Mark Luque Reflects on Legacy at BCSD, Looks Ahead to New Chapter with KCSOS

Mark Luque sat quietly Wednesday in his Old Town Kern office, surrounded by mementos from more than two decades in public education. It was a reflective moment — the kind that comes around when one chapter closes, and another begins. After 11 years in leadership at the Bakersfield City School District (BCSD) — the past four as Superintendent — Luque was preparing to bid farewell to the district that helped shape both his life and career.

“It’s bittersweet,” he said, less than a day after submitting his formal resignation. “Serving this district has been the honor of my career. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together — but I’m also excited to support education in a new way at the county level.”

Luque, 50, has been appointed Chief Training & Advancement Officer with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS). He will begin his new role later this summer, overseeing leadership development for school and district administrators across Kern County’s 46 districts, mentoring new superintendents, and guiding regional strategies to strengthen teaching and learning countywide and beyond.

“This is a role we’ve been thoughtfully building for some time,” said Kern County Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Mendiburu. “We’re thrilled to have someone of Mark’s caliber join our team. He brings a wealth of administrative experience that will lend itself well to the training and support he will be providing to local school districts.”  

For Luque, the new role marks a return to the work that has always energized him: empowering educators. Whether in the classroom, at a school site, or in district leadership, he has consistently found purpose in helping others grow.

“At every stage of my career, I’ve found the greatest fulfillment in teaching and learning,” he said. “This new role allows me to fully re-engage in that passion — designing professional development that’s not only inspiring but actionable.”

Long before leading BCSD, Luque was a student in its classrooms — first at Mt. Vernon Elementary, then at Sierra Junior High. Those early experiences, he says, are what shaped his leadership philosophy. 

“Having walked those halls as a child, I know the power of caring adults,” he said. “Their belief in me shaped who I am — and that experience has shaped how I lead.”

As superintendent, Luque was widely credited with cultivating a values-driven culture known as TeamBCSD, grounded in trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to student success. 

“We are in the people business,” he said. “Strong relationships, purposeful communication, and a deep belief in our shared purpose — that’s what creates the conditions for students and staff to thrive.”

Among his proudest accomplishments is BCSD’s “Portrait of a Graduate,” a districtwide framework developed through a two-year community engagement process. It outlines six essential competencies — including communication, critical thinking, and resilience — that define what BCSD students should be prepared for beyond the classroom. The Portrait now guides the district’s work at every level, offering a shared language of success. 

Under his leadership, BCSD earned multiple state and national honors, including California Distinguished Schools, Schools to Watch designations, Magna Awards, and Golden Bell Awards, which recognized both academic achievement and a deep commitment to student success.

As he prepares to step into his new role, Luque is focused on building strong partnerships and offering tailored support to meet the distinct needs of districts across Kern County. Having led in both urban and rural settings, he understands the complexities educational leaders face today — from the needs of students and families to shifting policy demands. He says he plans to approach the work with equal parts strategy and empathy.

“This work is personal,” he said. “I’m living proof of what’s possible when students are surrounded by people who believe in them.”

In his new role, Luque will oversee leadership development for school and district administrators across Kern County’s 46 districts, mentor new district superintendents, and guide regional strategies that strengthen teaching and learning across the county and beyond.