Seven-Period Day Returning to Santa Barbara Junior Highs — in Two Years

After disagreeing over implementation, school boardmembers vote to add extra period for electives at all four schools in the 2027-28 School Year

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Junior high students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District will be getting a seven-period day, the school board decided on Tuesday. But they'll have to wait two more years. The extra period will be added to students' schedules in the 2027-28 school year to increase electives opportunities. The district originally cut the seventh period from the junior highs 20 years ago, and it hasn't been an easy journey to bring it back.

Why it matters

Electives benefit students' life balance and mental health, and the seven-period day is seen as an equity issue, as students with disabilities and multilingual learners take support classes that limit room for electives during the school day. The decision to implement the seven-period day across all four junior high schools in 2027-28 was influenced by concerns about equity and ensuring all schools are properly resourced and prepared.

The details

Boardmembers disagreed on implementation, with some supporting a phased approach starting with two schools next fall, while others preferred waiting two years until full implementation at all four schools was possible. Ultimately, the board decided on full implementation in 2027-28, which will require the district to hire 13 additional teachers, purchase materials, and find space for new elective courses at two of the schools.

  • The district originally cut the seventh period from the junior highs 20 years ago.
  • The school board decided on the seven-period day on Tuesday.
  • The extra period will be added to students' schedules in the 2027-28 school year.

The players

Santa Barbara Unified School District

The school district that oversees junior high schools in Santa Barbara, California.

Sunita Beall

A school boardmember who initially supported a phased approach to implementing the seven-period day, citing concerns about resources and a rushed implementation.

Gabe Escobedo

A school boardmember who initially supported a phased approach to implementing the seven-period day.

Rose Muñoz

A school boardmember who initially supported a phased approach to implementing the seven-period day.

York Shingle

The president of the Santa Barbara Teachers Association, who urged equal implementation of the seven-period day at all four junior high schools.

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What they’re saying

“There is a lot that needs to change, and just doing it in a rushed way may have consequences. So as much as I would like to just say, 'Let's do it and let's do it as fast as we can,' I do have to pay attention to resources.”

— Sunita Beall, School Boardmember (independent.com)

“The seven-period day is doable and will benefit our students. It's going to be a challenge for SBTA if we have some junior high teachers working longer days than their junior high counterparts across town.”

— York Shingle, President, Santa Barbara Teachers Association (independent.com)

“Personally, I do not want to solve one inequity by creating another. I feel like waiting until 27-28 to do this is the way that we all do it right, and I'm convinced we only have one chance to do this. I want to do it right.”

— Dan Dupont, Principal, Santa Barbara Junior High (independent.com)

What’s next

There are a number of next steps that still must happen before implementation is possible, including communicating with staff and families, working through transportation needs, and planning for staffing needs. The district will need to work with the Metropolitan Transportation District on revising bus routes.

The takeaway

The decision to implement the seven-period day across all four junior high schools in Santa Barbara in 2027-28 was influenced by concerns about equity and ensuring all schools are properly resourced and prepared. This move aims to increase electives opportunities for students, including those with disabilities and multilingual learners, and promote better life balance and mental health.