Florida officials investigate criminal activity reporting in Orange County Public Schools

Information on OCPS referrals will be sent to state by March 17, superintendent says

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – State officials are investigating Orange County Public Schools following concerns that the district was underreporting of criminal activity to the state, according to a letter from the Florida Department of Education.

In the wake of the mass shooting in Parkland, the Florida Supreme Court empaneled a grand jury to investigate safety procedures at district across the state.

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The report recommended that four Broward County School Board members be removed — and accused OCPS of systemic underreporting to the state regarding incidents of criminal activity.

It noted potential safety violations at campuses in Apopka, and in a new letter to OCPS Superintendent Maria Vazquez, the Florida Board of Education said it wants the district to submit all disciplinary referrals from August 2022 to Feb. 1, 2023.

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Vazquez said that information will be sent to the state before March 17.

The district has also formed a discipline task force to come up with more measures to address unruly students.

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Anthony, a graduate of the University of Florida, joined ClickOrlando.com in April 2022.

Phil Landeros joined WKMG-TV as an executive producer in March 2021.

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