- February 7, 2025
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The Volusia County School District is moving in the right direction, said Superintendent Tom Russell during his presentation at the Eggs and Issues program by the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce held on Wednesday, Nov. 8, though the county is still facing a lack of funding because of the state's District Cost Differential formula and other hurdles from the effects of House Bill 7069.
Starting on a positive note, Russell outlined the school district's recent success in maintaining its overall district B grade, increased graduation rate and growth of Advanced Placement classes, International Baccalaureate program, AICE and dual enrollment, the latter of which resulted in 113 students graduating with an associate degree last year.
He also said Volusia schools are answering the call for more focus on STEM in classrooms.
“This nation is in a Sputnik moment,” Russell said.
Russell, like other educators in the state, was very vocal about his disapproval of Gov. Rick Scott signing House Bill 7069 earlier this summer. One of the things the bill does is make it easier for charter schools to open.
“As far as Volusia County Schools is concerned, this is nothing but a power grab by the Legislature," Russell said.
He said local School Board members are constitutional officers and were elected for a reason. Volusia County school district has joined 14 others in a lawsuit against House Bill 7069.
Russell said they decided to take part because they believe the 274-page bill is a violation of Florida's Constitution due to it covering more than a single topic. Russell added 7069 comprises a variety of bills people would like, and called it a result of "back room deals" written "in the dark of the night.”
The school district has lost $11 million this year alone due to the District Cost Differential formula, said Volusia School Board Chairwoman Melody Johnson. DCD is one of the main factors used to calculate the base funding of each school district, and has cost Volusia $140 million since its implementation in 2004.
“Nobody really cares what Volusia is losing," Johnson said. "They care about themselves. So you have to show them what they’re losing and what that means.”
The result of the formula is 55 of Florida's counties are forced to give out funds to the remaining 12. Johnson has visited seven school boards so far to explain to the effects of DCD. But not all of them have been receptive to changing the formula.
Johnson said when she talked to representatives from the Miami-Dade County school district, who gained almost $32 million this year according to data by the Florida Department of Education, they said they liked the study because they believed their school district was entitled to more funding.
“Are you kidding?" Johnson said. "Well, if you’re entitled to more, get it from your taxpayers, not mine.”
Though Johnson said money is not always the answer to fixing problems within the district, Volusia could have used that lost $11 million to start the AVID program in middle schools, which they had to remove due to budget cuts.
