For the first time in 12 years, Orange County Public Schools will be lead by a new superintendent next school year.
Dr. Barbara Jenkins, who currently serves as the district's deputy superintendent will take over in June.
News 13 sat down with Dr. Jenkins for a one on one interview that lasted about 15 minutes, to discuss her vision for Central Florida's largest school district.
Jenkins, who is a product of OCPS, said her vision for the district is clear.
“Student success is really what we are all about here in Orange County,” said Jenkins, as she sat in an executive board room on the ninth floor of the newly named Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center.
However, with newly implemented FCAT grading changes that may lower your child's standardized test scores, Jenkins wants parents to know the district is still on the right track.
“If a child comes home with FCAT scores that seems lower than what they had previously, or if a school grade goes down compared to what it had last year, that is not purely an indication that achievement has gone down,” Jenkins explained.
Jenkins also told News 13 that her vision for student achievement means developing well rounded students. She wants to see more students receiving college credit for AP courses. Meanwhile, Jenkins expressed that enrichment and extra curricular activities, like fine arts programs and sports, will continue to have a place in her budget.
“We are not looking at any significant budget cut, as some of our neighboring districts might have to consider. We're not looking at teacher layoffs. We're not looking at cutting programs. We will be able to maintain what we've had in previous years,” Jenkins answered.
The recently hired and soon to be installed OCPS Superintendent thanks the taxpayers for the manageable budget situation. Jenkins is grateful voters approved the tax increase in 2010, which will net the district more than $80 million a year, for four years.
Meanwhile, Jenkins told News 13 that Orange County Public Schools would have had a $25 million budget deficit for the upcoming school year, but administrators were able to balance their budget by using the district's cash savings account.
However, long term budget implications depend on the economy.
“Down the line we are very hopeful that the economy will start to recover. We're prepared for a year or two to cover it from reserves but we really believe and hope the economy will start to recover so our tax base will improve over the next couple of years and we won't have to be as concerned about that,” Jenkins explained.
Numerous school districts across Central Florida are facing major budget cuts. Jenkins said passing the tax referendum is partially about public perception.
“I would suggest to anyone else, another district that they've got to know their community and the value that they are perceived as having in that community for their students,” Jenkins commented.
News 13 also wanted to know what Jenkins thought OCPS would look like financially, if the 2010 tax referendum did not pass.
“If it hadn't passed, it's about $83 million being added to our budget next year. We would have seen a steep drop off to the tune of over $100 million in a shortfall,” Jenkins answered.
“It's not easy to get at $100 million dollars without some significant programatic cuts or cuts in personnel,” Jenkins continued.
State education funding was also a topic during News 13's one on one interview with Dr. Jenkins. Jenkins realizes and respects the predicament state lawmakers are in.
“In all fairness to them in this economy, they've got limited resources and pressures from various sectors to have additional funding as well so we appreciate the one billion dollars that was placed in public education,” Jenkins responded. “My hope would be that they would continue to find resources or means of restoring some dollars to public education, which has suffered along with the rest of the state budget over the past several years.”
Dr. Jenkins' four-year superintendent contract will begin May 15. Jenkins said she is looking forward to building on the legacy of Superintendent Ronald Blocker, who is retiring after 12 years. She's also pushing for student achievement with a direct message for parents.
“I would say to parents in particular, they are our most critical partner to help their students be successful. We want parent involvement. If they can volunteer in the school, if they can work with their children at home.”
Jenkins concluded that students of all ages should read as much age-appropriate reading material this summer, so they are continuously learning and prepared for next school year.