parents and members of this committee regarding program services, identification of English learners (including testing procedures), placement of students for program services, annual reviews of student progress, and the Annual Language Survey conducted by the State of California, Department of Education.

2024-25

May 22, 2025

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

April 17, 2025

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

March 19, 2025

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

February 27, 2025

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

January 23, 2025

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

November 14, 2024

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

October 10, 2024

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

2023-24

May 23, 2024

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

April 24, 2024

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

March 21, 2024

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

February 28, 2024

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

January 25, 2024

Agenda: English/Spanish
Minutes: English/Spanish

November 30, 2023

Agenda: English/Spanish
Minutes: English/Spanish

September 21, 2023

Agenda: English/Spanish
Minutes: English /Spanish

2022-23

May 18, 2023

Agenda: English/Spanish
Minutes: English /Spanish

April 20, 2023

Agenda: English/Spanish
Minutes: English/Spanish

March 16, 2023

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

February 23, 2023

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

January 19, 2023

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

November 17th, 2022

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

2021-22

June 9th, 2022

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

May 19th, 2022

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

April 14, 2022

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

March 17, 2022

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

February 24, 2022

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

January 27, 2022

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

December 2, 2021

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

October 14, 2021

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

July 15, 2021

Agenda: English/ Spanish
Minutes: English/ Spanish

Officers

Co-President: Odilia Gutierrez

Co-President: Irlanda Gomez

Secretary: Viridiana Victoria

Parliamentarian: Mayra Oseguera

Secretary: Viridiana Victoria

Advisor to Co-President: Rosy Alcala

District Representatives

Director, Educational Equity and Multilingual Services: Dr. Deborah Martinez
deborahmartinez@sbunified.org

Board Member:
Rose Muñoz
rmunoz@sbunified.org

Calendars

DEMLAC Calendar for 2024-25 School Year

Bylaws

DEMLAC Bylaws

Ordenanzas DEMLAC

Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Cadre Committee

DLI Cadre

C O M M I T T E E

The Cadre Committee focuses on advancing the TK-12 Dual Language Immersion program and fostering multilingual opportunities through a systems-based approach. Its purpose is to promote sustainability and continuous improvement by deepening understanding of biliteracy practices, aligning with the EL Roadmap and DLI Guiding Principles, and addressing challenges to enhance program coherence. The committee works to connect state policies and initiatives with local LCAP goals while celebrating progress across grade spans. It recognizes the multi-year nature of this work and seeks to create meaningful recommendations based on priorities, needs, and timelines. By doing so, Cadre supports the district’s commitment to bilingualism, multilingualism, and educational excellence.

DLI Cadre Committee Meetings

3:45pm - 5:00pm
District Office
720 Santa Barbara Street

NOV 21, 2024

JAN 16, 2025

FEB 19, 2025

MAR 20, 2025

APR 24, 2025

MAY 15, 2025 (If Needed)

District Representatives

Director, Educational Equity and Multilingual Services: Dr. Deborah Martinez
deborahmartinez@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

District Staff

Emergent Multilingual Learner Master Plan Advisory Committee

Emergent Multilingual Learner (EML) Master Plan

A D V I S O R Y C O M M I T T E E

The purpose of the EML Master Plan Advisory Committee is to elicit feedback and input on excerpts of the developing drafts of the 6 chapters of the EML Master Plan. The collective feedback is then incorporated while at the same time the team of authors maintains inclusion of Ed Code and EML Policy at the forefront of the guiding document.

EML Master Plan Meetings

3:30-5PM
SBUSD Board Room
720 Santa Barbara Street

February 5, 2025

District Representatives

Director, Educational Equity and Multilingual Services: Dr. Deborah Martinez
deborahmartinez@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

Teachers
Assistant Principals of EML
Principals
DEMLAC Reps
Community
UCSB Representative

Instructional Council

Instructional Council

A D V I S O R Y C O M M I T T E E

The Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) Instructional Council, which is made up of teachers from each school, serves as a key platform for discussing instructional matters and guiding decision-making to enhance teaching and learning.

SST Advisory Committee Meetings

720 Santa Barbara Street

Dec 4, 2024

Jan 22, 2025

Feb 4, 2025

Feb 24, 2025

March 6, 2025

District Representatives

Executive Director of Elementary:
Denise Alvarado
dalvarado@sbunified.org

Executive Director of Secondary:
Dr. Sonia Wilson
swilson@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

Teachers
Instructional Support Specialists

Secondary English Articulation Committee

Secondary English Articulation

C O M M I T T E E

The purpose of the Secondary English Articulation Committee is to provide oversight and decision-making related to core literature book approvals, curriculum, and new courses.

Secondary English Articulation
Committee Meetings

Oct. 2, 2024

Jan 22, 2025

March 12, 2025

District Representatives

Executive Director of Secondary:
Dr. Sonia Wilson
swilson@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

English Teachers from Each Jr. High & High School
Assistant Principals
Principals

Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)

Special Education

A D V I S O R Y C O M M I T T E E

The Santa Barbara Unified School District values the partnership between families and the district in supporting students with unique needs. To foster collaboration and enhance district-wide special education programs, the district established the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) in 2009.

SEAC serves as a link between the district’s special education department and parent representatives from each school site. Its purpose is to:

Facilitate the exchange of information between families and the district.
Provide a forum for parent representatives to offer input on special education policies and procedures.
Promote collaboration among parent representatives across school sites.
Strengthen communication between families, school sites, and district leadership.

Each school principal recommends a family member representative to participate in SEAC. Meetings also include district special education leadership, principals, and board members, with all parents, teachers, and support staff welcome to attend.

SEAC Meetings

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
SBUSD Board Room
720 Santa Barbara Street

September 25, 2024
November 6, 2024
January 8, 2025
March 5, 2025
May 7, 2025

SEAC Leadership

Chair: Mayra Gabriela Oseguera Chavez

SEAC Support

Special Education Family Engagement Liaison: Janina Martinez jsmartinez@sbunified.org

District Representatives
Assistant Superintendent for Student Services: Kenya Edison kedison@sbunified.org

Special Education Director: Dr. Karla Curry kvcurry@sbunified.org

Special Education Program Facilitators:
Juliana Massie jmassie@sbunified.org
Roshni Noronha rnoronha@sbunified.org
Dr. Leslie Martinez lesliemartinez@sbunified.org
Board Member: Dr. Sunita Beall sbeall@sbunified.org

Student Success Team (SST) Advisory Committee

Student Success Team (SST)

A D V I S O R Y C O M M I T T E E

The purpose of this committee is to create alignment across the district for the SST process and reduce overidentification of Hispanic/Latino students in Special Education. An outcome of the committee will be to develop an SB Unified SST Handbook that articulates the SST process districtwide.

SST Advisory Committee Meetings

Dec 4, 2024

Jan 22, 2025

Feb 4, 2025

Feb 24, 2025

March 6, 2025

District Representatives

Executive Director of Secondary:
Dr. Sonia Wilson
swilson@sbunified.org

Executive Director of Elementary:
Denise Alvarado
dalvarado@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

Teachers
School Psychologists
Directors
Assistant Principal
Principals

Universal Screener Advisory Committee

Universal Screener

A D V I S O R Y C O M M I T T E E

The Universal Screener Advisory Committee is a collaborative team formed to guide the recommendation and implementation of a universal literacy screener aligned with California Education Code 53008. Co-led by the Executive Director of Elementary Education and the Literacy Instructional Support Specialist, the committee includes district leaders, site administrators, teachers, specialists, and support staff. Through a series of structured meetings held from December 2024 to April 2025, the committee evaluated state-approved screeners, facilitated staff and community forums, and conducted pilot reviews. Their work ensures a thoughtful, data-driven recommendation to the Board of Education, supporting early identification of reading difficulties and equitable access to foundational literacy instruction districtwide.

Universal Screener Advisory Committee

District Office
720 Santa Barbara Street
8:30 am-11:30 am

Dec 5,2024

Jan16, 2025

Feb 5, 2025

March 5, 2025

District Representatives

Executive Director of Elementary:
Denise Alvarado
dalvarado@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

Teachers
Multi-Tiered System of Support Specialists
School Psychologist
Universal Design of Learning Specialist
District Office Instructional Support Specialists
Special Education Staff
Emergent Multilingual Learner (EML) Staff
Program Facilitators

Culture & Climate Committees

Committee Advancing Black Achievement, Wellness, and Excellence (CABAWE)

The Committee Advancing Black Achievement, Wellness, and Excellence (CABAWE) serves as an advisory body aligned with Board Policies 0415: Equity and 1220: Citizen Advisory Committees. The purpose of CABAWE focusing on advancing the achievement, wellness, and excellence of Black and African American students, families, and staff.

Committee Advancing Black Achievement, Wellness, and Excellence (CABAWE) Meetings

5:30-6:45 PM

District Office, 2nd Floor Professional Learning Room
720 Santa Barbara Street

January 15

March 19
April 16
May 15
June 18

District Representatives

Director, School Performance & Student Outcomes:
Anna Pilhoefer
apilhoefer@sbunified.org

Board President:
Gabe Escobedo
gescobedo@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

Staff
Parents
Community Members

Sustainability Committee

The sustainability committee is composed of the District Operations and Sustainability Coordinator, teachers and staff with interest in sustainability, a facilities representative, a Board member if available, and students that are interested in sustainability. The primary goal is to understand where the District has the highest needs for sustainability and provide direction to the Operations and Sustainability Coordinator. Meetings can be set quarterly but can occur more frequently as needed.

Sustainability Committee Meetings

Not Active this Year

District Representatives
Operations and Sustainability Coordinator:
Desmond Ho
desmondho@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

Staff
Parents
Community Members

Wellness Committee

Wellness Committee duties:

Advise the District on health-related issues, activities, policies, and programs
Present annual report to Board, including assessment of districts schools compliance with the policy
Assess implementation and effectiveness of this policy, at least once every 3 years

Wellness Committee Meetings

January 23, 2025
April 24, 2025 (Virtual)

District Representatives

Assistant Superintendent, Student & Family Services:
ShaKenya Edison
kedison@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

Staff
Community Members

Fiscal Committees

Audit Committee

Business office staff and Internal Auditor meet with the board representative to go over the prior year’s audit to ensure a complete understanding of the external audit.

District Arts Steering Committee
Meetings

SBUSD District Office
720 Santa Barbara Street

January

District Representatives

Assistant Superintendent Business Services:
Kimberley Hernandez
kthernandez@sbunified.org

Board Members:
William Banning
wbanning@sbunified.org

Celeste Kafri
ckafri@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

Staff
Board Members

Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee

Citizens’ Bond

O V E R S I G H T C O M M I T T E E

Independent oversight committee with respect to its general obligation bonds, approved by District voters at the November 8, 2016 election and known as Measure I and J. The Committee consists of seven members, which meet quarterly to review and report on expenditures of funds to ensure bond money is used only for voter-approved purposes.

Bond Measures Q & R (2010) | I & J

A G E N D A | M I N U T E S | D O C U M E N T S

May 19, 2025 5:30 p.m. Meeting

Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) Meeting Agenda

February 24, 2025 5:00 p.m. Meeting
Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) Meeting Agenda

Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) Meeting Minutes

January 13, 2025 5:00 p.m. Meeting

Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) Meeting Canceled

Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) Meeting Agenda

September 23, 2024 5:00 p.m. Meeting

Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) Meeting Agenda

Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) Meeting Minutes

April 15, 2024 5:30 p.m. Meeting

Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) Meeting Agenda
Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) Meeting Minutes

District Representatives

Assistant Superintendent Business Services:
Kimberley Hernandez
kthernandez@sbunified.org

Members & Terms

Mike Barnick, Community at-large

VACANT, Bona-fide taxpayers association

Joanna Kettmann, SBUSD parent / Site Council member

Jennifer Lee, Business organization

Frank Stevens , Chair / Senior citizens’ organization RETIRED

Lang Sligh, Vice Chair / Community at-large RETIRED

Deanna Morinini, Community at-large

Sujittra “Jit” Barnick, Community at-large

Bond Oversight Committee Bylaws

LCAP Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)

The LCAP Parent Advisory Committee advises the district on the development, review, and revision of the LCAP, ensuring that parent perspectives are included in decisions affecting student achievement and district priorities. They review proposed goals, actions, and expenditures to support our Unduplicated Students and provide feedback to the superintendent and board to ensure the LCAP aligns with community needs and improves educational outcomes.

LCAP Committee
Meetings

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
SBUSD District Office
720 Santa Barbara Street

March 18, 2025

April 15, 2025

May 6, 2025

May 28, 2025

District Representatives

Chief Operations Officer:
Steve Venz
svenz@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

Parents
Teachers
Staff
Community Members

Human Resources Committees

Benefits Committee

Discussions on benefits cover three main areas: enrollment, coverage, and union concerns. Enrollment focuses on clear communication, easy processes, and employee understanding. Coverage examines the types, costs, and value of health and welfare benefits. For unions, the dialogue centers on equitable application of benefits.

Benefits Committee Meetings

SBUSD District Office
720 Santa Barbara Street

September
December
March
May

District Representatives

Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources:
Dr. John Becchio
jbecchio@sbunified.org

Teacher Induction Coordinator:
Roxanna Stern
rstern@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

CSEA:
Samantha Pimentel, Ken Rivas, Zach Ortiz, Suzanne Valenzuela

SBTA:
Hozby Galindo, York Shingle

District:
Esteban Camara, Kim Hernandez, Adriana Burke

Baldwin Reps:
Maggie Lepore, Danny Rodriguez

Housing Committee

The purpose of the Housing Ad-Hoc Committee is to provide space and time to consider housing projects, housing issues that affect SB Unified staff (classified and certificated) and explore options, within the purview of the district, to address them (ie. housing projects built on district land). The committee consists of at least one board member, the Superintendent, Asst. Superintendent of Business Services, the Project Manager, the Director of Community Schools & Partnerships, representatives from the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB), elected officials (or their representatives), and SB Unified lawyers.

Housing Committee Meetings

SBUSD District Office
720 Santa Barbara Street

Monthly, 3rd Wednesday

District Representatives

Superintendent:
Dr. Hilda Maldonado
hmaldonado@sbunified.org

Board President:
Gabe Escobedo
gescobedo@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

District Staff
Community Partners
Legal Counsel

Reclassification Committee

The committee will review each reclassification request and any supporting documentation, such as draft iob descriptions, salary analysis. salary placement proposal. or related information and make a decision for Board recommendation.

Reclassification Committee

SBUSD District Office
720 Santa Barbara Street

As needed

District Representatives

Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources:
Dr. John Becchio
jbecchio@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

CSEA
District Management

Technology Committees

brAIntrust Committee

The brAIntrust Committee of Santa Barbara Unified School District is dedicated to exploring, evaluating, and implementing artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The committee strives to:

Promote responsible and ethical use of AI technologies in education, ensuring equity, inclusion, and alignment with district goals.
Identify and assess emerging AI tools that enhance teaching, learning, and administrative efficiencies while safeguarding student data and privacy.
Support educators by providing training, resources, and integration strategies to leverage AI for modern learning.
Collaborate with stakeholders, including families, teachers, and community members, to ensure transparency and inclusivity in AI adoption and implementation.
Advocate for policies and guidelines that ensure AI use prioritizes humans-in-the-loop and promotes meaningful learning experiences.

brAIntrust Committee Meetings

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
SBUSD District Office
720 Santa Barbara Street

Monthly

District Representatives

Director of Educational Technology Services:
Rob Cooper
rcooper@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

Educational Technology Services Leadership

Educational Services Leadership

Parents

techEQUITY Committee

The techEQUITY is dedicated to fostering equitable access to technology for all students and staff. Guided by the district’s mission to prepare students for a world that has yet to be created, the committee seeks to:

Promote equitable distribution of technology resources across schools, grade levels, and programs.
Ensure that all students and staff have the tools, support, and training needed to thrive in a diverse, technologically evolving world.
Uphold fiscal responsibility by evaluating and organizing large-scale device purchases, ensuring that investments in technology are efficient, sustainable, and aligned with district goals.

techEQUITY Committee Meetings

8:30 am - 9:30 pm
SBUSD District Office
720 Santa Barbara Street

Twice Monthly on Thursdays

District Representatives

Director of Educational Technology Services:
Rob Cooper
rcooper@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

Educational Technology Services Members

Tech Use Committee

The Tech Use Committee's purpose is to ensure that technology is used in a balanced and responsible way that enhances learning and builds connections for all members of the Santa Barbara Unified community.

Tech Use Committee Meetings

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
SBUSD District Office
720 Santa Barbara Street

Monthly

District Representatives
Director of Educational Technology Services:
Rob Cooper
rcooper@sbunified.org

Committee Membership

Parents
Teachers
Staff
Community