Orange County School Board members took the first step Tuesday toward finding the next leader of Orange County Public Schools, a decision that will shape the future of Central Florida’s largest school district.

The board discussed how it will approach the search for a new superintendent, though no final decision was made. The district is the fourth largest in Florida and the eighth largest in the nation.

The next superintendent will replace Dr. Maria Vazquez, who plans to retire after the 2026-27 school year. Vazquez has led OCPS since 2022 and is ending a 35-year career in education.

Board members said the search is just beginning, but stability will be a major focus.“The priority is stability and not turnover of leadership,” Teresa Jacobs said during the discussion.

Whoever is selected will take over a district facing major challenges.

OCPS has dealt with the closure of seven schools, along with the loss of thousands of students and ongoing budget concerns.

Board members emphasized that choosing the right person will be critical for the district’s students, families and staff.

The goal is to select the next superintendent by June 2027, giving that person about two months to train and prepare before the start of the school year in August 2027. The board is expected to continue discussing the search process in the months ahead.