- December 4, 2025
In recent weeks, several principals, teachers, business owners, and community leaders have asked me to share my perspective as a School Board member about what is really happening in Volusia County Schools. They, like me, are concerned about a negative narrative being spread by some individuals, and they want our community to hear another side.
One parent summed it up well in a note to me:
“Our school leaders are working tirelessly for the well-being and academic success of our students. They deserve support, not suspicion. As a lifelong resident, an alumna, and a proud parent to a current VCS student, I urge my fellow parents to pay attention to this behavior. I believe our community deserves better.”
These words reflect what I hear again and again. Volusia County Schools is not perfect — no district is — but we are making real progress and earning recognition for it. We don’t have to be combative to achieve results.
Asking questions, seeking new solutions, and challenging the status quo are healthy. But it’s also important to acknowledge success.
Under Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin’s leadership, who has been recognized nationally as one of only five finalists for National Superintendent of the Year, we’ve made tremendous strides. For decades, Volusia struggled with a revolving door of superintendents, leading to instability and declining performance.
With Dr. Balgobin — asked to return by the previous board — we are finally on steady ground. Our exceptional teaching staff, strong parental support and focused district leadership has increased our student proficiency and overall school grades have risen.
For the first time in 16 years, Volusia County Schools earned an A-rating, with many schools reaching their highest performance in history and not a single school receiving a D or F. When you see a teacher, make sure to congratulate them as these achievements can be directly attributed to their greatness.
Our results are based on state standards, not locally manipulated data and the numbers tell the story: Eighth grade math proficiency rose from 40% in 2024 to 56% in 2025, geometry proficiency jumped from 47% to 62%, and both ELA and math scores increased significantly across multiple grades. Volusia is now leading among its Central Florida peers.
Some have raised concerns about “transparency.” It’s an easy word to use when trying to sow distrust, but here are the facts: Volusia County Schools publishes its budget, holds public workshops, and consistently passes state audits. Questions about NDAs have been used as a scare tactic, but in reality, NDAs are common when protecting sensitive information such as retirement contributions or insurance records. No teacher was ever asked to sign one, and nothing prevents the public from accessing records as required by law.
Headline-driven accusations may stir fear, but they don’t serve families. Some critics openly admit they don’t understand the school board budget yet insist something sinister is happening. A lack of personal understanding does not make the district dishonest. If there are questions, the solution is to ask, learn, and engage — not to spread misinformation.
Here are the hard facts:
Families across Volusia County can be proud of this progress, even as we continue to aim higher.
What I would like to see is the business side of the house held more accountable-where can we find ways to be more conscience with taxpayer dollars? How can we become more efficient and where can we improve operations without sacrificing academics? Perhaps a business report card to show where we are strong and where we need improvement would be beneficial. We are a budget of over $1 billion dollars; we must be accountable for our efficiency.
Any constituent who wants to understand how our schools are performing, how our budget is managed, or what programs are available is welcome to reach out to me directly. My door is always open.
What our children need most right now is unity, not division. Those who want to see our schools thrive should carefully consider the motives of people who choose negativity over collaboration. When disruption replaces dialogue and politics outweigh the pursuit of student success, our children lose.
Parents, taxpayers, and community members deserve accurate information — not sensational headlines, political spin, or false rumors.
Volusia County Schools belong to all of us. Let’s continue to support our students, celebrate progress, and ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.
