- December 11, 2025
I'm writing today to share important information about the significant progress Volusia County Schools has achieved, to address questions that have been raised in our community, and to outline our ongoing commitment to every student we serve.
Our community deserves transparent, fact-based communication about our schools — both our successes and our challenges. The passion and engagement I see from parents, teachers, and community members reflects how deeply you care about our children's education. That commitment inspires us every day, and it holds us accountable to the highest standards.
The 2024-25 school year brought meaningful achievements that belong to our entire community: For the first time since 2008-09, Volusia County Schools earned an "A" rating from the Florida Department of Education. We showed improvement in 10 of 12 state accountability areas. The number of "A" schools increased from 17 to 29, and for the first time in more than a decade, 100% of our traditional schools earned an A, B, or C rating — with no D or F schools.
Starke Elementary's transformation from a "D" to an "A" in one year — one of only two elementary schools statewide to achieve this — demonstrates what focused instruction, strong leadership, and dedicated teachers can accomplish for students.
Our students are achieving at higher levels. Eighth-grade math proficiency jumped from 40% to 56%. Geometry proficiency increased from 47% to 62%. Critically, all major student subgroups —including Black and Hispanic students, students with disabilities, and English language learners — showed significant gains.
Our graduation rate reached 94%, the second highest among the 11 districts in the Central Florida Coalition. Dual enrollment participation grew from 560 to 717 students, with graduates earning dual enrollment credentials increasing from 108 to 144. These numbers represent students who are better prepared for college and careers.
Our students' talents extend beyond academics. For the second consecutive year, we were named one of the Best Communities for Music Education by The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. Our students have performed at Carnegie Hall and in London's New Year's Day Parade — representing Volusia County on international stages.
These achievements reflect the daily dedication of our teachers, staff, students, and families. They are real, they are earned, and they matter.
I want to directly address questions that have been raised about our graduation rates. Our 94% graduation rate represents real students who earned real diplomas by meeting Florida's graduation requirements. I understand why stakeholders ask questions when rates improve — it's a sign of healthy engagement and accountability.
When students struggle to stay on track for graduation, we don't adjust numbers — we adjust our support. Here are the steps we took to ensure progress for our students:
Every one of these approaches is monitored for academic integrity. Course completion requires demonstrated mastery and diplomas represent our students’ genuine achievement of state standards.
We welcome questions about these programs. If you'd like to understand our graduation pathways in detail, including the oversight and accountability measures we maintain, please contact my office directly. We're committed to operating with full transparency.
The students who benefit from these programs aren't statistics — they're individuals whose futures matter. When we help a student who's behind get back on track and graduate, that's not manipulation; that's a belief in each student’s potential.
I want to be direct about our work supporting students with disabilities, because this community deserves honesty about both progress and ongoing obligations.
Volusia County Schools is operating under a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that requires specific improvements in how we serve students in Exceptional Student Education (ESE). This settlement exists because we needed to do better, and we have.
Here's what we've done:
Here's what we're still working on:
Meeting all requirements of the DOJ settlement remains an ongoing priority. We're working closely with the Florida Department of Education and the DOJ to ensure every student, regardless of ability, receives appropriate instruction and support in the least restrictive environment.
This work is complex, it takes time, and we're committed to getting it right. Families who have concerns about ESE services should contact their school's ESE coordinator or our district ESE department. Every concern deserves attention and resolution.
Our teachers are the foundation of every success story in this letter. We're working to ensure our compensation reflects their value while maintaining long-term fiscal responsibility.
Our current proposal provides over 3% in total increases for 90.7% of instructional staff, plus retention and longevity supplements recognizing years of service. We're committed to reaching an agreement that honors our teachers' contributions and expertise.
We recognize that competitive compensation is essential to attracting and retaining the educators our students deserve. This remains a priority in every budget conversation.
Our achievements don't mean our work is done. Literacy remains our highest priority, and we're addressing it through a comprehensive, data-driven K-12 plan that emphasizes reading growth and targeted support.
We're taking specific action:
This isn't just about test scores — it's about ensuring that every child can read proficiently, access grade-level content, and fully participate in their education and future opportunities.
I recognize that questions, concerns, and even criticism are signs of a community that cares deeply about its schools. That engagement makes us better.
If you have specific concerns, I encourage you to bring them directly to school administrators or district leadership. We can't address vague complaints shared on social media, but we can — and will — address specific situations when families or staff members bring them to our attention.
If you want to understand our programs, policies, or data more deeply, we'll provide that information. Transparency isn't just a value we claim; it's a practice we're committed to demonstrating.
If you disagree with our decisions or direction, we'll listen respectfully and explain our reasoning. We may not always agree, but you deserve to understand how and why decisions are made.
The progress Volusia County Schools has made didn't happen by accident. It's the result of stable leadership, strategic planning, dedicated educators, engaged families, and students who work hard every day.
But progress is never finished. Every achievement reveals new opportunities and every success raises expectations. That's exactly as it should be.
Our commitment is unwavering: every student deserves excellent teaching, high expectations, appropriate support, and genuine opportunities to succeed. When we fall short of that standard, we'll acknowledge it, address it, and do better.
The students of Volusia County are counting on all of us — educators, administrators, families, and community members — to work together on their behalf. They deserve our very best, and that's exactly what we're determined to provide.
Thank you for your investment in our schools and our students. We look forward to continuing to work together to achieve success for our community.
Dr. Carmen J. Balgobin
Superintendent, Volusia County Schools
