After staff presented a district survey showing thousands of students bring e-bikes and scooters to campus, Orange County Public Schools trustees debated options including helmet requirements, age limits (16+), a permit/fee tied to training, banning high‑speed Class 3 devices on campuses and coordinating with a May 19 county task force.
At a Feb. 3 rule-development workshop, Orange County Public Schools staff described seven consolidation proposals to address under-enrollment and the board gave consensus to advance all seven to a March 10 public hearing. Staff cited declining enrollment, ESE unit reassignments and transportation analyses; the public is invited to submit input through Feb. 17.
Board members reviewed staff recommendations to consolidate seven underenrolled schools, directed staff to advertise specific rezoning options (including adding the Solace subdivision to Bonneville option 2), and requested follow‑up briefings on ESE/gifted placements, transportation and traffic safety; no formal votes were taken at the Jan. 27 work session.
The Orange County School Board approved Wild Oaks Preparatory Academy’s charter application (K–12, initial enrollment cap proposed) after a staff evaluation against the state’s model charter application instrument and a prior work session; counsel noted the board’s limited discretion under statute.
After extensive public comment and debate, the Orange County School Board approved a purchase-and-sale agreement with Doctor Phillips Charities to develop surplus school district land in Eatonville. Board members said the contract ties part of the $14 million price to development milestones and includes provisions for a museum, housing and educational facilities.
Following a District Literacy Council review and public comment, the Orange County School Board voted to retain Do Animals Fall in Love? in middle-school libraries. The vote split with two board members opposed and prompted debate about process and age-appropriateness.
Orange County Public Schools presented a draft $14 million sale of the 117‑acre Hungerford property to Dr. Phillips Charities, with $1 million due at closing and up to $13 million forgiven if specified milestones (green space and pavilion, early learning center, health hub, town hall/museum) are completed. Eatonville officials urged more time and contract guarantees to protect tax revenue and local control.
Interim principal Adonis Lumpkin told the board Lucius & Emma Nixon Academy scored low on multiple state components (ELA proficiency 20%, math proficiency 20%) and presented a school improvement plan focused on attendance, teacher recruitment and instructional rigor; trustees pressed for corrected data on retained students and clarified sponsor oversight and thresholds for closure.
UCP Downtown leaders told the board the school's F grade followed a co‑location technicality with an OCPS Beta program and does not reflect the school's learning gains; UCP presented a detailed SIP focused on ELL gains, reading interventions, professional learning, math practice and attendance supports for high‑needs students.
District staff warned trustees that falling birth rates, vouchers and homeschooling have driven an 8,600‑student drop in three years and estimated a $41 million FY shortfall; staff proposed Phase 1 space‑optimization—portables reduction, converting rooms, microschools and consolidation consideration at seven under‑enrolled sites and asked the board for consensus to begin rezoning outreach meetings.