Orange County parents share priorities as school board searches for new superintendent

Board weighs 5 search firms to lead search for next superintendent

News 6 | By: Amy Russo | October 13, 2026

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – As Orange County Public Schools faces declining enrollment, a budget shortfall, and school closures, parents say the district’s next superintendent will play an important role in shaping its future.

The Orange County School Board provided an update on its search for a new superintendent during a meeting on Tuesday. Five firms are making their case on why they should lead the search for the next superintendent.

The search comes after current Superintendent Dr. Maria Vasquez announced her retirement, concluding a 35-year career in education.

Parents who spoke with News 6 said they hope the district’s next leader will prioritize student enrollment, strengthen support for public schools and address classroom needs.

Christy Noone, a parent of two children at Audubon Park Elementary School, said she is happy with her children’s school but believes the district as a whole has room for improvement.

“I would hope that the new superintendent would have a focus on student enrollment,” Noone said.

Orange County Public Schools reported more than 7,600 fewer students this school year compared with the previous year. The decline resulted in an estimated $23 million loss in funding for the district during the current fiscal year.

Noone said reversing that trend will require community involvement and support.

“Definitely need to drive the numbers back up and have advocacy for the public school system,” she said.

She acknowledged that addressing the district’s challenges will take time and cooperation.

“That’s going to be a very big feat to conquer,” Noone said. “It’s really going to take a lot of community involvement and education and support for our public school systems.”

Parents also raised questions about classroom resources, including the use of artificial intelligence in education and student-to-teacher ratios.

The Florida Board of Education approved statewide rules governing artificial intelligence in schools, including provisions allowing parents to opt out of its use.

Bibiana Iacutone, whose child attends Hillcrest Elementary School, said she wants students to continue developing traditional learning skills as technology becomes more prevalent.

“Never forget the books because most of the people, everything now looking ChatGPT,” Iacutone said.

Iacutone said her child is one of 19 students in the classroom and believes an additional teacher could be beneficial.

“Maybe another teacher could be good,” she said.

Parents say they hope the next superintendent will work with the community to strengthen public education and address the needs of students and teachers.

No final decision was made on Tuesday.