The School Board of Orange County held its regularly-scheduled board meeting at 5 p.m. at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center. These are the highlights:
School Board approves a Resolution Ordering a Referendum Election in November
The School Board agreed to place a referendum on the November ballot to continue the half-cent sales tax. If approved by the voters of Orange County, the referendum will help fund the district’s capital construction needs for the next ten years. Since 2002, the half-cent sales tax has generated more than $4 billion for school construction and renovation. More than 50% of the revenue collected comes from tourists and non-Orange County residents. Over the last two decades it has funded the renovation or replacement of 136 schools and the construction of 65 new schools. The half-cent sales tax will generate funding over the next decade to maintain and update current schools and build new schools in high-growth areas of the county. In addition, this funding will help to enhance student security and provide updated technology in schools. The next step is to send the referendum to the Board of County Commissioners for approval to place on the November 5, 2024 ballot.
Strategic Plan Update – OCPS Family Reunification presentation
Safety and Emergency Management Office presented on the purpose of OCPS having a Family Reunification Plan to safely reunite students and employees with their families if a school or facility is closed or unexpectedly evacuated due to a natural or manmade disaster. This plan provides a framework to establish, manage, and demobilize a Family Reunification Center. It defines the roles and responsibilities of staff, ensures the safety and accountability of students, and establishes procedures to expeditiously reunite students with a parent, guardians or other authorized individual under controlled circumstances. The development of this reunification plan is in coordination with our public safety partners.
School Board approves modifications to school zones See maps
- Site 130-E-2, adopted Rezoning Option 2. School opens in August 2025.
- Targeted rezoning approved impacting Millennia Gardens beginning August 2024
- Technical rezoning approved involving the Ocoee Crown Point beginning August 2024
Addition Financial presented the school board with a check for $57,898
The funds were made possible through their Affinity Debit Card Program. The program donates three cents to the school district every time an OCPS branded debit card is used in a transaction. Addition Financial is a credit union that has partnered with OCPS for 87 years.
Proclamations adopted
Changes regarding administrative personnel
Superintendent Maria Vazquez introduced the following new administrators:
Natasha Lee Merle Burns, assistant principal, Cypress Creek High
Stephanie Leigh Butler, assistant principal, East Lake Elementary
Carolyn Frances Crandell, assistant principal, Orlando Gifted Academy
Jennifer Leshea Hicks, assistant principal, Waterford Elementary
Melanie Humphreys, assistant principal, Rock Springs Elementary
LaKisya Killingsworth, assistant principal, Lake Nona High
Tierney Lewis, assistant principal, Lake George Elementary
Kayla Marie Martis, assistant principal, Oak Ridge High
Tara Michelle Mills, assistant principal, Audubon Park School
Lauren Rhea Morris, assistant principal, Brookshire Elementary
Matthew Owens, assistant principal, Silver Pines Academy
Michael Anthony Reese, assistant principal, Baldwin Park Elementary
Darcy Galadriel Ruby, assistant principal, Liberty Middle
Kimberly Stringer, assistant principal, OCPS Academic Center for Excellence
Tamala Tannehill, assistant principal, Stone Lakes Elementary
School Board recognitions – All School Board meeting pictures can be found in this folder.
- West Orange High Student Advisory Council member, Brady Beahler, presented on the WOHS culture and introduced the school’s Unified Cheer in a performance. In addition, theatre students sang “S’Wonderful” from the musical “Nice To Work if You Can Get It.”
- UCF and Orange County Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Air Quality Management (AQM) program air-quality slogan winner: Evans High sophomore Myron Divers for coming up with the motto, “Breathe Life into our Future. Act Now for Cleaner Air!”
- OCPS’ 10th Annual Green School Recognition Program Award winners: Dommerich, Sally Ride and Zellwood elementary schools
- Mental Health First Aid Summit Award winners: Mental Health Services team received awards for providing more than 17,000 OCPS employees with Youth Mental Health First Aid training.
- Mental Health Services winners include Coordinator of the Year: Honorable Mention – National: Maryann Anderson; Top Florida Mental Health First Aid Trainer and Top Mental Health First Aid Instructor - National: Elvira Medina-Pekofsky; Top Mental Health First Aid Instructor - National: Stephanie Panas, Tajuana Rushin, Lisa Diamond, Beverly Tuitt; Top 10 New Instructor at the National Level: Sheena Montgomery