2021-22 Annual Report

OUR SCHOOL BOARD

KAREN

MELISSA

BARBARA M. JENKINS

TERESA

ANGIE GALLO

JOHANNA LÓPEZ

LINDA KOBERT

PAM GOULD

VICKI-ELAINE FELDER

LETTER FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR

Dear Orange County Residents:

One of the most important things a school board can do is select a new superintendent. That was our task this year because of the pending retirement of Dr. Barbara Jenkins, who has led our precious students to success for the last 10 years.

After a nationwide search that included a series of community meetings, and considering survey results and poring over applications from around the country, I’m proud that our board selected Dr. Maria F. Vazquez as our new superintendent.

Previously our deputy superintendent, Dr. Vazquez rose through the ranks from a teaching position at Sadler Elementary in 1991, and throughout her career has served as a principal and in multiple district leadership roles. I have every confidence in her abilities, her institutional and educational knowledge and her compassion. I look forward to great years ahead. I also want to express how grateful we are to Dr. Jenkins for her nationally recognized and visionary leadership. She has been a staunch advocate for our students and a formidable voice for children nationwide. She will leave a lasting legacy at OCPS and we wish her all the best.

As you read through this annual report, know that none of what we’ve accomplished would be possible without the support of families and the community. I am so grateful that an overwhelming majority of voters recently approved the continuation of the one-mill ad valorem millage for another four years. I am extremely proud to live in a community that values its children and their education as we strive to ensure every student has a promising and successful future.

Sincerely, Teresa Jacobs Chair

Orange County School Board

LETTER FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Dear Community Members,

After the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021-22 school year began with great enthusiasm. Students and staff were excited to return to a safe environment and to be invigorated by face-to-face relationships. It was an extraordinary year.

OCPS served more than 206,000 students in what some would call the new normal. In reality, "normal" is often overrated. We perceived the school year as an unprecedented time of innovation and an opportunity to accelerate student success. Our 24,000 employees were up for the challenge and brought renewed energy and creativity to the task. Through this report, we invite you to reflect on the success of OCPS. You will notice our core values of equity, collaboration, inclusion, integrity, innovation and respect continue to guide our path as we create enriching and diverse pathways for student success. Because this community has supported its children, I know you will be pleased.

I remain ever grateful for that support which is sure to continue long after my retirement. I leave our beautiful children in the very capable hands of an outstanding school board, a brilliant new superintendent, an incredible leadership team, talented administrators, superior teachers and excellent support staff who are dedicated to their success.

Superintendent

Orange County Public Schools

To ensure every student has a promising and successful future.

With the support of families and the community, we create enriching and diverse pathways to lead our students to success.

School District Snapshot

OUR SCHOOLS

OUR DISTRICT

TRANSPORTATION

Approximately 63% of eligible student riders were transported on 618 buses. With more than 55,000 students per day, our buses traveled more than 14.2 million miles.

24,576 employees ranks OCPS among the largest employers in Central Florida.

198,032 digital devices distributed through LaunchED 1:1 digital learning program.

We served more than 39 million meals last year, or about 213,000 meals per day.

OCPS has opened 59 new schools since 2003.

Another 132 schools have been renovated or replaced.

An additional 22 schools or technical college campuses are scheduled to be built, renovated or replaced in the next five years.

WHERE YOUR DOLLAR GOES

Teaching, transporting, supervising and counseling students

Library materials, staff training and curriculum development

Acquiring, operating and maintaining school facilities

Central and fiscal services, general administration and district technology

High Expectations for Student Learning

Orange County Public Schools is wholeheartedly invested in ensuring all students receive the education and gain the skills that are imperative for success in college or career. During the 2021-22 school year, OCPS provided students with learning options and continued to see students excel in their academic achievements, including:

Dual Enrollment

The Class of 2022 included 223 graduating seniors who received their diploma and earned their associate degree from Valencia College.

Arts Enrollment

OCPS had the highest percentage of students enrolled in performing and visual arts among the five-largest school districts in the state of Florida.

Fine arts: 69%

Music: 53%

Visual art: 53%

Dance: 6%

Theatre: 6%

The district was awarded the 2022 Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation. The award program highlights districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

Super Scholars

This year’s Super Scholars included 130 graduating seniors from 19 of our traditional high schools who were accepted in the U.S. News & World Report’s top-20 ranked universities and colleges and our nation’s military-service academies.

2022 Magnet Teacher of the Year and Region Three Teacher of the Year

Howard Middle School Academy of Arts magnet school coordinator and seventh and eighth-grade Intermediate and Advanced 2D Art teacher

Clinton McCracken.

MAGNET PROGRAMS

Magnet Schools of America honored nine OCPS magnet programs with Merit Awards for demonstrating a commitment to high academic standards; curriculum innovation; diversity efforts; and parent and community involvement.

2022 Schools of Excellence

• Hunter’s Creek Elementary School: Two-Way Dual Language

• University High School: Performing Arts

2022 Schools of Distinction

• Arbor Ridge K-8: 6-8 Option

• Bay Meadows Elementary School: STEAM Career Academy

• Dr. Phillips High School: Center for International Studies and Visual and Performing Arts

• Howard Middle School Academy of Arts: Visual and Performing Arts

• Lakeview Middle School: World Language Academy

• Roberto Clemente Middle School: International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program

NATIONAL RECOGNITIONS

During the 2021-22 school year, 30 seniors from 11 high schools were selected as 2022 National Merit Scholars. The organization also selected 22 semifinalists from nine high schools.

OCPS earned Silver Level status as a 2021 Florida Green Ribbon School District from the U.S. Department of Education.

Avalon Middle was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School and received the Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing School award.

Millennia Gardens Elementary received the 2022 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools award for growing lettuce in 50 hydroponic-tower gardens during the school year. The school was nominated by the Florida Department of Education for its sustainability initiatives, and was the only Florida school to receive this honor.

SCHOOL AND DISTRICT GRADES

56% of schools earned an “A” or “B” from the Florida Department of Education.

The number of “A” schools in Orange County Public Schools improved, with 59 schools earning an “A” in 2021-22 compared to 39 that would have received an “A” in 2020-21, if school grades had been assigned to all schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Overall, the district earned a “B” grade. OCPS received 60.7% of the possible points, and the cutoff for an “A” was 62%. The district’s results maintained or improved in 10 of the 11 components or areas reported.

OCPS provides parents with an opportunity to enroll their children in our Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program, which is designed to prepare kids for kindergarten by focusing on early reading, writing, math, and social skills.

During the 2021-22 school year, there were 2,284 students enrolled in VPK. The program offers high-quality, stimulating and developmentally appropriate education.

FHSAA State Champions

Boys Tennis - Lake Nona High

Boys Volleyball - Winter Park High Girls Basketball - Dr. Phillips High Girls Water Polo - Lake Nona High Track

Girls 4x800 Meter Relay - Evans High

Girls 4x400 Meter Relay - Evans High

Weightlifting

Boys (169 lb.) - Windermere High Wrestling

Girls (115 lb.) - Freedom High

Girls (120 lb.) - Dr. Phillips High

Girls (125 lb.) - Freedom High

Girls (Team) - Freedom High

Student Social and Emotional Well-Being

RESOURCES

● Purchased digital licenses of “Second Step” social-emotional learning program for elementary and high school classrooms.

● Continued the “OCPS Supports” initiative to support students and families, which has reduced service gaps for families and directs them to the appropriate services based upon their needs.

● Launched OCPS Community Connect on the district website. The free resource-assistance platform helps OCPS families, staff and the community navigate social services and area resources.

● Provided the required five-hour Mental Health and Wellness Course for students in grades 6-12 via monthly sessions in October, November, January, February and March.

TRUANCY

● To comply with HB 1501, OCPS partnered with the Florida Department of Children and Families, juvenile detention center and law enforcement to locate 1,324 out of 1,426 unaccounted students through email, phone calls and home visits. OCPS social workers also connected families with community resources to help their children attend school.

CLUBS

SAFE Ambassador clubs are led by middle and high school students who choose to serve as change

agents on their school campuses by consciously promoting a safe and drug-free environment. Club members participate in prevention activities including Red Ribbon Week; National Alcohol and Drug Fact Week; Cookies for Cops; Bullying Prevention Awareness Month and Unity Day to engage their student body in providing awareness and education on living a drug- and bully-free life.

Elementary, middle and high school clubs participated in “Start with Hello Week” where students were encouraged to make connections with other students and school staff. K-12 schools recognized “Random Acts of Kindness Week” through a variety of activities designed to build a welcoming school community.

Dedicated and High-Quality Team

OCPS is proud of our staff for all their accomplishments and leading our students to success.

District Awards

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada awarded OCPS with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report.

The district was awarded the ISTE Distinguished District award by the International Society for Technology Education. This award recognizes districts that demonstrate effectiveness and innovation in the use of educational technology.

OCPS was named an EduJedi District Innovator by The Learning Counsel at its annual national gathering in December 2021. The award recognized the district for offering a breadth of digital curriculum resources and services.

Procurement Services Awards

The 2021 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute for organizational excellence in public and nonprofit procurement, including innovation, professionalism, e-procurement, productivity and leadership attributes of the procurement in function.

The 2022 Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials Award of Excellence in Public Procurement recognizes organizational excellence in procurement for agencies that meet or exceed benchmarks and best practices in the procurement profession.

Public Relations Awards

The Public Relations department received the following awards from the National School Public Relations Association:

Awards of Excellence for the OCPS 2025 Strategic Plan and Orange Peal employee magazine. Award of Merit for the district’s 2020-21 Annual Report.

Honorable Mentions for the 2021-22 Pocket Guide and Summit.

STELLAR

WINNERS

REMARKABLE RECOGNITIONS

Superintendent Barbara M. Jenkins received the Baldrige Foundation Award for Leadership Excellence.

This award celebrates leaders in business, health care, education, nonprofit, cybersecurity and government who embody Baldrige and the foundation’s mission.

Cognia honored her with the Values-Driven Award during the organization’s 2022 Florida State Conference. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding work on behalf of its learners to advance and enable pathways for success. Additional accolades include Dr. Phillips Charities’ 2022 Dr. Phillips Leadership Award and a $250,000 contribution toward

the Superintendent’s Teaching Scholarship for graduating OCPS seniors who will be attending college to pursue an education degree. She also is the recipient of the Orange County Farm Bureau’s Outstanding Distinction Award for her 10 years of service as OCPS’ superintendent and support of agriculture, the Future Farmers of America and for supporting agricultural programs for children with disabilities.

Association - Orlando chapter to champion health equity and improve the cardiovascular health of the community. She also received the 2022 International Godmother Award by the Florida Puerto Rican Parade & Festival.

Deputy Superintendent Maria F. Vazquez was the recipient of i4 Business Magazine’s 2022 Women’s Inspired LeadershipSpirit of Advocacy Award for her work with the American Heart

School Board Member Pam Gould, who represents District 4, was the recipient of i4 Business Magazine’s 2022 Women’s Inspired Leadership - Spirit of Community Award for her tireless service and dedication to Central Florida residents.

Jones High Counselor Marnie Cadette (above) and English Teacher Valecia Wells (below) were recognized by the Yale Office of Undergraduate Admissions as recipients of the 2021 Yale Educator Award. Nominated by Jones alumnus and Yale undergraduate Thomas Orozco, the program recognizes outstanding educators from around the world who support and inspire their students to perform at high levels and to achieve excellence.

Deborah Dawes, a Deerwood Elementary second grade teacher, and Natalia Henry, an Eccleston Elementary fourth grade teacher, each received a $1,000 gift card as part of the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers national campaign. Dawes was recognized by the University of Central Florida and Henry by the Cure Bowl.

Maitland Middle School Library

Media Specialist Kelly Delaney was honored as a 2021 Florida Power-Library Schools Awardee.

The Florida Power-Library Schools program recognizes outstanding library programs that are fully integrated into the school’s curriculum.

Christine Ducille Taylor, a first grade teacher at OCPS Academic Center for Excellence, was honored by Gov. Ron DeSantis with the Black History Month Excellence in Education AwardElementary Level.

Teachers Kimberly Zipoli-Martina of Corner Lake Middle and Amy Wacksman of Southwest Middle were awarded the Lina Mann Award, Five Year Superior Award and the Five Year Jazz Superior Award by The Florida Band Association. They earned these awards for receiving fiveconsecutive years of superior ratings at concerts and on jazz music-performance assessments.

Dr. Phillips High math teacher and coach Leonardo Leon Ramirez was honored as the Florida Dairy Farmers 2021 Boys Water Polo Coach of the Year for attaining 500 wins as a coach of the Swimming and Diving and Water Polo teams.

Bonnie Toffoli, Talent Acquisition and Human Resources Compliance director, received the Priscilla A. Scotlan Award for Distinguished Service from the American Association for Employment in Education.

Rowland Welch, manager of Safety, was named to the National Safety Council’s 2021 Class of Rising Stars of Safety – a group of leaders younger than 40 dedicated to making the workplace safer.

Thomas “TJ” Thoss, an industrial education teacher at Orange Technical CollegeSouth Campus, was named an EC-Council 2021 Academic Instructor Circle of Excellence Award recipient. The International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants is an American organization that offers cybersecurity certification, education and training.

Efficient Operations

OCPS is committed to preserving and protecting the environment, operational efficiency, reducing costs and conducting business with local entities.

SAVINGS

• Secured more than $39 million in savings through rigorous contract negotiations and competitive sourcing strategies.

• Invested more than $168 million in the local economy with direct spending for construction, construction-related professional services, goods and other services at minority, women-owned, local developing and veteran-owned businesses.

• Received $280,135 cash rebates from competitive procurement contracts.

• Recycled 263,090 pounds of electronic waste and 580,240 pounds of textbooks, diverting the items from the landfill.

• Returned $7.3 million through the Owner Direct Purchase program, which allows OCPS to purchase materials for capital projects by taking advantage of its sales-tax exemption. An additional $77,000 was saved on capital renewal projects.

• Earned $178,507 through energy rebate programs from energysaving elements incorporated into school construction projects.

The capital renewal program started construction on 14 projects with a value of $27 million.

The program completed 5 projects at a cost of $6 million.

For FY 2022, there are 50 active projects for improvements at 103 sites, with an estimated cost of $291 million.

The program completed 223 projects budgeted at approximately $250 million.

Positive Climate and Safe Environment

OCPS is constantly evaluating and finding ways to improve school safety, including providing a safe learning and working environment for its students, employees and visitors.

SAFETY

OCPS District Police worked collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to fully implement the SaferWatch Mobile Panic Alert System application that meets the Alyssa’s Law statutory require ments. The app allows any OCPS employee to initiate a lockdown if there is an active assailant or a significant threat to a school. The SaferWatch “lockdown” alert sends an emergency message to 911 and designated school administrators, who alert the school over the intercom.

OCPS also uses the FortifyFL reporting tool that allows students and parents to instantly relay anonymous tips to law enforcement agencies.

Engaged and Invested Community

PARENT ACADEMY

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

2022 Hall of Fame

This year we recognized five inductees who have significantly impacted the Central Florida community and made a difference in OCPS’ students and families lives. The new members were inducted during a ceremony at the Rosen Shingle Creek in April.

INNOVATIVE SCHOOLS

Palmetto Elementary and Union Park

Middle each received the Florida Department of Education Commissioner’s Recognition Award for their excellence in Family and Community Involvement. The Involvement award recognizes schools whose innovative practices increase family and community involvement and promote student success.

The School Board honored Erin Baker, Arlene Blake, Cynthia Cardenas Schweitzer, Sandra Fatmi-Hall, Mercedes Fonseca, Angela Garcia, Eric Grimmer, Natalie Houston, Daniel Ings, Jennifer Knopf, David Lewis, Priscilla McCann, Stewart Parker, Limarys Rivera, Leonard Spencer, Melissa Sposato, Curtesa Vanderpool, Christina Vu and Julia Young as the 2021-2022 Leadership Orange graduates. Leadership Orange is a group of community members who get an inside look at our public-school system as they visit schools, meet principals and Orange County Public Schools’ leadership team members.

SCHOOL RECYCLING PROGRAM

The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools has partnered with Charity Recycling Service since 2018. The program protects the environment by keeping unwanted items out of landfills.

The company collects and purchases gently-used clothing and household items for nonprofit organizations from 141 OCPS schools and sites. The items are placed in white bins on OCPS campuses and weighed to determine how much is raised for each participating school.

During the 2021-22 school year, OCPS sites collected 660,794 pounds of clothing and household items and raised $66,154.