Superintendent
About Superintendent Mauricio Arellano
Mauricio Arellano, a proud native and alumnus of the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD), joined the District as Superintendent in April 2023. He was unanimously selected by the SBCUSD Board of Education in February 2023 following a comprehensive national search and extensive community engagement process. His appointment represents a meaningful homecoming, as Superintendent Arellano grew up in San Bernardino and attended SBCUSD schools.
A graduate of San Bernardino High School, Superintendent Arellano began his career in education more than 35 years ago as a bilingual elementary school teacher in SBCUSD. He is the son of immigrant parents from Mexico, both of whom also worked in District schools, further strengthening his deep personal and professional connection to the community.
Under his leadership, SBCUSD has launched Vision 2030: SBCUSD SHINES, a strategic framework focused on safer schools, expanded career pathways, strong community partnerships, and academic excellence. In recognition of his bold, student-centered leadership, Superintendent Arellano was honored as the 2025 Superintendent of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).
In addition, in 2025, Superintendent Arellano was inducted into California State University, San Bernardino’s Alumni Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding contributions to education and public service. Since his return to SBCUSD in 2023, Superintendent Arellano’s strong focus on academic excellence has led to numerous state and national recognitions across the District. Palm Elementary School and Ramona Alessandro Elementary School earned the California Distinguished School distinction, while Kimbark Elementary School was recognized as a Model Continuation School. In 2026, four SBCUSD schools — Rodriguez Prep Academy, Richardson Prep, Cajon High School, and Middle College High School — were also named California Distinguished Schools. Pacific High School earned the designation as an Exemplary Dual Enrollment School, and Norton Elementary School was recognized as a National Green Ribbon School. In addition, the District received two CSBA Golden Bell Awards for its Special Education Basics Curriculum and Seal of Biliteracy Pathway, along with several Gold and Silver awards for High School and Middle School Career Technical Education Pathways, among many other achievements.
Mr. Arellano’s ultimate objective is to ensure that our students thrive in education, career, and life, and that the District does its part to elevate the City of San Bernardino to SHINE!
Invite the Superintendent to events
Please use this FORM when requesting the Superintendent's presence at your respective events.
SUBMISSION OF THIS FORM DOES NOT GUARANTEE ACCEPTANCE. Please allow seven (7) business days to process and respond to your request.
Invitations should be submitted via the form at least ONE MONTH prior to the event. You may also send a hard-copy invitation via pony or postal mail in addition to filling out the form.
Google Calendar invitations sent directly to the Superintendent will be declined automatically.
Invitations received with short notice (less than 2 weeks from the date of the event) will likely impact and conflict with other previously scheduled items on the Superintendent’s calendar. Please call the office to check for availability.
If you have questions about the form, please contact the Office of the Superintendent at 909-381-1240.
