David Verdugo became the eighth superintendent of SCVUSD No. 35 in May 2014. He has more than 30 years of experience in the field of education as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent. Under his leadership, the district and its schools have risen to national and state recognition.
Superintendent Verdugo has also received individual recognition as an educational leader, being named the 2025 Arizona Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendent's Superintendent of the Year, 2012 Arizona School Administrators Middle Level State Principal of the Year, and 2019 Arizona School Administrators Mid-Size All-Arizona Superintendent of the Year. He is active in representing his district in professional and civic organizations including Arizona School Administrators, American Association of School Superintendents, Rotary International, Nogales/Santa Cruz Government Relations, and First Things First Santa Cruz Council.
