County names new superintendent

The Orange County Board of Education has named Al Mijares the new superintendent of schools.

Mijares, vice president of the Western Regional Office of the College Board, was appointed at the board of education’s meeting Wednesday to complete the term of former Supt. William M. Habermelh.

“Orange County is known for having strong community partnerships and an ongoing commitment to the academic achievement and well-being of our students,” board President Elizabeth Parker said in a prepared statement. “The board believes that Dr. Mijares has the background and leadership skills needed to support the Orange County Department of Education’s vision of world-class education where every student succeeds.”

Habermelh retires at the end of the month. Mijares will serve until Jan. 5, 2015.

Mijares has worked in education for 34 years as a teacher at the community college and university level and in the administrative field.

He previously served as the superintendent of Bakersfield City School District and Santa Ana Unified School District.

Mijares was appointed to the board of trustees at Biola University in 2007, the advisory council to the USC president in 2004 and the advisory council to the dean of the School of Education at USC.

He has a doctorate in philosophy from USC, a master’s degree in social welfare from UC Berkeley and a bachelor’s degree in child development from Cal State Northridge.

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Twitter: @britneyjbarnes