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Monday, Nov. 1 marked the mandate deadline for Santa Barbara Unified teachers and support staff to be fully vaccinated.
John Becchio, Ed.D., the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources said, «So today it is in effect. We did have about 10 staff members that had to go on unpaid leave of absence today, but as of today we had vaccine cards flood in last week in advance of this deadline and we have about 96 percent of our staff vaccinated today.»
At least three of the staff members are teachers and the district has hired substitute teachers in their absence.
Becchio said about 70 religious exemptions have been granted and those workers will remain on the payroll until mid-December when their pay status will be considered on a case by case basis.
«There will be an unpaid leave go into effect December 17, our medical exemptions we are still working through the interactive process on those.»
If an exemption request is considered valid the District will then decide what accommodations, it can reasonably provide.
The District has chosen not to allow people who have already had COVID19 use that as a reason for exemption.
«Just having COVID does not exempt you from this vaccine mandate for the district.»
The district is following the Centers for Disease Control’s lead when it comes to medical reasons for exemptions.
One mandate opponent who has rallied outside the school board office said she received a letter about the exemptions.
Tony Black the attorney representing teachers, coaches and staff issued the following statement:
“UnifySB, comprised of passionate and dedicated certificated/classified staff of Santa Barbara Unified School District (“SBUSD”), is representing teachers, coaches, and staff who have been given an ultimatum. Specifically, SBUSD has given them two choices: (1) take the COVID-19 vaccine against their wishes thereby waiving their constitutional rights to the free exercise of religion and civil rights under employment law; or (2) face unpaid leave and eventual future termination. However, UnifySB, and the employees it represents have chosen a third option: to fight for their rights in the court of law,” Said Black.
Vaccines are coming out for children five and older this month, and the District will be supporting the effort to get kids vaccinated.
«We will see what the State does on that, remember this is all a decision the Board made to keep schools open and not have to repeat what we did last year, which is close schools and have remote instruction,» said Dr. Becchio.
It remains to be seen if another mandate will follow.
Mandate critics plan to rally again outside the District office to voice their opposition in the coming weeks.
NEW DISTRICT MAPS IN VTA
The County of Ventura has released revised draft redistricting voting maps available for review at www.ventura.org/redistricting/draft-maps/.
The revised draft maps were developed by the project consultant, Redistricting Partners, in response to public comments and direction provided by the Board of Supervisors at the October 19, 2021 public hearing.
Redistricting Partners will provide an overview of the revised draft maps at the next redistricting public hearing at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on November 9 at 3:00 pm and again at 6:00 pm.
An additional public hearing has been scheduled for November 16.
Spanish and Mixteco interpretation will be available at the public hearings.
All revised draft maps establish districts that are relatively equal in population, as required by the Fair Maps Act, the 2019 legislation guiding all County redistricting processes.
In addition, the maps include two majority-minority districts, primarily Latino majority populated.
“The maps, however, differ in how they keep cities as whole as possible and how they address the other objectives expressed by the Board considering community input”, the authorities said.
Information about participating in the public hearings can be accessed at, www.ventura.org/bosmeetings.
Past public hearings and community meetings can be viewed at, www.ventura.org/redistricting/participation.
Public comments on any of the draft maps can be made at the Board hearing or may be submitted by calling 805-654-2998, by email at [email protected], by mail at Redistricting, 800 S. Victoria Ave. Ventura, CA 93009-1940 or online at, www.ventura.org/redistricting/redistricting-contact-form.
The redistricting criteria outlined in the Fair Maps Act can be viewed at, www.ventura.org/redistricting/draft-maps.
JOB CENTERS REOPEN
The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDB) announced the re-opening of the America’s Job Center of California location in Oxnard and the affiliate East County office in Simi Valley.
The Oxnard office also reopened with some welcomed changes.
«More than ever, people are looking to change careers or acquire new job skills,» says WDB Executive Director Rebecca Evans.
America’s Job Center of California is a direct link to resources that help choose and pursue careers.
«There is a profound shortage of qualified workers. Our staff is ready to guide job seekers through the process so they can find those rewarding, good-paying jobs,» said Evans
The centers provide free access to a host of employment-related resources to help individuals find rewarding careers.
The job seekers can receive assistance with resume preparation, training referrals, view job openings and employer information and learn about in-demand occupations.
Customized training in the region’s in-demand occupations and assistance with tuition and books is also available.
Also, services are available in English and Spanish.
“The centers now have more comfortable sitting areas and newly designed meeting rooms where a staff member and job seeker can discuss job opportunities in private. All job seekers have free access to Internet service, computers and printers,” said Evans.
The office has also implemented COVID-19 safeguards to minimize the risk for visitors and staff.
Services remain available virtually for those who prefer it.
Centers hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, no appointment is necessary.
The Center in Oxnard is at 2901 N. Ventura Road, 3rd floor, and the Simi Valley location is at 2900 Madera Road. For more information, call, 805-204-5186 or email [email protected].
OXNARD
The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDB) announced the re-opening of the America’s Job Center of California location in Oxnard and the affiliate East County office in Simi Valley.
The Oxnard office also reopened with some changes.
America’s Job Center of California is a direct link to resources that help choose and pursue careers.
The centers provide free access to a host of employment-related resources to help individuals find rewarding careers.
They can receive assistance with resume preparation, training referrals, view job openings and employer information and learn about in-demand occupations. Customized training in the region’s in-demand occupations and assistance with tuition and books is also available. Services are available in English and for English language learners.
The centers now have more comfortable sitting areas and newly designed meeting rooms where a staff member and job seeker can discuss job opportunities in private.
All job seekers have free access to Internet service, computers and printers.
The office has also implemented COVID-19 safeguards to minimize the risk for visitors and staff. Services remain available virtually for those who prefer it.
«More than ever, people are looking to change careers or acquire new job skills,» says WDB Executive Director Rebecca Evans. «There is a profound shortage of qualified workers. Our staff is ready to guide job seekers through the process so they can find those rewarding, good-paying jobs.»
The job centers have also seen large numbers of people hit hard by the pandemic who struggle to get back in the workforce. For example, a 19-year-old was laid off after five months of work because her employer had to close its doors due to COVID restrictions.
A 21-year-old hasn’t been able to find work once he was let go after his employer’s business slowed. Both came to the centers seeking assistance to better their skills and find jobs that match their experience levels.
