ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A decision to eliminate a group of school-based support staff who help students in crisis is drawing concern from parents, students and educators in one of Florida’s largest school districts.
Facing declining enrollment and financial strain, Orange County Public Schools plans to cut “SAFE coordinator” positions — an $8.2 million program that serves middle and high school students dealing with mental health challenges, substance abuse and violence prevention.
District leaders say the move is part of broader cost-cutting efforts, this comes after seven schools were closed last month due to falling enrollment.
“We are in a crisis,” the superintendent said during a recent school board meeting, referring to the district’s financial outlook.
According to the district, the responsibilities of SAFE coordinators will be absorbed by school counselors and social workers.
According to an OCPS statement, “Due to declining enrollment and reduced revenue, the district is making targeted adjustments to ensure long-term sustainability while prioritizing student support. This includes eliminating the SAFE coordinator position, an $8.2 million investment, due to overlap of duties with school-based social workers.”
The statement goes on to say, “Moving forward, students will receive direct counseling services from certified school counselors and social workers — improving access to care and strengthening student-to-certified staff ratios. These decisions, while difficult, ensure resources are aligned to provide the most direct and effective support for our students.”
Still, the decision has sparked strong opposition from those who say the cuts could harm vulnerable students.
Mercedes Foster, a student who relied on a SAFE coordinator, said the support was critical during some of her most difficult moments.
“She has been there for me during my lowest moments, and I’m not sure what I would do without her, honestly,” Foster said.
Foster also questioned the district’s priorities, arguing that financial concerns should not outweigh student well-being.
“Money shouldn’t matter in this situation — what matters is the children and their mental health,” she said. “They say money is a crisis, but what about the kid dying to suicide?”
Parents and educators echoed those concerns at a school board meeting Tuesday night, urging leaders to reconsider the cuts.
“When we have a huge mental health issue on our campus, we should not be cutting resources,” one school counselor said, adding that existing staff are already stretched thin and “can’t handle it” with additional responsibilities.
Dr. Maria Vazquez, Foster’s mother, called mental health services essential.
“Mental health services are an emergency, not an option,” she said.
Foster’s SAFE coordinator is Lainey Dorris, she spoke to the board against reducing direct student services.
“I think it’s important to focus on continuing direct services for students and thinking about cuts elsewhere,” Dorris said.
District leaders maintain the decision, while difficult, reflects financial realities. The superintendent said officials have searched for savings across the system but have limited options.
“There is one pot of money and that pot of money has to go beyond what it has in the past.” The superintendent said, noting the district is still awaiting final state funding numbers for the upcoming school year.
In the meantime, counselors and social workers are expected to fill the gap left by the eliminated positions — a transition many families worry could leave some students without the support they depend on.