Volusia County Schools commences the 2023-24 academic year with enthusiasm.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

The dawn of a new academic year saw Volusia County Schools abuzz with excitement as more than 63,000 eager students filled the hallways on Monday morning. Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin, with Deputy Superintendent of Operations Dr. Rachel Hazel and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Julio Nazario-Valle, marked the occasion by participating in a series of engaging activities.

The day began with a visit to the Daytona Transportation Hub, where they rallied bus drivers for a press conference before embarking on a journey to visit various schools throughout the day. 

 "Your child is our number one priority, and ensuring that we provide quality learning experiences daily. It is why we are here, and we are ready to serve. So together, we will ensure that in Volusia County, our students, and staff are safe every day and that they have an opportunity to optimize those learning experiences,” Dr. Balgobin said. 

According to a release, as the district continues to decrease vacancies, all bus routes are covered, while every classroom has a certified teacher to start the year. Dr. Balgobin went on to share compelling statistics from the first day of school, showcasing the magnitude and vitality of Volusia County Schools:

• Over 63,000 enrolled students spanning 87 schools, including 67 traditional schools.
• A robust instructional team of 4,576 members consisting of 4,017 classroom teachers and 418 new VCS teachers.
• The School Way Café workforce, comprising 391 individuals, served 8,114 breakfasts (up 9.7% from the previous year) and 27,080 lunches (up 3.5% from last year)

VCS Safety and Security Director Captain Todd Smith shared a comprehensive safety update for the new school year, encouraging students to embrace the "see something, say something," principle and to use the FortifyFL app or website to report potential threats. 

“VCS has worked tirelessly to build a shield of protection around our students,” said Captain Smith. “We have implemented the nation’s best practices when it comes to hardening our schools, strategically using fences, single point of entry, high-definition cameras, and door locks to help protect our children.” 

As the academic year unfolds, Volusia County Schools continues to enhance its educational offerings. The district will continue to commit to its students by providing free breakfast and lunch services while expanding its academic programs, spanning career and technical education, gifted education, STEM initiatives, early learning, and elementary language learning programs. Notable additions include introducing a French Immersion program and expanding the Dual Language Program, promising an enriched educational experience for students.