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After intense public testimony, board restricts micro‑mobility on campuses but allows high‑school students with permits
Summary
Following hours of public comment and competing safety/equity arguments, the board adopted a revised micro‑mobility policy that restricts e‑bikes and certain motorized devices on OCPS property but exempts high‑school students who hold a driver's permit or license.
The Orange County School Board on July 28 adopted a new micro‑mobility policy restricting e‑bikes, modified electric devices and certain motorized micro‑mobility devices from OCPS property, while amending the policy to allow high‑school students with a driver's permit or license to ride approved micro‑mobility devices to campus.
The debate lasted hours and featured parents, students and community groups. Parents and students, including seventh‑grader Caitlin Weaver, described daily reliance on e‑scooters to reach school. Nate Clark and Heather Grimmer asked the board to prioritize helmet enforcement and safety education over an outright ban. Safety organizations — including the Children's Safety Village and Bike Walk Central Florida — offered to partner on training and infrastructure improvements.
Other commenters, including a mother whose child, Colton, died in a scooter‑related incident, and Vice Chair Salamanca, said enforcement and on‑campus safety are practical concerns the district cannot easily shoulder. "We don't have that adult to student ratio to do it well and to do it fairly," Salamanca said, describing training and battery‑safety concerns. After public comment, Member Gallo proposed an amendment to allow high‑school students with a permit to continue to use devices on campus; the motion to amend passed and the board then adopted the policy as amended.
Superintendent Vasquez said staff will prepare implementation timelines, dean training and updates to the student code of conduct. Mr. Palmerini noted that the code will be revised to reflect the new policy and that staff will publish parent notifications; Vasquez suggested a delayed enforcement date (e.g., after Labor Day) to give families time to adjust. The board directed staff to return with clarified policy language and implementation guidance.
