[{"_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",6308147,"mediaKeyId","2424935-65d197856d66772578dbf700cde02a29","parentId",2424935,"title","Board approves appointment of Heidi George Crimmins as district staff attorney","audioSeconds",225,"startMs",3638000,"endMs",3863000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2424935-65d197856d66772578dbf700cde02a29&start=3638&end=3863","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2424935-65d197856d66772578dbf700cde02a29/thumbnail_3638000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6308147/Florida/Board-approves-appointment-of-Heidi-George-Crimmins-as-district-staff-attorney","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308147-c34e2d62ffa272bea7a21d813b23ce66/orig.mp4?Expires=1775116644&Signature=F6HYxHDZeknJKIwuBv~kwn2Dy~ed4Mddp6TZpWv7IrIylYEIg-kTiOO3PreDi0yyJd~OyP4syXYsd7Cy7loCBVH52itJoQFxrAU07h0WQSkzLPmv9SS39kFozDPxlwPx~4lTDS3FcIukrXqbvRzEdxV-iodX2MDgwY~KI6j-MI55ogdqS4hqorRpwBwd8WSVdVord90dxOp1qcnLNCqrcaw2f0bQ-2bEEumWpQBBMfXNRbtnMXvCYgeaATMWh7VDNkozX2f99BaMmcJ6qalsfGWDVRCR71UihHR3huOedehjdUxNriTE6xJ5SBSeMOlCznaA6fuPSJ~gHv84rcji6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Volusia County School Board","date","2025-02-26T13:24:00Z","article","The Volusia County School Board unanimously approved the appointment of Heidi George Crimmins as a staff attorney in the district’s chief counsel office at its Feb. 25 meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin presented Crimmins’ professional background, noting a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida, a juris doctor and previous roles as a supervising attorney for the Florida Guardian ad Litem program and assistant state attorney in the Seventh Judicial Circuit. \"With your approval, I'm recommending that today that Miss Heidi George Crimmins is designated as a staff attorney...and if approved, her effective start date will be 03/03/2025,\" the superintendent told the board.

Board members praised Crimmins’ background in child advocacy work and criminal prosecution during the discussion. The motion to appoint was made, seconded and approved unanimously. After the vote Crimmins said she was \"deeply honored and grateful\" for the appointment and pledged to work diligently for the district and its students.

Why it matters: the chief counsel’s office provides legal services for district operations, labor and student matters; the addition of a staff attorney with experience in guardian ad litem work and prosecutorial experience will affect the office’s capacity to advise on child‑welfare and legal matters.

Next steps: Crimmins’ effective date was listed as March 3, 2025. The board welcomed her and she joined the superintendent and board for a photo following the vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Volusia County School Board - The Volusia County School Regular Session 02/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board unanimously approved the superintendent's recommendation to appoint Heidi George Crimmins as staff attorney in the chief counsel's office, effective March 3, 2025.","taxTitle","Volusia, School Districts, Florida","taxId",13116,"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},6308152,"Volusia Sheriff's Office and schools review 2024 safety partnership; officials say technology and training helped avert tragedies",141,4859000,5000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2424935-65d197856d66772578dbf700cde02a29&start=4859&end=5000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2424935-65d197856d66772578dbf700cde02a29/thumbnail_4859000.jpg","/articles/6308152/Florida/Volusia-Sheriffs-Office-and-schools-review-2024-safety-partnership-officials-say-technology-and-training-helped-avert-tragedies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308152-8dfe7db9bdcb74e98e5067647506ed52/orig.mp4?Expires=1775116644&Signature=erdWVVa5a8UDtNx5n9sW4HpupDbPXGwJt36bCiCi9bElWk2wpUCXs6qe2y63E6skMFAn-SJlqynZVwRZtzZMwDrZIQ4Q7EDL1r9158KleIKdAmMJbSeIwgeb2V2Jv8APUr9TwKv4OjlMDF6zQ7FshlrB6vhdw~hM-ahMI9VsncIaYav7O6QLIDBgCYE4w91b2OnMnyUW7L8Oa4fXwZORt4o1o-ioB3EfkDA0klPcoLa3mLbYmWvBlKs9pOeRJZpfGLOBJs3Pso0CF1l1MglYtJKswpeyePS8-C2KkpWIZ7ovL~QzzME620MyUUj1tzoK0eE5ka~DR8YC95OQUmxgFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Captain Todd Smith, director of safety and security for Volusia County Schools, presented a 2024 year‑in‑review with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office at the Feb. 25 meeting, describing technology‑based monitoring and training that district officials said helped identify student safety threats and connect students to services.

\"During 2024, we literally saved lives,\" Smith told the board, recounting two incidents in which digital monitoring alerted staff to communications indicating imminent self‑harm; after follow‑up the students were connected to treatment. Smith said the district and sheriff’s office use mapping tools (Syntegix), high‑definition cameras and training for school resource deputies; he also highlighted an autism kit rollout for deputies, a gun‑safety brochure for parents, and the return of the D.A.R.E. program.

The presentation summarized accomplishments including compliance audits, expanded audits with no deficiencies reported, specialized crisis intervention training for deputies, expanded school resource staffing and volunteer traffic‑safety programs for crossings. Smith said the district and sheriff’s office implemented random metal detector screenings, integrated mapping and improved incident notification tools.

Board members thanked Smith and his staff for their work and asked for continued coordination. The superintendent and school officials said the partnership aligns with district guardrails for safe learning conditions and that technology and interagency coordination will remain priorities.

Why it matters: the presentation outlined how technology, training, and interagency coordination are used to detect and respond to safety threats, a central concern for school operations and community confidence.

The board did not take action on the presentation; the item provided information and a status update to the board and public.","Captain Todd Smith reviewed the 2024 year in partnership between Volusia County Schools and the Volusia Sheriff's Office, highlighting technology that flagged self‑harm communications, staff training, audits and new safety resources for schools.",{"_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},6308157,"Board authorizes staff to respond to unsolicited offers and begin negotiations for DeBary 'Buckley' parcel",452,5068000,5520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2424935-65d197856d66772578dbf700cde02a29&start=5068&end=5520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2424935-65d197856d66772578dbf700cde02a29/thumbnail_5068000.jpg","/articles/6308157/Florida/Board-authorizes-staff-to-respond-to-unsolicited-offers-and-begin-negotiations-for-DeBary-Buckley-parcel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308157-c44d30b52a98f243ef3894acb5ad1ca5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775116644&Signature=LTCqTw4zw~q20ccJnrvw0TTLejlJ4mZOD0F~wxusW7ZCvufKs3EmZtZ0fsGDqO79-d7VLY8AoIKb51oVGq1oNk4pdWyGcJ4dct8I6SCvxdmBXmNqQTP3Q4~VEMFGvv~Wwyg~gPUci9w5yWQLQnoqRUKwMb4HhUflP-9~~-aj3fBj7wiGYNhFIEQHAaS1H9XcxPXUKAxHexflxBETyekKBJifTs26izpZhQ~6p6raGblhKQsUJMUel3MU68PeU0qx9ebiaTCYo8q4GEczSRThY5LDlxE4nOCQ9WIHohVwwJ0Y91briYejE0dE1nFl5UDVdETFEdutaaq02qposnNofg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Volusia County School Board on Feb. 25 authorized district staff to respond to unsolicited offers and to commence negotiations regarding the district‑owned 22–24 acre Buckley Drive property in DeBary, a step short of approving any sale.

Board discussion followed public comment urging the district to keep the site for a future school. \"I am opposed to item 17.01, the sale of the Buckley property,\" said Patricia Stevenson, a resident who urged improved committee communication between the board and municipalities.

District officials reviewed engineering, stormwater and traffic studies and estimated the on‑site remediation and off‑site improvements needed to make the Buckley parcel ready for a school. Ron Young, director of design and construction, told the board the Buckley site has a high water table and would require dewatering and muck removal across the site, then substantial backfill. He estimated preliminary off‑site improvements could range between $10.2 million and $15 million and described the need to raise the site above the road crown per Florida building code. Young characterized preliminary site‑preparation costs as on the order of tens of millions of dollars before any school construction could begin.

Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin told the board the district purchased the parcel from its property‑acquisition budget and said if the board does sell the site the proceeds would go back into that same property‑acquisition fund. \"The money that was used was the money that we have set aside to purchase property. If this is sold, it's going straight back into the property purchasing budget,\" she said.

Board members discussed three main options: accept the unsolicited offer, reject it, or let it expire while continuing negotiations with the City of DeBary and exploring other sites. After discussion the board voted to authorize staff to respond to unsolicited offers received and to commence negotiations to sell the Buckley property. The vote passed with a majority; the transcript records one opposing vote.

Board members also asked staff to schedule a workshop for a districtwide overview of growth projections, currently held and surplus properties, and potential alternative sites so the board can weigh long‑term facility planning against the immediate offers for the Buckley parcel.

Why it matters: parents and residents have advocated for a DeBary school; district staff say the Buckley property requires significant remediation and may not meet Department of Education siting requirements without major expense. Authorizing staff to respond to offers does not approve a sale; any final sale would require a subsequent board action after appraisal, market study and formal surplus steps.

Next steps: staff will respond to the unsolicited offer and other offers received, perform any follow‑up market analysis requested by the board and return with options and a workshop schedule for board review before any sale is finalized.","After public comment and presentations on engineering and cost issues, the board voted to authorize staff to respond to unsolicited offers and commence negotiations for the Buckley Drive property in DeBary; board members also requested a workshop on district growth and property options.",{"_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},6308162,"Volusia Schools choose Lightspeed and Gaggle for web filtering, classroom monitoring",815,1105000,1920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2424935-65d197856d66772578dbf700cde02a29&start=1105&end=1920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2424935-65d197856d66772578dbf700cde02a29/thumbnail_1105000.jpg","/articles/6308162/Florida/Volusia-Schools-choose-Lightspeed-and-Gaggle-for-web-filtering-classroom-monitoring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308162-58f18e21217e879f5ddddd249ece7c80/orig.mp4?Expires=1775116644&Signature=bDggqN826~SEpgyAPTjKSqhD0WSa9eLBtZQqWnkOJuV4p4Viz2ERnL-PKF~8ICEYlJMw1BR1jNzYZdsVbzAh3Pw8Np1ktY4Ahv4rVjEWUPkjs3In40UZKcs~JdRBNWZi4YaQvwZ3-6biVuf55QyLhp0uGp1wyr0JvgGh6rMXDZ0K02jiMzODcR-ZcU8HDoH0spSME90mhe8~1ksFrTcTpMAjPqiaetc3u0iMV0BBiEs2YBO2tdZ1AlVubTclkqrQHTDCYcDpvnimiMrO~gVs1bYWQ8P4~8IkBWw~SYYAwDXbVwDipJIpEpheCijYONYLv64bOfumcXajDOcEm3moFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Volusia County School Board heard committee recommendations Feb. 25 to standardize three internet‑safety functions with two vendors: Lightspeed for district web filtering and classroom management, and Gaggle for the district safety‑alert monitoring system.

The recommendations followed a multi‑phase review by a committee that included classroom teachers, instructional‑technology specialists and safety staff. \"The committee began by gathering information and evaluating 16 leading vendors,\" said Jelena Zivko, senior instructional technology specialist and committee chair. \"We compared the features of their products to our current systems and to each other.\"

Dr. Cooley, the district chief technology officer, summarized the three related systems and their roles: the legally required district web filter (to meet the Children’s Internet Protection Act), an internal safety‑alert system that scans student‑generated content for evidence of harm, and a classroom management tool teachers can use to monitor and control student devices in a class.

What the district chose: the committee recommended continuing Gaggle for district safety alerts and moving to Lightspeed for both the district web filter and the classroom management feature. Presenters told the board the combined solution reduces duplication, improves interoperability in the district’s Microsoft environment and comes with reference installations in other Florida districts.

Committee and staff members emphasized a tuning and implementation period. \"There’s a lot of ways this gets done, but after the tuning gets done, it starts to become better and better at its job,\" Dr. Cooley said when board members asked about over‑ or under‑filtering. The district plans a phased implementation: Lightspeed engineers will begin web‑filter implementation the month after the meeting, with testing during spring break; classroom‑management rollout and teacher training are planned over the summer so classrooms can use the tool from day one of the next school year.

School board members praised the inclusive committee process and the presence of teachers on the review team. Several members thanked the committee for cost diligence and for including practicing teachers’ perspectives in the evaluation. Board members asked for a follow‑up review after a full year of operation; staff agreed to provide a progress update at the end of the first school year after implementation.

Why it matters: the change affects how students access online resources in classes and how staff are alerted to threats or self‑harm risks. Presenters said improved classroom controls will allow teachers to lock devices, monitor student screens, mirror student work and limit web access for secure testing, and that the safety system will continue district‑wide monitoring and escalation where needed.

Implementation notes: the district said Gaggle remains in place and will be decoupled from the current web filter during the transition. Lightspeed pricing quoted to the district is guaranteed for three years; the district reported estimated savings relative to current costs but did not publish detailed contract dollar amounts during the meeting.","A committee of district staff and teachers recommended Lightspeed for district web filtering and classroom management and Gaggle for safety alerts; board discussion outlined implementation timing and training plans.",{"_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},6308167,"School board adopts new science instructional materials for K–12 and AP courses",864,1138000,2002000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2424935-65d197856d66772578dbf700cde02a29&start=1138&end=2002","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2424935-65d197856d66772578dbf700cde02a29/thumbnail_1138000.jpg","/articles/6308167/Florida/School-board-adopts-new-science-instructional-materials-for-K12-and-AP-courses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308167-1af95be9d79da3e1358cb5a515a76736/orig.mp4?Expires=1775116644&Signature=mgPOSHMNuDmonILWU2P4ToO6~g8HpYP35qWd4sUuBwfT3YnWjbXsSSUkxc38LF25guHAZhigAl3HN3wqpHEIBZQ~yjvraU8I2o7S6B7YMZSJG0dZgEQmCD15rnAzCNdnorQzCRdjSJuHM9SqH0w3p~Vi28ciyJvGB6tfm-EAMNX1b-bdWjfEJ6xTmqDO9xHMSfoJJ8pQCMSHSRGfbCLcfyO-iOVeRscmZNkLCjOBhdyKXkvuh3ks4mx1HMDcGefT9qd4pHWgII-WkGAoueBpWQH4zRJ4kDRvu~xmKowsGtD1TUv~TNqlFARVvgTboI2UZUe6jkJIyq5zKCr4RPfKmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Volusia County School Board on Feb. 25 approved the purchase and adoption of multiple science instructional materials packages across grade levels, including AP courses, following presentations from district curriculum staff.

District curriculum staff said committees of teachers and parents vetted publisher options and recommended specific titles and formats. \"These are follow ups to, with the publishers with an agreement and the quote and contract for purchase,\" said Dr. Desiree Rubinsky, who introduced the adoptions and noted materials include both print and digital components.

Why it matters: the approved materials will guide classroom instruction and assessments across the district for the coming adoption cycles and align course curricula with state and college-board expectations where applicable.

The board considered five separate adoption items listed on the agenda as 17.02 through 17.06:
- 17.02 Bedford, Freeman & Worth — AP Environmental Science (high school; print and digital)
- 17.03 Discovery Education — elementary (K–5) and middle school science (print and digital)
- 17.04 McGraw Hill LLC — high school courses including anatomy & physiology, biology, physics, physical science, marine science, AP Biology, AP Chemistry
- 17.05 National Geographic Learning / Cengage — high school Earth & Space and AP Physics series
- 17.06 Savvas Learning Company — high school chemistry and environmental science

Each recommendation had been developed by the district’s review committees; Dr. Rubinsky told the board that the AP materials are aligned to College Board requirements and that the general‑education materials are on the state‑approved list where required.

Votes at a glance
- 17.02 Bedford, Freeman & Worth (AP Environmental Science): motion approved, vote 5–0
- 17.03 Discovery Education (K–5, middle school): motion approved, vote 5–0
- 17.04 McGraw Hill (selected high‑school courses): motion approved, vote 5–0
- 17.05 National Geographic Learning / Cengage (selected high‑school courses): motion approved, vote 5–0
- 17.06 Savvas Learning Company (chemistry, environmental science): motion approved, vote 5–0

Board members made brief comments but did not alter the recommendations; most discussion focused on alignment and whether AP items required the state approval process (AP items were described as College Board‑aligned, not state approved). The purchases will proceed under the vendor contracts and the district’s procurement process.

The superintendent recommended approval; the board moved, seconded and approved each item in turn. The adoptions and purchase authorizations will allow the district to finalize vendor contracts and schedule implementation and teacher training ahead of classroom rollout.

The district staff who presented said teachers and parents will continue to participate in implementation planning and that digital access and teacher training are part of the vendor agreements.","Volusia County School Board approved purchases and adoptions of multiple science instructional materials packages for elementary, middle and high school courses, including AP offerings; each item passed unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves appointment of Heidi George Crimmins as district staff attorney

Volusia Sheriff's Office and schools review 2024 safety partnership; officials say technology and training helped avert tragedies

Board authorizes staff to respond to unsolicited offers and begin negotiations for DeBary 'Buckley' parcel

Volusia Schools choose Lightspeed and Gaggle for web filtering, classroom monitoring

School board adopts new science instructional materials for K–12 and AP courses