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Dr. Maria Vazquez: Hello, we're back. Another school year is about to begin. Our schools are going to be alive with excitement once more. Coming up on Mondays with Maria, what you need to know.
Announcer: Welcome to Monday with Maria, presented by Addition Financial Credit Union. Here's OCPS Superintendent, Dr. Maria Vazquez.
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Hello. We're back with Jamie Holmes, Mondays with Maria, and we are ready to start another school year. Very exciting for us. Thank you for being here.
Jaime Holmes: That's right. Season three Mondays with Maria. Now an award-winning show with oh, our first Telly. Telly all about it. And we won a Hometown Media award, which we keep on the credenza.
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Yes, we do. It is very exciting. I never imagined that the show would be nationally recognized, but it really is a team effort. Both the individuals on set and behind the scenes. They do a phenomenal job and it would not be a successful show without all of our viewers watching. So, I'm very grateful and thankful that it is such a hit.
Jaime Holmes: It is. It's been, it's a wonderful show and it's a lot of fun to do. I like to think I had a small part in it. I think maybe like the tip of the wing
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Actually, the segment that won was the segment you did during national school lunch week. Do you remember?
Jaime Holmes: I do remember.
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Yes, it was a lot of fun.
Jaime Holmes: It was, it was a good time. And as a former TV anchor, I also always just travel with my own award just in case.
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Wow. Okay. Let's, yeah,
Jaime Holmes: It's small and portable. So that was the first on the road segment and we are going to be doing a lot more of those. We're going to have a lot more fun this year and we got a lot of plans. It's awesome.
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Yes, they were. We have exciting shows planned for this year and now it's time for us to kick off the new school year.
Jaime Holmes: And this is your third year as Superintendent, but who's counting?
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Yeah. Hard to believe third year, but it's been a blast and I'm looking forward to this next school year
Jaime Holmes: And what a year we're coming into. Right. And breaking news, you're now an “A” rated school district?
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Absolutely. First time since 2019. The A rating is really a result of the tremendous work our teachers, our support staff and administrators as well our students and parents have done in working together to ensure our students are getting the very best education. So, we plan on celebrating that "A".
Jaime Holmes: And another big helping on your plate. You've got a number of new schools that are opening up this year?
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Yes. We have three that are opening up in some of our highest growth areas at Water Bay Elementary in the Horizon West area, Luminary Middle in the Lake Nona area and Innovation High School in Meridian Park. Beautiful new schools their new designs, so students and families have a lot to look forward to.
Jaime Holmes: And you still have a lot of schools that are undergoing renovations right now. I see construction on lots of different campuses. Winter Park High School. Yes, of course. One of those. And these are all part of the Half Cent sales tax that is up for continuation this year. Is that right?
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Correct. In November, Orange County voters will be asked whether to continue the existing source of funding for our school renovations, technology, including improvements to safety and security.
Jaime Holmes: So the current Half Cent sales tax that is going to sunset. Right? Unless it's continued in November.
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Correct. It's sunsets at the end of 2025.
Jaime Holmes: I think it's important for voters to know as well that more than 50% of the Half Cent sales tax that is actually coming from tourists and from non-residents. So, you know, a great benefit. And it would keep that existing sales tax at 6.5%, which is far less than any of the surrounding areas. Am I right?
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Yes, it’s definitely something that we need to continue. It's crucial for us to keep up with the growth that we have seen since 2011.
Jaime Holmes: And of course, you also have to maintain the schools. You have to be able to, you know, AC units for instance. Yes. Particularly, you know, in, in Florida at any time of the year.
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Right. As well as roofing. Right. As well. So, people sometimes forget it's not just about the growth, it's being able to maintain all these beautiful buildings that we have across our district.
Jaime Holmes: Speaking of AC's and roofing, that leads me to hurricane season. Yes. And we are expecting a very active, hopefully not, hurricane season.
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Yes, we are. We're keeping our fingers crossed that we don't have any major named storms that impact our district. But families will be notified and kept abreast of any possible storms that would require us to shut down. Parents now can go on our website and look at the bad weather days that will be used in the event we have to actually close down schools.
Jaime Holmes: Now, there were also some changes that went into effect last year. One of those was the cell phone free schools bell to bell policy. Another one was the all meals no charge in all schools. You know, phenomenal program there. Both those still in effect.
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Yes. Both of those will remain for this upcoming school year. And we are pleased to also say that our three new schools will also be able to provide meals at no charge to all of the students.
Jaime Holmes: Wow. Yes. That's remarkable.
Dr. Maria Vazquez: It is. We are also looking at some new safety enhancements in our schools. Based on new legislation, we can no longer leave doors and gates unlocked while students are on our campuses. Each of our schools have been working on plans to implement the new legislation and families will be made aware by their schools how that's going to impact their child and their family.
Jaime Holmes: Another hot topic. Always a hot topic. Bus driver’s transportation. And this is not just an Orange County issue, it is a nationwide problem.
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Correct. We are still experiencing issues with finding bus drivers. So, anyone out there that is interested in driving a bus for us, please go and apply at ocps.net. For families that are unsure about transportation, you can go to find my bus, the Find my Bus webpage and get all the information you need for your child's start of the school year for busing.
Jaime Holmes: And at that time of the year, summer winding down. The 10-month employees, they're all back to work.
Dr. Maria Vazquez: That's everybody is back. They're getting everything ready for our students to walk through those doors for the 24-25 school year.
Jaime Holmes: Something else that you do, I'm a big fan of this because it really shows how open and accessible you are. You had 22 community town hall meetings that you did last year. Are the town halls returning?
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Yes. We will be publishing the dates and locations for our town halls this fall. So, look for those dates on our website.
Jaime Holmes: So ocps.net, that's where those dates will be.
Dr. Maria Vazquez: Yes, they will. Looking forward to hearing our parents and community members come out and ask questions. Learn more about OCPS. Mark your calendars for August 12th, the very first day of school. Exciting day for us, yes. Also, our next Mondays with Maria. We'll focus on our Back to School news conference. More things for you to know about the upcoming school year. Thank you all for watching another new year. I can't wait to welcome everyone back.
Jaime Holmes: It's great to be back. I think we should get you one of these for portable reasons.
Dr. Maria Vazquez: I think I'll keep the real thing.
Announcer: Mondays with Maria is presented by Addition Financial Credit Union. Count us in for every step of your financial journey. Learn more at additionfi.com. For more OCPS news and information, visit theslice.ocps.net. I'm your announcer, Kaleb Priester. A senior at Jones High School. Thanks for watching and have a great week.