Celebrating the Remarkable Career and Retirement of Deborah Dumas, Pioneering Principal of Citrus eSchool

On Monday, June 24, 2024, we celebrated the remarkable 24-year career and retirement of Deborah Dumas, the pioneering Principal of Citrus eSchool. Ms. Dumas has been an integral part of virtual teaching in Citrus County for well over a decade, but her exceptional talents and knowledge truly shone during the pandemic. Under her leadership, Citrus eSchool expanded its virtual teaching model, offering flexible learning options to our students and families during an unprecedented time.

Ms. Dumas played a crucial role in transforming Citrus eSchool during the pandemic into the largest single elementary, middle, and high school in the district, serving as many as 4,990 students at its peak. Her ability to develop a scalable model of operations allowed the school to efficiently adapt to fluctuating enrollment demands, ensuring that every student received a quality education regardless of the circumstances.

As the first principal of Citrus eSchool, Ms. Dumas was instrumental in establishing protocols and curricula to meet the rapidly changing demands of both the pandemic and the post-pandemic educational landscape. One of her notable achievements was the implementation of virtual Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students and their families. This innovation ensured that students with special needs continued to receive the support and accommodations they required.

Moreover, Ms. Dumas worked tirelessly to provide in-person-like experiences virtually for students whose health conditions prevented them from attending traditional classes. Her dedication to creating an inclusive and supportive virtual learning environment significantly impacted the lives of countless students and their families.

Following the height of the pandemic, Ms. Dumas continued to scale and refine eSchool opportunities to meet the evolving needs of our students and families. Her efforts led to an expansion of virtual courses offered by Citrus County teachers to Citrus County students, providing greater flexibility and access to a diverse range of subjects.

Citrus County Schools owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Ms. Dumas for her unwavering commitment to our students’ education and well-being. Her vision, leadership, and innovation have left an indelible mark on our district, setting a high standard for virtual education.

As we bid farewell to Ms. Dumas, we celebrate her countless contributions and wish her the very best in her well-deserved retirement. Her legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire and guide Citrus eSchool and its students for years to come. Thank you, Ms. Dumas, for your extraordinary service and dedication.

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