Leadership Orlando

Thursday was spent with Leadership Orlando at the Seminole County School District Educational Support Center. The topic of the day was education and our group spent the day exploring the problems and challenges faced by Central Florida schools. We learned from Dr. Bill Vogel, Superintendent of Seminole schools, and Barry Gainer, Seminole School Board Chairperson of the accomplishments in their district. Dr. Jim Schott, President of O-Force talked about business initiatives which are promoting math and science. PRISM is the regional program they have designed to highlight and promote math and science excellence. I have the privilege of being honored by PRISM earlier in the month.
Later in the morning we visited Crooms Academy for Information Technology and Hamilton Elementary School. Both are extraordinary examples of how a district's commitment to a community through enhanced technology and opportunity are having dramatic effects. The Drum Line pictured is composed of ELEMENTARY students! They were incredible and are featured at the Orlando Magic games regularly.
Our afternoon was spent hearing about the Blue Ribbon Panel on Education report from the chairperson, Bill Sublette. He was followed by a Q and A discussion with Dr. Voge; Mr. Gainer; Jim Martin, OCPS School Board Member; and Linda Sutherland, executive director of the Orange County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc. This was an overwhelming day of information and challenge.
Leadership Orlando is becoming a class I look forward to every month. The energy and dedication of the members of this group gives me hope that our community can answer the complex challenges we face. These are dedicated community and business leaders who give their time and energy to many causes and are dedicated to doing even more.