ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Advancements in Education since I joined the School Board in 2011

• Dedicated Early Learning Division with expanded resources for our Early Learning sites and a focus on partnerships with private providers throughout the County 
• “Here Comes the Bus” being implemented for all students and families to track buses in real-time
• Reimagining Middle School is the initiative to bring reform and innovation to the delivery of education throughout all of our middle schools in the District-focused on educational strategy as well as social-emotional support for students in this critical developmental period of life. 
• Entrepreneurship programs offered at 23 High School campuses, and counting, as we bring this hands-on and engaging learning experience to every high school and middle school and encourage Entrepreneurial Pathways
• Expanded CTACE programs with over 70 high school programs ranging from 3-D Animation Technology to Hospitality and Tourism, Culinary Arts to Veterinary Assisting, Entrepreneurship to Industrial Biotech 
• Debate programs instituted in every middle and high school across the District with over 12,000 students actively competing in debate
•  Establishment of the first Entrepreneur and Leadership Military Academy in the District
•  Largest national Code.org program in the country including a coding day for every student in Broward School every year and computer science opportunities offered at every school
• Establishing a District-wide Florida Day with creative learning opportunities including community readers, essay contests, art projects and civics experiences so students appreciate and understand what it means to be a Floridian
•  Collaboration with Construction Career Days of South Florida magnified students’ exposure to careers in the construction field and related disciplines
• Partnerships expanding across Broward County to engage students in authentic learning opportunities which draw from the strengths of our local community, such as from not-for-profit organizations like Junior Achievement’s Stock Market Challenge and BizTown as well as business partnerships such as Amazon who donated $50,000 to Dillard 6-12’s Robotics Program 
• Expanded Apprenticeship Program in Physical Plant Operations for employees as well as a new apprenticeship program being formulated specifically for students 
• Strengthening partnership with Florida Restaurant Lodging Association (“FRLA”) resulting in additional financial support and expert speakers panels offered throughout the County to our hospitality and culinary programs 
• Passage and implementation of the SMART Bond to improve our school facilities after 30 years of underfunded support from the State 
• Implementation of Self-Insurance for the District resulting in savings of over $50 million since its inception
•  New strategies implemented throughout our Procurement Department resulting in more efficient and cost savings purchases District-wide
•  Adopted the Supplier Diversity Outreach Program with the goal of spurring economic development
•  Maintained standing as the nation’s second largest Fully Accredited Public School System