Good afternoon!

I am writing to you all now that my youngest of two children has graduated (I had one graduate in 2023 and 2024). I know that public schools take a lot of criticism. Running Volusia County Moms since 2009, I have heard more than my fair share of it. But I wanted to briefly share my experience with the Volusia County Schools board, teachers, staff, and others.

When my family moved to Volusia County (from Las Vegas), my son was only an infant, and my daughter was two. We first moved into an apartment in the county, with plans to find a house in the coming months. I prioritized putting the kids into good schools and researched them around the county. This led us to purchase our home in Port Orange. When we got the keys to our house, my son was only 9 months old, but I knew he would be going to good schools when it was time.

My kids were zoned for Cypress Creek Elementary, Creekside Middle School, and Spruce Creek High School (ranked as one of the best high schools in the country). I had kids at the elementary school for six years, and it was a great experience. They had some excellent teachers! I volunteered in the classrooms for the first few years and saw it firsthand. Then they went to middle school, which is a time when a lot of parents get nervous. The middle school had a great principal, and the four years I had kids in that school were great. No issues at all! Then it was time for high school, where things get challenging for some, and parents got even more nervous. Yet we had an excellent experience for the five years we had kids in that high school. The school has a great principal, assistant principal, and teachers. My kids got involved in things like chorus and soccer and had a great experience throughout high school.

I was against the school uniform policy when it was in place, but that's about the only real complaint I have had throughout their educational experience.

Until last week, I had kids in the Volusia County Schools for the previous 14 years, and it has been a great experience. People are often quick to share their complaints, but not their compliments.  I know the school district hears from people who don't have a great experience, but it's essential that you know there are also families with similar experiences to mine. 

I'm grateful for the school experience my kids have had growing up and wanted to thank those who were a part of it! 

Thank you!
Jacqueline Bodnar