Orange County Superintendent Al Mijares is set to return to his full duties in August after being on medical leave since August of the previous year. Mijares, who has been the superintendent since 2012, has been working closely with his medical team to ensure a smooth transition back to work.
During his absence, Deputy Superintendent Ramon Miramontes has been overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Orange County Department of Education. Miramontes has been fulfilling the same duties and responsibilities as Mijares, including managing school budgets, conducting inspections, and overseeing personnel.
While Mijares has been involved in major decisions affecting the organization in an advisory capacity, concerns have been raised by some department staff members and Orange County Board of Education President Tim Shaw regarding transparency and the extended absence of the elected superintendent.
Shaw expressed concerns about the use of taxpayer dollars to pay Mijares’ salary during his medical leave, which amounts to nearly $400,000 annually. However, OCDE spokesperson Ian Hanigan defended Mijares, stating that he has accrued a significant amount of sick leave over his 40-year career in education.
Despite the complexities surrounding Mijares’ absence, the Orange County Department of Education continues to provide support to over 600 schools and approximately 440,000 students in the region. As Mijares prepares to return to his duties, the department remains committed to upholding its vision and providing excellent service to the community’s educators and students.