Santa Fe Standard

Superintendent Hilario “Larry” Chavez announced today, June 19th, that Bill Bilbo has been named principal of Ortiz Middle School starting with the 2024-25 school year. Bilbo has served as assistant principal of Santo Domingo Elementary and Middle Schools in the Bernalillo Public Schools since 2018. He takes over from Principal Felicia Sena, who was promoted by Superintendent Chavez to assistant superintendent effective July 1st.

“Bill Bilbo is fully primed to serve as principal of Ortiz Middle School given his years as a school leader in New Mexico and California. His critical abilities span the gamut from leadership, supervision and evaluation to data analysis, teaching practice and school climate. Most importantly, he is highly experienced in focusing on what’s best for students,” said Superintendent Chavez. “We are so pleased to have him join the district.”

“We are also excited to welcome Felicia Sena to the SFPS leadership team, where she will leverage her skills to further SFPS’ focus on developing a caring, creative and intelligent community of lifelong learners. Her high expectations for learning, coupled with her exceptional leadership at Ortiz, align perfectly with our senior leaders,” he said. Sena replaces Assistant Superintendent Carl Marano, who is leaving SFPS in June to become superintendent of the Tucumcari Public Schools.

In addition to serving as assistant principal for the Bernalillo Public Schools, Bilbo was principal of Stratford Elementary School in the Central Union School District in Lemoore, California from 2002 to 2018, where he worked daily to establish a school culture and climate that promoted equal access and equity for all students. He also served as an assistant principal and science teacher in California.

Bilbo holds a Master of Science: Educational Administration from National University in Fresno, California and a Bachelor of Science: Child Development from California State University in Fresno.