The Orange County Board of Education is gearing up to appoint a new county superintendent of schools following the news of Dr. Al Mijares’ retirement.
Citing health issues, Mijares announced last week that he will step down from the role on June 30 after more than a decade on the job. His successor will serve the remainder of his term, which ends on Jan. 4, 2027.
Applications and eligibility
The county board is asking prospective candidates to submit resumes highlighting their qualifications and experience, along with no more than three letters of reference each, by 5 p.m. on May 10. Those seeking the position must be legal residents and registered voters in Orange County at the time of their appointment and possess a valid credential that authorizes them to perform administrative services in California.
Applications should be sent to OCDE Deputy Superintendent Renee Hendrick, who oversees Operations, Governance and Community Partnerships. Submissions can be made via email to contact@ocbe.us or delivered in person to the Orange County Department of Education at 200 Kalmus Drive, Costa Mesa, California 92688.
It’s important to note that submissions that come in after the 5 p.m. deadline on May 10 will not be accepted, and all application materials will become public records available for review.
Roles and responsibilities
The next county superintendent will oversee a number of critical areas on behalf of the Orange County Department of Education.
The job’s responsibilities include — but aren’t limited to — supervising the schools administered by OCDE, serving as the employer of record for all OCDE staff, and managing all of the department’s educational programs and services.
The county superintendent also provides mandated fiscal oversight for each school district within the county’s borders and ensures that all students have access to sufficient textbooks and instructional materials.
For more detailed information about the position, applicants and interested parties are encouraged to review Section 1240 of the California Education Code. Additional updates can be found on the Orange County Board of Education’s website.