Office of the Superintendent

Phillip (Phil) Alvarado
Superintendent of Schools
Santa Maria-Bonita School District
(805) 928-1783 ext. 8110
email Mr. Alvarado

Paula Elkins
Executive Secretary
(805) 928-1783 ext. 8111
email Paula Elkins

Maggie White
Public Information Officer
Community/Media Relations
(805) 928-1783 ext. 8113
email Maggie White

Board of Education
Link to Board of Education page 
 

Superintendent's Biography

Mr. Alvarado became Superintendent of the Santa Maria-Bonita School District in January 2009. Prior to being selected by the Board of Education as the Superintendent, Mr. Alvarado had been the district’s Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services for more than 10 years.  With more than 31 years in the district, Mr. Alvarado has witnessed the district grow to become the largest district in Santa Barbara County with 15 elementary schools, four junior high schools and an enrollment of over 13,000 students.

Mr. Alvarado was born and raised in Santa Maria. He attended SMBSD elementary and junior high schools and Santa Maria High School. He began working for the Santa Maria-Bonita School District as a bilingual teacher’s aide shortly after his high school graduation in 1973. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree and teaching credential from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and his master’s degree in education from Pepperdine University. Mr. Alvarado started working full-time for SMBSD in 1977 as a teacher at Oakley Elementary School. He also taught at Fairlawn, Robert Bruce and Miller Elementary Schools. His classroom teaching experience includes 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th grades.

Later, Mr. Alvarado held the position of assistant principal at Adam, Miller and Fesler Junior High schools. He became the principal at Fairlawn School for four years. He was also the first principal of Ontiveros School and led there for four years.

As the Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Alvarado oversaw budgets of almost $20 million, monitored a number of instructional programs, including the district’s extensive after school and Migrant Student programs, and supervised a technology improvement plan which provided thousands of new computers for students and staff.

In addition to his work in the district, Mr. Alvarado is a trustee for the Santa Maria City Library and a team member for the Cruzin’ for Life community fundraising efforts  which benefit the Marian Cancer Center. He also serves on various boards and committees for a host of non-profit organizations that benefit the youth of Santa Maria including Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley, Gen Span, IEC Computer Connections Committee, and World to You.

Mr. Alvarado lives in Santa Maria with his wife Cindy, who works at Community Bank of Santa Maria. They have two daughters. His oldest daughter is a graduate of Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and the youngest is a senior at Fresno State University. Mr. Alvarado enjoys spending time with family and friends, being a member of ‘Freight Train’ a local classic rock and roll band, reading and staying close to home enjoying the Santa Maria Valley and Central Coast.

District Core Values

1. We believe every person has value and potential.
2. We believe in the power of teaching.
3. We believe families are critical partners in a child's education.
4.  We believe the greatest learning occurs in a safe environment.
5. We believe all students should be given the best education possible
6. We believe in being advocates for our district's excellence.
7. 7. We believe in dignity and respect for all.

Vision

We are here to prepare children to be successful citizens.

Mission

Our mission is to teach, to learn and to facilitate learning in a cooperative and safe environment.