Superintendent touts work of School District staff in trying year
If you’re a parent or student, this summer has been the “take a breath” — unmasked if you’re out and about and vaccinated —between one of the most tumultuous school years on record, and the 2021-22 year that will hopefully see a return to familiarity.
Imagine being behind the scenes with the School District of Osceola County making it all work for the benefit of over 70,000 students.
Their work, and what will go into maintaining high-level success this coming year, was on display Tuesday at the District’s annual State of Education address.
SDOC Superintendent Dr. Debra Pace was adamant that, in 2020-21, “learning never stopped.”
“We had no choice. We had no playbook for this, we did what we do in Osceola County: rolled up our sleeves and got down to work,” she said. “To be honest, we had highs and lows, but celebrated small victories while we came together to form a new mindset with new purpose.”
But the biggest news of the morning concerned Osceola’s students once they graduate high school. All those who head to Valencia College — which saw an enrollment dip during the Covid-19 pandemic — will be able to receive a $500 scholarship from the county.
Up to 2,000 Osceola County residents starting as a degree or certificate-seeking student in Fall 2021 will be eligible for the funding; once they are fully enrolled, other grants will eventually be available to them to nearly cover their entire tuition costs.
Valencia College President Kathleen Plinske — who moved into that role this summer after serving as president of Valencia’s Osceola, Poinciana and Lake Nona campuses — made the announcement.
“I’m so blessed for the partnership we’ve had with Osceola County,” she said. “They’ve been instrumental in helping construct Building 4 (at the Osceola campus), providing the land for the Poinciana campus, our Advanced Mechanical and Training Center, now this.”
In addition to the $1 million slated for 2,000 new students, the county is offering $300,000 for scholarships to existing Osceola County Valencia College students carrying outstanding balances and are risk of being dropped from classes for not paying what they owe.
In 2020-21, digital learning and millions of texts and Microsoft Teams meetings were combined with curbside meals programs because the 7,500 District employees made it happen.
“I can assure you our educators, and administrators and support staff have indeed been on the front lines in our schools and community. It was hard, with a lot of issues, finger-crossing and prayers,” Pace said, noting the district worked hand-in-hand with health groups like the Osceola County Health Department and Nemours Children’s Hospital to keep Covid-19 at bay enough to keep schools functioning and students learning.
And when it was all over, some 5,000 high school graduates were able to walk across the Silver Spurs Arena stage in May after 2020 ceremonies were, after trying hard to hold them, canceled. They took $112 million in scholarship funds with them to college.
Pace and the five members of the School Board discussed its strategic plan, focusing on:
Academic success — at the end of the day, it’s what it’s all about. Even in a pandemic, the number of students talking Advanced Placement tests and rapid-credential programs to provide know-how for high-wage, high-demand jobs went up drastically.
Talent Management — Those 7,500 employees managed Covid stress along with the usual and crushing teaching stress.
Fiscal Responsibility — The district shifted payroll processes and lowered energy and irrigation consumption to lower costs.
Community Engagement and Governance — A big focus in 2020-21, as Covid-19 had a big hand in complete in engagement from families in curriculum and the overall operation of schools.
Safety and Security — The District said it owed its support to law enforcement agencies and school resource officer programs and mental health training that led to maintaining a positive climate during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pace said she learned something valuable as well during a school year unlike any other.
“Never underestimate the lengths our dedicated Board, faculty and staff of the Osceola school district will do to provide every child every chance every day, and we celebrate them.”
