SPEAKERS

October 26, 2026

Van Ayres serves as Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS), the nation’s seventh-largest school district. Appointed on November 2, 2023, he brings decades of educational leadership and an unwavering commitment to student success.

Under Mr. Ayres leadership, HCPS has broadened access to accelerated learning through the growth of Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge AICE, and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, dual enrollment, and industry certification pathways. Since Florida launched its FAST assessment in 2023, the district has raised third-grade English Language Arts proficiency by eight percentage points, a marked gain in its foundational grades. These investments in rigor, early literacy, and college and career readiness fueled historic results across the district, culminating in an A rating from the Florida Department of Education in 2025–26, HCPS’s first A in more than a decade. It was the highest level of achievement in district history, anchored by a 92.8 percent graduation rate for traditional schools and a71 percent college and career acceleration rate, both district records. One hundred twenty-seven schools earned an A or B, and for the first time, every school in the district’s Transformation Network earned an A, B, or C, with none rated D or F. HCPS was also named Cambridge International’s Large District of the Year for 2024–25, recognizing its work to expand rigorous academic opportunities and deliver strong student outcomes.

Before becoming Superintendent, Mr. Ayres served as Chief of Strategic Planning and Partnerships, where he led the development and implementation of the district’s five-year strategic plan. As Deputy Superintendent of Schools, he championed data-driven strategies that lifted the district’s graduation rate by 12.2 percentage points over five years. He also expanded Magnet and School Choice offerings and strengthened support for military-connected families and students receiving exceptional education services.

A proud Tampa native, Mr. Ayres is a lifelong educator and a product of Hillsborough County Public Schools. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1992 and earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Tampa. He began his HCPS career in 1997 as a science teacher at Blake High School, where he later served as Assistant Principal for Student Affairs and Assistant Principal for Curriculum. In 2012, he returned to his alma mater as principal of Jefferson High School, continuing a career devoted to the students, families, and communities of Hillsborough County.
Mr. Ayres leads HCPS with a steadfast focus on academic excellence, innovation, and opportunity for every student, driving results that continue to move the district forward.