be funded over three years, with completion aimed for the 2026-2027 school year, though timelines may vary due to material availability and costs. The district’s proactive approach to infrastructure includes addressing traffic challenges, with the Florida Department of Transportation considering road expansions to support the growth. PROMOTING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION Beyond infrastructure,Gilchrist County School District is deeply committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. The district has an ESOL coordinator to support English language learners and works closely with the mental health director on resiliency initiatives, part of a broader state initiative on inclusivity.The commitment extends to students with disabilities,migrant students, and homeless students under the McKinney-Vento Act. The district partners with the Central Florida Education Foundation to support student ambassadors who create inclusive environments and provide resources like outdoor gathering spaces and counseling support. Students with special needs are mainstreamed into regular classrooms, supported by paraprofessionals as needed. The district uses a data-driven approach to identify and address academic and emotional needs, offering services like tutoring, vision screenings, and access to clothes, sports equipment, and transportation assistance. The comprehensive support includes providing hotspots and gas cards for school attendance, lice kits, vehicles for truancy officers, and transportation for homeless students. The holistic system ensures every student has the opportunity to succeed and fully participate in school life. ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND STUDENT GROWTH Gilchrist County School District is committed to overcoming challenges and achieving high academic performance and student growth standards. One of the district’s standout accomplishments is its performance in Florida’s rigorous accountability system, which grades schools and districts based on student achievement. Dr. Surrency highlights, “For 19 of the past 20 years, we’ve been an ‘A’ district. That is an unbelievable achievement. It doesn’t come mildly; we’ve been very fortunate with high-performing teachers, support staff, and great involvement from parents and students.” Gartin proudly adds, “We are a high-performing district ranked within the top 10% of the state. Our teacher of the year in 2023 was one of the top five finalists for state teacher of the year, and our students consistently achieve top rankings in various state assessments.” The district has excelled in various state assessments, 421 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 07 GI LCHRIST COUNTY SCHOOLS
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