Facilities and Operations
Mission Statement
The mission of the Facilities and Modernization Department at Santa Barbara Unified School District is to design, build, and maintain safe, sustainable, and innovative learning environments that support academic excellence and equity for all students. Through thoughtful planning, efficient project execution, and responsible stewardship of public resources, we are committed to creating facilities that reflect the values, needs, and aspirations of our diverse school communities.
About Us
We are responsible for the planning, construction, modernization, and maintenance of facilities across 19 school sites, covering nearly 2.5 million square feet of educational space. A major recent milestone was the completion and Board approval of our Five-Year Facilities Master Plan. This plan is grounded in our comprehensive, internally led Facilities Condition Assessment, which was presented to the Board in February 2024.
Board Policies and Administrative Regulations/ Resolutions – Series 7000 Facilities
SB Unified Sustainability Initiatives
We are also at the forefront of energy efficiency and sustainability. Over the past five years, SBUSD has built 14 solar-powered plants with advanced microgrid capabilities.
In addition, we continue to lead districtwide energy-saving initiatives, including LED retrofits in partnership with SoCalREN, field lighting upgrades at high schools, and HVAC modernization at seven sites through CalSHAPE grant funding.
Contacts
Steve Venz
Chief Operations Officer
Dubbed by Quincy Jones as “a beloved brother who is inspiring children to fulfill their dreams,” Steve Venz has been transforming public education for over 25 years. As the founding principal of Quincy Jones Elementary School, a nationally recognized Los Angeles USD jazz/arts-focused school in Historic South-Central LA. He later served as an Administrator for the Orange County Department of Education, earning the 2019 Vision & Excellence Award. During his tenure at Music Will, an education non-profit, Steve served as Chief Academic Officer/Chief Program Officer, leading nationwide initiatives, working with more than 300 school districts.
In addition, he taught as an adjunct professor in the Department of Education at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has been actively involved in various educational committees, including the Superintendent Transition Team for the California Department of Education, the Promise Neighborhood Grant Review Team for the US Department of Education, and the Superintendent Small Learning Communities Committee for the Los Angeles Unified School District. His work consistently promotes equity, cultural proficiency, and continuous improvement in education.
Since 2021, he has served as the Chief Operations Officer for the Santa Barbara Unified School District, focusing on district operations, strategic planning, and equity in student outcomes.
Jose “JJ” Jimenez
Director of Facilities and Modernization
Jose "JJ" Jimenez brings 29 years of expertise in educational facilities to his role as Director of Facilities and Modernization. Following an 11-year tenure as the Manager of Maintenance and Operations for the Santa Barbara Unified School District, Jose now leads the district’s efforts to create safe, equitable, and future-ready learning environments.
A California native with a deep technical background in HVAC/R, Jose is dedicated to the vision of “Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day.” He focuses on strategic modernization and collaborative leadership to ensure every school site supports student well-being and academic success. Outside of work, Jose is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys camping and fishing with his family and celebrating life as a new grandfather.
FACILITIES AND MODERNIZATION
Fax# (805) 963-5685
Jose Jimenez | Director | jjimenez@sbunified.org | Ext. 6238
Vacant | Sustainability Coordinator | | Ext. 6291
Lucia Gonzalez-Medina | Project Manager | lgonzalez@sbunified.org | Ext. 6295
Vacant | Project Manager
Avery Wood | Construction Documents Technician | amwood@sbunified.org | Ext. 1073
Ernesto Magana Ortiz | Planning Specialist | emaganaortiz@sbunified.org | Ext. 6280
MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS
Brett Coulter | M & O Manager | bcoulter@sbunified.org | Ext. 6223
Vanesa Rodriguez | Administrative III | vnunez@sbunified.org | Ext. 6377
Caricia Hernandez | Administrative I | cdhernandez@sbunified.org | Ext. 6380
Rafael Donato | Custodial Services Manager | rdonato@sbunified.org | Ext. 6310
Ascension Benitez | Operations Foreperson | dbenitez@sbunified.org | Ext. 6376
Enrique Perez | Light Construction Foreperson | eperez@sbunified.org | Ext. 6220
Omar Solis | Electrical Mech Foreperson | osolis@sbunified.org | Ext. 6226