TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Orange County Public Schools’ operations division is one of two recipients of the Governor’s Sterling Award, which is the highest award an organization can receive for performance excellence in Florida.

“The Governor’s Sterling Award winners reflect our focus of making Florida the best state in the nation to live, work and raise a family,” Gov. Rick Scott said. “I congratulate this year’s top-performing Sterling Award recipients.”

The Orange County Public Schools operations division provides essential goods and services to more than 187,000 students and 22,000 employees in 184 schools and 16 facilities located in Orange County, Fla.

The operations division manages the core functions of transportation, food and nutrition services, safety and security, building code compliance and environmental compliance.

Officials said the operations division demonstrates a focus on cost containment through improved efficiency and sustained performance. For example, the division’s budget decreased from $85 million during 2008-09 to $81 million for 2011-12. During this period, the division consistently posted an under-budget aggregate return of $38 million, which afforded more dollars for the classroom.

Transportation services improved its performance in several ways from 2010 to 2013, including sustained on-time arrival of buses of better than 98% each year. In addition, the transportation cost per student has been reduced from $914 in 2010 to $869 in 2013.

In addition, food and nutrition services has increased student meal participation by $2.4 million from 2007 to 2012, and it has consistently met the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s nutritional requirements; the program is now 100% self-funded with revenue generated from food sales, grants and funding reimbursements.

The Governor's Sterling Award has been given to organizations and businesses in Florida for 22 years. It is awarded by the Florida Sterling Council. The Orange County Public Schools operations division is a first-time recipient of the Governor’s Sterling Award.

The Walton County Tax Collector’s Office was the second recipient of the Governor’s Sterling Award this year. The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County will be honored with the Governor’s Sustained Excellence Award.