By Lookout Staff

March 21, 2025 -- The School Board last week promoted a 12-year veteran of the District to its top financial post as assistant superintendent of business and fiscal services.

Gerardo Cruz, who served for the past seven years as the District's director of business and fiscal services, will assume the top position following the retirement of Melody Canady in June.

In his new post Cruz will assist the District Superintendent in developing business policies, procedures and programs, according to the job listing for the $240,000 a year post.

"Cruz is skilled in all aspects of budget planning and coordinating, payroll and accounting operations, reporting and auditing functions, working with bargaining units, school district operations and working with finance committees," District officials said.

Cruz also "directs and participates in the selection, utilization and evaluation of staff, training and support of professional development," officials said.

Cruz said he is looking forward on furthering the "forward progress" made on Malibu's separation from the District and on the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), which describe the District’s overall vision for students, annual goals and specific actions to achieve those goals.

He also will continue working on monitoring the District's status as a basic aid and community-funded district and "ensuring we have more than adequate facilities and grounds where teaching and learning can thrive."

“I’m not only excited, but I’m humbled and grateful to be entrusted by the superintendent and the Board of Education to lead both the financial and operational divisions of the District,” Cruz said in a statement.

During his more than 20 years in education, Cruz has served in business and fiscal positions at ABC Unified School District in Cerritos and Greenfield Union School District in Bakersfield officials said.

Cruz holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in public administration from Cal State Bakersfield and a master’s degree in public administration from Cal State Northridge, officials said.

He has completed the school business management program at USC and is currently working toward his doctorate in public administration.