Andria Dansby vs Santa Barbara Unified School District

Case Number

24CV06977

Case Type

Hearing Date / Time

Mon, 12/15/2025 - 10:00

Nature of Proceedings

CMC; Motion: Leave

Tentative Ruling

On December 12, 2024, plaintiff Andria Dansby filed her original complaint in this action against defendant Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) asserting five causes of action: (1) discrimination in violation of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA, Gov. Code, § 12940 et seq.); (2) harassment in violation of FEHA; (3) retaliation in violation of FEHA; (4) failure to prevent violations of FEHA; and (5) negligent hiring, supervision, or retention.

On January 8, 2025, SBUSD filed its answer to the complaint, generally denying the allegations therein and asserting 27 affirmative defenses.

On September 19, 2025, Dansby filed this motion for leave to file a first amended complaint. SBUSD opposes the motion, arguing that adding a defendant is improper and untimely.

No trial date has been set in this matter. To the extent that the allegations of the proposed first amended complaint raise issues as to timeliness or sufficiency of pleading, the preferred approach under these circumstances is to permit the amendment and to address challenges to the pleadings by procedurally appropriate motions. (See Atkinson v. Elk Corp. (2003) 109 Cal.App.4th 739, 760.)

The motion for leave to amend is granted. Plaintiff shall file and serve a first amended complaint, substantially in the form as attached to the motion, on or before December 22, 2025.