Santa Maria-Bonita Unified superintendent Luke Ontiveros to retire

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The search is on for a new superintendent at Santa Maria-Bonita Unified School District.

This comes after Luke Ontiveros announced he's retiring at the end of the year. 

Ontiveros first started in 2016 and said he was supposed to leave last June.

But due to the pandemic, the superintendent extended his term.

Ontiveros said during his time at the district, he was truly proud of the teachers and students, even more during the pandemic. 

The superintendent said he plans to focus on his family and loved ones during retirement.

“They have been extremely supportive over my 35 years in this business and so it’s my turn to pay back,” said Ontiveros.

Deputy superintendent Matt Beecher will take over while the school board manages its search.