UPDATED PAYMENT TERMS

Santa Barbara Unified School District's Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been updated to reflect that payment will only processed for services that are actually delivered. Agencies should submit an itemized invoice after services are provided, including details such as session length, number of sessions, and services per site.

Partial payments can be requested, but they should reflect the portion of services already completed. Even if some costs are waived, all fees, including facility use-should be documented, and the agreement should clearly indicate whether it is a grant, revenue contract, or another type of arrangement.

PARTNERING WITH THE DISTRICT

The Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) values meaningful partnerships that support student success and align with our educational mission. We welcome collaboration with community-based organizations, nonprofits, and service providers whose work complements our curricular and wellness goals, as well as supports the district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is required to formalize any partnership providing services on our campuses and/or sharing any data. MOUs define the roles and responsibilities of both parties, outline shared goals, promote collaboration, ensure accountability, and specify the resources each partner will contribute. Additionally, MOUs help ensure all programs meet district health, safety, and policy standards (per Board Policy 1325).

Please note: MOUs may not be used solely for advertising, recruitment, or for services that require direct payment from families.

Steps in the MOU Process

1. Initial Contact
   Organization reaches out to a school site, department lead, or the Coordinator of Community Schools & Partnerships.
2. Identify a Need
   The district identifies if the partnership fulfills a specific need aligned with LCAP goals.
3. Negotiate Scope
   The organization and SBUSD collaborate to define the scope of work, timeline, and any related costs.
4. Complete Documents
   The organization fills out the MOU template and Summary Worksheet.
5. Submit for Approval
   Once finalized, the signed MOU must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the desired Board meeting date.

Board Approval
All MOUs must be approved by the SBUSD Board of Trustees before services can begin. Once approved, a copy of the finalized MOU will be sent to the partner.

Need Assistance?

For questions or support with the MOU process, please contact:

Ismael Paredes Ulloa
Coordinator of Community Schools & Partnerships
Email: communitypartners@sbunified.org
Phone: (805) 963-4338 ext. 6335

muThe SBUSD Research Committee serves to review and evaluate requests to conduct academic or programmatic research within the district. Its purpose is to ensure that all research activities align with the district’s educational priorities, protect student and staff privacy, and minimize disruptions to instructional time. The committee evaluates proposals for their relevance, methodological soundness, and potential benefit to the school community, helping to ensure that research conducted in SBUSD supports meaningful learning and continuous improvement.

DISTRICT-WIDE SURVEY RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION

SBUnified contracts with professional research entities for the administration and analysis of many district-wide surveys, in addition to developing and administering our own surveys. Survey research administration may include, but is not limited to the California School Climate, Health, and Learning Surveys (Cal-SCHLS).

RESOURCES

California Department of Education (CDE):

Data and Statistics: Data and statistics collected from California schools and learning support resources to identify trends and educational needs and to measure performance

Testing and Accountability: Provides information on student academic achievement and program requirements

California School Dashboard: The California School DashboardExternal link opens in new window or tab. (Dashboard) is a powerful online tool that displays the performance of local educational agencies (LEAs), schools, and student groups on a set of state and local measures to assist in identifying strengths, challenges, and areas in need of improvement.

State Priorities Snapshot: Graphic display of data required for the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) relating to implementation of state priorities in the areas of Student Achievement, Student Engagement and School Climate

Santa Barbara Unified School District:

School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs)

Testing and Assessments

ACADEMIC AND EVALUATION RESEARCH BY COMMUNITY PARTNER OR ACADEMIC RESEARCHER

If you are a community partner or academic researcher (including SBUnified employees enrolled in a graduate program), and wish to conduct a program evaluation or academic study, please work with school administration to complete an application to conduct research. This includes community partner requests for administrative data for grant reporting purposes.

SBUnified opens two research application windows annually, October 01-31 and March 01-31. Applications must be submitted during an application window for consideration.

The application consists of an online application, IRB Approval letter, and supplemental documents, if applicable (see instructions below). All components of the application must be submitted during the application windows for consideration.

Research Application Deadlines: October 31 and March 31

Research Application Preview
 

RENEWAL APPLICATIONS

The following submission guidelines apply for renewal applications only:

• The online application to conduct research during the school year must be completed on or before the Research Application Deadlines for consideration.
• Submit slide deck to summarize the previous year’s research activities, key findings, and planned changes for the upcoming year; please also describe in the online application only.
• Submit an Executive Summary that provides a concise overview of how the research has impacted student outcomes, short- and long-term, and demonstrates its alignment with SBUSD goals.

NEW APPLICATIONS

Step 1: Contact the school administrator(s) to discuss your idea for academic or evaluation research in relation to how it supports school and district goals. This informal conversation should occur before you have developed a robust proposal in order to lay the groundwork for gaining potential access to a school site for research purposes. For projects that involve a district office department, please engage in conversation with the respective district administrator(s). It is critical that the administrator(s) fully support your work; no formal application will be considered without the respective administrator’s support.

Step 2: Complete the online application in collaboration with the school or district administrator(s) overseeing the site(s) at which you wish to conduct research, or whose administrative data you wish to access by October 31 and March 31.

Step 3: Complete all required supporting documentation as directed in the application form, also listed in the “SBUnified Research Application Instructions and Supplemental Form.” Email the supporting documentation to research@sbunified.org and CC the primary SBUnified administrator(s) with whom you developed the application by November 30 and April 30. Please list the project title in the email subject line to ensure it can be matched to the online application. Submissions outside of a window will not be considered.

REVIEW AND NOTIFICATION PROCESSES

The Research Committee will review the application, which will be considered in accordance with SBUnified AR6162.8 governing research. SBUnified staff aim to have decisions made before the end of each school year, with board approval and preparations in place before the start of each school year. You will receive notification from the Office of Research and Evaluation regarding the status of your study.

APPROVED PROJECTS – NEXT STEPS

Step 4: As required, the Research Committee will inform a researcher if a written agreement (e.g. MOU) is required prior to beginning research activity, and will work with the researcher’s institution to complete it. The Research Committee will notify the researcher once the agreement has been approved by the SBUnified Board of Education, and that research activity may begin.

Step 5: As required, the Research Committee will inform a researcher if fingerprinting, tuberculosis (TB) clearance, and proof of COVID-19 Vaccination are required prior to beginning research activity in accordance with SBUnified BP and AR 6162.8.  The Research Committee will provide directions on how to do so through the SBUnified Human Resources department. In accordance with BP and AR 6162.8, the associated costs shall not be borne by the district. Please note that SBUnified is able to accept copies of TB results and COVID-19 Vaccination, but is not able to accept proof of fingerprinting completed through other organizations; this is due to how the Department of Justice communicates with organizations regarding persons screened. Researchers and school sites will be informed once clearance has been verified, and research activities may begin.

Thank you for your interest in conducting a research or evaluation study within the Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUnified). All requests to conduct research or evaluation must be made in accordance with Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 6162.8 governing research within SBUnified, and must be approved in writing by the Superintendent or designee. Please read the Board Policy (BP) and Administrative Regulation (AR) 6162.8 governing research prior to engaging in the application process.

For questions or support with the Research Application process, please contact:

Ismael Paredes Ulloa
Coordinator of Community Schools & Partnerships
Email: research@sbunified.org
Phone: (805) 963-4338 ext. 6335