SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Hilda Maldonado announced her retirement from the position effective at the end of the 2026-2027 school year Wednesday.
"It has been the honor of my life to serve the students, families, and staff of Santa Barbara Unified," shared Dr. Maldonado in a statement about her decision. "Together, we have faced challenges and celebrated triumphs, always keeping our focus on creating opportunities for every child. I have been inspired every day by the resilience and spirit of our community, and I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me."
Dr. Maldonado joined the Santa Barbara Unified School District on July 1, 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic after three decades at the Los Angeles Unified School District where she started as a bilingual teacher and eventually served as Assistant Superintendent of Partnerships and Leadership Development.
She is the second woman and first Latina to serve as Superintendent of the District which was founded in 1866, just 16 years after California achieved statehood.
Under her tenure as Superintendent, Dr. Maldonado oversaw the expansion of transitional kindergarten across all of the district's elementary schools, led the implementation of the ethnic studies graduation requirement, created a districtwide support system for academic success and student wellness and introduced training on the science of reading for all teachers just last year.
She is also responsible for establishing the Student Board Member position and conducted monthly student advisory meetings which led to multiple initiatives including the 'Culture of Care' mental health campaign that further expanded access for students to mental health support systems.
"Dr. Maldonado has led our district with vision, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to equity," said District Board President Bill Banning. "Her legacy of systems-building and her dedication to knowing every student by name, face, and story will have a lasting impact on Santa Barbara Unified. We thank her for her extraordinary leadership and service."
Other initiatives under her tenure include the District's 'Off and Away' cellphone policy implemented in 2024 which was even praised at the state level.
"By creating an environment that fosters deeper connections, meaningful learning, and overall well-being, the [Santa Barbara Unified School] district is setting a standard for others to follow," First Partner Siebel Newsom said in 2024.
"Long after Dr. Maldonado's tenure as superintendent has concluded, the systems she has built and strengthened will continue to impact the Santa Barbara Unified," explained the local school district in a press release. "She nurtured strong partnerships with UCSB School of Education, SBCC dual enrollment, Cottage Hospital with the new Health Careers Academy at San Marcos and Santa Barbara Education Foundation, Partners in Education, in building a shared commitment to our students. Dr. Maldonado has institutionalized key practices to ensure the district’s progress continues beyond her tenure, including a comprehensive plan for Emergent Multilingual Learners; Multi Tiered Systems of Support; and a revamped Student Study Team process. Her work has strengthened opportunities and built a foundation for lasting success. In addition, Dr. Maldonado led the charge to fully fund the highly successful Program for Effective Access to College (PEAC) as a District program, freeing up PEAC's philanthropic efforts to invest in college scholarships for PEAC graduates. Today, the PEAC program supports over 600 SBUSD students who are the first in their family to attend college. Among the nearly 200 PEAC students who graduate each year, more than 90% enroll in college after graduation."
"After 36 years in public education, the time is right for me to turn my focus to preparing the next generation of leaders," Dr. Maldonado shared. "I'm proud of what our students, educators, administrators, families and board members have built together, and the things they will accomplish in the future. I look forward to finishing the year strong, and to giving my family and friends the same devotion and care I have given to public education."
The Board of Education will acknowledge Dr. Maldonado's retirement during its next regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
The process of selecting the next Superintendent will begin over the next few months shared Dr. Maldonado in a statement to parents Wednesday.
"I've worked in and around national, state, and local government for more than 30 years, and I can honestly say there are few jobs more challenging—or more political—than leading a public school district," explained Santa Barbara County Supervisor and former Santa Barbara Unified Trustee Laura Capps. "I admire Dr. Maldonado for her tenacity, her positive spirit, and her unwavering commitment to our community's children. I especially appreciate how she guided our schools through the pandemic, worked in partnership to create our area's first housing for school staff, and championed the solarization of our schools. I wish her every happiness in her well-deserved retirement."
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