Steven Walker

U.S. revokes visas from 15 international students at UCF, detains one

The visa revocations come as the Trump administration cracks down on immigration.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/04/24/u-s-revokes-visas-from-15-international-students-at-ucf-detains-one/

Florida’s proposed cuts to AP, other classes leave schools ‘deeply concerned’

Lawmakers have suggested cutting in half the extra funding schools can earn for AP, IB, AICE, dual enrollment and career-education classes.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/04/01/floridas-proposed-cuts-to-ap-other-classes-leave-schools-deeply-concerned/

Federal lawsuit by Florida, 16 other states raises fears about student disability protections

The lawsuit asked a court to rule part of a 52-year-old law unconstitutional, a move that could end so-called 504 plans for children with learning disabilities and other impairments requiring accom…

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/02/24/federal-lawsuit-by-florida-16-other-states-raises-fears-about-student-disability-protections/

Florida reading, math scores fall to lowest mark in more than 20 years on nation’s report card

The state’s 8th-grade reading score was below the national average for the first time since 2015, and its 8th-grade math score was the lowest in 20 years.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/01/29/florida-reading-math-scores-fall-to-lowest-mark-in-more-than-20-years-on-nations-report-card/

What happens if ICE comes to an Orange school? OCPS will follow law as Trump pushes deportations

OCPS will follow a new Trump administration directive and allow immigration officers to interview students on campus, but it does not ask about students’ immigration status and will not turn …

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/01/24/what-happens-if-ice-comes-to-an-orange-school-ocps-will-follow-law-as-trump-pushes-deportations/

Florida graduation rate hits record-high, rebounds from post-pandemic dip, state says

The graduation rate for the class of 2024 was the highest ever, not counting the two pandemic-impacted year when students did not have to pass state tests to earn a diploma.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/01/10/florida-graduation-rate-hits-record-high-rebounds-from-post-pandemic-dip-state-says/

Carver Middle School to become fifth Orange County community partner school

The “community school” model works to address educational barriers such as poverty, food insecurity and access to healthcare by integrating services directly into the school ecosystem. …

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/12/19/carver-middle-school-to-become-fifth-orange-county-community-partner-school/

Orange County school district, police clash over school resource officer pay

The district and the police agencies plan to resume contract negotiations in January. But the ongoing conflict ramped up this week via a district memo that the Apopka Police Department said was exp…

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/12/18/orange-county-school-district-police-clash-over-school-resource-officer-pay/

Ocoee High School band director named finalist for Grammy award

Bernie Hendricks is one of 10 finalists for national award, which comes with a $10,000 prize. Hendricks and Michael Antmann, the band director at Freedom High School, were one of 25 semifinalists f…

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/12/13/ocoee-high-school-band-director-named-finalist-for-grammy-award/

UCF approves $270,000 bonus, up to $1.2 million in pay for President Cartwright

The board of trustees said Cartwright had “exceeded expectations” and deserved the performance-based bonus.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/12/06/ucf-approves-270000-bonus-up-to-1-2-million-in-pay-for-president-cartwright/

UCF approves $270,000 bonus, up to $1.2 million in pay for President Cartwright

The board of trustees said Cartwright had “exceeded expectations” and deserved the performance-based bonus.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/12/06/ucf-approves-270000-bonus-up-to-1-2-million-in-pay-for-president-cartwright/?utm_medium=browser_notifications&utm_source=pushly&utm_campaign=5887871

Orange schools mulling proposal in Hungerford case to end fight over Eatonville land

The settlement offer would involve a lease-purchase plan that for a small fee would give the 100-acre property to a community trust and resolve the legal dispute between the town, community activis…

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/11/26/orange-schools-mulling-proposal-in-hungerford-case-to-end-fight-over-eatonville-land/

Florida schools removed more than 700 books after objections, report says. But many more pulled from shelves out of fear.

The new state report shows books removed by school districts because parents or other residents objected to them during the 2023-24 school year. Public schools removed hundreds of other books for f…

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/11/15/florida-schools-removed-more-than-700-books-after-objections-report-says-but-many-more-pulled-from-shelves-out-of-fear/?utm_medium=browser_notifications&utm_source=pushly&utm_campaign=5764308

Orange elections chief Gilzean removes name from scholarship amid controversy, county inquiry

The scholarships are to benefit Evans and Jones high school students, but some county officials say they are not an appropriate use of money meant to help run local elections.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/11/13/orange-elections-chief-gilzean-removes-name-from-scholarship-amid-controversy-county-inquiry/

'Logistical nightmare:' Sarasota Classic Car Museum faces hasty eviction by New College

Seated across from The Ringling art museum on Tamiami Trail, the museum must vacate by the end of June, which could cost more than seven figures.

https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/education/2023/06/12/new-college-evicts-sarasota-classic-car-museum-must-vacate-by-end-of-june/70298544007/