The Santa Maria-Bonita School District (SMBSD) School Board and Superintendent Darren McDuffie have been named recipients of the 2025 LEAD Award by the California Latino School Boards Association (CLSBA).

The award recognizes school districts that have demonstrated exceptional unity in leadership, serving students and families through an equity lens, and going above and beyond the call of duty, the district said.

The SMBSD Board and superintendent were recognized for their outstanding work and dedication to the community.

The School Board honorees include: Linda Cordero, board president; 
Luz Maria Cabral, vice president; 
Ricky Lara, clerk
; John Hollinshead and Ricardo Valencia, trustees.

Tammie Castillo-Schiffer, director of multilingual services at SMBSD, is also a recipient, along with the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District where she is a board trustee.

The awards will be presented at the CLSBA 2025 Unity Conference, Sept. 11-14 in San Diego. The awardees were nominated and chosen by their peers and a special CLSBA committee.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition from the CLSBA,” said SMBSD Board President Linda Cordero. “This award is a testament to the collective effort of our board, administration, staff, and community in ensuring all of our students have the resources they need to succeed.”

“Our CLSBA Familia is immensely proud to recognize each of these bold and brilliant equity-minded leaders for their outstanding accomplishments in leading, innovating, and reshaping the future for all they serve,” CLSBA said in an announcement of the honorees.

The California Latino School Board Association said its mission is to ensure Latino/a/x students have the best educational opportunities and resources available to succeed. The association is committed to meeting the educational needs of all Latino/a/x students by working with educational organizations and empowering current and future Latino/a/x school board members.