Daryl Flynn, Orange County School Board member
The Orange County School Board’s official goals are contained within the OCPS Strategic Plan, which aims to be the top producer of successful students in the nation. The five approved goals center on an intense focus on student achievement, a high performing and dedicated team, a safe learning and work environment, efficient operations, and sustained community engagement.
This year, one of the most important tasks that I and my fellow board members will face will be to choose a new superintendent who will support and achieve the Strategic Plan's goals and vision. Supporting and ensuring that the designated search process includes public input and is transparent to the community is key to selecting a superintendent who is welcomed by the residents of Orange County. The task of selecting a new superintendent won't end the day that he or she takes over the reins of leadership on July 1. It is my goal to encourage a smooth transition period and build a strong positive relationship with the new superintendent so that he or she is able to successfully continue the upward trend of academic achievement for all OCPS students.
Ted Edwards, Orange County District 5 Commissioner
Now that it's a new year, my staff and I have begun work on goals for a productive year ahead. Based on my first year in office, below are some of the objectives for the upcoming year:
-To continue advocating prudent spending of taxpayer dollars and providing excellent county services consistent with available resources.
-Encouraging investment in infrastructure for improvement in access and safety on local roadways, such as relieving congestion on State Road 50 through the FDOT road widening project.
-Promoting sidewalk projects around schools to create connections with neighborhoods.
-Through serving on UCF Research Park Board of Directors, we’ll work toward bringing high-tech job growth in simulation and defense industries.
-Encouraging growth that protects our environment and neighborhoods while benefiting all of our citizens, such as addressing the contaminated water issue in Bithlo resulting from leaky gas tanks.
-Integrating the environment into our decisions as we work toward creating sustainable community, particularly related to our lakes and stewardship of land by creating a Lake Pickett Advisory Board.
-Continuing to improve livability and quality of all District 5 neighborhoods by working with our county departments on completion of construction projects, like the new fire station in Christmas and Bithlo splash park.
Jennifer Thompson, Orange County District 4 Commissioner
My goal this year is to keep the Alafaya Trail widening on schedule, address bigger transportation concerns in our community, and to work to find a suitable location for the East Orange Homeless Drop-In Center.