Tony Barrios – Arcadia Unified School District

The Arcadia Unified School District in California stands out as a beacon of educational excellence, catering to nearly 10,000 students across its 11 award-winning schools. With a focus on academic performance and improvement, the district prides itself on its dedicated faculty and staff and a commitment to providing a rigorous, college and career-ready curriculum.

When Tony Barrios walks the campus of an Arcadia Unified school, he’s not just overseeing a facility—he’s investing in the future. As the executive director for facilities and operational services for AUSD, Barrios leads a behind-the-scenes team making bold, visible strides toward improving student life across the district. From cutting-edge health and safety upgrades to ambitious sustainability projects, Barrios’ leadership is central to ensuring Arcadia schools are safe, secure, and built to inspire.

“For me, this job is about more than just brick and mortar,” Barrios said. “It’s about ensuring every decision we make is grounded in what’s best for the students.”

With oversight of 14 sites and roughly 100 employees across facilities, maintenance, operations, and transportation, Barrios brings a unique combination of military discipline, private-sector experience, and public service dedication to his role. Under his guidance, AUSD is setting a gold standard for educational infrastructure—one that reflects the district’s commitment to progress, innovation, and equity.

A new era begins

The passing of a $358 million bond measure in Arcadia marked a defining moment for the district—a launchpad for wide-ranging campus improvements aimed squarely at student success and wellbeing. But it didn’t come quickly.

“We struggled,” Barrios recalled. “Our polling numbers said the bond wasn’t going to pass. But our superintendent and leadership team were really good about lobbying, educating the community, and showing them the value.”

The campaign was rooted in transparency, community engagement, and a clear vision: to upgrade school facilities and ensure those upgrades would yield long-term returns—both financially and educationally. A comprehensive Facilities Master Plan, developed over a year through extensive collaboration with teachers, parents, students, PTA members, and city officials, laid the groundwork.

Among the highest-profile projects funded by the bond is a district-wide solar panel initiative, with installation set to begin in late August. The panels are expected to offset approximately $1 million in annual energy costs—savings that will be reinvested into the district in meaningful ways.

“That’s money we can put back into classrooms, teacher salaries, and student programs,” Barrios said. “And it’s more than just a financial decision. It’s about teaching students the value of renewable energy and environmental responsibility.”

In fact, Barrios notes that students have already taken pride in the district’s sustainability efforts, with student council members presenting their support for solar to the school board. Some teachers plan to integrate solar monitoring software into their curriculum, making real-world energy data a classroom resource.

Stewardship that builds trust

For Barrios, the heart of the work lies in stewardship—being a responsible and transparent guardian of community resources. That approach has already yielded impressive results.

Thanks to California’s Proposition 2, which provides state reimbursement for completed or planned modernization projects, AUSD secured approximately $70 million in additional funding. The key? Barrios and his team had already done the work—renovating and modernizing school sites using the bond that was passed in 2006, positioning the district to claim reimbursement retroactively.

“Every classroom in the district was touched,” he said. “New HVAC systems, windows, walls, floors, roofs. We even built a new elementary school library and a gym at the middle school. It was work that had to be done—and it ended up paying off.”

It’s a model for how districts can plan proactively and manage resources strategically. With the new bond in place, Barrios is helping expand on those efforts—removing aging portable classrooms, upgrading playgrounds, replacing old locker rooms, and installing advanced keyless entry systems for better campus security. License plate readers, facial recognition, and motion sensors are also being explored to ensure that Arcadia campuses remain among the safest in the state.

“Our rule of thumb is simple: if it’s in the student’s best interest, it’s the right decision,” Barrios said.

That principle is one he uses not only to guide projects but to support his team. By giving his supervisors the tools and autonomy they need to be successful, he’s created a collaborative culture rooted in trust and accountability.

“There was a very established culture here when I arrived,” he said. “It was student-focused and mission-driven. I just adopted it—and now I help carry it forward.”

Building a stronger future

While modern infrastructure and sustainable energy initiatives are critical, Barrios and his team are also deeply focused on enhancing the academic experience through facility upgrades that support student growth—especially in career and technical education.

That’s why AUSD is expanding its industrial arts offerings, with plans to build a new complex featuring ceramics studios, food science labs, robotics and engineering spaces, and dedicated areas for hands-on learning in the arts and sciences.

“This is about creating opportunity,” Barrios said. “Not every student takes the same path. We want to make sure our schools support a wide range of interests and career goals.”

The new industrial arts facilities are part of a broader initiative to modernize learning environments in ways that reflect the changing needs of students. As California mandates the expansion of Pre-K programs, Barrios is also working to ensure that Arcadia has the infrastructure to support younger learners—with developmentally appropriate classroom layouts, expanded restrooms, and additional instructional space.

And these improvements aren’t just for students. With upgraded turf fields and new public access plans, the district is working to make facilities more accessible to the broader Arcadia community as well—an investment in civic pride as much as student achievement.

A calling, not just a career

Barrios’ path to education wasn’t linear—but it was purposeful. He served over five years in the U.S. Navy, where he first discovered a passion for construction while rebuilding a school in a coastal community. That moment sparked something he hadn’t expected.

“I didn’t even know positions like this existed in education,” he said. “But the Navy taught me how to build, lead and take pride in what you create. When I transitioned into public education, everything clicked. I found a place where I could use those skills and make a difference.”

After years of construction management experience in both the public and private sectors—including nearly seven years in Coachella Valley and six in Glendale Unified—Barrios took on his current role in April 2018. And since then, he’s never stopped pushing forward.

“Knowing that the decisions you make daily are impacting a kid’s life—it’s gratifying,” he said. “One day, a kindergartner approached me and asked if I was the guy fixing her playground. She was so excited. That gratitude, that smile—it’s something I’ll never forget.”

Moments like that keep Barrios grounded in his purpose. Whether planning a major renovation or simply walking a campus to check on maintenance, his compass remains clear: always put students first.

From solar panels to ceramics studios, playgrounds to Pre-K, Tony Barrios and his team are quietly—but powerfully—reshaping Arcadia Unified into a district that doesn’t just aim for excellence—it builds it.