CENTEGIX® | Impact Story

Leading with Vision: How Volusia County Schools Became an ‘A’ District After 16 Years

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The Challenge

Volusia County Schools needed a focused strategy to improve districtwide outcomes. The district hadn’t earned an “A” state rating in 16 years, highlighting the need for stronger leadership to drive improvement.

District leaders were also navigating the growing demands of modern education, where schools must support academic achievement, student well-being, behavioral challenges, and career readiness simultaneously.

To achieve these goals, the district needed modern safety infrastructure, stronger coordination with law enforcement, and tools that enable rapid response to behavioral incidents or emergencies.

The Solution

When Dr. Balgobin became superintendent in 2022, the district implemented a whole-child strategy that prioritizes both student achievement and school safety and climate.

Volusia County Schools’ layered safety approach includes supporting every campus with School Resource Officers or trained guardians, surveillance systems, visitor management protocols, controlled access points, and regular emergency preparedness drills.

The district strengthened response capabilities by deploying the CENTEGIX Safety Platform® with CrisisAlert™ wearable badges, enabling staff to discreetly get assistance during emergencies or escalating behavioral incidents.

At the same time, the district expanded their career and technical education programs from 164 to 279, allowing students to earn professional certifications and real-world credentials while still in school.

Volusia County Schools

72K

Students

8.1K

Faculty and Staff

Schools

2023

Became a CENTEGIX customer

The Results

In 2025, Volusia County Schools earned an “A” district rating for the first time in 16 years, placing it among the top 10 districts in Florida. Student success continues to rise, including a 95.6% graduation rate (Top 9 statewide) and a 73.8% college and career acceleration rate.

Students earned more than 4,600 industry certifications in one year, while more than 200 graduates completed high school with associate’s degrees.

Safety initiatives have also strengthened school climate, with significant reductions in weapons incidents and disciplinary referrals, reflecting the impact of improved communication and response through tools like the CENTEGIX Safety Platform.

Always remember that we have two priorities here. One is to ensure that the safety and security of all students and staff remains our number one priority. We have several actions that have been implemented in our system that show our commitment to safety and security. And second is about providing quality educational experiences to every single one of our learners.

Dr. Carmen J. Balgobin

Superintendent, Volusia County Schools, FL

Impact Story

Leading with Vision: How Volusia County Schools Became an ‘A’ District After 16 Years

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