Orange County Public Schools

During today’s regular school board meeting, board members engaged in a long and thoughtful discussion and gave Superintendent Jenkins direction to make face masks mandatory for all preK-12 students and adults. The universal mask mandate will begin Monday, Aug. 30, until Oct. 30. The mask mandate will not be required for any student with a note from a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant or an employee with a medical exemption. The school board also asked for a meeting to be scheduled to clarify the current school board policy EBBA – Disease Prevention; Face Coverings.  

Other highlights of the meeting include:

OESPA contract for 2021-22 school year includes bonus for new employees

The School Board and Superintendent recognize and value the work performed by the classified employees of Orange County Public Schools. The Board collaboratively bargained with OESPA a contract that includes bonuses, insurance plan design changes, and contract language changes. Classified staff will receive a one-time bonus in the amount of $2,500 for employees hired on or before Oct. 8, 2021, as well as a one-time $1,000 bonus for employees employed on or before May 28, 2021. Employees must be in an active employment status on the date the bonus is paid to be eligible. Those employees who retire between the date of execution of the MOU and date of payout who otherwise are eligible to receive the bonus will be included. 

 The School Board also approved a one-time bonus for select instructional employees in benefited positions who were excluded from Governor DeSantis’ $1,000 bonus for full-time classroom teachers and principals. A one-time bonus in the amount of $2,500 and $1,000 was also approved for school-based administrators, food services managers and administrative/technical staff.  

 The one-time bonus of $2,500 will apply to any new employee including bus drivers and food service workers employed by October 8, 2021. 

OESPA 2021-22 Memorandum of Understanding

September proclaimed as National PTA Membership Month

September 2021 has been declared National PTA Membership Month by National PTA. Today, the PTA’s role is more important than ever in connecting parents, teachers and administrators, providing meaningful engagement, and supporting critical school needs. During the 2020-2021 school year, Orange County Council of PTAs/PTSAs successfully chartered three new local units and had a total of 11,104 PTA members in 112 units. During the month of September, the OCCPTA will encourage every family to join their school’s PTA/PTSA. 

2021 National PTA Membership Month Proclamation

School Board reviews Social and Emotional Learning Strategic Plan 

Teaching and Learning staff gave a presentation on social and emotional learning which is one of the School Board’s six strategic plan objectives. The presentation focused on the social and emotional well-being of students. 

Changes regarding administrative personnel

Superintendent Barbara Jenkins introduced the following new administrators:

Danielle Stokes, assistant principal, Windermere High

Agustin David Damers, principal, Silver Pines Academy

*Reminder* School Board meetings are live-streamed on the School Board’s YouTube channel and will be accessible from web browsers on computers or mobile devices.