Melissa Byrd represents District 7 on the Orange County School Board. She has previously taught at Forest City Elementary and Pace Brantley Hall School, served as PTSA vice president and chair of the School Advisory Council at Piedmont Lakes Middle, and volunteered at Clay Springs Elementary.
Author
Author
OP-ED: OCPS making hard health coverage callsThe Apopka Chief
Health insurance costs are out of our control nationwide, and the price of insurance is skyrocketing for everyone. For instance, just last year, insurance companies requested a…
OP-ED: Schools facing financial crisisThe Apopka Chief
Right now, our public schools are in a financial crisis that is starting to significantly affect our staff and our students. The common thought is that our budget is bloated…
OP-ED: Schools enjoy robust official supportThe Apopka Chief
Throughout my time on the school board, Mayor Nelson has always been a steadfast supporter of our schools. I often write about this great community we…
OP-ED: Events showcase best of OCPSThe Apopka Chief
Last weekend was another beautiful example of how lucky we are to live in this community. Both of our high schools hosted events for the community to…
OP-ED: OCPS juggling many building projectsThe Apopka Chief
As I have shared before, keeping up with maintenance on more than 220 buildings is a big job. I think OCPS does a pretty good job of doing it. Thanks…
OP-ED: Legislature stays the course on educationThe Apopka Chief
Thomas Jefferson is often attributed with saying, "That government is best which governs least.” That certainly holds true in Florida in recent years, where many of us…
OP-ED: Students shine at 2 community eventsThe Apopka Chief
Last week was a fun week! It’s weeks like this that are why I ran for School Board with a goal of bringing the community together to support the education…
OP-ED: Wheatley Elementary put on great showThe Apopka Chief
Last week I was invited to attend Wheatley Elementary’s “Black History Experience 2026.” What a wonderful experience it was! I left the school feeling uplifted and…
OP-ED: Fair highlights student-raised animalsThe Apopka Chief
If you have never visited the Central Florida Fair and taken a peek at the animal exhibits, you are missing out. Students from all over OCPS raise animals…
OP-ED: Community thrives when schools doThe Apopka Chief
From our administrators and teachers to our bus drivers and custodians, every one of these professionals goes to work each day not for the big paychecks…