Chaparral principal selected as district’s new head of finances

Larry Brown Moorpark Unified School District has appointed a local middle school principal to replace the district’s chief of finances. The announcement was made last week at a school board meeting.

Larry Brown, who’s been assistant superintendent in charge of business services at MUSD for 11 years, is retiring.

Creig Nicks, principal of Chaparral Middle School, will succeed him.

According to Brown, Nicks has the qualities necessary to help the district navigate through its current financial storm.

“He has a strong educational background, which always helps because he can see issues from the other side,” Brown said. Nicks, he said, completed a series of administrative services courses last year to prepare for a position that involved educational budgets.

Nicks said he plans to do his best to maintain the district’s responsible fiscal practices in the face of financially tough times, which he believes will persist for the next three to five years.

Creig Nicks Moorpark schools will continue to overcome challenges because everyone is working together to address problems when they arise, the new assistant superintendent said.

“I have high hopes for the future. We rely on the strength of our community,” Nicks said.

The former teacher said he’ll make sure students come first when financial decisions are made in administrative offices. He plans to network with school leaders and educators to get the most from existing resources.

“The advantage I have is that I already know all the people I’ll be working with, so we can address the problems right away,” Nicks said.

Nicks, 51, has lived in Moorpark since 1984. His wife of 27 years, Mary, is a special education teacher at Flory Academy.

The couple has two daughters, Katherine and Beth, who attended Moorpark schools. Both are now college students.

Principal at Chaparral for nine years, Nicks began his career with MUSD in 1995 as assistant principal at Chaparral.

Under his leadership, Chaparral qualified for California Distinguished School commendation and was recognized as a national Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2001.

In addition to being a leader locally, Nicks has served as president of the Association of California School Administrators, the Middle Grades Education Council and as the California co-president of the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Nicks earned a bachelor’s degree at UCLA, his teaching credential at Cal State University Northridge and his postgraduate administrative degree from California Lutheran University.

Nicks brings years of experience as a successful school leader to his new role of chief financial officer for the district in the midst of the state budget crisis, said Superintendent Ellen Smith.

“I am confident that his expertise and fresh perspective will be important assets as we work through the challenges of maintaining instructional quality even as we face continuing state fiscal decline,” she said.    

According to Brown, the new fiscal chief will be in good hands with Moorpark voters, who’ve demonstrated their support for local schools twice in the recent past.

In fact, Brown said, the passage of bond measures in 2002 and 2008 were highlights of his career with MUSD.

“It’s so satisfying to know that in this crisis time, that the community recognized the problem and they stepped up to help the school district. Until 2002, we never passed a bond in this district,” Brown said, mentioning that three prior attempts had failed.

The bond money allowed the district to improve facilities and upgrade technology, Brown said.

Brown began his career in school management in 1979, serving as assistant superintendent for business services in Phoenix Elementary School District, Santa Maria-Bonita Elementary School District and Moorpark Unified School District. 

Brown, 60, won’t be resting after he retires on Nov. 16. An amateur storm chaser, he plans to spend more time in the Midwest pursuing tornadoes.

He also wants to return to his favorite sporting activities, start a rock band and may even consider polishing his magic skills.

Brown and Nicks have been working together to make sure the upcoming transition goes smoothly.