[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6091544,"mediaKeyId","2860819-ad25c14dac6d75457be7591c2130a36a","parentId",2860819,"title","Board recognizes spelling‑bee champions, student artist and custodians earning state certification","audioSeconds",1411,"startMs",2701000,"endMs",4112000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2860819-ad25c14dac6d75457be7591c2130a36a&start=2701&end=4112","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2860819-ad25c14dac6d75457be7591c2130a36a/thumbnail_2701000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6091544/Florida/Board-recognizes-spellingbee-champions-student-artist-and-custodians-earning-state-certification","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091544-d6a7cd431169d1c804f290f5f74db70b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143025&Signature=cuoGDSEC9EYGqiBx83fTayFeKpgA74mFxrQdOjOKzScOQeKM16TRRqgbvgMV9-UMmnQ77ItbUuqHsdVAG9sXVI2BYLzLT6izYUB0PU7-8n8kJab36zcpvQA4dpMdX1X3KrwxT0I3RHLhMn2Cr6a0F3uP8pvmUsS2kEjSYGEtN~3xUjEgXyEqJUjA7AvYaps--GOqxGVVAhHT-Hfxzz4OXSH77BmD4SibV9nN8Ttqw7QDH~Kpuq9eHzO8fkCw11HRlH-EPnVkyRbYi0fSHyY2t-Ya7VH6YjDIhwYlx5azMDywFNj10ZxBdrlWacarrfeXiMK7Ktxdasy-X8BwNTr2lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Orange County Public Schools","date","2025-04-03T13:39:33.087Z","article","The Orange County School Board used part of its April 1 meeting to recognize students and staff achievements across the district.

The district named three students who won the Scripps regional spelling bee and will represent Orange County at the national Scripps competition: Diego Gallegos (Lakemont Elementary), Louis Atavus (Discovery Middle) and Aiden Westover (Odyssey Middle). Nancy Golden of Curriculum and Instruction said each of the three will receive $1,000 from the district foundation to help cover travel and participation costs.

Liesel Nunnis, director for multilingual services, introduced the district’s Spanish spelling‑bee champion, Nadiele Garcia Alvarez of Conway Middle School. Nunnis said more than 80 students registered for the contest at Timber Creek High School and that the final round reached the word “erudite.”

The board also recognized Hunter’s Creek Middle School eighth grader Maya Beltran for artwork selected to be displayed at the Florida Capitol for the remainder of the legislative session. The student’s state representative and aide were present for the recognition and a photograph with the board.

Carlos Mathews, Director of Custodial Services, presented certificates to custodial staff who completed Florida School Plant Management Association (FSPMA) certification. Mathews said the FSPMA program requires seven weeks of classroom instruction — three days per week for three hours per day, totaling 63 hours — and praised staff who completed the course while balancing second‑shift work and other obligations. The board noted that 84 custodians earned the state certification across classes and commended the staff for the professional development.

Board members thanked the students, parents and custodial staff. Member Felder and others emphasized custodians’ daily contributions to school operations and student well‑being.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","OCPS | 2025-04-01 School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At the April 1 meeting the board honored three Scripps Regional spelling‑bee winners headed to the national bee, the Spanish spelling‑bee champion, a middle‑school student whose artwork will hang at the Capitol, and custodial staff who completed Florida School Plant Management Association certification.","taxTitle","Orange, School Districts, Florida","taxId",14621,"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},6091549,"Superintendent warns of federal and state funding cuts; board agrees to work session on SRO contract and guardian options",1793,7023000,8816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2860819-ad25c14dac6d75457be7591c2130a36a&start=7023&end=8816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2860819-ad25c14dac6d75457be7591c2130a36a/thumbnail_7023000.jpg","/articles/6091549/Florida/Superintendent-warns-of-federal-and-state-funding-cuts-board-agrees-to-work-session-on-SRO-contract-and-guardian-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091549-96f6ad6e56f1e301b0cac7e3c7048dd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143025&Signature=V-DaZVVc-9FgS-MlLS7Y6CA4qm6WibbYuD8-vPDc7ygSwj316TdNpBAUcN9QQOkC4OIfF5RWf0zRFbUgcMRIUNK4eOabs4sxOgvT8ivNUoxHy3mNcROkaryWfcoSvHL3PqDz77RsYU9LXz4h1-AG5kZJlqSNT3Xih8jLaxmFfXj57dpou5lTFUF0DVGb2BSvNqfHS8OiYiXghkXuB~M7AJxlDy98sWHU9015KhBRNHR5JcOI1bdiDrjQ-ZSZJ44NtisURkEKZ9WPmA9~IKkTIOasRIeccoJW0L0~OByPfgaPMna79XFhFH~m5ooRA1OOXVGwQTgqJSad2sNHndQGCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Teresa Vasquez told the Orange County School Board on April 1 that the district faces a difficult budget outlook driven by several state and federal uncertainties and local enrollment declines.

Vasquez said pending federal actions could eliminate or reduce Title II and Title IV funding that the district uses for professional development and other programs, and she warned of possible Medicaid reductions that would affect reimbursement for school nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy and some speech services required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). She said the district is planning for a 2% reduction across departments and has identified a projected $27,000,000 loss tied to declining enrollment, plus an additional $10,000,000 tied to lost SAI and SRI dollars.

On school safety, Vasquez told the board that the district and five local entities had been negotiating reimbursement for school resource officers (SROs) but had not reached final agreement. She said the current contract proposals would increase district payments by “over $2,000,000” compared with current costs. Given the budget pressure, she requested the board reconsider its prior position against using guardians and asked for authorization to present guardian programs used in other districts for board discussion.

Board members responded with a mix of positions. Several members praised municipalities and agencies that reached agreements (City of Orlando, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Eatonville and Maitland were cited at the meeting) and voiced disappointment with municipalities that sought higher reimbursement and had not reached accords (Apopka, Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden and Winter Park were mentioned). Members emphasized that the district has limited revenue options and said negotiations should reflect that constraint.

Member Gallo asked the superintendent to provide detailed budget information and to identify specific areas of overspending the board could consider during budget deliberations. Several members called for outreach to state legislators to protect Title II, Title IV and other education funding streams.

Board members agreed they needed more time to review the SRO proposals and requested a work session focused on the SRO contract negotiations, the guardian program option and budget tradeoffs. Superintendent Vasquez and several board members said staff will schedule that session.","Superintendent Teresa Vasquez told the board the district faces a bleak budget outlook because of possible federal Title II/IV cuts, Medicaid changes and declining enrollment; the board asked for a dedicated work session to review SRO contract proposals and guardian program options after municipalities and agencies sought higher reimbursement.",{"_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},6091556,"Doctor Phillips Center outlines 10‑year impact, school partnerships and expansion master plan",1736,4321000,6057000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2860819-ad25c14dac6d75457be7591c2130a36a&start=4321&end=6057","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2860819-ad25c14dac6d75457be7591c2130a36a/thumbnail_4321000.jpg","/articles/6091556/Florida/Doctor-Phillips-Center-outlines-10year-impact-school-partnerships-and-expansion-master-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091556-33012626085ff2789012287c28399909/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143025&Signature=nv5RVUZzjhsd1RYgdwoSryO0-8JSfdCTHdvOjeVb7FRHRUKnxvhqcHnuGcp8nhtH-UzIbcUCCFSay6JhJOMVmIkH27MFYg~aur~JEMBGRMqACaP~D9YrkzegIkuyldkcM20FD2r~2wfGu5REb9ra6mOBmhXj8oCuJ9ySCjoPJUbDFK8kJ8n2iLWrDXW0AucXtGAl~yrkQtp-6dxoxJr00Y8PK5FYd3t0U-Yl1IZroejWnYsLoc4yUmz57vI7JTSKdwe2VbOzWRv0ugEyTggmuN-1hXnFt6JQEisyBzHylk4nxtHd9V755l-P6LWqX52mDVnjnjNNJatuISdpviCCvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kathy Ramsburger, president and CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, told the Orange County School Board on April 1 that the center has focused on making the arts “approachable” and deepening partnerships with Orange County Public Schools.

Ramsburger told board members the center’s vision is “arts for every life” and that the nonprofit operates a city‑owned asset funded by private philanthropy. She described capital and operating figures the center uses to frame its community role: the center was built with about $160,000,000 in capital funding donated by private donors and the nonprofit runs the asset “at risk”; the organization’s annual business has grown to about $65,000,000 per year; and the center reports it has returned tens of millions in community engagement and programming support, including cited totals for educational scholarships, community engagement and professional services.

Ramsburger outlined school programs delivered with district partners, including Disney Musicals in Schools, a jazz education program with Jazz at Lincoln Center, teen ambassador internships and Project WOW (school field trips and in‑school arts residencies). She said roughly 376,000 students have participated in programs and that educational programming reaches schools across Orange County.

The center is also pursuing a master plan that Ramsburger said would add multiple new performance and teaching spaces. Ramsburger said the plan could include a 750‑seat theater, studio and classroom spaces and 11 additional rooms; she estimated the buildout could be completed and operational in roughly five years if funding and phasing proceed as planned. The proposal aims to expand capacity for school programs and educational performances.

Board members responded with praise and described the center as an important community and educational partner. Chair Mary Jacobs, speaking by phone, called the center “the heart and soul of Orlando.” Several board members described student access to performances and school programs — Member Ferrant highlighted Disney Musicals in Schools, Member Vanos and Member Gallo noted district partnerships and Member Felder emphasized the center’s intentional outreach to nearby neighborhoods.

General Counsel and other board members also shared personal remarks about programs that have engaged students; several board members described attending events and noted partnerships that send students to the center or bring center staff into schools for programming. Ramsburger said the center seeks donations and philanthropic support to underwrite expanded programming and the proposed capital expansion.

Ramsburger closed by saying the center plans to continue and expand school partnerships and to pursue funding for the master plan. Board members asked follow‑up questions about programming and commended the partnership.","Kathy Ramsburger, president and CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, reported on a decade of work with Orange County Public Schools and a master plan that would add venues and classroom space to expand school programming and community engagement.",{"_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},6091561,"Dr. Phillips students present mental‑health hub, mentoring and resiliency programs to school board",112,578000,690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2860819-ad25c14dac6d75457be7591c2130a36a&start=578&end=690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2860819-ad25c14dac6d75457be7591c2130a36a/thumbnail_578000.jpg","/articles/6091561/Florida/Dr-Phillips-students-present-mentalhealth-hub-mentoring-and-resiliency-programs-to-school-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091561-62c112bcfe5dec2927338b1d02d64834/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143025&Signature=OxXsB0avSiJQb60zNxM3rcA2LeSiDPQezuJQWnahiq6VcNyB9ahMthT6fAkHsW5GcUQ5cmFQJh40-bZBTmjF--DdcXK2bvRKfNvg1EEDLCtcZr1zbkbxPql~qoNEej5VRe5l008wUIHMrgtq3fy~GFWY6ll0fbXNEuUmyP8yqBWm0-Iw2O5hGA4XFKQ7b9MsLfE0zbWPcDX7DznMJ01d2D7hbmY8lU1w50oYP7rN-Mosreli6J1JsxPyIsGg6K3AoXC03OHiF-0i95Gt123wWP5W~oiHmiPHYVU5TtRe38SloezI3izgmEFl6d95Lrgm1ppTyEa9uU~HNpTdtqEWpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Students from Dr. Phillips High School told the Orange County School Board on April 1 about student-led efforts aimed at improving mental wellness, academic support and inclusion.

Adam Fattal, a member of the superintendent’s student advisory council, said his group built “a website that puts all of our mental health resources together in order to educate and inform our students, teachers, faculty, and staff of the available resources that we have at our school.” He said the site is designed to be a private, easy hub where parents and students can find counselors, programs and a council archive.

The students said other council initiatives include Panther Pairs, a peer‑mentoring program that pairs juniors and seniors who have passed Advanced Placement courses with freshmen and sophomores to help boost attendance and grades; resiliency summits, which the students adapted into short student‑led lunchtime sessions on topics such as anxiety and self‑esteem; and a range of arts and STEM programs run through school magnets and clubs.

“Katarina Carlson,” a senior in the TV‑film magnet, described hands‑on opportunities in her program and said the school’s film festival will open April 11. Zaniah Allen described resiliency summits she helped lead: after an initial plan to bring outside speakers drew little student interest, she said the council pivoted to student presenters and repeated sessions because “students kept showing up every time.” Andre Roche described the inclusion program through the dance magnet, which pairs high school students with preschoolers and students with special needs for peer support activities.

Superintendent Vasquez introduced the students and thanked them for the presentations. Board members praised the student initiatives and highlighted the mental‑health website and the student‑led format for resiliency sessions as examples of fast, practical approaches.

Board members who spoke at the meeting — including Member Ferrant, Member Gallo, Member Douglas and Member Felder — emphasized the potential of student leadership to reach peers more effectively than some adult‑led programs and applauded the students’ work creating accessible resources.

The students’ presentation also highlighted curriculum and extracurricular opportunities at Dr. Phillips High School, including the Center for International Studies, robotics, TV‑film and performing arts magnets and athletics; presenters noted the school enrolls nearly 3,000 high‑school students.

The student group took questions from board members and left the meeting after their presentation.","Members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council from Dr. Phillips High School described a student-created mental‑health website, peer‑mentoring “Panther Pairs,” resiliency summits and other student-led programs during the April 1 Orange County School Board meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board recognizes spelling‑bee champions, student artist and custodians earning state certification

Superintendent warns of federal and state funding cuts; board agrees to work session on SRO contract and guardian options

Doctor Phillips Center outlines 10‑year impact, school partnerships and expansion master plan

Dr. Phillips students present mental‑health hub, mentoring and resiliency programs to school board