Intents of the Superintendent
At the end of the last school year, Dr. Jeffrey Baarstad retired from his position as superintendent of the Conejo Valley Unified School District. This academic year, the district introduced the new superintendent, Dr. Ann Bonitatibus, in July.
“She’s already been to our campus three different times,” said Josh Eby, principal, of Bonitatibus. “Also, she’s heavily involved in social media and really portrays the positive aspects of our district, (so students) have the opportunity to see what she’s saying, what she’s doing (and) connect with the superintendent.”
Karen Isé, the executive administrative assistant to the superintendent, said “Dr. Bonitatibus is excited to begin her Entry Plan, ‘Greenprint for Learning’. She will be meeting with focus groups within the school district and the community to help move the district forward to new levels of success.”
Bonitatibus’ interest in the Conejo Valley district began last spring when she applied for the superintendent job. After talking to local residents, she realized that “everybody had positive things to say about the school district.”
“They were so proud of the schools, they were proud of the achievements, they were proud of the community,” Bonitatibus said. “This seemed like the only place that I found that there was this whole wrap-around feeling about the schools. And so I thought, this is the place I want to work.”
After multiple rounds of interviews and eliminations, Bonitatibus emerged as the official appointee in late spring. She recognizes her new role as a “huge responsibility for (administrators) to have,” said Bonitatibus. However, she has expressed enthusiasm about her upcoming career in education.
“I love public education because of what I believe it does for an individual’s growth,” Bonitatibus said. “It’s probably one of the great representations of democracy in America because it’s open to all children no matter who you are, and there are so many opportunities available based on your interests.”
Bonitatibus had not originally intended to work in education: She initially studied computer science in college, but switched majors when she couldn’t afford the equipment it required. After earning a degree in education, she taught in Maryland before moving West.
Throughout her teaching career, Bonitatibus has found that as she moves up the chain of command, she can have a larger and larger impact on the overall experience for students.
“As a teacher I was able to influence the education of those students right in front of me,” she said, “but then as an administrator of a school building and then eventually of a district, I had many more (students whose) education I could influence.”
Eby awaits the new superintendent’s handling of Measure I funds with Bonitatibus’ financial background. “I’m interested to see with some influx with money, (and) with the state doing better, how that money is going to be spent and where it’s going to go,” he said. “She has a large background in facility management, as well, so (I’m interested to see) how the bond money is going to be spent and what projects will be approved to continue to enhance NPHS and our district.”
