- February 27, 2025
Volusia County Schools Superintendent Carmen Balgobin speaks during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Volusia County School Board member Donna Brosemer greets the crowd during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Volusia County School Board Chair Jamie Haynes speaks during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Deltona Middle School orchestra students perform during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Deltona Middle School orchestra students perform during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Elementary's STOMP percussion ensemble members greet the audience during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Elementary's STOMP percussion ensemble performs during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Elementary's STOMP percussion ensemble performs during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Elementary's STOMP percussion ensemble performs during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Mainland High School dance ensemble performs during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Mainland High School dance ensemble performs during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Mainland High School dance ensemble performs during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Mainland High School dance ensemble performs during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Mainland High School dance ensemble performs during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Mainland High School dance ensemble performs during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Mainland High School dance ensemble performs during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Spruce Creek High School marching band performs during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Spruce Creek High School marching band performs during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Spruce Creek High School marching band performs during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Spruce Creek High School marching band performs during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The University High School show choir performs during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Pine Ridge High School color guard presents the colors during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The University High School show choir performs during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The University High School show choir performs during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Pine Ridge High School color guard presents the colors during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
VCS Chief Academic Officer Julio Nazario-Valle speaks during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Stephanie Workman, executive director of Human Resources for VCS, stands alongside Chief of Staff John Cash as he speaks during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Mike Micallef, VCS executive director for Graduation Assurance and Student Services, speaks during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
VCS Chief Operating Officer Patty Corr speaks during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
VCS Chief Technology Officer Matt Kuhn speaks during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
VCS Public Information Officer Sarah Lux speaks during the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
A student panel takes part in the district's first State of Our Schools address on Thursday, Feb. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Volusia County Schools held its first State of Our Schools address celebrating the district's academic achievements on Thursday, Feb. 27, at the Brannon Center in New Smyrna Beach.
It was an event almost five years in the making. Superintendent Carmen Balgobin traced it back to a conversation she had with local philanthropist Joe Hearn, who suggested VCS should host a State of the Schools address. Balgobin told him then that "it was in the plans."
"We were faced with some challenges, and so forth, but here we are, and we're delivering it for you, and you are part of history," Balgobin told the estimated 200 people in attendance.
The event showcased the district's performing arts, with performances from the DeLand High School jazz combo, Mainland High School dance ensemble, Deltona Middlle School orchestra, Ormond Beach Elementary STOMP percussion ensemble, Spruce Creek High School marching band and University High School show choir. The Pine Ridge High School Color Guard also presented the colors as the show choir sang the national anthem.
The event also featured a student panel with high schoolers, where a moderator asked them their opinions regarding about school and academic improvements.
During her remarks, Balgobin highlighted the district's improved graduation rate of 93.7% for the 2023-2024 school year, up from 84.5% from the 2018-2019 school year. Balgobin said came close during her academic years to not walking across the stage herself.
"So when it comes to the success of our students, it's business but also, it's personal to me and to my team," Balgobin said.
VCS is now within the top 10 of the 67 school districts in Florida for graduation rates. This, Balgobin said, occurred with "true intentionality."
"We have to differentiate our students," Balgobin said. "All their needs are not the same. So that's what this tells you here, that our team ... they're very cognizant in ensuring that every subgroup is experiencing success."
By graduation, the district's 2024 seniors had earned over 110 associate degrees, one bachelor's degree, $32 million in scholarships, over 300 seals of biliteracy and over 2,270 industry scholar designations.
Over 3,100 VCS high school students are dual enrolled each year with Daytona State College or the University of Florida, according to the district. More than 1,700 students are enrolled in work-based learning.
Last school year, 4,410 industry certifications were earned by students. The district has over 100 middle and high school career and technical education programs.
Balgobin spoke about the district's strategic plan and recognized partners for helping VCS achieve its outlined goals, one of which is for students to "engage in high levels of learning every day."
"We all know that when our students are successful, that our communities will be successful," Balgobin said.
