Diane Kornegay, M.Ed.
Email Diane Kornegay, M.Ed.
352-253-6515
A Message From Our Superintendent - 2024-2025
Welcome to the 2024-25 school year! We have a lot to be proud of and some exciting things coming our way.
For starters, the state released data this summer that showed our district has made improvements in every component of the state’s grading system. We are proud of our historically high learning gains in both reading and math this past year. Additionally, our graduation rate increased to 92 percent for district operated high schools, and more than 4,800 industry certifications were taken and passed in our 78 career and technical education programs available in every middle and high school.
We expect even more students to earn industry certifications going forward, as this year we are adding an advanced manufacturing program at South Lake High School, an electrical program at Tavares High School, and in partnership with Lake-Sumter State College and their new elementary education bachelor’s degree program, we will open our next teaching academy at Eustis High School. The Tavares High School Teaching Academy was our first, and this year our first graduate of that program, who has since earned her degree, has returned to start her teaching career with us!
Our students can look forward to new opportunities in aerospace education as well, now that Lake County Schools is one of 23 districts in the state to be designated a “Florida Space Academy School District.” We have formed a partnership with Space Florida, the state’s aerospace finance and development authority, to begin implementing the Space Florida Academy Program, connecting our students with the high-demand credentials and skills necessary to work in the aerospace industry.
For our younger students, we have expanded access to VPK so that there is now a free pre-kindergarten program on every one of our elementary school campuses. We are also launching a new online learning platform for reading that will help elementary teachers provide interventions specific to grade-level academic standards as well as accelerate learning for students who have already mastered a particular skill or standard. Additionally, a task force is piloting a program to prepare students for higher-level math, including Algebra 1, by helping them develop mathematical thinking and reasoning as early as second grade.
Safety remains a top priority for us, so we’ve added another layer of security to our existing panic-button alert system. That system is now integrated with security cameras on school campuses. This integration will immediately give first responders the exact indoor or outdoor emergency location and real-time camera feeds, saving crucial minutes in a crisis situation.
Parents who are looking to stay informed will be pleased to find new websites for all schools and for the district office. The websites are visually appealing with news right on the front page and an “Explore” button that should help parents easily find the information they need.
I invite all parents to get involved and stay engaged. Strong partnerships between schools, families and supportive businesses and organizations produce the best outcomes for students. Teachers, administrators and staff look forward to working with you and doing great things for kids, together.