Menifee Union School District’s Melinda Conde Named 2026 Riverside County Certificated Administrator of the Year

MENIFEE, CA – The Riverside County Office of Education has officially named Melinda Conde, Director of Student Success Services for the Menifee Union School District (MUSD), as the 2026 Riverside County Certificated Administrator of the Year.

Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, selected Mrs. Conde from a pool of nominees representing more than 40,000 educational employees across the county. The award recognizes her transformational leadership and her commitment to creating equitable systems that serve the district's most vulnerable populations.

“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,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, during the surprise visit. “She has strengthened district-wide leadership practice by establishing clear expectations for decision making through complex challenges and building accountability systems and coaching for site and district leaders that ensure every department and school remains focused on student belonging and success.”

“I want to do well for all of you, for the kids, and for our families,” said Melinda Conde, minutes after the surprise announcement to a conference room filled with colleagues, family, and board members. “We have to care for the adults who care for the kids, and I just want to do a good job for you guys and for the kids, and to make things work.”

Since joining the district leadership team, Mrs. Conde has revolutionized student engagement through her Attendance and Re-Engagement Initiative. By implementing a comprehensive "Attendance Playbook" and developing site-based Attendance Teams, she helped the district achieve a reduction of over 40% in chronic absenteeism and a 2% increase in Average Daily Attendance (ADA) between 2023 and 2025.

Her innovative work includes partnering with SchoolsPLP to develop a unique independent study program for daily absences, which has become a model for other districts throughout the state. These efforts earned the district the CSBA Golden Bell Award and two consecutive Model SARB designations in 2024 and 2025.

“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”.

“Simply put... Melinda Conde is a transformational leader,” said MUSD Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Root. “She has amplified the voice for marginalized children who would not have had a voice because of their chronic absenteeism. Whether she is presenting professional learning or creating systems to support attendance or discipline, Mrs. Conde's knowledge and collaborative approach inspire others to perform at exceptional levels”.

“Melinda Conde is a compassionate, strategic, and results-driven leader who embodies the values of equity, collaboration, and excellence,” stated her supervisor, Dr. Charles Newman, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. “Her efforts have created a safety net for our most vulnerable students, ensuring they have the support they need to thrive academically and socially”.

“The Board of Education is incredibly proud of Melinda’s dedication to the whole child,” said MUSD Board President J. Kyle Root. “Her work oversaw the expansion of our District Resource Fair and the creation of a District Community Closet, which ensures our families in need have access to clothing and vital resources. She has transformed the lives of students and staff in our district in immeasurable ways”.

With 20 years in education, Mrs. Conde’s career includes roles as a Riverside County Probation Officer, 8th-grade mathematics teacher, assistant principal, and principal. She is currently in her second year of an Ed.D. program in Educational Leadership and serves as an instructor for the RCOE Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) program.

Mrs. Conde will be formally honored alongside other county honorees at the 2026 Celebrating Educators Luncheon on Wednesday, May 6, at the Riverside Convention Center.