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Issues Facing District 4

Literacy Rates

We have 47% of third graders not reading proficiently, and addressing this issue is crucial. Implementing evidence-based teaching practices, such as Orton-Gillingham, is an important step forward. I believe Spencer Mills is an excellent instructor who could effectively train our elementary school teachers. The nuances in his reading instruction are impressive, and he has demonstrated great success with students.

Additionally, it’s vital to provide information to parents early on. Partnering with Orlando Health and Advent Health to distribute resources to new parents could help raise awareness about the importance of early literacy. This initiative would support keeping kids on track as they enter OCPS, ideally at or ahead of pace. When children start kindergarten behind, it places teachers in a challenging position, often leading to a "catch-up" scenario. Educating parents on how just 10-15 minutes a day of instructional activities can prepare kids for school is essential. By working together, we can create a strong foundation for our students' success.

Transportation / Busing

This is a pressing issue in Orange County, particularly due to a shortage of bus drivers. Retrofitting the bus fleet to allow non-CDL drivers may not be a feasible solution for two reasons. First, parents are concerned about maintaining high standards for the drivers responsible for transporting their children. Second, retrofitting the entire fleet would be a costly endeavor.

One potential solution to address the shortage of bus drivers is for OCPS to focus on expanding CDL training programs. By investing in the training and recruitment of quality drivers, OCPS can ensure that its transportation services meet the necessary standards while also increasing the pool of available drivers. This approach could help alleviate the current shortage and improve the overall transportation situation in Orange County, as having kids wait for the bus at 6:00 AM and getting home from school at 6:00 PM is unacceptable.

Fiscal Responsibility

Everyone recognizes that parents, students, and teachers are key stakeholders in education, but often taxpayers without students in our schools are overlooked. I have met hundreds of individuals who support our schools through their property taxes and other contributions. My promise to you is that I will be a good steward of your tax dollars.

Most residents are willing to support our schools, even if they have never had children enrolled. This perspective is vital within the broader budget of OCPS. Ensuring that we spend every dollar wisely is critical for deploying resources to areas of greatest need, such as improving pay for OCPS staff.

A couple of notable examples of wasted tax dollars include:

Wasted Tax Dollars
1. Windermere High - Football Stadium  

The County Commission originally voted to build the stadium offsite in 2015, and they have now finally reversed that decision. The primary reason for the initial offsite plan was resident concerns about traffic and noise. However, this second stadium will cost taxpayers an additional $3 million for what could have been done correctly the first time.

During my time at AAU, we encountered a remarkably similar situation during our building approval process. Neighbors of our site had comparable concerns, so we took the time to engage with residents—both in public meetings and individually—to develop a plan that worked for everyone. This collaborative approach allowed us to secure approval efficiently, avoiding unnecessary delays and expenses.

2. Middle School with failing roof:

One of the middle schools in District 4 underwent a multi-million dollar “comprehensive renovation,” as described on the OCPS website, in 2020. However, they neglected to address a failing roof. Fast forward a couple of years, and this middle school has experienced water intrusion in classrooms and common areas, leading to significant issues. Ceilings throughout the campus show clear signs of water damage, with visible bubbles.

With my experience in real estate and building, I would have ensured that a thorough inspection was conducted before proceeding with a “comprehensive renovation” that overlooked a core issue like a damaged roof.

School Safety

Kyle believes that no student, parent, teacher, or administrator should have to worry about safety in schools. He evaluates current safety measures and explores ways to improve them.

Last year, Orange County purchased metal detectors for many high schools and implemented screenings during the latter half of the school year. However, the metal detectors caused significant delays, making many students late for their first period. As a result, the School Board decided to shift from regular screenings to random screenings. Kyle believes we need a better strategy, such as implementing a state-of-the-art screening system like Evolv. This type of system, used in places like theme parks, rapidly screens individuals and requires fewer staff to operate, thus alleviating the lengthy delays associated with traditional metal detectors.

Funding for Evolv would require the use of Capital Improvement funds, and the upcoming Half-Penny Tax (to be voted on in November) would significantly enhance this funding. Leasing is not an option due to the lack of funds in our Operational Fund.

As part of a long-term school safety plan, Kyle emphasizes the importance of mental health and education for our students to combat violence and its repercussions on school campuses. Both students and parents need to understand the consequences of threats and acts of violence. Kyle is committed to finding solutions to ensure that Orange County schools provide a safe environment for student development.

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Schools Represented in District 4

Elementary Schools
Bay Lake, Bay Meadows, Castleview, Dr. Phillips, Hamlin, Independence, Keene's Crossing, Lake Whitney, MetroWest, Palm Lake, Panther Lake, Sand Lake, Summerlake, SunRidge, Sunset Park, Thornebrooke, Water Spring, Westbrooke, Westpointe, Whispering Oak and Windermere

K-8 Schools
Windy Ridge

Middle Schools
Bridgewater, Chain of Lakes, Gotha, Hamlin, Horizon West, Southwest, SunRidge and Water Spring

High Schools
Horizon High, Olympia, West Orange and Windermere

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