Orange County Education Chief Stepping Down to Battle Cancer 

Orange County Department of Education Supt. Al Mijares announced his retirement last month, publicly sharing his battle with cancer since late 2022. Mr. Mijares has spent nearly a year on paid medical leave without public disclosure. In March, he told staff he planned to return to work in July. However, in an April 26 statement, Mr. Mijares said recent discussions with his family and doctors caused him to reconsider. “With the best interests of the [department of education] in mind, and for the sake of my health, I am announcing my retirement, effective June 30,” he stated. “Over the past year, I have chosen to keep many of the details of my health challenges private, largely to avoid distracting from the critical work we undertake together. Now, I feel it is appropriate to share with you that I have been battling cancer.”...