After 24 years of service to the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District (NCLUSD), Caralyn Mendoza is stepping away from her role as Chief Business Official (CBO) under circumstances she describes as “without cause.” In a letter posted on Facebook addressing her departure, Mendoza reflected on her tenure, expressing gratitude for the years she spent working for the district while acknowledging the unexpected nature of her dismissal.
Mendoza’s career with NCLUSD was deeply rooted in student-focused leadership, financial stewardship, and an unwavering commitment to transparency. She began her time in the district in student services, working as a career technician, Dropout Prevention specialist, and curriculum clerk before moving into business operations. These roles shaped her approach to financial planning, ensuring that every budget decision prioritized the needs of students, staff, and long-term institutional stability.
“When it came to budget cuts, we worked hard to keep them away from the classroom,” Mendoza wrote in her letter to NCLUSD employees, which she later shared publicly on Facebook. “We planned ahead, used employee attrition when needed, and prioritized long-range strategies that protected students and staff.”
Her financial oversight helped pass multiple bond measures, leading to the construction of a new middle school and elementary school and funding extensive modernization projects across campuses. Mendoza spearheaded improvements such as updated classroom furniture, HVAC system upgrades, and long-term fiscal planning, ensuring that NCLUSD facilities remained safe, well-equipped environments for learning.
She was instrumental in advocating for state funding, making a pivotal trip to Sacramento alongside then-Superintendent Ed Felt to challenge the denial of a major funding application for Hurd Barrington Elementary. Their efforts resulted in a successful reversal, securing $8 million for the district—one of the defining moments in her tenure.
Beyond her fiscal responsibilities, Mendoza was a leader in child nutrition services, transforming the department into a nationally recognized program. Under her direction, NCLUSD became the first district in the nation to earn awards in all eight categories of the USDA’s Healthy Meals Initiative. She formed key partnerships, including a long-standing collaboration with Sodexo, to ensure that students had access to balanced, nutritious meals that supported their academic success.
“Our meal program became more than food—it became a tool for equity and learning,” Mendoza wrote in her letter. “A hungry child can’t learn, and I’m proud we treated nutrition as part of the educational process.”
Her leadership extended into crisis response, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she oversaw meal distributions across Newman, Crows Landing, and Diablo Grande. Mendoza helped launch a home meal delivery program for seniors, which later evolved into a permanent Meals on Wheels partnership, currently serving approximately 25 households daily.
Mendoza was also deeply involved in the community, raising her children within NCLUSD and carrying the perspectives of both an administrator and a parent. “Being an end-user helped me see gaps and opportunities,” she wrote. “I saw firsthand how important it was to involve parents in things like math support and to ensure families felt included.”
Her ability to build trust and strong relationships with teachers, administrators, and union leaders became one of the hallmarks of her leadership. Mendoza was known for simplifying financial data, supporting classroom budgets, and ensuring that sites were prepared to take advantage of one-time funding opportunities.
Throughout her time at NCLUSD, Mendoza worked under six superintendents, adapting to shifting district priorities while maintaining a steady focus on financial responsibility and student well-being. Her leadership was widely respected, and her commitment to transparency and collaboration earned the trust of colleagues across the district.
Now, she departs without explanation from the district, stating that her dismissal came “without cause.”
The district has not publicly commented on the decision, and Mendoza did not speculate on the reasons. However, her departure has raised questions among staff, parents, and administrators who relied on her expertise to keep the district financially stable and student-centered.
Despite the abrupt ending to her tenure, Mendoza leaves NCLUSD with a deep sense of gratitude for the work she accomplished and the lives she impacted.
“I hope my legacy is one of service, transparency, and always doing what was best for kids,” she wrote. “Students may never know my name, but I hope they felt the impact in the learning spaces, the meals they enjoyed, or the opportunities that helped shape their future.”
With her departure, NCLUSD moves forward on a foundation strengthened by her financial stewardship, advocacy, and belief that every decision should begin and end with students. Whether her dismissal signals a shift in district priorities or an unexpected break in leadership, her contributions remain embedded in the school structures, financial policies, and programs she helped build.
