The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) is implementing a series of organizational changes to align its work around two main areas: educational excellence and operational excellence. OCDE officials indicate these changes are in response to evolving student needs, increasing complexities in schools, emerging technologies, growing communities, and shifting priorities, emphasizing the department's responsibility to adapt.
These two pillars are described by the department as distinct yet deeply connected, designed to create a clearer framework for OCDE's service to students, schools, and communities now and in the future.
The pillar of educational excellence focuses on OCDE's core mission of teaching, learning, and student success. This part of the organization collaborates with local school districts to enhance instruction, broaden opportunities, and support educators. It also encompasses the schools and programs directly operated by OCDE for students, such as ACCESS for alternative education and Connections, which serves students with disabilities.
Under this reorganized structure, Dr. Sandra Lee has been appointed as deputy superintendent of educational excellence. She will oversee two OCDE divisions. The Educational and Student Services division is now unified and led by Associate Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Benaraw, continuing its work to support districts and advance countywide educational initiatives. The second division, County Operated Schools and Programs (COSP), is led by Associate Superintendent Dr. Maria Martinez-Poulin and will support the ACCESS and Connections programs. OCDE states this structure reflects its dual approach to education: supporting local school systems and directly serving students through its own programs.
Complementing this, the operational excellence pillar is deemed essential for achieving educational excellence. OCDE explains that behind every classroom, professional learning session, student program, and district partnership are teams ensuring the underlying systems are robust. These teams manage broad and essential responsibilities, including overseeing budgets, facilities, and technology. They also provide fiscal oversight for school districts and deliver high-speed internet access. Additionally, they process payroll for nearly 600 schools across Orange County, aiming for accurate and timely payments to teachers and staff, which directly impacts the financial stability of those serving the educational community.
OCDE leadership recently introduced Misty Key as the new deputy superintendent of Business and Operations Services, tasked with providing unified leadership across this operational side of the organization. Key brings over two decades of experience in public education, including executive leadership roles at multiple county offices of education. OCDE noted her experience and perspective as valuable additions to this work. The department highlights that much of this operational work happens behind the scenes but touches nearly every part of public education in the county, providing the infrastructure, accountability, and daily support that enable schools and educational programs to prioritize students.
OCDE asserts that while organizational charts do not inherently improve student outcomes, the department's role is to create conditions that help its personnel succeed. This philosophy is also reflected in OCDE's 5-3-1 Strategic Plan, which provides a shared framework for the department's direction. Guiding its decisions, OCDE will continuously ask how its actions will "better serve students." The department aims to be a trusted partner to districts, foster caring and high-expectation environments for students, and help every employee understand their contribution to the broader mission. Together, educational excellence and operational excellence are stated as the two foundational pillars working towards a universal goal: helping every student in Orange County reach their fullest potential.
