La Grande, Oregon- The Oregon Association of School Executives (OASE) is proud to announce George Mendoza, Superintendent of the La Grande School District, as the 2026 Oregon Superintendent of the Year. Mendoza was selected for his visionary leadership, deep community roots, and unwavering dedication to student achievement. He will now move forward as Oregon’s nominee for the AASA National Superintendent of the Year award.
“George Mendoza is a leader for ALL - the students in his district, the staff that serve those students and the community as a whole,” shared COSA Executive Director, Dr. Krista Parent. “George is a trusted and highly respected colleague for leaders across the state. It is an honor for George to be named COSA's 2026 Oregon Superintendent of the Year.”
Since becoming superintendent in 2017, Mendoza has transformed La Grande into a district recognized statewide for innovation, equity, and excellence. Under his leadership, the district has:
● Achieved a 98% completion rate for the Class of 2025,
● Boosted graduation rates for students with disabilities from 48% in 2019 to 83% in 2025,
● Launched the Tiger Homes program, enabling students to build and sell homes to support the local workforce,
● Completed the new Wildcat Center, a $12M facility housing three gyms and six classrooms
● Expanded mental health and social-emotional supports through the district’s “Culture of Care,” and
● Established a direct enrollment partnership with Eastern Oregon University, eliminating college access barriers for students.
Mendoza, a first-generation immigrant and native Spanish speaker, is known for his commitment to removing barriers and building opportunity for all students. He is active in both state and local leadership, serving on the Oregon State School Board, Eastern Oregon University Board of Trustees, OSAA Executive Board, and PACE Board of Trustees, among others.
“George has built a district that reflects his excellence, care, and continuous improvement,” wrote Leatha Canfield, OSEA President and nominator. “His leadership has resulted in stronger outcomes for students, greater opportunities for staff, increased opportunity and access for all, and a school district that is quickly becoming a model of rural innovation and success in Oregon.”
The OASE Superintendent of the Year Award recognizes extraordinary leadership among Oregon’s public school superintendents. Mendoza's work exemplifies the values of student-centered systems, community collaboration, and educational equity that define the role today.
“I am honored, surprised and thankful. I am going to use the word team a lot. If I didn’t have Scott (Carpenter), our great principals, our school board, district staff, wonderful teachers and great students and families, this award would not be possible. This is because of all the people here who help make this a really good school district, who work hard, do their part, support one another, listen to each other, care about each other. None of these things would be possible without all of them, caring about our kids, caring about our staff, caring about our community.”
Mendoza said he is very grateful to his family, including his wife, Kristi, and his children. He also acknowledged Krista Parent, Director of Executive Leadership at COSA (Coalition of Oregon School Administrators), as a mentor and someone he looks up to and Dr. Mark Mulvihill, Superintendent of InterMountain ESD, as one of his favorite mentors who can go over any issue or problem and who is one of his closest friends in this career field.
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