Hilda Maldonado to resign as Santa Barbara Unified School District Superintendent at end of June

Controversial Santa Barbara Unified School District Superintendent Hilda Maldonado announced in an email today that she plans to resign from her position at the end of the school year. Her last day will be June 30, 2027. Leading this district for the past six-plus years has been more than a professional journey, Maldonado said in an email to staff, obtained by the News-Press. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Maldonado has faced massive public scrutiny almost since the day she was hired during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. During her time as superintendent, dozens of cabinet members and staffers fled the organization, taking other jobs or early retirement. Teachers and employees heavily criticized Maldonado in 2021 for her leadership efforts in a survey. The dissatisfaction with her performance prompted the district to hire an executive coach to help her with leadership. Over the past six years, teachers have rallied and protested against Maldonad