Administrator of the Year
When it comes to a good education, it helps tremendously to show up. For students to show up for school. And for teachers and administrators to show up for the students.
This is easier said than done.
To execute both, you need a leader to focus efforts on both the students and the staff.
Melinda Conde, who serves as the Director of Student Success Services in the Menifee United School District, is that leader.
Conde has been named the 2026 Riverside County Administrator of the year for her work creating equitable systems that serve the most vulnerable populations. She was presented with the award by Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, in a surprise visit.
“Ms. Conde has created and implemented a district attendance playbook by standardizing attendance teams, implementing strong processes, and early intervention across all schools in the district,” Dr. Gomez, said during the visit
In other words, she ensures all children and their families, especially those from marginalized communities, have the support they need to get students to school.
Conde has innovated systems to drive student engagement by implementing an “attendance playbook” and site based attendance teams, which has caused the school district to reduce chronic absenteeism by 40% and increase the Average Daily Attendance (ADA) by 2%. A higher ADA means more state funding for the district.
Her work at the school district has earned MUSD the 2025 California School Board Association Golden Bell Award for outstanding school district programs. In addition Menifee USD was recognized by the California Department of Education with the Model SARB Award in 2024 and 2025. The Model SARB awards recognize districts with “outstanding results-based school attendance improvement programs that provide comprehensive services to high-risk youth with school attendance or school behavior problems.”
“My leadership is anchored in a clear vision: every system, every action, and every adult in a school district must work in service of student success, belonging, and equitable access to opportunity,” said Melinda Conde. “When leaders hold the ‘why’ at the center, adults rise to their purpose, and students benefit from the very best version of every person who serves them”.
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