Santa Barbara Unified’s controversial superintendent is retiring at the end of this school year in July 2027.
Hilda Maldonado announced her retirement Wednesday morning after leading the district since 2020.
“It has been the honor of my life to serve the students, families, and staff of Santa Barbara Unified,” Maldonado said in a statement. “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.”
Maldonado has faced intense criticism since nearly the beginning of her time at the district. In 2021, teachers and staff criticized her leadership skills in a survey.
Before coming to Santa Barbara she spent three decades at the Los Angeles Unified School District, starting as a bilingual teacher and moving up to Assistant Superintendent of Partnerships and Leadership Development.
Her contract at the Santa Barbara Unified School District is set to expire this year and it was seemingly unlikely that the school board would renew her contract.
No one who initially hired her is still on the board and many of the candidates running for school board have expressed concerns with her leadership.
However, her time in Santa Barbara has also seen success with rising test scores, the start of employee housing projects, and a greater investment in emotional wellbeing for students.
“Dr. Maldonado has led our district with vision, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to equity,” said school 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.”
The school board will go over the next steps to select a new superintendent at an upcoming school board meeting. Maldonado will work to support the leadership transition as the new superintendent is selected, according to a news release from the Santa Barbara Unified School District.
“After 36 years in public education, the time is right for me to turn my focus to preparing the next generation of leaders,” Maldonado said. “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.”
