[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6338453,"mediaKeyId","2270060-d01a1cb191cf8bf943cae0f0b874cd42","parentId",2270060,"title","OCASA delegation meets 15 lawmakers in Tallahassee to advocate for education priorities","audioSeconds",155,"startMs",3296000,"endMs",3451000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270060-d01a1cb191cf8bf943cae0f0b874cd42&start=3296&end=3451","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270060-d01a1cb191cf8bf943cae0f0b874cd42/thumbnail_3296000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6338453/Florida/OCASA-delegation-meets-15-lawmakers-in-Tallahassee-to-advocate-for-education-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338453-4ae94e2deb8ebdea0b1479f768a50bf0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424422&Signature=D1MQcI-NHNP1XrpohG9zpqV9kL8xqKsAiXgiw5bZfQ0XsdXsGTgEUCbSI-uNMzCYUgzJ-LRcj2nJfmScHfpNl7OYOBrsljiYINXtvWMSyQd7UWMlVYjgWwuxreJST8U8CiOxTAdvk6RyxX-jvwT6ThjMqSn-ftK78jSCV095Sg2juN7lGFP7ZMHWuO8POJNJp9I-jvLWa0ohuBn6G1rUn4t9VexfwbvCXX6Mm7ScWRyx-DdQxV1Fv6zrPb6uWnEkS7rFxUIHgsrSq84ihkNT2Vta3D5HoDLCxSamfWgl-qlp3CHbPj8PoMyQB1xiUpaHurpkO9bSPEoMhUcgW7bodQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Orange County Public Schools","date","2025-02-12T01:27:33Z","article","John Robert Miller, principal of Meadowbrook Middle School, told the Orange County School Board that members of the Orange County Association of School Administrators (OCASA) attended the Florida Association of School Administrators’ Advocate 2025 conference in Tallahassee and met with 15 members of the county’s legislative delegation.

Miller said the administrators left legislators with information about OCPS priorities, described their advocacy as productive and credited senior district staff (including Scott Howard, senior director for government relations Marquise McMiller, and OCASA executive director Dr. Ana Diaz) with organizing the effort.

Why it matters: OCASA leaders said the meetings were meant to influence state policy and funding that affect local schools. The delegation emphasized FAFSA outreach and other district priorities at meetings with lawmakers and staff.

Details: Miller said OCASA members participated in advocacy days on Feb. 4–5 and that the delegation included administrators from elementary through high school levels. He named participating principals and assistant principals and said the delegation presented OCPS materials and examples of student work, including cookies prepared by Orange Technical College culinary students as a courtesy to legislators.

Next steps: Miller said OCASA looks forward to continued contact with state and federal lawmakers and expressed a desire for ongoing collaboration to support district priorities in Tallahassee and Washington.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","OCPS | 2025-02-11 School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Members of the Orange County Association of School Administrators attended Advocacy Week in Tallahassee and met with 15 members of the county’s legislative delegation to press district priorities, including FAFSA outreach and other items.","taxTitle","Orange, School Districts, Florida","taxId",14621,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6338457,"OCPS rolls out management‑directive training for administrators and plans teacher course",48,11245000,11293000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270060-d01a1cb191cf8bf943cae0f0b874cd42&start=11245&end=11293","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270060-d01a1cb191cf8bf943cae0f0b874cd42/thumbnail_11245000.jpg","/articles/6338457/Florida/OCPS-rolls-out-managementdirective-training-for-administrators-and-plans-teacher-course","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338457-4c196fb9191ae92715b4acb9b79855f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424422&Signature=B0Ykq~kuEsvA6CelqFrCZS3x4YZZGGkFUByRc7sIc7T8bIXzFumOWeiJRZMSpl4eAEZ3JktzktM7r14T4wj39JKXR8vFwRW5KsAdy6wGySgTi56G4Bt6LEM3oRnlmWjx-shGSqXSBO~RHrAYEdLN5W~~UtZ7jDgLRxECAvb8jw~PO9lowy3HP2eX-UbC~WEF0XW~u4k1tOLQQxu0GAZEJjEzWsUUB4dKCOygyq6OmltHFQRi-y4-8f~bpMTNGWtMR~LoJ02YNeOwlW1Nx1hxZVHIbydFTSJABFaxQQF6ISl43t29AMrK4XZuxRPkLC5BM1zRaXmZOIUjaFl5Gy83-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff told the school board Tuesday that Orange County Public Schools has developed training and communication plans for management directives and professional standards.

Mr. Bixler (district administrative staff) said the district already has a Canvas course for administrators with about a 99% completion rate and that a teacher version is in development. The district plans to distribute a one‑page summary of each management directive with links to full documents and to offer in‑service points for staff who complete the training.

Why it matters: Board members said employees sometimes claim they “didn’t know” when they run afoul of management directives. Board members recommended the district formalize annual training for all staff so expectations are clear.

Details: Mr. Bixler said more than 1,000 teachers have taken an optional version of the course for in‑service credit. Tim Smith is producing a one‑page memo summarizing current directives; the district recently made management directives more visible on the intranet. The board requested that the district consider an annual, mandatory refresher for all staff, similar to annual ethics training the board members undertake.

PUMP Act memo: Dr. Vasquez noted a recent memo regarding the PUMP Act and said the district will highlight key management directives tied to new legal obligations when memos are issued.

Next steps: District staff will circulate the summary document, finalize the teacher Canvas course and coordinate with unions on timing and possible credits. The district also said it will work with union leaders to agree on how to make training broadly available.","District staff told the board they have a Canvas course for administrators with near‑complete participation and are developing a teacher‑facing course and summary memo on management directives, including a recent PUMP Act memo.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6338460,"OCPS reading challenge logs millions of minutes in two weeks; board members recognized for participation",88,10416000,10504000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270060-d01a1cb191cf8bf943cae0f0b874cd42&start=10416&end=10504","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270060-d01a1cb191cf8bf943cae0f0b874cd42/thumbnail_10416000.jpg","/articles/6338460/Florida/OCPS-reading-challenge-logs-millions-of-minutes-in-two-weeks-board-members-recognized-for-participation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338460-ede3e94aaa395f2a5a57487bb10c5408/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424422&Signature=bdIsHcpNL8VwKcj5hyL-IT8DMQzdZkMhQ6qPkSCARMF9sKl3jUN9PHoyagpDm~DlEXzDyp3apf-PLEN7eTqErqxLZNZJ0E0iJGqY6EY3hExL6Q3P6q7QiPcC2Wlwb2Lzo8-Tp7~5Ey2LUYLjXuusHdrCq1mui2KDaLXC4AVgAFZMfp-MihnMikWdkRsaRRb8AaLRHnV9BFgz5tN2hEws3~R9TlVzxTwjUWCGvBxFl80aFf8o7Ailc6~DxUMebe3lVPOuvzkAem0zYLBHKHfA7TsJKoBIVUAm~VilUcMYAfs3WiM0lOv08uk-f6Lz-4-FYpuJcUy0G8Hhn5z~sdgd3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Orange County Public Schools staff reported that 37,479 students and staff logged more than 3,500,000 minutes of reading in the first two weeks of a districtwide reading initiative, officials said Tuesday.

Superintendent Dr. Vasquez (remarks announcing the update) told trustees the program has produced a grand total of about 7,300,000 minutes to date. The initiative tracks participation across schools and includes staff. The board recognized Member Douglas and Member Vanos for high participation rates during recent reporting periods.

Why it matters: District leaders described the initiative as a literacy‑promotion effort that engages students and staff and credited board members for helping publicize participation. The minutes total is an internal participation metric; no academic outcome data was presented at the meeting.

Details: Dr. Vasquez said the district had 37,479 unique students and staff logging minutes and cited the two‑week count as over 3.5 million minutes. She announced certificates recognizing Member Douglas for the most minutes read during the week of Jan. 27–Feb. 2 and a tie between Member Douglas and Member Vanos for highest participation for a subsequent reporting period.

What’s next: District staff said they have recognition materials ready and will continue encouraging classroom and staff participation. No budgetary or curriculum changes were announced alongside the reading challenge.","The district reported nearly 3.5 million minutes logged in two weeks by 37,479 students and staff as part of a districtwide reading initiative; total minutes reported at the meeting were 7.3 million and participating board members received recognition.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6338462,"OCPS, five municipalities continue SRO pay talks as board weighs alternatives",604,10187000,10791000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270060-d01a1cb191cf8bf943cae0f0b874cd42&start=10187&end=10791","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270060-d01a1cb191cf8bf943cae0f0b874cd42/thumbnail_10187000.jpg","/articles/6338462/Florida/OCPS-five-municipalities-continue-SRO-pay-talks-as-board-weighs-alternatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338462-7f73c60daa84def3716ef4410f12cfc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424422&Signature=IsgQOAdkOlK~IlPUPcFTUAzWhM~q3GcH4G~0R0mVNSx0m9EC7YIExRvrWEgn4H41t7x1AMyUNjPAB-jj-Www2GeG9Dl~TpRYZlJfZ1L5MqHpnsP-J7ZBr~PA09Xt9HSiSjQZ1hBlxlw5nhvt5M6~gHQbQDKa-dxjc~Zz9IUpmV7xw2Ctw60jG8~9dPd0CW53GuvQ2HTQqS9m5YaphfQ80pgNOSRStB9EkVRiR8niX9R5MI~gfSEE-luMJLtaFiPztJXQCDDo-zQNYSZ1JPFasQ2W1Uc5C~B~WPWKuDlEZeGCcrujbJ7pu4b9EndII3QQ4cY9bMkqvj9KCs63RkLaww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Orange County Public Schools officials told the school board Tuesday they remain in negotiations with five municipal governments and their police agencies over pay for school resource officers (SROs) and how any new state Safe Schools funds would be distributed.

Superintendent Dr. Vasquez said the district presented an offer that would allow increases in SRO pay for the 2025‑26 and 2026‑27 school years if the statewide Safe Schools allocation increases. The offer included a cap; negotiators for the municipalities countered and asked that any increase be uncapped, she said.

The municipalities' counterproposal, as described to the board, would give the municipalities 100% of the first $20,000,000 in new statewide Safe Schools dollars and then a 60/40 split (60% to municipalities) on a subsequent increase. Dr. Vasquez said the district submitted a counteroffer but the parties have not reached final agreement.

Why it matters: Several board members said the dispute threatens school safety planning and could lead the district to seek alternatives if a deal is not reached. The current short‑term agreement covering the five jurisdictions expires June 30, creating a timeline pressure for negotiators.

What officials said: Dr. Vasquez told the board that the district included contract language intended to prevent sudden removal of SROs: either party would give six months’ notice before pulling officers from schools. Kashara Cowans, who addressed the board after Dr. Vasquez, said police chiefs from the five jurisdictions and Winter Park’s city manager attended negotiation sessions.

Board reaction and alternatives discussed: Several trustees voiced frustration with the municipal positions. Member Gallo called the municipalities’ posture “hardball,” and Member Ferrant urged the board to consider alternatives, including hiring guardians with prior law‑enforcement experience, asking the sheriff’s office to cover officers in the short term, or creating district‑employed officers. Dr. Vasquez said the sheriff’s office lacks capacity now to absorb additional schools because of vacancies; she told the board the district currently has roughly a dozen SRO vacancies it has been unable to fill at district wage levels.

Timeline and budget context: Board members asked about the timing of state budget allocations. The district noted the governor’s proposed budget and the DOE Safe Schools allocation will go through legislative and executive steps this spring; formal local budget effects are uncertain until the state process is complete. Member Ferrant and others pointed out the statewide Safe Schools amount discussed during negotiations was a figure for the full state pool, not the district’s share; a board member (Member Ferrant) estimated Orange County’s portion would amount to about 7% of any increase.

Next steps: Negotiations will continue. District staff said they have prepared counter language to the municipalities’ latest request and are sharing that privately with the other parties. Board members pressed for contingency planning in case no agreement is reached before June 30.

Ending: Trustees said they want a resolution that secures SRO coverage without pressuring district operational budgets; if negotiations fail, the board directed staff to continue exploring alternatives and to report back with cost analyses.","District negotiators and five municipalities remain at odds over how to split any increase in state 'Safe Schools' funding for school resource officers; the board discussed options including guardians, sheriff coverage and hiring district officers.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6338464,"OCPS, teachers agree to three weeks paid maternity leave; housing and pay remain central concerns",423,3238000,3661000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270060-d01a1cb191cf8bf943cae0f0b874cd42&start=3238&end=3661","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270060-d01a1cb191cf8bf943cae0f0b874cd42/thumbnail_3238000.jpg","/articles/6338464/Florida/OCPS-teachers-agree-to-three-weeks-paid-maternity-leave-housing-and-pay-remain-central-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338464-19fd384bff74c114e18b9cd7f91d51aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424422&Signature=JcLcyi-n5Hm~P81-NMVNuwqyfuIteR9goGHaLAUcYJ7~TtykTMZZdJIinSg0pl1dAOmx73RWUZm3EmupZMaQ2ezz9wxgs9etNByOyum8ogfy8fIVhNj97Srl0TdSu-KlYqWbzC88iG4sF5dQMzS3qJMm2fp-RPZwG34zPWjOLB21DGDEZl~QCRSYoYXp-g2YVoAkdL5~0Tfs2BCWYjuwzCqKDGl4VzmYdukdETE6-eJp6iZDCtU62Zb9Yv5UewFliYcO5JRDkNMiYEI-3ASmFLKipTMWGpX0q5QWi3xSdc~JK-xmBhlovx8B4sykRTJLAS33GDcFBArnX9jaVkGseQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Classroom Teachers Association (CTA) and Orange County Public Schools announced an agreement to provide three weeks of paid maternity leave to district employees, CTA President Clinton McCracken said Tuesday during a school board meeting.

The agreement, McCracken said, is “a huge step forward for OCPS, our families, and our employees,” adding that paid maternity leave “supports the physical and mental well‑being of both parent and child.” McCracken told the board the union will continue talks about paid parental leave and adoption leave in the future.

Why it matters: Board members and union leaders framed the maternity leave agreement as part of a broader push to retain educators amid an affordability crisis. McCracken and other union speakers said housing costs and low pay are driving teachers out of the district, even as the district pursues new housing options.

Details and context: McCracken said the CTA represents about 14,000 educators and described the three weeks of paid maternity leave as a negotiated improvement. He said the union will continue discussions about expanding parental leave beyond maternity leave.

Union and staff reactions: Ron Pollard, president of the Orange Education Support Professional Association, backed the district’s move to add paid maternity leave and said measures that show the district “has them at heart” help retain staff. Pollard also praised an employee housing initiative discussed separately by trustees and district staff.

District initiative on employee housing: Several board members, including Vice Chair Rogers and Member Felder, publicly thanked Dr. Williams for spearheading a district effort to identify land and partnerships to produce housing that employees can afford. Board members described the initiative as early and innovative; details about specific parcels, financing, or timelines were not specified during the meeting.

What’s unresolved: Union leaders and trustees emphasized that housing solutions alone are not a substitute for higher pay. McCracken called the housing problem “a teacher pay problem,” and members urged the district and county to prioritize salary improvements in future budgets. The district did not announce new salary figures or a funding source for expanding parental leave beyond the maternity agreement.

Looking ahead: McCracken said he was re‑elected CTA president for a new three‑year term and pledged continued bargaining on parental leave and other workforce issues. District leaders and board members said they will continue pursuing partnerships and potential housing projects while balancing budget constraints.

Ending note: Board members repeatedly praised Dr. Williams’ efforts on housing and said they hope the initial work leads to additional, concrete options for employees while the district and unions continue bargaining on compensation and family leave.","The Classroom Teachers Association and Orange County Public Schools reached an agreement to provide three weeks of paid maternity leave; union leaders praised the step while urging further action on affordable housing and teacher pay. District leaders highlighted a nascent employee housing initiative driven by Dr. Williams.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

OCASA delegation meets 15 lawmakers in Tallahassee to advocate for education priorities

OCPS rolls out management‑directive training for administrators and plans teacher course

OCPS reading challenge logs millions of minutes in two weeks; board members recognized for participation

OCPS, five municipalities continue SRO pay talks as board weighs alternatives

OCPS, teachers agree to three weeks paid maternity leave; housing and pay remain central concerns