Florida / School Districts / Orange
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.
Florida / School Districts / Orange
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.
Florida / School Districts / Orange
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.
Florida / School Districts / Orange
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.
Florida / School Districts / Orange
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.
Florida / School Districts / Orange
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.
Florida / School Districts / Orange
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.
Florida / School Districts / Orange
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.
Florida / School Districts / Orange
District researchers told the Orange County School Board that IXL math produced small but statistically significant gains in several courses, Read to Succeed tutoring showed large teacher and tutor support and measured reading gains in some grades, and SuccessMaker helped students who met usage fidelity; board members pressed officials on how programs are used, minutes vs frequency measures, and training needs.
Florida / School Districts / Orange
The board observed a moment of silence for longtime coach Maxwell Purcell and presented a resolution to his family. Members also held a retirement tribute and presented mementos to Deputy Superintendent Michael Armbruster, and recognized employees including Margaret Harris and teacher of the year Steven Smith; several promotions and administrative appointments were announced.