Admin
Superintendent Search 2022 Banner

Superintendent Search

Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Barbara M. Jenkins, Ed.D., has announced her retirement after a decade in this role. The School Board of Orange County, Florida, has engaged the Florida School Boards Association in the search for the next highly qualified individual to lead our district. 

This site will serve as the central location for communications and updates during the selection process. Below are details from meetings and the timeline to finding our district's next superintendent. We will continue to update it as new information and updates become available. For questions regarding the process, please contact [email protected].

Quick Links

Finalists Semi-Finalists Applicants Media Community Survey Results Picture of the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center with the words "Meeting Minutes" on it.  

Application Process

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH, Orange County Public Schools, Florida

Orange County Public Schools, an “A” rated school district, ranks among the top-10 largest public school districts in the nation, and is the fourth in Florida. Serving more than 206,000 students in 205 schools, the district offers a wealth of educational choices, including 46 magnet programs and career academies, and over 70 programs at its five technical college campuses. As one of the county’s largest employers, with more than 25,000 employees, the district maintains a strong partnership with community members and businesses.

For the past 10 years, Barbara M. Jenkins, Ed.D., has served as superintendent of OCPS and will retire this fall. As the district searches for its next leader, the Board seeks a superintendent who will accelerate the advancements made over the past decade and guide the district into the future of public education in Orange County. This visionary candidate must possess an eagerness to lead a consistently high-achieving, forward-thinking and diverse school district, and have a proven track record of cultivating a culture that supports the district’s vision and mission. The vision of OCPS is to ensure every student has a promising and successful future. Through a commitment to its mission, with the support of families and the community, it creates enriching and diverse pathways that lead students to success. For more information about Orange County Public Schools and the leadership Qualities needed in the next Superintendent visit: https://www.ocps.net/cms/One.aspx?portalId=54703&pageId=1786397

Minimum Qualifications
  1. Master’s Degree from an accredited institution

  2. Holds or is eligible for Florida Certification in Educational Leadership or Administration and Supervision or holds comparable certification from another state

  3. Ten years of progressively responsible educational leadership management experience

  4. Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing strategic plans

  5. Experience in a large, diverse school district with characteristics similar to Orange County Public Schools

Desired Qualifications
  1. Earned Doctorate degree from an accredited institution

  2. Classroom and school principal experience

  3. Central office experience in a district with more than 35,000 students

  4. Business related knowledge or experience

The School Board is prepared to offer a three-year contract with a salary range of $295,000-$350,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications, plus competitive benefits. Candidates selected as finalists must be available for on-site interviews on June 21 and 22, 2022. The position start date and transition period will be subject to contract negotiations with the School Board.

Application Process and Deadline – To apply, candidates must submit the following:
  • A resume with a signed cover letter

  • A maximum of three letters of professional recommendation

  • Documents verifying current certifications, and a copy of college transcripts reflecting the highest degree held (copies of transcript are acceptable but official transcripts are required prior to employment)
All application materials referenced above must be emailed to [email protected] and received no later than the application deadline of midnight on May 20, 2022.

For additional information contact:
Andrea Messina, Exec. Dir. Dr. Bill Vogel John Reichert 
 FL School Board Assoc./FSBA FSBA Consultant  FSBA Consultant 
 850.414.2578; Cell - 850.566.1860 321.299.2452
321.363.7909 
[email protected]  [email protected]  [email protected] 

Important Notice - All application materials submitted for this position are subject to the Florida Public Records Act and “Government in the Sunshine” provisions of Florida law. The names of applicants, resumes, and other application materials submitted cannot be held in confidence and are open to the public once received. Applicants who are selected as finalists will be interviewed by the Board in the public.

Qualities

REVISED April 14 &19, 2022 by Superintendent Search Advisory Committee and April 27 by OCPS School Board

To build on the district’s success, candidates must demonstrate a proven record of Innovative and visionary leadership that includes the following qualities.

High Expectations for Student Learning

  • Demonstrates understanding of curriculum, standards, and effective teaching methods

  • Demonstrates success leading improvements in overall student performance, including closing the achievement gap

  • Understands the impact of early childhood education and demonstrates success in implementing strategies that improve reading and literacy at all levels

  • Ensures that Exceptional Student Education (ESE) and English Language Learners (ELL) programs meet the needs of those served

  • Champions the arts and athletics as well as academics

Student Social and Emotional Well-Being

  • Works with parents and community partnerships to support programs, initiatives, and systems to address student Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) needs

  • Supports teachers and other staff in advancing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in schools through training and learning opportunities

  • Implements strategies to address student social, emotional, and/or other non-academic challenges in collaboration with families

  • Collaborates with the health department to ensure safe and healthy schools for students and staff

  • Is cognizant of and understands the high stress, ever-changing school demands facing teachers and staff, and prioritizes employee’s physical and emotional well-being

Dedicated and High-Quality Team

  • Demonstrates successful experience leading an organization with diverse cultures through an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect

  • Implements successful recruitment and retention strategies to retain effective and diverse employees

  • Is knowledgeable about effective teaching strategies and demonstrates appreciation for teachers’ commitment to meet their diverse students’ needs

  • Collaborates with the School Board to create a long-term vision and leads a robust strategic plan with significant accountability measures

  • Values collaborative relationships with unions and other employee organizations to better meet staff and student needs

Positive Climate and Safe Environment

  • Seeks and considers the input of students, staff, and families in the ongoing improvement of school climate and safe environments

  • Establishes positive staff morale through flexibility, support, recognition, and acceptance of diverse cultures

  • Builds and maintains an open, honest, and trusting relationship with the School Board, administrators, teachers, support staff, parents, families, students, and the greater Orange County community that results in commitment and positive school climates

  • Has success implementing a Code of Student Conduct that is fair and equitable, resulting in safe and orderly classrooms and campuses, and improves and redirects student behaviors

  • Collaborates with the Sheriff, local law enforcement, school police and the county emergency management team to ensure safe schools for students and employees

Efficient Operations

  • Demonstrates knowledge of local, state, and federal funding sources and improvement of business operations such as food/nutrition services, maintenance, and transportation

  • Analyzes and uses data for decision-making to develop, review, and improve actions, plans, processes, and systems

  • Evaluates and revises procedures and policies to improve efficiency and transparency

  • Demonstrates experience leading and supporting long-range plans to build new and renovate schools and facilities in a fast-growing district

  • In tune with market changes and enhances development and implementation of innovative, cutting edge processes and new technologies that improve work functions, cybersecurity, pedagogy, and learning opportunities

Engaged and Invested Community

  • Promotes and advocates for students and public education regularly

  • Demonstrates excellent communication and strong interpersonal skills; understands and engages with the diverse community

  • Partners with The Foundation for OCPS, businesses, parent groups, and non-profits to maximize family and community support and resources

  • Understands workforce needs and recommends appropriate career and technical programs

  • Works with legislators, municipalities, county government, and business leaders to advocate for board-approved priorities, legislation, educational opportunities, and economic development

Personal

  • Demonstrates high ethical standards and serves as a role model for students, teachers, staff, families, and the community

  • Holds self to a high standard of professionalism, integrity, and accountability

  • Displays a passion and enthusiasm for learning and success for all

  • Leads with humility, authenticity, heart, empathy, and courage while engaging others in seeking solutions to district challenges and opportunities

  • Is available, accessible, responsive, and highly visible to the School Board, the schools, the students, and the community

Timeline

Conducting the search for our next superintendent requires time and attention to detail. The timeline below will serve as a calendar of important dates and milestones in the selection process and will be updated as needed.

March 3, 2022   1 p.m.   Board Work Session - FSBA overview and discussion
March 8, 2022   4:45 p.m.   Board Meeting - Request Approval of Superintendent Search Advisory Committee
March 21, 2022   6-8 p.m.   Superintendent Search Advisory Committee Meeting
Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center Conference Room A
March 22, 2022   1 p.m.   Board Work Session - Finalize online survey and other items as needed
March 22 - April 5, 2022   6-7 p.m.   Community Forums
        • District 1 - University HS - March 22 
        • District 2 - Lake Nona HS - April 5 
        • Community/Business Partners - RBELC - March 28 (12 p.m. - 2 p.m.) 
        • District 3 - Freedom HS - March 28 
        • District 4 - West Orange HS - March 29 
        • District 5 - Jones HS - March 30 
        • District 6 - Edgewater HS - March 23 
        • District 7 - Apopka HS - March 31
        • Superintendent's Student Advisory Council (students) - April 5 (3 p.m. - 4 p.m.)
March 28 - April 8, 2022       Community Survey Online
April 12, 2022        Online Survey Results to Board Members
April 14, 2022    6 p.m.   Superintendent Search Advisory Committee Meeting
Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center Conference Room A
April 19, 2022   6 p.m.    Superintendent Search Advisory Committee Meeting
Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center Conference Room A
April 27, 2022    10 a.m.   Board Work Session - Discuss Applicant screening process to determine semi-finalists and finalists 
May 2 - 20, 2022       Application Submission Period (Deadline: midnight)
May 25, 2022    9:00 a.m.   Board Work Session - Discuss process for selecting finalists 
June 7, 2022   1 p.m.   
Board Work Session
- Discuss School Board Member questions for finalists, Discuss Finalists interview schedules, Method/process for selection of superintendent, Contract negotiation items/process, and other items as may be needed
June 21, 2022     1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.   School Board Members Collective Interviews 
Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center Boardroom
    6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.   Meet and Greet
Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center
School Board Meeting Room
 June 22, 2022   8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.    School Board Members Individual Interviews 
Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center Boardroom
June 28, 2022    4:45 p.m.    Board Meeting - Select Superintendent 
June 29, 2022 
      Contract negotiations begin 
July 26, 2022    5:00 p.m.   Board Meeting - Approve contract with effective start date, and transition plan