SAN GABRIEL VALLEY : L.A. Unified Official to Head La Puente Schools

After scouring the nation for a new superintendent, the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District has found one in its own back yard, hiring Andrew Cazares, a veteran administrator who lives in Hacienda Heights.

Cazares, 56, an assistant superintendent for the Los Angeles Unified School District, was expected to be confirmed by the school board Thursday night to the $98,000-a-year post.

“He’s a wonderful match for our district and really the kind of leadership we’ve been looking for,” said Lyla Eddington, president of the Board of Education.

The district serves 21,992 students, of whom 60.7% are Latino, 16.7% are Asian-American, 15.5% are Anglo and 7.1% are other ethnic groups. Like many other districts, Hacienda La Puente has struggled with budget shortfalls, high dropout rates and wavering test scores, as well as gang violence that threatens to engulf children beginning in elementary school.