After years of discussion, the Orange County Board of Education voted to lower the pay of county Superintendent Al Mijares on April 6. The board voted 4–1, with Trustee Beckie Gomez voting against, to lower the pay of the superintendent from $467,000 per year to $425,000 per year. The new base pay is $300,000 per year with an approved car allowance of $12,000 per year and a benefits package, which all combined totals $425,000. The pay will be effective July 1. The discussion to lower the pay of the county superintendent began in late November 2021 when the board began to analyze the salary and responsibilities of Mijares and compared it to other county superintendents, according to Board President Mari Barke. Barke hopes to be an example for other boards seeking to recruit a strong candidate for the position while also protecting taxpayer funds. Trustee Lisa Sparks said during the …