07/27/2026
๐ฆ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ฟ. ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐. ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐๐พ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ป๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐น๐น๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฏ๐ฑ-๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria F. Vazquez has announced her decision to retire at the conclusion of the 2026-27 school year, bringing to a close a distinguished 35-year career dedicated to serving students, families, educators, and communities.
Dr. Vazquez shared the news with OCPS employees, families, students, and community members in a letter reflecting on a career defined by service, relationships, and a steadfast commitment to public education. She emphasized that while retirement marks an important personal milestone, her focus remains firmly on leading the district through the coming school year and ensuring a successful future for Orange County Public Schools.
Read the full letter here:https://files.smartsites.parentsquare.com/6888/vazquez_announcement.pdf
"Serving this community has been one of the greatest honors of my life," said Dr. Vazquez. "Throughout my career, I have believed that education is ultimately about people, relationships, and creating opportunities for students to thrive. I am deeply grateful for the privilege of working alongside extraordinary employees, supportive families, dedicated community partners, and inspiring students. While I look forward to the next chapter, I remain fully committed to making this final school year one of our very best."
Under Dr. Vazquez's leadership, OCPS has remained focused on student achievement, employee support, school safety, and strengthening partnerships with families and the community. She credits the district's success to the collective efforts of teachers, principals, support staff, families, and community members who work each day to support students.
Dr. Vazquez has served at every level of the education system and has extensive expertise in curriculum and instruction. After beginning her career as an elementary school classroom teacher and resource teacher in reading and language arts, Dr. Vazquez served as an assistant principal and principal in OCPS. She served the district across multiple roles including area superintendent and chief academic officer before being promoted to deputy superintendent in 2018 and now Superintendent of the 8th largest school district in the country.
During her tenure at OCPS, Dr. Vazquez has developed a proven track record of leadership for educational equity. She has expanded access to advanced coursework for historically underserved students, recruited great teachers to the most vulnerable schools, and reprioritized the districtโs budget to support teaching and learning.
Under her leadership, Orange County Public Schools earned an โAโ grade from the Florida Department of Education for the past three school years with nearly 80 percent of schools earning an โAโ or โBโ and no โDโ or โFโ schools for the last two years. She is the first Hispanic superintendent of Orange County Public Schools and in 2023 won the Don Quijote Award for Excellence.
"As I announce my retirement, my focus remains firmly on tomorrow," Dr. Vazquez said. "This school year is filled with opportunities to strengthen student achievement, support our employees, deepen our partnerships with families, and continue building a district that prepares every student for a bright future."
Additional information regarding the superintendent transition process will be shared by the School Board and the district at a later date.
