Orange County Public Schools

Diego "Woody" Rodriguez
General Counsel

Sr. Specialist:
Cindy Valentin
(407) 317-3200
x2002972

• School Board Relations
• Inter-Governmental Relations
• Litigation Management

Keshara Cowans
Staff Attorney
EEO/Equity Officer
Title IX Coordinator

• Equal Employment Opportunity Officer (EEO) and Equity Officer
• Title IX Coordinator
• Discrimination Claims
• Oversees Legal Services Internship Program
• OCPS District Police Matters

Vivian Cocotas
Staff Attorney
Ethics Compliance Officer

Paralegal:
Joanne Montalvo
(407) 317-3200
x2002031

• Lobbying & Ethics (Ethics Compliance Officer)
• Contracts (review, negotiate, disputes for Procurement, HR, ESE)
• Annual financial disclosure
• Fundraising, marketing, and revenue generating concerns
• Philanthropic matters and OCPS Foundation support
• Whistleblower claims
• Procurement
• Public records requests & FERPA matters

Eileen D. Fernandez
Associate General Counsel

Paralegal:
Joanne Montalvo
(407) 317-3200
x2002031

• Legislative and Congressional Affairs
• School Board Policies
• Compliance with DOE Regulations
• Public Records and FERPA
  

• Real Estate Development 
• Facility Use Management 
• Construction, Land Use and Zoning Matters

Paralegal:
Carolyn Schieferstine
(407) 317-3200
x2002964

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Office for Civil Rights (student) matters
• Department of Education ESE State Complaint Matters
• Student Discipline Matters (for IDEA and Section 504 Eligible Students)
• ESE Charter School matters
• ESE Legal Support in areas including but not limited to: McKay Scholarship, Testing, Behavior Support, Restraint/Seclusion, Accommodations, and Transition

John Palmerini
Associate General Counsel

Sr. Specialist:
Cindy Valentin
(407) 317-3200
x2002972

• FHSAA and athletics issues (student eligibility issues; releases for participation in athletics)
• Magnet Programs
• School Choice (mostly charter schools approval, denial, and appeals)
• Employee and human relations Issues
• Employee benefits and retirement services
• Labor relations
• Workers Compensation
• Procurement (prosecute bid protests)

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance Officer
• ADA Accessible Design Guidelines (ADAAG)
• EEO Investigator (Disability/FMLA Claims)
• Reasonable Accommodation Requests
• ASL Interpreter Requests
• Facility Modifications
• Assistive Technology Specialist
• Website Accessibility