School Board directs superintendent to study expanding foreign-exchange program; measure passes 3-2

The School Board of Indian River County voted 3-2 to direct Superintendent David Moore to study the feasibility of a broader foreign-exchange program and to return with recommendations and legal review.

Board member Jackie Rosario introduced the item, saying the proposal "is an item that is pretty straightforward" and is personally important to her as a former foreign-exchange host. The board’s current policy (Policy 5114, "Nonimmigrant Students and Foreign Exchange Programs") was last updated in 2016, Rosario said, and the charge approved Tuesday asks the superintendent and district counsel to review recommended changes and report back to the board.

The study will examine the district’s current practice — the backup materials showed one foreign-exchange student at Sebastian River High School and one at Vero Beach High School, and the current policy allows up to five students per high school — and consider whether to raise limits, change placement rules and clarify visa types and sponsor responsibilities.

Several board members urged a cautious, incremental approach. Board member Dr. Jones said the district’s present policy is "okay now" and recommended detailed workshop discussion of specific proposed changes before any large-scale expansion. Dr. Jones also said charter and private schools in the area host many exchange students and that administering a larger program requires staffing and operational oversight.

Board member Dr. Posca, who seconded the motion to send the item for study, said she favored having the superintendent bring back a legally reviewed recommendation "and then we can go section by section and see how we all feel about it." Trustee Mister Dyer said he supported assessing feasibility but worried about adding staff burden while the district implements other large initiatives.

Superintendent David Moore told the board he has not yet done the research and described the request as "relatively straightforward," adding the district would not intend to add heavy new workload to staff and would return with feasible options.

The board exchange also discussed visa categories referenced in the backup materials: J-1 exchange visitor programs and F-1 student visas. Board members noted J-1 placements typically involve host families without stipends, while some F-1 placements may involve third-party sponsors and different payment arrangements; those distinctions will be part of the superintendent's review.

The motion directing the superintendent to study the matter and report back passed on a 3-2 vote. The motion did not include a return date; Rosario said she intentionally left the charge undated and welcomed the superintendent to propose a timeline.

What’s next: Superintendent Moore and district counsel will review the existing Policy 5114, evaluate options for administration and enrollment limits, and return to the board with a report and recommended policy edits.

Votes at a glance: exploration of foreign-exchange program — passed 3-2; vote names and roll-call were not recorded in the transcript, only the final tally.