SBAC Meeting May 6 2026

The Berkeley Unified School District's SBAC meeting on May 6, 2026, focused primarily on budgetary and staffing issues, including updates on classified staff layoffs and reductions. The district reported a reduction from an initial 79.78 FTE layoffs to a final recommendation of 22.9 FTE eliminations and 0.57 FTE reductions, impacting a total of 35 employees. The meeting also covered the status of certificated staff, noting no layoffs but reassignments instead. Additionally, the committee reviewed various student support programs funded through general funds, LCAP, and expiring grants, discussing staffing, program efficacy, and potential cost-saving measures such as reducing LEAP classes. Budget proposals for phase three included eliminating vacant administrative assistant positions and adjusting teacher-related costs, aiming to meet a budget target but still falling short by approximately $2.5 million. The meeting concluded with a public comment session where community members expressed support for programs like Bridge and College Bound and raised concerns about cuts to family engagement and transportation services. A straw poll was planned to gather SBAC members' input on the budget proposals.