The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) has implemented a series of organizational changes, aligning its efforts around two primary frameworks: educational excellence and operational excellence. This restructuring responds to evolving student needs, increasing complexities for schools, emerging technologies, and shifts in community priorities, according to department statements.
The department outlined that these two areas represent distinct but deeply connected aspects of its work, providing a clearer structure for how OCDE will serve students, schools, and communities moving forward. The adjustments aim to help the organization evolve at the same pace as the challenges it faces.
Educational excellence encompasses much of the work OCDE is widely recognized for, focusing on teaching, learning, and student success. This pillar involves partnering with local school districts to strengthen instruction, expand opportunities, and support educators across Orange County. It also includes the schools and programs OCDE directly operates for students, such as ACCESS for alternative education and Connections, which serves students with disabilities.
Under this new structure, Dr. Sandra Lee serves as the deputy superintendent of educational excellence, overseeing two OCDE divisions. Educational and Student Services is now a single division, led by Associate Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Benaraw. This division will continue its work supporting districts and advancing countywide educational initiatives. The second division is County Operated Schools and Programs (COSP), led by Associate Superintendent Dr. Maria Martinez-Poulin, which will support the ACCESS and Connections programs directly operated by OCDE. This structure reflects the dual approach OCDE takes to its educational mission: supporting local systems and directly serving students.
Central to the success of educational excellence is operational excellence. This pillar encompasses the behind-the-scenes teams responsible for ensuring the systems supporting classrooms, professional learning sessions, student programs, and district partnerships are robust. Their responsibilities are broad and essential, covering management of budgets, facilities, and technology. They also provide fiscal oversight for school districts and deliver high-speed internet access. Additionally, these teams are responsible for processing payroll for nearly 600 schools across Orange County, ensuring teachers and staff are paid accurately and on time.
This operational work, while often behind the scenes, touches nearly every part of public education in the county. These teams provide the necessary infrastructure, accountability, and day-to-day support, allowing schools and educational programs to concentrate on student-focused activities.
To support these operational functions, OCDE has welcomed Misty Key as the new deputy superintendent of Business and Operations Services. Key will provide unified leadership across this side of the organization, bringing more than two decades of experience in public education, including executive leadership roles at multiple county offices of education. Her experience and perspective are anticipated to strengthen these operations.
The department describes the two pillars as interdependent: one advances the educational work at the core of its mission, while the other provides the systems and support that make that work possible. This alignment is also reflected in the OCDE's 5-3-1 Strategic Plan, which provides a shared framework for the department's direction and its intent to make a meaningful difference.
Moving forward, decisions will be guided by the question: "How will this help us better serve students?" This guiding principle emphasizes becoming a trusted partner to districts, creating supportive and high-expectation environments for students, and helping every OCDE employee understand how their work contributes to the larger mission. While organizational charts alone do not improve student outcomes, the department states its responsibility is to create the conditions that help its people succeed. Together, educational excellence and operational excellence are intended to lift up the universal goal of helping every student in Orange County reach their fullest potential.
