Program Information
The Orange County Department of Education's Governance, Leadership, and Community Partnerships division honors and showcases excellence among charter school employees through the Charter School Classified Employee of the Year program. It is open to employees of charter schools that traditionally do not participate in a local district employee recognition program.
Charter School Classified Employee of the Year recognizes the achievement and success of employees who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in the following areas:
- Paraprofessional
- Clerical and Administrative Services
- Transportation Services
- Food and Nutrition Services
- Custodial and Maintenance Services
- Security Services
- Health and Student Services
- Technical Services
- Skilled Trades
Each Orange County charter school may submit a maximum of nine (9) applications for consideration, limited to one per each category.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for the Charter School Classified Employee of the Year program is limited to candidates who meet the following criteria:
- Current employee in any pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, Orange County charter school
- Not in a management or supervisory position
- Minimum of five years of service in the nomination category by January 2026
- Not previously nominated as an Orange County Classified School Employee of the Year in the selected category
Application Submission Information
Submit all completed applications and documents electronically to Jacqueline Alderissi at
jalderissi@ocde.us by November 14, 2025.
Timeline of Activities
September 15, 2025
| Intent to Participate forms will be sent Orange County charter schools.
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September 26, 2025
| Deadline for charter schools to submit Intent to Participate forms.
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October 3, 2025
| Charter schools will receive their requested Application(s) and Guidelines.
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November 14, 2025
| Deadline for charter schools to submit Application(s).
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January 16, 2026
| The Governance, Leadership, and Community Partnerships division will submit selected nominee to Orange County's Classified School Employee of the Year program for consideration.
|
March 2026
| Orange County's Classified Employee of the Year finalists are announced.
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March 25, 2026
| Postmark deadline for County Offices of Education to submit nominations to the California Department of Education (CDE).
|
April 2026
| CDE announces the California CSEY awardess.
|
Questions
Felipe Vasquez, Coordinator, (714) 966-4370
Jacqueline Alderissi, Executive Assistant, (714) 966-4381
