Candidates For Board Of Education Superintendent Share Their Views

COSTA MESA, CA—Six hopeful candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to replace outgoing Orange County Board of Education Superintendent Al Mijares, who retired after an extended illness.

The county board of education will interview all six at a meeting Wednesday in Costa Mesa. There will be limited seating at the 200 Kalmus Drive offices, and the interviews will also be livestreamed on the board's YouTube Channel.

"The selected candidate will complete the remainder of County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares' term, ending in January 2027, with the opportunity to run for a full four-year term in 2026. Dr. Mijares announced his resignation effective the end of June, citing health issues."

The job involves running the Department of Education and managing a $350 million budget for 1,400 employees in the county's nearly 30 school districts, according to Voice of OC. Applicants must be registered to vote in Orange County and have an administrative credential to apply for the position, according to Tim Shaw, chair of the Orange County Board of Education.

Six prospective candidates submitted their resumes by the May 10 deadline and will be interviewed at the meeting planned for May 22:

• Dr. Stefan Bean: Executive Director of Irvine International Academy, former Superintendent and Associate Superintendent of Aspire Public Schools Los Angeles
• Dennis Cole: Director of District Partnerships and Operations for OCDE's Alternative Education Division (ACCESS), Trustee for the Fountain Valley School District
• Dr. Charles D. Hinman: Former Superintendent of the West Covina Unified School District, Interim Superintendent of the Fountain Valley and Westminster School Districts, Oxford Preparatory Academy
• Dr. Maria Martinez-Poulin: Former Superintendent of the Whittier City School District, Interim Superintendent for the Culver City Unified School District, Deputy Superintendent for the Los Angeles County Office of Education
• Dr. Ramon Miramontes: Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Programs for OCDE, Former Superintendent of the Buena Park School District
• Kirsten Vital Brulte: Former Superintendent of the Capistrano and Alameda Unified School Districts

Orange County voters will decide the next superintendent when that seat expires in January 2027. The board of education will select who fills the seat of the now-retired Mijares until the end of 2026.