Good afternoon,

As you may know, at the April 22 Board of County Commissioners' (BCC) meeting, board members voted 4-3 to reject the tentative settlement agreement agreed upon by representatives of Orange County Government and Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) that would have allowed OCPS to present an updated special exception application to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) and the BCC at separate, advertised public hearings with the additional conditions and restrictions proposed in the settlement agreement.

I made the motion to approve the settlement agreement in hopes of continuing a dialogue with OCPS and the community, which would have avoided a taxpayer-funded litigation process. My preferred approach to resolving challenging issues in office has always centered on working collaboratively with all parties involved, especially when the outcome will so profoundly impact the community. I strive to facilitate a consensus that satisfies the majority of interests. In this particular situation, the prevailing goal is ensuring student safety and educational opportunities by facilitating the timely opening of a relief school that meets the needs of the students, residents and surrounding community.

I stand behind my decision to move forward toward a compromise and my belief that finding a solution outside of a taxpayer-funded court proceeding is of the greatest benefit to taxpayers.

That being said, the intergovernmental dispute resolution process has now come to an end, and the litigation that has been abated to this point will resume. The next step in this process is for the case to move to circuit court where a three-judge panel will determine the outcome of the lawsuit OCPS has filed against Orange County regarding the November special exception vote that denied construction of the school at the Beck site.

I am hoping for an expedited decision by the court so the relief high school can open as planned in 2017.

My office will continue to keep you updated with any new developments on the dedicated West Orange Relief High School web page, via email and on my Facebook page.