As the tenth largest school district in the country, administrators at Orange County Public Schools have a lot on their plate. With nearly 200,000 students, 17,000 teachers and 191 schools to manage, it’s a non-stop effort to evolve with the district’s explosive growth.

“Last year we added close to 7,000 students,” said Dr. Barbara Jenkins, Superintendent for Orange County Public Schools.

That is putting a strain on many already overcrowded schools, which is why construction is never-ending when it comes to building relief schools, new schools and renovating current schools.

Just in time for the first day of classes, construction is complete on seven schools. Five were renovated and two others are as new as a pack of No. 2 pencils: Eagle Creek Elementary in Lake Nona and Independence Elementary in Horizon West.

“You don’t have enough resources from the state to actually keep up with your growth needs and certainly not to keep up with your repair and renovation needs,” Jenkins said.

Just as the money was about to run out for those slated projects, taxpayers voted last year for the renewal of the 10-year, half-cent sales tax.

“So we have the ability to finish that list now,” Jenkins said. “Thirty-eight left on the original list and then another 20 schools that were never on that first list.” 

At the same time, the school district is trying to cut back on the number of portables on campus.

Some schools built in the 1990s were made up entirely of modulars as a temporary solution to overcrowding. Those schools are just now in the process of being replaced with the old-fashion brick and mortar structures.

“I believe as long as we’re growing like we’re growing we won’t have a day without portables,” Jenkins said.

In the meantime, the growing student population means more classrooms are needed.

“It does create that extra demand for teachers,” David Azzarito, OCPS director of talent acquisition said.  

Right now, the district is on a tight deadline to hire around 155 teachers by August 24.

“We have a backup plan,” Jenkins said. “We always do. If there are some vacancies we’ll use some of our resource teachers and coaches to cover those positions until they’re filled.” 

Just another way the district is applying their problem-solving skills as they enter the new school year.