--------- WOMEN COME TO THE REORGANIZATION MEETING WE WILL START WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCING TO LED BY TONY SIP CLAIRE I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND
JUSTICE FOR ALL. AS SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS IT IS MY HONOR TO PRESIDE OVER THE SPECIAL MEETING FOR BOARD REORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD AND THIS IS STIPULATED IN FLORIDA STATUTE.
WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLL? >> DISTRICT 1, MATTHEW JAY LANE. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 2, VIRGINIA SAVIETTO. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 3, KAREN BRILL. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 4, ERICA WHITFIELD. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 5, GLORIA BRANCH. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 6, MARCIA ANDREWS. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 7, EDWIN FERGUSON. >> HERE. >> Mike Burke: WE HAD NO SCHOOL
BOARD ELECTIONS THIS YEAR WHICH MEANS THERE IS NO OATH CEREMONIES OR ANYTHING WE NEED TO DO TO WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS WE ARE OUR EXISTING BOARD HERE WITH US. AND THAT ALLOWS US TO MOVE TO THE ORGANIZATIONAL PORTION OF THE MEETING WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE SELECTION OF THE SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR.
ONCE THE VOTING IS COMPLETE I WILL HAPPILY TURN THE MEETING OVER TO THE BOARD CHAIR WHO WILL PRESIDE OVER THE REMAINDER OF THE MEETING. THE FLOOR IS OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR.
>> Virginia Savietto: I NOMINATE KAREN BRILL FOR THE CHAIR. >> Mike Burke: NOMINATION FOR KAREN BRILL. ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS?
AS THERE IS ONE PERSON NOMINATED IN THIS RACE INSTEAD OF DOING A ROLL CALL VOTE WE WILL CALL THE QUESTION AND ALL IN FAVOR OF THE NOMINEE, MS. KAREN KAREN AS YOUR BOARD CHAIR CAN VOTE AYE BY A SHOW OF HANDS. ANY IN OPPOSITION?
IT'S 7-0, IT'S UNANIMOUS. MS. SINCLAIR. ALL RIGHT THAT TAKES CARE OF THE BOARD CHAIR. WE WILL 10 MOVE ON TO VICE-CHAIR. THE FLOOR IS NOW OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF VICE-CHAIR.
MS. BRANCH. >> Gloria Branch: I NOMINATE MARCIA ANDREWS. >> Marcia Andrews: THANK YOU I'M IN MY SWAN SONG RIGHT NOW I WILL GIVE IT UP TO THE NEXT PERSON. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MS. BRANCH WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH. >> Mike Burke: THE FLOOR REMAINS
OPEN FOR VICE-CHAIR. MS. >> Karen Brill: BRILL I NOMINATE MATTHEW LANE. >> Mike Burke: ALL RIGHT. ANY ADDITIONAL NOMINATIONS? >> Edwin Ferguson: I NOMINATE MYSELF FOR VICE-CHAIR. >> Mike Burke: THREW Mr.
FERGUSON. ADDITIONAL NOMINATIONS FOR VICE-CHAIR? OKAY I WILL CLOSE THE FLOOR FOR NOMINATIONS. WITH TWO POTENTIAL CANDIDATES HERE, THAT WE WILL THEN IN FACT DO A ROLL CALL VOTE. EACH BOARD MEMBER WILL CAST ONE
VOTE FOR THEIR CHOICE OF SCHOOL BOARD VICE-CHAIR. OUR CLERK MS. SINCLAIR WILL CONDUCT THE ROLL CALL VOTE. >> DISTRICT ONE MATTHEW LANE? >> I VOTE FOR MATTHEW LANE. >> >> Mr. LANE.
>> KAREN BRILL? >> Mr. LANE. >> ERICA WHITFIELD? >> MATTHEW LANE. >> GLORIA BRANCH. >> MATTHEW LANE. >> MRS. ANDREWS DISTRICT SIX. >> MATTHEW LANE. Mr. FERGUSON?
>> CONGRATULATIONS MATTHEW LANE BUT I WILL BE VOTING FOR MYSELF. [LAUGHTER] >> Mike Burke: VERY GOOD CONGRATULATIONS Mr. LANE SO WE HAVE OUR BOARD CHAIR, MS. KAREN BRILL AND VICE-CHAIR MATTHEW LANE. CONGRATULATIONS BOTH OF YOU.
[APPLAUSE] AND AT THIS POINT, I GET TO TURN THE GAVEL BACK OVER TO OUR CHAIR MS. KAREN BRILL FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS MEETING. >> Karen Brill: BOARD MEMBERS THAT IS GOING TO BRING US OVER TO THE DATES AND TIMES FOR THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.
SO I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE PROPOSED LIST OF DATES FOR THE 2026 REGULAR BOARD MEETINGS. I NEED A MOTION BY SOMEBODY. MOTION BY MS. VIRGINIA SAVIETTO ANY DISCUSSION ON THE DATES?
DOES ANYBODY HAVE A CONFLICT? SEEING NONE ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THAT'S NOW GOING TO BRING US TO THE ORGANIZATION DOCUMENTS. I RECOMMEND THE BOARD AUTHORIZE THE BOARD CHAIR AND THE SUPERINTENDENT TO COMPLETE AND
EXECUTE THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY FLORIDA STATUTE 1001.371 RELATING TO THIS REORGANIZATION MEETING INCLUDING A COPY OF UNADOPTED MINUTES OF THIS MEETING AND TO FORWARD IT FILE THEM WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
SO MOTION BY MS. BRANCH SECOND BY NOW I SEE WHY I DON'T SIT IN THE MIDDLE. SECOND BY MS. BRANCH. I KNOW YOU WERE FIRST. SECOND BY MS. ANDREWS. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR?
OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. SO THAT'S NOW GOING TO BRING US TO THE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS. WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS WE WILL GO THROUGH EACH COMMITTEE AS YOU KNOW OUR POLICY IS THAT A PERSON CAN ONLY SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE FOR TWO YEARS.
AND HOPEFULLY IF SOMEONE WANTS TO STAY ON THAT COMMITTEE FOR THE SECOND YEAR WE WILL LET THEM DO THAT. AND I THINK WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH THIS EASILY. SO WERL'S START OFF WITH THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CAREGIVING YOUTH CURRENTLY MS. BRANCH YOU ARE THE MEMBER ON
THAT COMMITTEE AND I AM THE ALTERNATE. DID YOU WANT TO CONTINUE? DOES ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO CONTINUE? DOES ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO BE THE ALTERNATE? WELL, IF WE KEEP GOING LIKE THIS IT WILL BE AN EARLY NIGHT IF WE
CAN DO THE 5:00 AS WELL. MS. BRANCH AND MYSELF AS THE ALTERNATE. THE NEXT IS CHILDREN'S SERVICES I AM THE BOARD MEMBER I WOULD LIKE TO DO MY SECOND YEAR IF EVERY ONE IS OKAY WITH IT. WE ARE PUTTING THROUGH PRIORITIES THAT ARE REALLY GOOD AND HAVING EXTRA MEETINGS.
AT LEAST I AM. MS. WHITFIELD? >> Erica Whitfield: I REALLY WANTED TO DO THIS ONE I'VE WANTED TO DO IT FOR GOING ON 12 YEARS NOW. I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE DONE ONE, BUT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR IT I'VE ASKED
MANY TIMES I WANT TO PUT IT OUT THERE AGAIN. >> Karen Brill: BEFORE I CALL ON ANYBODY ELSE SINCE THIS IS MS. WHITFIELD'S LAST YEAR, I LOVE BEING ON THAT COMMITTEE, BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT I WILL DEFER TO HER SINCE SHE IS GOING TO BE MOVING OFF THE SCHOOL BOARD AND
GIVE HER THAT OPPORTUNITY AND I HOPE THAT MY COLLEAGUES WILL ALLOW ME LATER ON TO RETURN TO THE CHILDREN'S SERVICES COUNCIL BUT I FEEL IT'S APPROPRIATE AT THIS TIME TO ALLOW YOU TO HAVE WHAT YOU WANT. >> Erica Whitfield: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> Karen Brill: DOES ANYBODY
ELSE WANT TO BE ON THERE? IT'S ALL YOURS. DO US PROUD AND WE'LL HAVE TO COORDINATE WITH CHILDREN SERVICES COUNCIL BECAUSE I'M SUPPOSED TO HAVE A MEETING ON FRIDAY AND IT'S VIRTUAL. I WILL SEE IF LISA WANTS TO DO IT WITH YOU SO THAT SINCE YOU WILL BE THE NEW REPRESENTATIVE
ON THERE. HOFFING ON TO COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS. MS. ANDREWS YOU ARE THERE WITH MS. SAVIETTO AS THE ALTERNATIVE. >> Marcia Andrews: I SERVED AND LOVE IT AND BEEN ON MORE THAN TWO YEARS I CAN GIVE IT UP IF
SOMEONE IS GOING TO DO A GREAT JOB. >> Karen Brill: I WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT SINCE I GAVE UP CHILDREN'S SERVICES WOULD YOU BE OKAY WITH THAT? IF THAT IS ALL RIGHT I WILL TRADE OFF AND DO THAT AND NEXT YEAR MS. SAVIETTO YOU WANT IT I WILL GO OFF IT. THAT IS GOING TO BECOME ME.
AND SO THAT BRINGS US TO THE COMMUNITY ALLIANCE. I HAVE BEEN DOING THAT FOR A VERY LONG TIME. I'M HAPPY TO CONTINUE IF ANYBODY WANTS TO BE ON THERE YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO TAKEOVER. NOBODY SEEMS TO JUMP UP FOR THAT ONE. I GUESS IT'S GOING TO BE ME.
COUNCIL OF GREAT CITY SCHOOLS MS. ANDREWS. >> Marcia Andrews: I STAY THERE. I AM THE PAST CHAIR SO I'M YOUR ELECTED PERSON. >> Karen Brill: I KNOW YOU DO AN AWESOME JOB REPRESENTING US THERE I DON'T THINK ANYBODY COULD DO HALF THE JOB YOU DO.
SO IS EVERYBODY OKAY WITH THAT? Mr. FERGUSON WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE AS HER ALTERNATE. >> Edwin Ferguson: YES THAT IS IT FINAL. >> Karen Brill: CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE MS. ANDREWS.
>> Marcia Andrews: THIS IS A SPECIAL COMMITTEE I'VE BEEN ON THE EXECUTIVE BOARD FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT IS IS AN EX-OFFICIO FOR THE GROUP IT HAS TO BE SOMEONE SPECIAL IF YOU REALLY WANT IT YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE MEETINGS YOU HAVE THE
JUDGES, EVERYONE THAT REALLY IS IN CHARGE OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR PEOPLE HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY, IS A REAL BIG POSITION. SO YOU GOT TO BE COMMITTED. >> Karen Brill: WILL YOU STAY THERE FOR US? >> >> Marcia Andrews: IF WE DON'T
HAVE SOMEONE I WILL STAY THERE. >> Erica Whitfield: IF YOU DON'T WANT IT ANYMORE. I LOVE TO DO SO MUCH IT WAS A GREAT ONE YOU ARE NOT KIDDING IT'S AWESOME. >> Marcia Andrews: THE COUNTY COMMISSION. CAN YOU GET IT DONE MS.
WHITFIELD? >> Erica Whitfield: I CAN. >> Marcia Andrews: AND WILL GIVE IT UP AND BACK YOU UP. >> Erica Whitfield: OKAY. >> Karen Brill: IS MS. WHITFIELD IS GOING TO STEP INTO THAT AND YOU ARE GOING TO BE THE ALTERNATE? WE'RE JUST GOING TO REVERSE
THOSE. YOU'RE GETTING EVERYTHING YOU WANT TONIGHT MS. WHITFIELD. THAT IS GREAT. SO CULTURAL COUNCIL BOARD WE HAVE MS. SAVIETTO ARE YOU WILLING TO CONTINUE WITH THAT? >> Virginia Savietto: IS EVERYBODY OKAY WITH THAT? >> Karen Brill: IT'S YOURS.
THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION. MS. WHITFIELD ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH ALL OF THIS. I LOVE IT AND I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SOMEONE TAKEOVER IT. I FEEL SO MUCH RESPONSIBILITY IT IS AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ENGAGED IN THE LIVES OF OUR CHILDREN AND NOW I HAVE C
SEPTEMBER E I WILL DO IT THERE. THIS IS A GREAT, GREAT COMMITTEE. >> Karen Brill: Mr. FERGUSON WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE IT OVER? >> Edwin Ferguson: I SERVED PRIOR TO MS. WHITFIELD WHO SERVED ON IT. IF THERE IS ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER
I WILL CONTINUE AS THE ALTERNATE. I ENCOURAGE ONE OF THE THREE NEWER BOARD MEMBERS TO CONSIDER. IT IS A GREAT ORGANIZATION. >> Karen Brill: THEY MEET NEAR WHERE I LIVE. IF NOBODY WANTS TO DO IT I WILL STEP INTO IT THEY MEET ON HIGH
RIDGE ROAD MOST OF THE MEETINGS ARE VIRTUAL. IF YOU WANT TO DO IT ALSO THAT IS FINE, TOO. OKAY. SO I WILL STEP INTO THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION. SO THAT'S BRILL. AND NOW THAT BRINGS US TO THE
EVER POPULAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION. >> Matthew Lane: NOBODY WILL BE SURPRISED MS. WHITFIELD SERVED TWO YEARS AND I WOULD LOVE IT. >> Erica Whitfield: I RECOMMEND YOU DO THIS. IT IS AMAZING. I THINK IT'S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY AND A PRIVILEGE TO BE ON THE COMMITTEE AND I LOVED
IT AND I TOLD THEM ALL IT WAS MY LAST MEETING AND I WAS SO SORRY TO LEAVE. >> Karen Brill: WILL LANE WILL BE OUR REPRESENTATIVE THE ALTERNATE CANNOT ATTEND IS THERE TO ATTEND WHEN Mr. LANE CAN'T. WHO WOULD LIKE TO STEP UP, MS.
SAVIETTO? MS. BRANCH YOU ALSO WANT TO? YOU WON'T GET TO ATTEND UNLESS Mr. LANE DOESN'T ATTEND. IT'S BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU. MS. SAVIETTO THAT IS GOING TO BE YOU. >> Erica Whitfield: CAN YOU CONFIRM FOR ME THAT Mr.
FERGUSON IS THE ALTERNATE FOR ELC? >> Karen Brill: ARE YOU WIND TO BE THE ALTERNATE? >> Edwin Ferguson: YES. >> Karen Brill: HE SAID YES. NOW WE ARE HE GOING TO FAMILIES FIRST. MS. SAVIETTO. OKAY.
AND MS. ANDREWS YOU ARE THE ALTERNATE WOULD YOU LIKE TO STAY THERE? WE WILL KEEP THAT THE SAME. THE FEDERAL RELATIONS NETWORK, FRNNSBA Mr. FERGUSON WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE? >> Edwin Ferguson: I WOULD NOT.
>> Karen Brill: WILL LANE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GRAB THE REINS ON THAT ONE? >> Matthew Lane: I WILL DO IT. WE NEED AN ALTERNATE. WHO WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT. >> Edwin Ferguson: THE ISSUE IS I DON'T THINK WE'VE EVER HAD ANY MEETINGS THAT IS WHY I DON'T SEE
THE VALUE. >> Karen Brill: I'M NOTICING WE HAVE A DATE OF A MEETING IN 2024 SOME OF THE DATES OF THE MEETINGS ARE NOT ACCURATE. SO I THINK WE COULD POSSIBLELY JUST SET WITH ONE BOARD MEMBER FOR NOW AND MS. SINCLAIR MAYBE WE CAN FIND OUT IF THEY ARE
GOING TO BE MEETING. >> THEY DON'T RELEASE THE PROBLEM IS THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE DATES RELEASED BEFORE AND IT COINCIDES WITH THE SNBA ANNUAL CONFERENCE. >> Karen Brill: CAN WE LEAVE IT
WITH NO ALTERNATE. >> Matthew Lane: YOU CAN GO? >> Edwin Ferguson: I'M FINE WITH THAT. >> Karen Brill: THAT'S GOING TO BRING US TO FSBA THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL FERGUSON YOU ARE
OUR REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTOR WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE? >> Edwin Ferguson: YES. >> Karen Brill: MS. BRANCH ALTERNATE? AND THE FSBA ADVOCACY COMMITTEE MS. SAVIETTO. AND I CAN STAY HER ALTERNATE UNLESS SOMEONE ELSE WANTS IT. SEEING NONE THAT BRINGS US TO
THE GLADES CAREER READINESS ROUNDTABLE AND I HAVE A FEELING MS. ANDREWS WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE WITH THAT? >> Marcia Andrews: YES, I AM THE FOUNDER. >> Karen Brill: Mr. FERGUSON WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE AS THE ALTERNATE?
>> Edwin Ferguson: THAT IS FINE. >> Karen Brill: AND THE GREATER CORRECT SORT YUM OF THE FLORIDA SCHOOL BOARDS I ASSUME YOU WANT TO STAY THERE. >> Edwin Ferguson: I WILL BE THE CHAIR SO I WILL BE THE CHAIR. COME JUNE, CORRECT?
FOLLOWING YEAR. YES, I WOULD LIKE TO REMAIN. >> Karen Brill: WE NEED AN ALTERNATE. MS. BRANCH YOU HAVE BEEN THE ALTERNATE WOULD YOU LIKE TO STAY THE ALTERNATE FOR THE GREATER FLORIDA CONSORTIUM? OKAY. THAT BRINGS US TO THE HISPANIC EDUCATION COALITION.
AND MS. ANDREWS YOU HAVE BEEN THE REPRESENTATIVE THERE. >> Marcia Andrews: AND WE HAD OUR MEETING RECENTLY AND I'M JUST LOOKING AT VIRGINIA SAVIETTO OVER THERE. THE WONDERFUL FOR ME TO BACK YOU UP SO THAT YOU CAN SEE ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT I'VE BEEN
DOING NOW THAT YOU CAN DO. I THINK YOU WOULD BE PERFECT. >> Karen Brill: WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKEOVER? >> Virginia Savietto: THE QUESTION IS NOT ABOUT BEING PERFECT I WILL DO IT FOR YOU. >> Virginia Savietto: I'M DOING
IT FOR YOU MS. MARCIA ANDREWS. >> Karen Brill: MS. SAVIETTO IS GOING TO BE THE REPRESENTATIVE AND WE WILL HAVE MS. ANDREWS AS THE ALTERNATE. OKAY. THAT BRINGS US NOW TO THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY BUT BOARD OF GOVERNORS.
Mr. LANE WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE? >> Matthew Lane: STARTING TO FEEL LIKE THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, BUT, YES, I WILL DO IT. >> Karen Brill: MS. WHITFIELD WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE AS THE ALTERNATE? OKAY. AND THE HOMELESS COALITION?
ADVISORY BOARD THE HOMELESS ADVISORY BOARD MS. WHITFIELD DO YOU WANT TO CONTINUE? >> Erica Whitfield: YES I'VE BEEN ON IT FOR 11 YEARS. IF ANYONE WANTS TO GET INVOLVED I'M HAPPY TO PASS IT ALONG. HOWEVER I AM LIKE VICE-CHAIR NOW. >> Karen Brill: I'M HAPPY TO
STAY AT YOUR ALTERNATE AND MAYBE WHEN YOU ARE MOVING ON TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS I WILL STEP UP. OKAY. THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION PROGRAM THIS HAS CHANGED QUITE A BIT. IT USED TO BE MEETING QUARTERLY. WE ARE NOW OVERSEEING THE COUNTY
TANSTATION PLAN SOME OF OUR MEETINGS ARE EXPECTED TO GO THREE, FOUR HOURS LATER ON. WE NEED ALL KINDS WE ARE NOT SURE WHAT OUR SCHEDULE IS GOING TO BE AND I'M THE CHAIR SO I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE BECAUSE I FLEX MY SCHEDULE AROUND THEM TO MAKE IT A PRIORITY.
AND THEN THEY ALLOW AS ALTERNATE FOR THE ISSUES FORUM I'M CHAIRING THAT TOO, SO I DON'T ANTICIPATE NOT BEING THERE. SO MS. WHITFIELD DO YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO BE MY BACK UP? >> Erica Whitfield: I WOULD LOVE TO. YOU'VE NEVER MISSED ONE.
>> Karen Brill: I NEVER MISSED ONE IT'S CRITICAL TRANSPORTATION IN THE COUNTY. THAT BRINGS US TO PINE JOG THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MS. WHITFIELD ARE YOU ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH THAT. >> Erica Whitfield: YES I'M ALSO VICE-CHAIR THERE. IT MEETS INFREQUENTLY. SO IT'S NOT A HUGE LIFT.
BUT I'M HAPPY TO CONTINUE DOING IT AND I ENJOY IT AND WE'RE TRYING TO DO PROJECTS GOING FORWARD THAT I'VE BEEN LEADING IT WOULD BE GREAT TO STAY. >> Karen Brill: AND MS. BRANCH WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE AS THE ALTERNATE. >> Gloria Branch: YES.
>> Karen Brill: THE SCHOOL HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL THEY WOUND UP HAVING TWO MEETINGS THIS PAST YEAR WITH US AND I HAD TO MISS ONE AND MY ALTERNATE COULDN'T MAKE IT EITHER I'M HAPPY TO GIVE THAT UP IF SOMEONE WANTS TO DO IT OTHERWISE I WILL CONTINUE. IS THERE ANYBODY THAT WOULD LIKE
TO GO ON SHACK? I GUESS I'LL CONTINUE AND THEN MS. WHITFIELD WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE MY ALTERNATE. >> Erica Whitfield: CONTRACT, UNLESS ANYBODY ELSE WANTS IT. >> Karen Brill: IT SEEMS WHEN I HAVE A CONFLICT YOU WILL HAVE A CONFLICT. IT'S HARD WHEN WE ARE BACK UPS
BECAUSE OFTEN WE HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN MS. ANDREWS. >> Marcia Andrews: MS. BRANCH I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY? >> Karen Brill: WE WILL HAVE MS. BRANCH IS GOING TO BE THE MAIN
PERSON THERE AND THEN MS. SAVIETTO YOU ARE THE BACKUP ON THAT. >> Virginia Savietto: DO YOU WANT TO BE THE ALTERNATE? >> Karen Brill: OKAY. SO ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT? OKAY. TREASURE COAST REGIONAL PLANNING
COUNCIL. DID YOU EVER GET APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR? IT IS A GUN TORL APPOINTMENT I DON'T KNOW HOW OFTEN THEY MEET IS THERE SOMEBODY THAT WOULD LIKE TO FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK AND DO THAT?
>> Erica Whitfield: THE MEETINGS ARE IN MARTIN COUNTY. IT MIGHT BE NOT CLOSE TO YOUR HOUSE. BUT THEY ARE, I THINK, QUARTERLY IT IS A GOOD COMMITTEE TO LEARN ABOUT REGIONAL PLANNING IT'S VERY INTERESTING I FOUND IT WONDERFUL WHEN I WAS ON IT. I HAVE NOT BEEN ON IT FOR MANY
YEARS. YOU WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH OUR LOBBYIST TO TRY TO GET APPOINTED TO IT. BUT THEY DO EXPECT TO HAVE A SCHOOL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE AND I THINK IT COULD BE A BENEFICIAL. IT'S MORNING A MORNING MEETING BUT IT'S LIKE A COUPLE HOURS AND
IT TAKES AN HOUR TO GET THERE. IT IS I THINK IT IS ON FRIDAYS IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY. >> Karen Brill: MS. BRANCH? MS. BRANCH IS GOING TO STEP UP AND THE VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD Mr. FERGUSON WILL YOU
CONTINUE? >> Edwin Ferguson: YES. >> Karen Brill: MS. WHITFIELD THE ALTERNATE? AND MS. BRANCH THE SECOND ALTERNATE. WELLNESS PROMOTION TASK FORCE MS. BRANCH WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE? >> Gloria Branch: SURE. DOES ANYONE ELSE WANT TO BE THE ALTERNATE?
OKAY. THAT WILL BRING US TO THE BOARD ADVISORY COMMITTEES THE ACADEMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL FERGUSON WOULD YOU LOOIC TO CONTINUE WITH THEM? >> Edwin Ferguson: YES. >> Karen Brill: WILL LANE THE ALTERNATE. AUDIT COMMITTEE MS. BRANCH. MRS. WHITFIELD IS THE ALTERNATE.
BUDGET COMMITTEE Mr. FERGUSON. >> Edwin Ferguson: YES. >> Karen Brill: WILL LANE IS THE ALTERNATE. CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT REVIEW COMMITTEE MS. WHITFIELD WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE? AND Mr. LANE IS THE ALTERNATE. >> Karen Brill: AND THE DISTRICT DIVERSITY AND EQUITY COMMITTEE
WILL FERGUSON. >> Edwin Ferguson: YES. >> Karen Brill: MS. SAVIETTO IS THE ALTERNATE. FINANCE COMMITTEE MS. ANDREWS: >> Marcia Andrews: I WANT TO CHANGE TO SOMETHING ELSE I'M WILLING TO GIVE THAT UP. >> Karen Brill: WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE?
MS. BRANCH LET YOU PICK THAT UP AND MS. WHITFIELD DO YOU WANT TO BE THE ALTERNATE. I CAN BUT SOMEBODY ELSE CAN DO IT. >> Karen Brill: I'M HAPPY TO STEP UP AS THE ALTERNATE. >> Erica Whitfield: I'VE NEVER BEEN TO A MEETING. >> Karen Brill: THE INDEPENDENT
REFERENDUM OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MS. WHITFIELD WOULD YOU LIKE TO STAY THERE? >> Erica Whitfield: I WOULD LIKE TO. I DIDN'T I WILL TELL YOU I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS THE PERSON FOR THIS YEAR I THOUGHT IT WAS YOU. LOOKING THE IT. >> Karen Brill: NOBODY TOLD ME
YOU WEREN'T GOING TO BE THERE. >> Erica Whitfield: I WOULD HAVE GONE I DIDN'T REALIZE. >> Karen Brill: WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO IT THIS YEAR. >> Erica Whitfield: I WOULD LIKE TO GO. >> Karen Brill: I'M HAPPY TO BE THE ALTERNATE.
AND WHAT ABOUT THE INDEPENDENT SALES SURTAX OVERSIGHT. >> Erica Whitfield: THEY ARE BACK-TO-BACK. >> Karen Brill: WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO? AND THEY DO MEET VIRTUALLY AS WELL AS IN-PERSON. IT'S INTERESTING. I'VE STAYED OUT OF IT BECAUSE
I'M WORRIED ABOUT SUNSHINE IF YOU CANNOT MAKE IT LET ME KNOW AND THE TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MS. BRANCH? AND -- DREW I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THAT ONE. YOU WANT TO SWITCH PLACES ON THAT WE WILL SWITCH PLACES.
MS. SINCLAIR AS SOON AS YOU ARE ABLE TO I KNOW WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME BEFORE THANKSGIVING IF YOU COULD SEND EVERYBODY THE NEW LIST OF THE COMMITTEES SO WE CAN GET EVERYTHING ON OUR CALENDARS. SO. >> Marcia Andrews: THE QUESTION FOR THE COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS
WHO IS THE BACKUP THERE? COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS? >> Karen Brill: I HAD TAKEN THAT BACK UP. AND THEN I HAVE MS. SAVIETTO AS MY ALTERNATE. ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT?
OKAY. SO THAT BRINGS US OVER NOW TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE TO [INAUDIBLE]. >> YOU HAVE TO HAVE A MOTION TO
APPROVE THE COMMITTEES. >> Karen Brill: I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE NEW COMMITTEEMEMBERS MOTION AND SECONDED. FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY THAT IS NOW GOING TO BRING US TO THE BOARD COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD.
I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPOINT ANIL LA ODEM WILLIAMS AS THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE AND DARNELL GARDENER AS THE ALTERNATE BUSINESS COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE TO THE VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD. MOTION BY MS. BRANCH AND SECOND
BY Mr. LANE. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY AND I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THIS MEETING. MOTION BY MS. BRANCH AND SECONDED BY SOMEBODY PLEASE. MS. ANDREWS. ANY DISCUSSION?
ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUS. WE NOW HAVE A BREAK UNTIL 5:00 P.M. TO GET THE COMPUTERS MOVED AND WE CAN GET CAUGHT UP HERE. Part: 2
>> Karen Brill: MRS. SINCLAIR PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> DISTRICT 1, MATTHEW JAY LANE. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 2, VIRGINIA SAVIETTO. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 3, KAREN BRILL. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 4, ERICA WHITFIELD. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 5, GLORIA BRANCH. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 6, MARCIA ANDREWS. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 7, EDWIN FERGUSON. >> HERE. STUDENT RENT ELLERY WEISS AND CLERK TONY SINCLAIR STAFF
MEMBERS WILL JOIN US PERIODICALLY AS DIRECTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT. TONIGHT, THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WILL BE PERFORMED BY THE SANTALUCES COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL SINGING CHIEFS. WOULD EVERYONE PLEASE STAND FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. ♪O SAY CAN YOU SEE BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT♪
♪WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED AT THE TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING♪ ♪WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT♪ ♪O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED, WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING♪ ♪AND THE ROCKET'S RED GLARE, THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR♪ ♪GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE♪ ♪O SAY DOES THAT STAR-SPANGLED
BANNER YET WAVE♪ ♪O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE ♪. [APPLAUSE] I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> Karen Brill: BOARD MEMBERS WE HAVE ONE SET OF MINUTES TO APPROVE TONIGHT. I WILL TAKE A MOTION. MOTION BY MS. BRANCH AND SECOND BY MS. WHITFIELD. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
I HAVE ONE ITEM TO ADD FOR GOOD CAUSE. GOOD CAUSE EXISTS FOR P2 PERSONNEL ADDENDUM FOR ADDING THIS ITEM SO THAT EMPLOYEES CAN BEGIN IN THEIR NEW POSITIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT, DO YOU HAVE ITEMS TO WITHDRAW. >> Mike Burke: I'M WITHDRAWING CAO3. >> Karen Brill: BOARD MEMBERS WE HAVE SEVERAL ITEMS PULLED. FC5, PMPA4, PMP LOOKS LIKE 14 IS
THAT A TYPO? LET'S START THIS OVER THE ITEMS PULLED ARE FC5, PMPA4, POLIG1 AND REGN ONE. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING ELSE THEY WOULD LIKE TO PULL? SEEING NONE. I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION BY MS. BRANCH AND SECONDED BY MS. SAVIETTO. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
DO WE HAVE DISCLOSURES OR ABSTENTIONS? SEEING NONE. THAT'S GOING TO BRING US TO SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS PLVMENT SUPERINTENDENT. URK BURKE THANK YOU. FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE OUR HIGH SCHOOL CHORE RALE GROUP PART OF THE A RATED SCHOOL WHICH THEY EARNED SO IT WAS A BIG DEAL AND I THANK THE PRINCIPAL FOR BRINGING THEM HERE THIS EVENING. ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT WE CELEBRATED HOLOCAUST EDUCATION WEEK ON NOVEMBER 3-7. AND OUR DISTRICT REMAINS A
LEADER IN HOLOCAUST EDUCATION PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THIS MOMENT IN HISTORY THROUGH POWERFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCES. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE HOLOCAUST STUDIES STUDENT AWARENESS DAY AT THE HOLOCAUST WEEK I'M PROUD TO TEACH OUR STUDENTS ABOUT THE HORRORS OF THE HOLOCAUST. HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS SHARE FIRSTHAND TESTIMONIALS WITH OUR STUDENTS AND WE ARE FORTUNATE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY TO HAVE MANY OF THE SURVIVORS. AND THROUGH INSIGHT THROUGH EDUCATION WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE THE SURVIVORS SPEAK TO OUR STUDENTS FIRSTHAND AND SHARE
THAT HISTORY. SO THAT'S BEEN VERY POWERFUL. AND I'M PROUD OF THE WORK WE'RE DOING. WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW DISTRICTS THANKS TO A GRANTS WE HAVE TWO DEDICATED STAFF MEMBERS TO HOLOCAUST EDUCATION AND SERVES US WELL. WE HAD OUR SO CASE OF SCHOOLS AND I REALLY PROUD OF OUR SCHOOLS THAT ALL WERE AT THE FAIRGROUNDS EXHIBITING THE PROGRAMS THEY OFFER. AND IT IS A COMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF PROGRAMS 330 CHOICE PROGRAMS AND WE FILL UP THE HILL EXPO CENTER AND AS YOU WALK FROM TABLE TO TABLE FROM THE
ELEMENTARY TO MIDDLE TO HIGH SCHOOL, IT'S VERY IMPRESSIVE. AND I KNOW THAT TAKES A LOT OF WORK ON BEHALF OF OUR PRINCIPALS OUR TEACHERS THE TEAM THE CHOICE COORDINATORS TO PULL THAT OFF ALONG WITH OUR DEPARTMENT FOLKS IN THE CHOICE DEPARTMENT. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. WE HAVE A VIDEO TO SHARE. ON THE CHOICE SHOWCASE OF SCHOOLS. SO VIDEO IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS. [♪♪]
>> THIS IS OUR 29TH ANNUAL SHOWCASE OF SCHOOLS IT IS WELCOMING THE PUBLIC TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS WITH 330 CHOICE PROGRAMS THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION TO SHARE. >> I LOVE THE ENGINEER AND QUALITIES YOU LEARN NEW STUFF EVERYDAY THAT YOU LEARN OUTSIDE OF AEROSPACE. IT IS AN AMAZING FEELING. >> I WANTED TO SHOW MY KIDS THERE'S OPTIONS IN DIFFERENT SCHOOLS WHATEVER THEY WANT I WANT TO SHOW THEM THAT I WILL SUPPORT THEM IN WHATEVER DECISION THEY CHOOSE. >> THE SHOWCASE OF SCHOOLS IS
SUCH AN IMPORTANT EVENT FOR THE COMMUNITY IT GIVES US A CHANCE TO TRULY SHOWCASE THE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES THAT OUR SCHOOLS OFFER AND IT REALLY IS A NIGHT TO CELEBRATE WHY WE ARE YOUR BEST CHOICE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION. >> EVERYTHING'S RIGHT THERE. WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO FAR, EVERYTHING IS RIGHT THERE. >> PALM BEACH COUNTY IS A LEADER IN THE CHOICE SPACE WE HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS AND WE DON'T REST ON OUR LAURELS WE ARE TRYING TO ADD NEW PROGRAMS AND STAYING CURRENT IN OUR LOCAL MARKET FOR
HIGH-PAYING JOBS AND WILL SEE BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, QUANTUM COMPUTING A.I., CONSTRUCTION, WELDING WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE OFFERING SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. >> THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY IS MY BEST CHOICE. >> Mike Burke: WELL SAID, YOUNG MAN. LAST TUESDAY ON NOVEMBER 11TH WE CELEBRATED VET ARABS DAY. AND WE HONORED OUR VETERANS HERE IN THE BUILDING WE HAD A BEAUTIFUL CEREMONY AND I KNOW THERE WERE SEVERAL VETERANS CAY
SERVICES THROUGHOUT OUR SCHOOLS. I KNOW THE BOARD MEMBERS WERE ATTENDING AS MANY AS POSSIBLE. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE STUDENT GROUPS THAT CAME AND HELPED US ON THEIR DAY OFF TO MAKE OUR CEREMONY SPECIAL AND THAT INCLUDED THE PALM BEACH LAKES ENSEMBLE OUR PALM BEACH CENTRAL BRASS OCTOBER AT THE TIME AND THE FALCONS BATTALION COLOR GUARD. AND AGAIN I WANT TO EXTEND OUR GRATITUDE TO ALL OF OUR DISTRICT AND SCHOOL BASED EMPLOYEES WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES AND
CONTINUE TO SERVICE THE COMMUNITY AS ADMINISTRATORS, EDUCATORS AND SUPPORT STAFF. WE'RE HONORED TO HAVE THEM AS MEMBERS OF TEAM PALM BEACH. AND NOW IS MY PLEASURE WE STARTED THE BOARD HAD THE WISDOM TO CREATE A POLICY AS I BECAME SUPERINTENDENT TO CREATE THE FIRST SUPERINTENDENT STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. AND IT'S BEEN EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE. OUR STUDENTS BRING A STRONG ARTICULATE VOICE AND THEY ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THEIR FUTURE AND WE'VE HAD SOME VERY ROBUST DISCUSSIONS AND THEY'VE PROVIDED
GREAT GUIDANCE OVER THE YEARS AS WE MAKE DECISIONS. IT IS MY HONOR TO RECOGNIZE OUR CHAIR OF THE STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THAT IS Mr. FRANCISCO SANDOVAL HE IS A SENIOR AT Dr. JOAQUIN GARCIA HIGH SCHOOL. Mr. SANDOVAL READY FOR YOUR REPORT. WELCOME. [APPLAUSE] >> I'M FRANCISCO SANDOVAL AND THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE I WILL BE GIVING A REPORT OF OUR LAST
MEETING. THE SUPERINTENDENT STUDENT ADVISORY MET ON OCTOBER 13TH FROM 4-5:30 PM. AT THE FULTON EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CENTER. STUDENTS, DISTRICT LEADERS AND PRESENTERS GATHERED TO ELEVATE STUDENT PERSPECTIVE IN DISTRICT DECISION MAKING. AFTER INTRODUCTIONS THE COMMITTEE HELD OFFICER ELECTIONS SELECTING ME AS CHAIRPERSON, THOMAS AS VICE-CHAIR AND REILLY AS SECRETARY. SUPERINTENDENT MICHAEL BURKE HIGHLIGHTED HIS COMMITMENT TO STUDENT VOICE ACKNOWLEDGING THE
DISTRICT WIDE MOMENTUM AROUND STUDENT LED PROBLEM INVOLVING AND EMPHASIZING THE DISTRICT EXPANSION OF STUDENT VOICE STRUCTURE ACROSS ALL SCHOOLS. SUPERINTENDENT BURKE HIGHLIGHTED EXAMPLES HOW INPUT SHAPED INITIATIVES REINFORCING THE DISTRICT'S DEDICATION TO ENGAGING STUDENTS AS PARTNERS IN SHAPING THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES. THE AGENDA THEN TRANSITIONED TO TWO DISTRICT LEVEL PRESENTATIONS SELECTING TO INFORM AND GATHER FEEDBACK FROM STUDENT
REPRESENTATIVES. Dr. GERALDINE JOHNSON DELIVERED THE CHOICE PROGRAM OPTIONS ALIGNED WITH STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVES A1B INVITING STUDENTS TO REVIEW OFFERINGS AND COMPARE MODELS AND SHARE FEEDBACK ON PROGRAM EXPANSIONS. THE COMMITTEE ENGAGED IN A FEEDBACK SESSION THAT REVEALED HIGH INTERESTED WHYS WAYS TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION, ACCESS AND AWARENESS OF CHOICE PROGRAMS TO ENSURE STUDENTS FROM ALL COMMUNITIES HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO APPLY AND PARTICIPATE.
JENIFER PRESENTED THE DISTRICT'S CASH TO WAVE CUSTOMER SERVICE INITIATIVE INTRODUCING THE WAVE PRINCIPLES AND EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIVE COMMUNICATION. STUDENTS OFFERED IDEAS TO STRENGTHEN CUSTOMER SERVICE PRACTICES AND HELPED SHAPE A STUDENT FRIENDLY DISTRICT MODEL. OVERALL THE OCTOBER 13TH, 2026SSA MEETING REFLECTED STRONG STUDENT ENGAGE. FEEDBACK AND DISTRICT INITIATIVES AND CONTINUED PROGRESS TOWARD BUILDING A DISTRICT WIDE CULTURE WHERE STUDENT VOICE IS CENTERED AND
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT. THANK YOU. >> Mike Burke: THANK YOU, FRANCISCO. [APPLAUSE] NOW MY HONEST AUTHORIZE TO RECOGNIZE OUR DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT CHIEF OF SCHOOLS JAMES GAVRILOS MS. WYATT WILL HELP INTRODUCE OUR NEWEST SCHOOL LEADER THE PRINCIPAL OF LIMESTONE CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. MS. WYATT? >> GOOD EVENING BOARD MEMBERS
AND SUPERINTENDENT BURKE. LIMESTONE CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS SEEKING AN INNOVATIVE AND STUDENT CENTERED PRINCIPAL TO LEAD ITS TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE. FINDING AN INSPIRATION ALLEYEDER TO FOSTERS HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF PROMOTES A POSITIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE AND BUILDS STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH FAMILY AND STAKEHOLDERS WHATS A PRIORITY FOR THE SCHOOL AND WE BELIEVE THAT MELISSA IS THE PERFECT CANDIDATE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON CHAIRWOMAN
BRILL. LET'S TRY THAT AGAIN. GOOD AFTERNOON CHAIRWOMAN BRILL, VICE-CHAIR Mr. LANE, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT WYATT AND BOARD MEMBERS. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY AND THANK YOU FOR THE TRUST THAT YOU'VE PLACED IN ME. I'M TRULY HONORED TO BE RECOMMENDED AS THE NEXT PRINCIPAL OF LIMESTONE CREEK ELEMENTARY. I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING OUR SCHOOLS. SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT WYATT, THANK YOU FOR CREATING PATHWAYS FOR
LEADERS TO GROW AND FOR ALWAYS KEEPING STUDENTS AT THE CENTER OF EVERY DECISION. I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PEOPLE WHO SHAPED MY JOURNEY. FIRST AND FOREMOST MY FAMILY FOR ALWAYS PUSHING ME AND BELIEVING IN MY PASSION FOR SERVING OTHERS AND FOR BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE. I'M LEADING THE WAY FOR MY LITTLE GIRL TO SEE WHAT IT MEANS TO REACH HER DREAMS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE PEOPLE WHO ENCOURAGED ME TO STEP INTO LEADERSHIP MY FIRST ADMINISTRATORS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY, SUSAN AND PAMELA.
THEIR BELIEF CAME AT THE RIGHT MOMENT AND I WOULDN'T BE STANDING HERE WITHOUT THEM. I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO SERVE UNDER SO MANY OTHER EXCEPTIONAL PRINCIPALS INCLUDING ED, LISA, DANIELLE, SHAWN, GLORIA AND DEBBY. THEIR GUIDANCE, TRUST AND EXPECTATIONS HAVE MADE ME A STRONGER LEADER AND I'M DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THE EXAMPLE EACH HAS SET. I'M ALSO GRATEFUL TO THE AREA LEADERSHIP WHO HAVE SUPPOSED ME THROUGH MY JOURNEY MS. JAMIE
WYATT, MARIA AND Dr. LONG THEIR MENTORSHIP ENCOURAGEMENT AND GUIDANCE HAVE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE AS MY GROWTH AS A LEADER. I'VE BEEN BLESSED TO WORK WITH SOME OF THE MOST DEDICATED TEACHERS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. THEY'VE TAUGHT ME AS MUCH AS I HAVE EVER TAUGHT THEM I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE PARTNERSHIPS AND EVERY MOMENT CENTERED AROUND WHAT WAS BEST FOR STUDENTS I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT WORK AT LIMESTONE CREEK. THIS OPPORTUNITY IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE LIMESTONE CREEK IS PART OF MY
COMMUNITY. THE COMMUNITY THAT I CALL HOME. TO LEAD A SCHOOL IN A PLACE WHERE I LIVE WHERE MY FAMILY IS ROOTED IS AN INCREDIBLE PRIVILEGE. I UNDERSTAND THE FAMILIES, THEIR VALUES AND I UNDERSTAND THE HOPES THAT THE COMMUNITY HOLDS FOR THEIR CHILDREN. TO THE STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND STAFF AT LIMESTONE CREEK, I'M EXCITED TO JOIN YOU. I'M COMMITTED TO LISTENING, BUILDING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS AND LEADING WITH TRANSPARENCY AND A RELENTLESS FOCUS ON STUDENT SUCCESS. THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE BOARD, TO SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND TO
DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT BY QUAT NOR THIS OPPORTUNITY I'M HONORED TO SERVE AND I'M READY TO GET TO WORK. [APPLAUSE] >> Mike Burke: THANK YOU WE KNOW YOU WILL DO A GREAT JOB THERE AND YOUR LEADERSHIP WILL EXTEND BEYOND THE CAMPUS ON TO PUBLIX AND PARTS OF YOUR COMMUNITY WHEN YOU LIVE CLOSE TO SCHOOL YOU WILL BE 24/7, 365. HAPPY TO HAVE YOU. THANK YOU. I KNOW WE'RE EXCITED AS WE APPROACH THE THANKSGIVING BREAK. ONE OF THE NICE THINGS ABOUT WORKING AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
AND OUR STUDENTS ARE EXCITED WE WILL BE OFF NEXT WEEK. I WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE TO SHARE MY GRATITUDE FIRST TO OUR FAMILIES FOR ENTRUSTING US WITH SERVING YOUR CHILDREN. WE DO NOT TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED. I THANK MY COLLEAGUES ON TEAM PALM BEACH. I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENT TO EDUCATING AFFIRMING AND ASPIRING ALL OF OUR STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE FOR SUPPORTING OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT WHETHER THAT IS AT THE VOTING BOOTH, OR VOLUNTEERING, OR THROUGH OUR BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS REALLY FORTUNATE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY TO HAVE GREAT SUPPORT. AND I'M THANKFUL TO CONTINUE TO
SERVE AS SUPERINTENDENT. AND I JUST DON'T TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED EITHER. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE. AND I HOPE YOU ALL GET TO SPEND NICE TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND RELAX A LITTLE BIT AND ENJOY THE HOLIDAY. THAT CONCLUDES MY COMMENTS. >> Karen Brill: VIEWERS WHO ARE NOT PRESENT IN THE ROOM CAN ACCESS THE MEETING TODAY BY WATCHING ON COMCAST CHANNELS 234 AND 235, U VERSE CHANNEL 99 OR USING THE LINK ON OUR WEBSITE AT PALM BEACH SCHOOLS.ORG IN THE
EVENT THE LINK IS INRETURNED SWITCH OVER TO THE TV CHANNELS. ALL BOARD MEETINGS ARE RECORDED IN THEIR ENTIRETY AND POSTED ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE WITHIN 24 HOURS. THAT WILL BRING US TO BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS WE WILL START AT THIS END AND I'M GOING TO START WITH MY COMMENTS BECAUSE I WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES ON THE BOARD FOR THE PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO SERVE ONCE AGAIN AS YOUR BOARD CHAIR. I HAVE TO TELL YOU, THOUGH, I DON'T DO THIS ALONE. FOR THE PEOPLE OUT IN THE AUDIENCE AND WATCHING OUR MEETING THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL
SCHOOL BOARD. WE ARE UP HERE WE WORK AS A TEAM. IT IS TEAM PALM BEACH. AND THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE DON'T AGREE WITH EACH OTHER. AND WE CAN SIT AND ARGUE ON BEHALF OF OUR STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES. BUT WHEN WE LEAVE, WE STILL GREATLY RESPECT EACH OTHER. AND IT IS SUCH A PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO SERVE WITH SUCH CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONALS. I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF YOU. YOU MAKE THIS JOB SO MUCH EASIER BY BEING YOU. PARK DISTRICT TOOK THIRD PLACE IN THE FLORIDA MARCHING BAND
CHAMPIONSHIPS AND THE LADIES AT WEST BOYNTON MIDDLE SCHOOL WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE 2025 SO FLOW SHOWDOWN FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL TUMBLING I CONGRATULATE THE STUDENTS. I JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA. ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA TONIGHT IS AN AMENDMENT TO OUR AGREEMENT WITH THE BEST FOOT FORWARD FOUNDATION. FOR ANYONE WHO MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH THEM BEST FOOT FORWARD IS AN INCREDIBLE ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE AND HELPS THEM STAY ON TRACK ACADEMICALLY.
THEY MATCH STUDENTS FROM KINDERGARTEN ALL THE WAY THROUGH COLLEGE WITH AN ACADEMIC OR GRADUATION COACH WHO WORKS WITH THEM ONE-ON-ONE. THE COACHES HELP WITH EVERYTHING FROM PLANNING AND MONITORING SCHOOL WORK TO MAKING SURE STUDENTS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL AND MOVE CONFIDENTLY INTO THEIR NEXT STEPS. BEST FOOT FORWARD HAS THREE PROGRAMS DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS AT GRADE LEVELS AND THEIR COLLEGE PROGRAM GOES FURTHER BY ASSISTING WITH SCHOLARSHIPS, FINANCIAL AID, REGISTRATION, COURSE SELECTION AND NEEDED ACCOMMODATIONS.
IT TRULY TAKES ALL OF OUR STUDENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND BEST FOOT FORWARD IS ONE OF THE PARTNERS THAT MAKES SUCCESS POSSIBLE. AND WITH THAT I, TOO, WANT TO WISH EVERYBODY A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING. WE ALL HAVE SO MUCH TO BE GREATFUL FOR. VICE-CHAIR LANE? >> Matthew Lane: THANK YOU. I HAD THE OCCASION TO ATTEND FIVE VETERAN'S DAY CEREMONIES IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT THIS YEAR AND THE MESSAGE THAT RESONATED WITH ME AFTER HEARING THE STORIES FROM OUR VETERANS WAS THAT FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. IN THE MGM ADAPT TAKE OF THE
BOOK THE WONDERFUL "WIZARD OF OZ" THE MOVIE ENDS WITH THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME AND THAT IS TRUE OF THE UNITED STATES. THERE IS NO COUNTRY LIKE OURS. AND WE'RE ABLE TO ENJOY THE FREEDOM AND PROSPERITY THAT OUR COUNTRY OFFERS BECAUSE OF THE DEDICATION OF OUR VETERANS AND ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBERS. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. WE ALL OWE YOU A HUGE DEBT OF THANKS AND GRATITUDE. I ALSO ATTENDED THE 2025 GO TO EACH CLASSROOM GRANT AWARDS NIGHT WHERE THE EDUCATION
FOUNDATION AWARDED A RECORD-BREAKING $200,000 IN CLASSROOM GRANTS TO 143 TEACHERS FROM 54 SCHOOLS IN THE A RATED SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. THESE GRANTS FOCUS ON DEVELOPING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN LITERACY, CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, COLLEGE READINESS, FINANCIAL LITERACY AND STEM LEARNING. NOW, MS. WYATT AND I ATTENDED THE OPENING OF THE ED FOUNDATION'S 100TH RED APPLE SUPPLY STORE.
THE FOUNDATION DISTRIBUTED A MILLION DOLLARS IN FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO CHILDREN IN PALM BEACH COUNTY DURING THE YEARS 2024 AND 2025. I ALSO ATTENDED THE FAMILIES FIRST LUNCHEON WITH FORMER SCHOOL BOARD VICE-CHAIR. >> Frank Barbieri: QUICK QUINN AND VIRGINIA SAVIETTO. FAMILIES FIRST IS A NATIONALLY ACCREDITED PROGRAM THAT HELPS FAMILIES SO THEY CAN FIND THEIR WAY BACK TO SELF SUFFICIENCY AND PROVIDE LOVING HOMES TO
CHILDREN. FINALLY, LAST MONDAY THIS MONDAY, WE ATTENDED FPL'S STEM CLASSROOM MAKEOVER GRANT REVEAL AT INLAND GROVE HIGH SCHOOL. FOR TOES OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, IN 2024-2025, FPL PROVIDED 20, $50,000 GRANTS TO SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT FLORIDA. THESE GRANTS ARE INTENDED TO FORWARD STEM LEARNING IN OUR SCHOOLS THROUGH THE PURCHASE OF SOFTWARE, EQUIPMENT, BOOKS, TRAINING FOR TEACHERS, ROBOTS,
DRONES, 3-D PRINTERS AND MUCH MORE ALL OF WHICH ADVANCE STEM EDUCATION THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA. A SPECIAL THANKS GOES TO THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THIS HAPPEN, INCLUDING JENIFER, JAMES GAVRILOS FROM THE ED FOUNDATION, AND MY FRIENDS AT FP AND L, DON, AMY AND FORMER VICE MAYOR COFFER. I WANT TO END BY WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING. I CAN TELL YOU THAT THIS HAS BEEN FOR ME, THE BEST YEAR OF MY LIFE. IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOU WITH THE
ADMINISTRATION, WITH OUR TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS. IT'S BEEN AN HONOR AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING NEXT YEAR AS WELL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. Mr. FERGUSON. >> Edwin Ferguson: WALKING THROUGH DOWNTOWN PALM BEACH COUNTY I CAME ACROSS THE HEART WALK HOSTED BY THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION. APPROXIMATELY 800 PARTICIPANTS ATTENDED AND 100 2 MILLION IN DONATIONS WERE RAISED THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE INITIATIVE. I ATTENDED THE URBAN LEAGUE PANCAKES DISCUSSION AS A
PANELIST WE ADDRESSED TOPICS SUCH AS LOCAL GOVERNANCE, HOMEOWNERSHIP, HEALTH, VOTING AND THE NEED FOR LEADERSHIP BY ELECTED OFFICIALS. ROUGHLY 45 PERSONS ATTEND THED THE EVENT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THE NEXT EVENT. I ATTENDED THE CEREMONIES FOR VILLAS OF SOLANA IT WILL BE COMPRISED OF 28 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS LESS THAN A STONE'S THROW AWAY NEAR THE SITE OF OUR NEXT PALM
BEACH HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE BUILT. I WAS ALLOWED TO PITCH A CEREMONIAL DIRT. THE CEREMONY WAS ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL TO ME AS I PLAYED A HAND, ALL BE IT SMALL IN BRINGING THIS PROJECT TO FRUITION. THANKS TO THE RIVIERA BEACH C.D.C. AND CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR HARD WORK. I STOPPED BY THE ATLANTIC HIGH SCHOOL THE SUMMIT WHICH DISTRICT VENDORS DISCUSS BEST PRACTICES IN AN EFFORT TO ENHANCE PROFICIENCIES FOR THE BETTERMENT OF LEARNING FOR STUDENTS.
SIX STUDENTS FROM ATLANTIC HIGH SCHOOL AND SEMINOLE RIDGE SAT ON THE PANEL AND SHARED THEIR EXPERIENCE IN OUR ENGINEERING OR CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS AS WELL AS FUTURE GOALS UPON COMPLETING THOSE PROGRAMS. ON NOVEMBER 13TH I HAD THE PLEASURE OF JOINING BOBBY POWELL AND Dr. VAN WILLIAMSON OF PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE ON THE PANELLALITY KAISER UNIVERSITY TO DISCUSS LEADERSHIP AND ETHICS WITH 60-7010TH GRADERS. THANKS TO JOHNNY AND PETER CRUZ WHO MODERATED THE PANEL
DISCUSSION. AND LAST SATURDAY THE CHAPTER OF THE FRATERNITY IN WEST PALM BEACH HELD OUR MONTHLY COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT UPLIFT COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT. WHILE THE NUMBERS OF PARTICIPANTS WAS SMALLER THAN UNUSUAL NOVEMBER WE HAVE A SMALLER ATTENDANCE RATE, I WAS FLOORED BY THE FACT WITH 17 PARTICIPANTS WE WERE ABLE TO REMOVE 1200 POUNDS OF TRASH. TO DATE WE HAVE REMOVED 3300 POUNDS OF TRASH THIS YEAR AND STUDENTS EARNED 650 HOURS OF
COMMUNITY SERVICE. THIS IS AMAZING. AND I'M SO PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS INITIATIVE. ON NOVEMBER 16TH I ATTENDED CHURCH SERVICES WITH MEMBERS OF THE FRATERNITY AND I RECEIVED THE SUPERIOR SERVICE AWARD. I'M HUMBLED OF MY BROTHERS RECOGNITION OF MY SMALL CONTRIBUTION TO THE EFFORTS OF THE WELL-BEING OF MY NEIGHBORS IN THE COUNTY STATE AND COUNTRY. YESTERDAY, I STOPPED BY ROOSEVELT MIDDLE SCHOOL. KUDOS TO TEAM ROOSEVELT FOR YESTERDAY'S EVENT TO ENSURE ALL FAMILIES HAVE FOOD FOR
THANKSGIVING. ANYONE INTERESTED IN ENROLLING IN THE AMAZING BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM, SHOULD CONTACT DEBBY OR CHARLENE I HAVE THE E-MAILS ADDRESSES ON THE SCREEN. THE PROGRAM RUNS THROUGH MARCH 15TH OF 2026 AND RIVIERA BEACH IS SPONSORING A BOOTCAMP THROUGH DECEMBER 6TH IF YOU WANT TO RESERVE A SEAT THERE IS AN E-MAIL ADDRESS ON THE FLYER. NOVEMBER 9TH I WILL BE HOSTING A TOWN HALL WITH DOUG LAWSON TO GET INPUT FROM RIVIERA BEACH CITIZENS REGARDING PROGRAMMING
THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL. Dr. JOHNSON WILL ATTEND AS WELL. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I SAY BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR TO KEITH OSWALD AND THE BUFFALO BILLS FANS WHO WENT TO HARD ROCK STADIUM AND LEFT WITH A WELL DESERVED BUTT KICKING BY THE MIAMI DOLPHINS. I HOPE YOU SERVE THE SERVING OF CROW I PLAN TO SERVE TO YOU ON THANKSGIVING DAY. BE WELL EVERYONE. >> Karen Brill: MS. ANDREWS THAT WAS FUNNY.
>> >> Marcia Andrews: HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE IT'S THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR. IT'S GREAT TO SEE OUR CHILDREN WHEN I SAW THE CHOIR SINGING THIS IS WHAT WE'RE ABOUT GETTING OUR STUDENTS READY FOR SUCCESS AND THEY LOOKED GREAT AND THEY PERFORMED WELL THIS AFTERNOON. SO I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU PICTURES OF THE SOME OF THE THINGS I'VE BEEN DOING WITH DISTRICT SIX. GLADES CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL AVID SHOWCASE ADVANCEMENT VIA INDIVIDUAL DETERMINATION. GETTING OUR STUDENTS READY FOR COLLEGES AND CAREERS. IT WAS HELD AT GLADES CENTRAL
HIGH SCHOOL AND WE HAD ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS AND OTHERS TRAVEL TO THE GLADES TO LOOK AT THE MODEL AT GLADES CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL ON WHAT THEY ARE DOING FOR AVID. AND YOU GOT A CHANCE TO SEE THE AVID AMBASSADORS THE STUDENTS, STUDENTS IN CHARGE OF MAKING SURE EVERYONE WAS FED FROM LIKE 9-12 AND LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER. BECAUSE IT'S ALL ABOUT MAKING SURE OUR CHILDREN ARE SUCCESSFUL. THEN WE TRAVELED OVER TO Dr. JOAQUIN GARCIA HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE HISPANIC EDUCATION COALITION
AND YOU CAN SEE Dr. DIAZ WITH THAT BULLDOG RIGHT THERE FROM Dr. JOAQUIN GARCIA HIGH SCHOOL. HISPANIC EDUCATION COALITION IS WORKING TOGETHER FOR ALL OF OUR CHILDREN ESPECIALLY OUR HISPANIC CHILDREN. SUPPORTING THE EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT OF ALL STUDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND THIS WAS AN IN FACE MEETING WHERE WE CAME TOGETHER TO WORK TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT OUR INITIATIVES FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR. AND AS USUAL WE HAVE EDUCATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES IN ALL OF OUR CITIES SO WE WERE IN ROYAL
PALM BEACH RECENTLY WITH THE ROYAL PALM BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. AND THIS MEETING WAS VERY PRODUCTIVE WITH STUDENTS WHO WERE RUNNING THE MEETING AND TALKING ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE LEADERS WITHIN THE SCHOOL. AND MAYOR AND THE PRINCIPALS, I GET A CHANCE TO SPEAK VALERIE HANES ALL OF US BUT THE STUDENTS TALKED ABOUT WHAT THE SCHOOL WAS DOING FOR THEM TO HELP THEM GET THE BEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE. AND, YES, Mr. BURKE, I WAS HERE WITH THE VETERAN'S DAY CEREMONY AND I THANK OUR VETERANS WE WOULDN'T BE FREE AND
THE COUNTRY WE ARE TODAY WITHOUT THE SERVICE OF OUR VETERANS. WE THANK YOU. IT WAS SO LOVELY TO SEE PALM BEACH LAKES CHORUS, PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL BRAND, THE JUNIOR ROTC EVERYBODY. WE LOVE OUR VETS BECAUSE YOU MAKE THIS COUNTRY GREAT AND THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE OVER THE YEARS WITH YOUR FAMILY HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT I WAS WITH THE AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM FARM TOUR IN THE EVERGLADES ON TEACHER PLANNING
DAY AND WE GOT A CHANCE TO GO ALL OVER THE GLADES REGION. THERE I WAS AT EVERGLADES TRACTOR EQUIPMENT SITTING IN THAT BIG WHEEL BUT THOSE TEACHERS LEARN SO MUCH ABOUT THE AGRICULTURAL AREA OF THE GLADES REGION. THE FARMS THE FARM EQUIPMENT, AND IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY. IT WAS CHILLY THAT DAY BUT WE ALL LEARNED A LOT. WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME WITH OUR THANK A TEACHER CHIEF SANDOVALLED FROM PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL MAKING A
DIFFERENCE GETTING OUR JUNIOR ROTC STUDENTS READY FOR EMPLOYMENT IN THE MILITARY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. HCA, 500 DOLLARS FROM PALMS WEST HOSPITAL. THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION ALL OF US, THE MAYOR, ROYAL PALM BEACH, READY TO WORK WITH THE STUDENTS. AND THE ACTUAL THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY MEAL, Mr. BURKE, YOU GET IT DONE EACH AND EVERY YEAR. IT MAKES US ALL FEEL WONDERFUL. WE ATE TURKEY THAT DAY IT WAS GREAT. AND JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT AT GLADE
VIEW YOU DID IT AGAIN. MAKING THINGS HAPPEN. THE DOCTOR AND THE NURSE RIGHT THERE, AND AT PAHOKEE WE HAD THE THANKSGIVING MEAL Mr. BURKE YOU WERE THERE WITH BURKE AT WORK AND LASTLY ON THE AGENDA TODAY, I WANT TO THANK THE ED FOUNDATION, FP AND L, FLORIDA CRYSTALS THE CITY OF RIVIERA BEACH GIVING MONEY TO OUR CHILDREN THROUGH GRANTS FOR STEM, FOR PAHOKEE FOR GRADES CENTRAL AND ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AS WELL AS FOR READING.
THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. MS. BRANCH. >> >> Gloria Branch: THANK YOU. AT OUR LAST BOARD MEETING A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SPANISH RIVER HIGH FOOTBALL TEAM WINNING DISTRICTS AND A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM WINNING THE FIRST ROUND OF THE 7A REGIONAL PLAYOFFS BEATING WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL IN BROWARD COUNTY AND THE SHARKS WON FRIDAY NIGHT NOVEMBER 14TH WHICH WAS MY DAD'S BIRTHDAY. THAT WAS YOUR PRESENT, DAD.
THIS GAME LITERALLY CAME DOWN TO THE SECOND LIKE THE LAST SECOND THE KICKER KICKED IT FROM THE LEFT HASH MARK AND GOT THREE POINTS AND THEY WON ON THE LAST SECOND OF THE GAME. IT WAS DEFINITELY ONE FOR THE BOOKS NOT ONLY FOR WINNING THE GAME AND ALSO FOR MAKING HISTORY FOR THE SHARKS WINNING THE FIRST ROUND OF THE REGIONAL PLAYOFFS EVER IN SCHOOL HISTORY. THE TEAM PLAYED SO HARD AND NEVER GAVE UP. CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN TO THE TEAM, HEAD COACH NICK AND ALL THE COACHES THE STAFF AND EVERYONE WHO HELPS THE TEAM. ANOTHER DISTRICT 5 PLAYOFF WIN WAS WEST BOCA HIGH THEY BEAT
LARGO LAST WEEK AND THEY ADVANCE TO THE 6A FINALS AND PLAY FRIDAY NIGHT. OTHER DISTRICTS ATLANTIC, GLADES CENTRAL AND PAHOKEE ARE ALSO IN THE PLAYOFFS GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE TEAMS. I DO KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF TEAMS THAT ARE NOT JUST FOOTBALL THAT ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS AND I WANT TO ADVANCING TO THE REGIONALS AND PLAYOFFS I WANT TO SAY GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF THEM. AND GREAT JOB TO THE CHOIR. YOU SOUNDED EXCELLENT. I KNOW I MENTIONED AT THE LAST BOARD MEETING I ECHO Mr. VICE-CHAIR LANE THE ED
FOUNDATION GO TEACH GRANTS EVENTS THANK YOU ED FOUNDATION FOR ALL YOU DO FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT. AND I WANT TO ECHO THE SENTIMENTS MY BOARD MEMBERS EXPRESSED ABOUT OUR VETERANS AND GREAT COUNTRY WE LIVE IN AND WISH EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. MS. WHITFIELD. >> >> Erica Whitfield: THANK YOU. I HAVE JUST A FEW THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT. FIRST OF WHICH TODAY I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ON THE PANEL SPEAKING ABOUT HUNGER WITH OUR COMMUNITY AT THE FARM CITY LUNCHEON IT WAS A PLEASURE TO BE THERE TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
THE DIFFERENT RESOURCES THAT WE GET FROM THE FARMS IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND WE ARE SO PRIVILEGED TO HAVE SUCH GREAT PARTNERSHIPS WITH OUR SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR FARMERS AND SO MANY BUSINESS PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO SUPPORT OUR BACKPACK PROGRAMS, OUR FIELD TRIPS THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING IN OUR COMMUNITIES. HUGE THANK YOU TO THEM AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO EVERYONE ABOUT THAT. SECONDLY THIS PAST WEEK WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO AT BOYNTON BEACH HIGH SCHOOL AS EVERYBODY KNOWS IS A B RATED SCHOOL THIS PAST YEAR AN AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT
I'M SUPER PROUD OF IT. THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH DECIDED THEY WANTED TO RECOGNIZE OUR TEACHERS. ON VETERAN'S DAY WE HAD A BREAKFAST AT BOYNTON BEACH HIGH SCHOOL THAT WAS SPONSORED BY THE COMMITTEE. COMMISSIONER KELLEY ORGANIZED IT AND WE HAD COMMISSIONER WEISS FROM THE COUNTY CAME TO RECOGNIZE OUR TEACHERS AND THANK THEM FOR THEIR AMAZING WORK THAT BOYNTON BEACH TO A B RATED SCHOOL. HUGE THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF BOYNTON FOR RECOGNIZING OUR TEACHERS REALIZING THE WORK THEY DID AND RECOGNIZING HOW AMAZING
IT IS TO HAVE A SCHOOL IN YOUR COMMUNITY A HIGH SCHOOL THAT IS B RATED AND WHAT THAT DOES FOR A COMMUNITY ON THE WHOLE. AND FINALLY I WANT TO JUST RECOGNIZE ONE OF MY OTHER AWESOME PRINCIPALS WE HAVE ALAINNA HERE FROM LAKE WORTH HIGH SCHOOL SHE BROUGHT HER HUSBAND AND CHILDREN WITH HER TODAY BECAUSE SHE IS GOING TO BE RECEIVING AND HAS RECEIVED THE FLORIDA ARTS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR. THIS IS NOT EVEN HER FIRST PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM A DIFFERENT ORGANIZATION. SO I AM EXCEPTIONAL PROUD HAVING AN AMAZING LEADER IN LAKE WORTH
BEACH HAS DONE SO MUCH FOR OUR COMMUNITY I'M GRATEFUL FOR HER SERVICE AND A HUGE THANK YOU FOR OF THE YOU DO AND CONGRATULATIONS AND I'M SO PRIVILEGED TO HAVE YOU AS ONE OF MY PRINCIPALS. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE HERE. I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME WITH YOUR FAMILIES. ENJOY THE TIME OFF. I KNOW, AGAIN, MOST POPULAR THING WE'VE DONE IS GIVE THE WEEK OFF AT THANKSGIVING IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE WORK THAT YOU DO DURING THE YEAR AND HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE YOU AND HOW MUCH WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY AND REMAIN SAFE
DURING THIS TIME. WHEN TRAVEL CAN BE SO CHALLENGING. I'M GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR WORK EVERYONE WHO CONTRIBUTES TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS DISTRICT MY CHILDREN ARE BETTER FOR YOU. AS WE THINK ABOUT THANKSGIVING I'M THANKFUL FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND EVERYONE'S CONTRIBUTION INCLUDING ALL OF MY BOARD MEMBERS UP HERE. THANK YOU, HAPPY THANKSGIVING. >> Karen Brill: MS. SAVIETTO. >> Virginia Savietto: I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR A FEW MORE MINUTES I DON'T KNOW. >> Karen Brill: I MADE SURE THE BELL IS NOT GOING TO RING.
>> Virginia Savietto: THANK YOU. I DON'T WANT TO BE RUSHING I ATTENDED THE DISTRICT A VETERAN'S DAY CEREMONY WHERE OUR ROTC PRESENTED THE COLORS AND THE PALM BEACH LAKES ENSEMBLE PERFORMED I WAS TOUCHED AND WE HEARD POWERFUL STORIES FROM NICOLE TWO VETERANS WHOSE LEADERSHIP CONTINUES TO INSPIRE OUR COMMUNITY. WE HONOR EMPLOYEES WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY AS Mr. BURKE MENTIONED INCLUDING MY ASSISTANT
TINA. SHE IS THERE POSING WITH MARCIA ANDREWS I'M GRATEFUL FOR EVERY PERSON WHO CONTINUES SERVING OUR STUDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT. I JOINED THE GOODS AND SERVICES SUMMIT TO WELCOME SMALL BUSINESSES OWNERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS EVENTS LIKE THIS STRENGTHEN COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND OUR SCHOOLS. EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES AND FUTURE WORKFORCE PATHWAYS. THANK YOU TO PATRICK AND THE TEAM FOR SUPPORTING LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS AND GROWING
PARTNERSHIPS THAT BENEFIT OUR STUDENTS AND OUR LOCAL ECONOMY. I ATTENDED THE PLANTING SEEDS OF LITERACY FESTIVAL AT THE PALM SPRINGS LIBRARY IT WAS A JOYFUL EVENT CENTERED ON READING, CREATIVITY AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT. CRAFTS AND I DID THAT LITTLE PLANTING THING IT WAS SO AWESOME ACTIVITY STORYTELLING AND LOCAL AGENCIES SHARED RESOURCES WITH PARENTS. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE VILLAGE OF PALM SPRINGS FOR BRINGING EVERYONE TOGETHER TO SUPPORT
LITERACY WHEN COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS WORK TOGETHER WE OPEN DOORS FOR EVERY CHILD. I JOINED THE LEADERSHIP FALL LEADERSHIP MEETING CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPANISH ACADEMY IN THE DISTRICT. WE RECOGNIZED DAVID'S VISION WHO STARTED IT ALL. THANK YOU TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR HOSTING AND JOHN A. LEARNER CULINARY STUDENTS FOR AN OUTSTANDING MEAL. IT CONTINUES TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES BY PREPARING STUDENTS FOR A GLOBAL ECONOMY
AND STRENGTHENING TRUSTS WITH FAMILIES. I ATTENDED A WORKSHOP HOSTED BY LED BY Dr. IN OUR DEPARTMENT. THESE SESSIONS GIVE PARENTS THE TOOLS TO NAVIGATE SCHOOLS COMMUNICATE WITH TEACHERS AND UNDERSTAND AVAILABLE SUPPORTS. WHEN FAMILIES FEEL INFORMED AND SUPPORTED STUDENTS GAIN REAL OPPORTUNITIES. I HAD THE CHANCE TO ATTEND THE
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS AT Dr. JOAQUIN GARCIA HIGH SCHOOL OUR STUDENTS DELIVERED AN EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE ON STAGE AND BEHIND THE SCENES. THANK YOU TO JASON, FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND A SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT TO THE LATINOS IN ACTION STUDENTS WHO TRANSLATED LIVE. A BIG APPLAUSE TO THE STUDENT CREWS WHO HANDLED SETS, LIGHTING, SOUND AND BACKSTAGE WORK. THEIR TALENT IS OUTSTANDING. INVESTING IN THEIR ARTS BUILT
CONFIDENCE CREATIVITY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STUDENT AND I WOULD LOVE FOR OUR COLLEAGUES HERE THE DAIS TO SUPPORT THEM AT THEIR NEXT EVENT BECAUSE IT'S OUT OF THIS WORLD. I ATTENDED THE STUDENT APPRENTICE SUMMIT CELEBRATING STUDENTS GAINING NEW SKILLS AND PATHWAYS. THANK YOU TO THE ADULT ED TEAM FOR SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH PROGRAMS THAT LEAD TO REAL JOBS AND STABILITY. I ALSO ATTENDED THE LAUNCH OF PALM BEACH COUNTY'S NEW BOOK MOBILE AS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD IT WAS SO MUCH FUN TO SEE THIS MODERN MOBILE LIBRARY. READY TO BRING BOOKS, CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION DIRECTLY INTO NEIGHBORHOODS. THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY COMMISSION AND THE LIBRARY LEADERSHIP FOR EXPANDING ACCESS TO LITERACY IN SUCH A MEANINGFUL WAY. BRINGING RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES STRENGTHENS OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND THAT WAS MY FORMER BOSS Mr. JOHNSON AT GRAPHICS. WE DID AND THEY STILL DO ALL THE GRAPHICS THEY ARE AMAZING STUFF THAT THE LIBRARY PUTS OUT.
AS A PART OF LATIN QUARTER WEST PALM BEACH THIS IS A SMALL AND MIGHTY NONPROFIT, I WANT TO SHARE THIS YEAR'S REVEAL THE BACKPACK EFFORT. INSTEAD OF ONE LARGE EVENT LIKE LAST YEAR WE'RE GOING DIRECTLY INTO FIVE SCHOOLS IN THE LATIN QUARTER AREA TO REACH STUDENTS A DONATION OF $75 WITH ESSENTIALS LIKE UNIFORM PIECES, SHOES, WARM CLOTHES LIKE SWEATSHIRTS, HYGIENE PRODUCTS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES.
CAN YOU SPONSOR ONE OR AS MANY AS I WISH. ONE STUDENT, OF COURSE OR AS MANY AS YOU WISH INVITING OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND EVERYONE WHO CAN JOIN US. SOME OF YOU WILL BE RECEIVING E-MAILS FROM MY PERSONAL ACCOUNT AND TEXT MESSAGES SO THERE'S INFORMATION ON THE SCREEN YOU WITH REACH OUT TO FIND OUT MORE. AND AS WE APPROACH THANKSGIVING, I WANT TO SAY ALSO HOW TRULY GREATFUL I AM THIS MONTH MARKS ONE YEAR THAT I WAS SWORN IN AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER FOR
DISTRICT 2 AND SERVING OUR FAMILIES, STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS. IT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST HONORS OF MY LIFE, Mr. LANE YOU TOOK MY WORDS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TRUST AND YOUR PARTNERSHIP WE'RE STRONGER WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER. AND CONGRATULATIONS CHAIR BRILL AND VICE-CHAIR Mr. LANE NOW I WILL MISS YOU BEING ON MY RIGHT HERE. YOU USED TO GET MY CANDY AND MY CHEESE AND THANK YOU I'M SO PROUD OF YOU. HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE. WISHING EVERYONE A RESTFUL AND
WELL DESERVED WEEK AHEAD. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. THAT IS NOW GOING TO BRING US -- >> Edwin Ferguson: POINT OF INFORMATION. HOW DO WE JUST GO SO FAR PAST FOUR MINUTES WITHOUT AN ACTUAL MOTION TO EXTEND? I'M SAYING THAT BECAUSE HAD I KNOWN THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO RUN THROUGH MY COMMENTS AS FAST AS I DID HAD I KNOWN WE WOULD HAVE THAT ADDITIONAL TIME HOW DID THAT WORKOUT? >> Karen Brill: WHEN WE HAD THE MEETING ON THE WORD POLICY IT WAS STATED THAT BOARD MEMBERS DID NOT WANT A BELL AND THEY
DIDN'T WANT TO BE SHUT DOWN AND THERE'S GOING TO BE TIMES WHEN THEY MIGHT GO A LITTLE BIT OVER. SO I GAVE HER THE COURTESY. >> Edwin Ferguson: 50% NO, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HER GOING OVER BUT THAT IS NOT THE SPIRIT OF WHAT WE DISCUSSED THE SPIRIT WAS ANDREWS SHE WAS FIVE TO 10 SECONDS OVER AND MY BELL WENT OFF AND I WAS UNDER WE NEED TO GET THAT STRAIGHTENED OUT MOVING FORWARD. AGAIN, IF IT'S FOUR MINUTES IT'S FOUR MINUTES. >> Karen Brill: LET'S HAVE A
DISCUSSION ITEM AT A FUTURE MEETING AND WE CAN DISCUSS IT AND IF YOU NEED TO BRING BACK THE POLICY THIS IS NOT THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO HAVE A DISCUSSION. WE CAN BRING IT BACK AS A POINT OF DISCUSSION. >> Edwin Ferguson: I AM GOING TO SAY IT ON THE RECORD IT WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD TO HAVE KNOWN THAT. IF THAT WAS DECIDED WHENEVER IT WAS DECIDED THEN LET EVERYBODY KNOW I DIDN'T KNOW I AM TAKING EXCEPTION TO IT AND IT IS A POINT OF CONVERSATION LET'S BE BETTER MOVING FORWARD.
>> Karen Brill: PRESENTATIONS AND NOW MS. NNEKA NNOLIM FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT JOINS US FOR THE NOVEMBER RECOGNITIONS. GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS AND MS. WEISS LET'S GO DOWN FOR THE PRESENTATIONS.
GOOD EVENING CHAIR BRILL, VICE CHAIR ANDREWS, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY. THIS EVENING WE HAVE THREE RECOGNITIONS ON THE AGENDA. WE BEGIN WITH A RECOGNITION FOR MS. ELENA VILLANI, THE PRINCIPAL AT LAKE WORTH COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL. SHE RECEIVED THE 2025 PRINCIPAL/ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM THE FLORIDA ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. THE AWARD ACKNOWLEDGES THE VITAL ROLE ADMINISTRATORS PLAY IN CHAMPIONING THE ARTS, AND IT IS PRESENTED TO A SCHOOL-BASED PRINCIPAL/ADMINISTRATOR IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA WHO HAS PROVIDED EXEMPLARY SUPPORT FOR
ART EDUCATION IN THEIR SCHOOL. MS. VILLANI HAS WORKED IN THE DISTRICT FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS. SHE CONSIDERS IT AN INCREDIBLE HONOR TO RECEIVE THE AWARD. SHE BELIEVES THAT THE ARTS GIVE STUDENTS CONFIDENCE, CREATIVITY, AND JOY, REMINDING THEM THAT WHO THEY ARE MATTERS JUST AS MUCH AS HOW THEY PERFORM. SHE SAYS THE MOST MEANINGFUL PART OF HER JOB ISN'T JUST WATCHING STUDENTS GRADUATE, BUT SEEING THEM DO SO WITH A WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION AND A SENSE OF PURPOSE. FOR HER, THE GREATEST REWARD IS SEEING HER STUDENTS GAIN THE COURAGE TO TAKE CHANCES, THINK BIG, AND DISCOVER THE INCREDIBLE POTENTIAL THAT HAS BEEN WITHIN THEM ALL ALONG.
IN THE END, SEEING THEIR SMILES AS THEY CONQUER THEIR GOALS IS ALL HER HEART NEEDS EACH DAY. CONGRATULATIONS TO MS. ELENA VILLANI FOR RECEIVING THE PRINCIPAL/ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM THE FLORIDA ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. LET'S GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] NEXT WE ARE RECOGNIZING FOUR
PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS WHO RECEIVED AWARDS FROM THE SOCIETY OF HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATORS (SHAPE) FLORIDA. GABRIEL MONTANEZ IS A PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER AT FOREST HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. HE RECEIVED SHAPE FLORIDA'S ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD. MR. MONTANEZ IS IN HIS FIFTH YEAR WITH THE DISTRICT. TO HIM, THE MOST MEANINGFUL PART OF HIS JOB IS SEEING STUDENTS BUILD CONFIDENCE AND RESILIENCE. HE TAKES PRIDE IN HELPING EVERY CHILD REALIZE THEY CAN SUCCEED IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, REGARDLESS OF SKILL LEVEL. BEYOND PHYSICAL SKILLS, HE VALUES TEACHING TEAMWORK, PERSEVERANCE, AND QUALITIES THAT
HELP STUDENTS BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE GYM. CONGRATULATIONS TO GABRIEL MONTANEZ FOR RECEIVING THE SHAPE FLORIDA'S ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD. LET'S GIVE HIM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] TUNISIA CIELO IS A PHYSICAL
EDUCATION TEACHER AT H.L. WATKINS MIDDLE SCHOOL. SHE WAS NAMED SHAPE FLORIDA'S MIDDLE SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER OF THE YEAR. MS. CIELO HAS BEEN WORKING IN THE DISTRICT FOR SIX YEARS, AND DURING THAT TIME SHE FEELS THAT SHE HAS TRULY EVOLVED BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY. SHE SAYS THE MOST MEANINGFUL PART OF BEING A PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER IS GETTING TO MENTOR KIDS IN WAYS THAT GO FAR BEYOND RUNNING LAPS OR LEARNING A GAME. SHE GETS TO GUIDE THEM TOWARD HEALTHIER CHOICES AND HELP THEM RECOGNIZE THEIR OWN PROGRESS.
WHETHER SHE'S SETTING UP A FITNESS CHALLENGE OR ENCOURAGING A STUDENT TO FINISH A RACE, SHE GETS TO SERVE AS A TRUSTED ADULT WHO HELPS STUDENTS BUILD STRONGER HABITS AND CONFIDENCE, AS WELL AS A STRONGER SENSE OF WHO THEY CAN BECOME. CONGRATULATIONS TO TUNISIA CIELO ON BEING NAMED SHAPE FLORIDA'S MIDDLE SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER OF THE YEAR. LET'S GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] MARCELA MENDOZA AND EDDIE RICCIO
ARE PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS AT WEST BOYNTON MIDDLE SCHOOL. THEY WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN THEIR SCHOOL RECEIVING THE SHAPE FLORIDA MANNY HARAGEONES PROGRAM RECOGNITION AWARD FOR AN OUTSTANDING STATEWIDE PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM. MS. MENDOZA HAS BEEN WITH THE DISTRICT FOR 21 YEARS. SHE FEELS THAT THE MOST MEANINGFUL PART OF BEING A PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER IS HELPING STUDENTS DISCOVER THEIR OWN POWER. NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE ATHLETIC, BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE CAPABLE OF BEING BETTER THAN THEY WERE THE DAY BEFORE. IT IS INCREDIBLY REWARDING FOR HER TO WATCH HER STUDENTS GROW AND MATURE OVER THE THREE YEARS
THEY SPEND IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, DEVELOPING CONFIDENCE, RESILIENCE AND HOPEFULLY A LIFELONG APPRECIATION FOR WELLNESS. FOR MR. RICCIO, THIS IS HIS SEVENTH YEAR AS A MIDDLE SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER IN THE DISTRICT. THE MOST MEANINGFUL PART OF HIS JOB IS HELPING STUDENTS DEVELOP CORE VALUES AND PERSONAL SKILLS THAT WILL STAY WITH THEM FOR A LIFETIME. HE BELIEVES THAT PHYSICAL EDUCATION IS MORE THAN JUST LEARNING SPORTS OR STAYING ACTIVE. IT IS ABOUT HELPING STUDENTS BUILD CONFIDENCE, RESILIENCE, COOPERATION, AND RESPECT. HE CONSIDERS IT A PRIVILEGE TO CREATE LESSONS WHERE STUDENTS CAN CHALLENGE THEMSELVES, SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER, TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR GROWTH, AND REALIZE
THEIR OWN POTENTIAL. KNOWING THAT HE PLAYS A ROLE IN SHAPING WELL-ROUNDED, CAPABLE, AND CARING YOUNG PEOPLE IS WHAT MAKES HIS WORK TRULY MEANINGFUL. CONGRATULATIONS TO MARCELA MENDOZA AND EDDIE RICCIO AT WEST BOYNTON MIDDLE SCHOOL, FOR EARNING THE SHAPE FLORIDA MANNY HARAGEONES PROGRAM RECOGNITION AWARD FOR AN OUTSTANDING STATEWIDE PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM. LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. WE ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PRINCIPAL.
[APPLAUSE] AND FINALLY THIS EVENING, WE ARE RECOGNIZING FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL GENEROSITY. FOR THE PERIOD OF SEPTEMBER 2024 THROUGH THIS MONTH, FPL HAS MADE A REMARKABLE IMPACT BY CONTRIBUTING MORE THAN $300,000 IN GRANT FUNDING TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT HAS SUPPORTED HIGH-QUALITY STEM PROGRAMS, PROVIDED VALUABLE RESOURCES, AND SUPPORTED INITIATIVES LIKE THE EMPOWERING STEM EDUCATORS PROGRAM, AND THE FPL STEM CLASSROOM MAKEOVER GRANT. AS THIS YEAR MARKS FPL'S 100 YEARS OF SERVICE, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY,
THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, AND ALL THE STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS WHO HAVE BENEFITED FROM THIS PARTNERSHIP, EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT GRATITUDE. FPL'S COMMITMENT TO EMPOWERING CLASSROOMS AND IGNITING POTENTIAL WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS HAS TRANSFORMED LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND INSPIRED THE NEXT GENERATION. THANK YOU FOR BEING A TRUE CHAMPION OF EDUCATION IN OUR COMMUNITY. HERE TO ACCEPT THIS RECOGNITION, FROM FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT, WE HAVE: ISABELLA BURCKHARDT - COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPECIALIST KATE COTNER - DIRECTOR COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT NATALIE FISHER - SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIST JASMINE GOVAN - SENIOR COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPECIALIST LAN KAUFER - EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MANAGER AMY KEMP - EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MANAGER. DON KISELEWSKI - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS-CENTRAL SARAH MARMION - SENIOR MANAGER COMMUNITY EDUCATION & PROGRAMS MARIOTA THEODORIS - PROJECT MANAGER [APPLAUSE] AND WE ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE,
FROM THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF PALM BEACH COUNTY: JAMES GAVRILOS - PRESIDENT/CEO TERESA WEST - CHIEF ENGAGEMENT OFFICER JENNIFER ETHRIDGE - DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND GRANTS ALEXA GUY - PROGRAMS AND GRANTS SPECIALIST. LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. BOARD CHAIR BRILL, VICE CHAIR ANDREWS, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, STAFF, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, THIS CONCLUDES THE RECOGNITIONS FOR NOVEMBER. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR ATTENTION THIS EVENING. >> Karen Brill: THAT'S GOING TO
BRING US TO OUR STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT. THE GOVERNMENT REPORT WILL BE GIVEN BY ELLERY WEISS. OUR STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT. >> THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, CHAIRWOMAN BRILL, VICE-CHAIRMAN LANE, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. I'M EXCITED TO SHARE THAT TOMORROW, Dr. JOAQUIN GARCIA WILL BE HOSTING THE SECOND COUNTY MEETING OF THE YEAR. THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN WORKING IN PREPARATION OF THE MEETING WITH THE COUNTY BOARD OF MEMBERS. DURING THIS MEETING SCHOOLS PRESIDENT WILL BE VOTING UPON A
RESOLUTION PROPOSED BY Dr. JOAQUIN GARCIA THE RESOLUTION WAS SENT OUT PRIOR TO THE MEETING AND THE FLOOR WILL BE OPEN TO DEBATE. MOREOVER I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH TOYS FOR TOTS A NONPROFIT INITIATIVE THAT PARTNERS WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO PROVIDE GIFTS TO CHILDREN WHO MIGHT NOT RECEIVE THEM DURING THE HOLIDAYS TO HOST A TOY DRIVE. EACH SCHOOL IS REQUIRED TO BRING TWO NEW UNOPENED TOYS TO BE DONATED AT THE COURAGETY MEETING. FURTHERMORE, I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE ALL SCHOOLS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY TO HOST THEIR OWN TOY DRIVES IN AN E-MAIL I SENT
TO PALM BEACH COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT COUNCIL ADVISERS ABOUT THE TOY DRIVE I INCLUDED INSTRUCTIONS AND REQUEST HOW TO BE A TOY DROP SITE. FOR SCHOOLS UNABLE TO HOST THEIR TOY DRIVES OR DONATE AT TOMORROW'S MEETING JUPITER HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE A DROP-OFF POINT. THERE ARE DROP-OFF BINS IN SHOPS ACROSS PALM BEACH COUNTY. IN REGARDS TO THE FIGHTING HUNGER ONE BITE AT A TIME SURVEY IT IS WITH OVERWHELMING PRIDE
THAT I SHARE THAT WE'VE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 27,883 RESPONSES FROM STUDENTS ACROSS OUR COUNTY. LAST YEAR THE SURVEY RECEIVED 14,654 RESPONSES. THIS YEAR'S SURVEY RESPONSES GREW BY OVER 190%. I COULDN'T BE PROUDER OF THE OUTCOME WE HAD. WITH THIS, TWO SCHOOLS WITH THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF PARTICIPATION BASED ON THE SCHOOL SIZE WILL BE PRESENTED AN AWARD. ONE WILL BE PRESENTING TO A SCHOOL WITH A STUDENT POPULATION OF 100 OR MORE AND THE OTHER
WILL BE PRESENTED TO A SCHOOL WITH 99 OR LESS. THE AWARD WILL BE GIVEN IN APRIL OF 2026. FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS TO CONTINUE FILLING OUT THE LOCAL SCHOOL UPDATES FORM POSTED ON THE PBCASC INSTAGRAM. THIS FORM ALLOWS ME TO RECEIVE NEWS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND INFORMATION SCHOOLS WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT THEIR STUDENTS AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A WONDERFUL
THANKSGIVING. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU, MS. WEISS. THAT WILL BRING US TO OUR COMMITTEE REPORTS. THERE IS NO ACADEMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT TONIGHT. THE AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT IS ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA. CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT RECREW COMMITTEE THE REPORT IS ALSO ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA. THE DIVERSITY AND EQUITY COMMITTEE DOES NOT HAVE A REPORT TONIGHT. GENERAL COUNSEL DO YOU HAVE A REPORT FOR US? >> NO, REPORT. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: INSPECTOR GENERAL DO YOU HAVE A REPORT FOR
US? >> NO REPORT. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU THAT WILL BRING US TO OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND DELEGATES, WE'LL START WITH JAMES GAVRILOS PRESIDENT AND C.E.O. OF THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION. >> GOOD EVENING MADAM CHAIR AND CONGRATULATIONS, CONGRATULATIONS AS WELL VICE-CHAIR LANE AND WELCOME TO THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION BOARD. I TEXTED OUT TO OUR BOARD AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU HAVE BEEN FLOWING IN. MS. WHITFIELD WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE BOARD AND
MS. BRILL WE ARE HAVING A RETIRED EDUCATION FOUNDATION BOARD. IN THE SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING, I WANT TO OFFER THANKS TO DIFFERENT GROUPS AND THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY. I WANT TO PICK UP AGAIN AND THE FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT PEOPLE ARE STILL WITH US AND THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS FOR WHICH WE COULD COMMENT WHAT THEY DO. WHICH ONE DO I CHOOSE? 67, 67. I CAN'T BELIEVE I JUST DID THAT. BUT ANYWAY. [LAUGHTER]
YOU ARE WELL AWARE OF THE STEM CLASSROOM MAKEOVER GRANTS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THAT. THOSE ARE FOUR $50,000 GRANTS GRANTED TO FOUR SCHOOLS THIS CONTRIBUTED TO A TOTAL OF $300,000 WAS POURED INTO OUR LOCAL STEM PROGRAMS HERE. IN ADDITION FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT DOES THE EMPOWERING STEM EDUCATORS. THIS IS SO OUT OF THE BOX THINKING THEIR GRANT ALLOWS THE PRINCIPALS TO HIRE SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS SO THAT OUR TEACHERS CAN LEARN FROM THE BEST.
THE BEST STEM EDUCATORS WE HAVE GATHER ON A PERIODIC BASIS. I BELIEVE THERE WAS ONE JUST YESTERDAY AT DIAMOND VIEW ELEMENTARY, HIDDEN OAKS THESE THINGS GO ON YESTERDAY'S WAS DELL PRADO WHERE OUR BEST STEM EDUCATORS CAN PRACTICE TRAINING. THE FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT ALLOWS THE HOME PRINCIPALS TO BRING IN SUBSTITUTES. AS IF THAT WEREN'T ENOUGH, THE EMPOWERING FUTURE LEADERS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IS A DRONE PROGRAM WE ARE WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OUR
FRIENDS AT THE FOREST HILL HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR RSM OTC PROGRAM THE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH COMING WITH AVIATION TRAINING REMOTE PILOTED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY AND CERTIFICATIONS THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO FIND EMPLOYMENT IN THE MILITARY OR THE PRIVATE SECTOR. AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT ALL STARTS WITH FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT WE CANNOT THANK THEM ENOUGH. AS I SAID YESTERDAY Mr. LANE WE THINK OF FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT AS A POWER COMPANY THEY ARE NOT. THEY ARE AN EMPOWERMENT COMPANY.
AND THEY EMPOWER OUR STUDENTS AND OUR SCOOT COMMUNITY AND WE COULD NOT BE MORE GRATEFUL TO DON, AMY, KATE AND THE TEAM AT FP AND L. AND THANKSGIVING TONIGHT. SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS WENDY HAS SHARED WITH US A NUMBER OF THINGS SHE HAD EXTRAS, SHIELDS TEACHERS ARE USING WHEN GIVING TESTS SHE DONATED 500 MINI IPADS WE ARE USING IN PAHOKEE AND A NUMBER OF OUR LITERACY PROGRAMS WHERE THE YOUNG PEOPLE
CAN ACCESS THEIR TRAINING AND PUT IT INTO PRACTICE. IF THAT WEREN'T ENOUGH SUPERVISOR LEE CONTACTED ME LAST WEEK, KAREN SIT DOWN FOR THIS ONE, SHE IS DONATING TO OUR RED APPLE SUPPLY PROGRAM $400,000 -- 400,000 PENS 21 PALLETS OF PENS THE SUPERVISOR HAD AND NEEDED TO MOVE ON AND DONATING IT TO OUR RED APPLE SUPPLY PROGRAM IT'S THAT SUPPORT YOU HAVE FROM THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT DOES MAKE THE EDUCATION
FOUNDATION WORK AND IT ALLOWS US TO SERVE YOU THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE TEACHERS, STUDENTS, SCHOOLS IN THE BEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. SO AS WE HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU, WE WANT TO THANK YOU. AND WELCOME Mr. LANE TO OUR BOARD AND THANKS FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT, WENDY LINK AND OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS THANK YOU FOR THE ENGINE THAT POWERS US AND DRIVES US FORWARD. HAVE A GREAT WEEK. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. GORTON LONGHOFER CTA PRESIDENT.
[APPLAUSE] >> IF I HEARD RIGHT, GOOD EVENING CHAIR BRILL, VICE-CHAIR LANE MEMBERS OF THE BIRD, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND HONORED GUESTS I BROUGHT A FRIEND OR TWO TONIGHT. IT IS AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK. AND DURING AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK ACROSS THE STATE WITH FLORIDA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION WE HAVE BEEN IN DIFFERENT WAYS CELEBRATING PUBLIC SCHOOLS, BRINGING THE THEM TO LIGHT
SOMETIMES WITH SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS SOMETIMES IN PARTS OF THE STATE WITH DIFFERENT ACTIONS CELEBRATING AT CHIEFMENTS OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS CELEBRATING TEACHERS ACKNOWLEDGING ALL THEY DO. WE HAVE GREAT EFFECTIVE TEACHERS HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY AND THE DISTRICT'S SUCCESSES SPEAK TO THAT. [APPLAUSE] THE A RATING, THE HIGH ACADEMIC PERFORMING DISTRICT DESIGNATION THE 44 SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE. I CAN TELL YOU TEACHERS APPRECIATE THE PRAISE THEY
RECEIVE. BUT MORE THAN THAT THEY DESERVE AND NEED A RAISE ONE THAT IS TRULY MEANINGFUL. [APPLAUSE] AND ALLOWS THEM TO PAY THEIR BILLS, RECEIVE AFFORDABLE MEDICAL CARE, TAKE A VACATION ONCE IN A WHILE AND RETIRE WITH DIGNITY. IN OTHER WORDS THEY DESERVE TO BE ABLE TO MEET THEIR OPERATING COSTS. TONIGHT, YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM A NUMBER OF TEACHERS THEIR
STORIES RING OF SELFLESS SACRIFICE SO EVERY STUDENT THEY SEE REGARDLESS OF STUDENT'S ETHNICITY, INCOME LEDGE OR LABEL RECEIVES A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION THEY DESERVE GIVING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A SUCCESSFUL LIFE FILLED WITH PURPOSE. I THINK WE CAN AGREE THAT TWO JOBS IS ONE TOO MANY. [APPLAUSE] BUT THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT MANY OF
THESE TEACHERS MUST HAVE JUST TO MEET THEIR PERSONAL BUDGETS OR THEIR OPERATING COSTS. >> I IMPLORE YOU GIVE EAR TO THEIR STORIES TONIGHT THEN FIND A PATH THAT MOVES THEM TO A BETTER LIFE, FREE OF DISTRACTIONS SO THEY CAN DEVOTE THEMSELVES FULLY TO THE TASK AHEAD OF THAT. THAT OF TEACHING THIS COMMUNITY'S MOST PRECIOUS ASSET OUR STUDENTS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. ERIKA HAND VICE-PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF
PALM BEACH AND THE TREASURE COAST. AND I LIKE YOUR SUIT. >> WE'RE TWINNING TODAY HOW APPROPRIATE, RIGHT. GOOD EVENING CHAIRWOMAN BRILL VICE-CHAIR LANE BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENT BURKE I'M CHARACTER KA HAND VICE-PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION OF JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT. JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT IS PROUD TO CONTINUE OUR STRONG PARTNERSHIP WITH PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS IN PREPARING OUR STUDENTS FOR ALL OF THEIR FUTURE POSSIBILITIES. WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WE ARE EQUIPPING STUDENTS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, SILLS AND INSPIRATION THEY NEED AND CONNECT CLASSROOM
LEARNING TO REAL WORLD OPPORTUNITIES. EARLIER IN THE MONTH, YOU PROBABLY HEARD ABOUT IT, JA INSPIRE BROUGHT TO ENGAGING DAYS OF CAREER EXPLORATION TO LIFE. OVER 2300 STUDENTS 8TH GRADERS ATTENDED EACH DAY ENGAGING IN HANDS ON ACTIVITIES WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES, TRADE PROFESSIONALS AND POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS. STUDENTS EXPLORED PATHWAYS ACROSS SECTORS INCLUDING HEALTH SCIENCES, HOSPITALITY, CONSTRUCTION, PUBLIC SAFETY, SKILLED TRADES, TECHNOLOGY AND
MORE. THE EXPERIENCE HELPS STUDENTS TO MAKE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS HERE IN THEIR COUNTY BETWEEN THEIR INTERESTS AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO THEM WHILE REINFORCING THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR ACADEMIC JOURNEY AND ALL OF THE OPTIONS THAT PALM BEACH COUNTY HAS TO OFFER. THE EVENT ALSO WELCOMED SUPERINTENDENT BURKE THANKS FOR COMING OUT AND DISTRICT LEADERS WHO EXPERIENCED FIRSTHAND HOW THIS INITIATIVE SUPPORTS STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, CAREER AWARENESS AND FUTURE PLANNING. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING THE FINAL GROUP OF 8TH GRADERS ON DECEMBER FIFTH TO CONCLUDE THE
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT INSPIRE EXPERIENCE. THIS WEEK, I AM TAKING THE SHOW ON THE ROAD FOR A JA GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK. WE ARE BRINGING SEVEN GUEST SPEAKERS INTO OUR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOMS ACROSS THE COUNTY AS THESE SPEAKERS SHARE THEIR JOURNEYS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP, INNOVATION, AND LEADERSHIP. STUDENTS ARE HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS, HEAR REAL WORLD STORIES AND EXPLORE HOW CREATIVE IDEAS CAN GROW INTO THRIVING ENTERPRISES. EARLIER THIS WEEK STUDENTS
PARTICIPATED IN A VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP TO THE JEWEL COMPANY GAINING INSIGHT INTO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERSHIP IN THE LUXURY GOODS INDUSTRY. AND FRIDAY WE WILL CONCLUDE THE WEEK AT A FIELD TRIP TO ATLAS EVENT RENTAL WHERE STUDENTS AND BUSINESS AND TOURISM WILL TOUR THE COMPANY'S OPERATIONS AND LOGISTICS IN ACTION CONNECTING WITH LEARNING IN THE CLASSROOM TO REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS IN THE WORKFORCE. JA ELEMENTARY CAREER EXPLORATION FAIRS WERE HELD. AND BOARD MEMBER ANDREWS WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING OUT WE SAW
THE PICTURES ON THE BUS WE ARE GLAD YOU SEE HOW WE'RE OFFERING STUDENTS EARLY EXPOSURE TO CAREERS. AS THEY MAKE THE DECISIONS AND GO TO THE CHOICE CAREERS THEY CAN SEE THE PATHWAYS IN FRONT OF THEM. THESE ON CAMPUS EVENTS FEATURED LOCAL INDIVIDUALS, STUDENTS ROTATED THROUGH CAREER STATIONS AND LEARNED ABOUT DIFFERENT JOBS AND ASKED TO DRESSUP AS FUTURE CAREERS AND LEARNED ABOUT THE SKILLS, EDUCATION AND INTEREST NEEDED FOR EACH ROLE. AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL
STUDENTS FROM LAKE WORTH HIGH SCHOOL'S FUTURE EDUCATORS ACADEMY PARTICIPATED IN HIGH SCHOOL HEROS TRAVELING TO CROSS POINT WHERE THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH SECOND GRADE STUDENTS FOUNDATIONAL JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT LESSONS. STUDENTS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET IN THE CLASSROOM, TEACH FIRSTHAND, BE THE LEADER OF THAT CLASS AND HAVE A DEEPER CONNECT STHON TO THEIR OWN PROFESSIONAL PATHWAY A NEW RESPECT FOR THEIR TEACHERS ONCE THEY ARE THE TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM. IN PARALLEL, JA COLLEGE CHAMPIONS FROM KAISER UNIVERSITY
AND PALM BEACH ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY COMPLETED SERVICE BY DELIVERING JA PROGRAMS IN ELEMENTARY CLASSROOMS. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN PROGRAMS THAT BUILD, PURPOSE, PREPAREDNESS AND POSSIBILITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS. THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO BRING THESE IMPACTFUL PROGRAMS TO CLASSROOMS ACROSS THE DISTRICT. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. SYLVIA HALL PTA, PTSA PRESIDENT.
>> HI GOOD EVENING I'M SYLVIA HALL PALM BEACH COUNTY PTA PRESIDENT. OUR MISSION OF THE PTA IS TO MAKE EVERY CHILD'S POTENTIAL A REALITY BY ENGAGING AND EMPOWERING FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO ADVOCATE FOR ALL CHILDRENS. FOR ALL CHILDREN. REMINDERS. THE REFLECTION OF OUR PROGRAM IS ONGOING THAT LINE IS TO SUBMIT TO OUR COUNTY IS EARLY DECEMBER. AND IF THERE'S ANY CHILDREN ANY STUDENT WHO WOULD LIKE TO
PARTICIPATE BUT DON'T HAVE A PTA THEY CAN JOIN THE STATE-WIDE PTA SUNSHINE PTA. ALSO REMINDER THAT FOR THE PTA SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GRADUATING STUDENTS, THE APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN. THE DEADLINE IS MARCH 2, 2026. COMPLIANCE. NOVEMBER 15TH WAS THE DAY OF THE I.R.S. FILING FOR OUR LOCAL UNITS PART OF BEING A 501C 3
PUBLIC CHARITY AND REQUIRES THE COMPLIANCE. I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT ADVOCACY. EVERY YEAR FOR THE PTA HOLDS A CONFERENCE IN TALLAHASSEE THIS YEAR IT WILL TAKE PLACE FROM JANUARY 25-27 OF 2026. EVERYBODY LIKE I SAID, MEMBERS FROM ALL OVER THE FLORIDA WILL BE JOINING IN TALLAHASSEE TO ADVOCATE FOR SCHOOLS AND OUR STUDENTS.
EVERYONE CAN JOIN FOR THE PTA YOU CAN GO TO THE FLORIDA PTA WEBSITE AND SIGN UP TO RECEIVE ANY UPDATES OR ADVOCACY OR TAKE ACTION ITEMS. I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT FOR THE PTA'S RING IN RAIN STATE AGAIN THE STUDENT HEAL DAY. AND MOST OF THE SCHOOL MIGHT HAVE RECEIVED AN E-MAIL FROM OUR ADVOCACY CHAIR. AND WHAT IS THIS? IT IS WAYS OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE THAT PROVIDES MIDDLE
AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL TALLAHASSEE, MEET WITH LEGISLATORS, SERVE THE PROCESS AND ENGAGE DIRECTLY IN ADVOCACY. AND THIS IS A ALIGNS DIRECTLY WITH FLORIDA CIVICS EDUCATION CURRICULUM. THE OTHER THING IS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE NEXT YEAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN TALLAHASSEE. ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION IS LIKE WE ALWAYS
ADVOCATE FOR PROPERLY FUNDING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING THAT THIS YEAR. ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION SOMETHING ON THE NEWS THESE COUPLE OF WEEKS THE SCHOOLS OF HOPE OF COLLOCATION. AND FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, WHAT IT MEANS IS A LAW THAT ALLOWS FOR CHAPTER SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONS TO CO-LOCATE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE EXPENSES FOR MAINTENANCE,
CONSTRUCTION FOR SERVICE, JANITORS ET CETERA WILL BE BORN BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS RATHER THAN THE SCHOOLS OF HOPE OPERATORS. CREATING AN UNFUNDED MANDATE IN FLORIDA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS. FOR THE ORLANDO SENTINEL THE COUNTY RECEIVED 70 REQUESTS FOR 46 SCHOOLS. BEFORE I GO, I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND THAT THIS IS THE 50 YEAR
OF THE INDIVIDUALS AND THE EDUCATION ACT. AND TOMORROW AT 3:00 P.M., NATIONAL PTA WILL HAVE A WEBINAR ON THAT YOU CAN JOIN NATIONAL PTA ON THEIR WEBSITE ON THE YouTube CHANNEL AND BEFORE I GO I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HAPPY THANKSGIVING THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. CHARMAINE POSTAL EDUCATION CHAIR OF THE FLORIDA PTA.
>> GOOD EVENING CHAIR BRILL, VICE-CHAIR MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT AND DISTRICT STAFF CHARMAINE POSTAL AND TODAY I AM WEARING THE HAT OF FLORIDA PTA EDUCATION CHAIR AND MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE THIS UPDATE. THERE ARE SOME REDUB DENSY WITH THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER BUT IT'S OKAY. SO JUST TO START OFF NOVEMBER IS DESIGNATED AS PTA HEALTHY LIFESTYLES MONTH INITIATIVE PROMOTING HEALTHY HABITS FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THROUGH
NUTRITION AND WELLNESS. THIS ALSO RECOGNIZES THE NATIONAL PTA FAMILY ENGAGEMENT ENCOURAGING STRONG SCHOOL FAMILY PARTNERSHIP THAT SUPPORTS STUDENT SUCCESS. ACROSS THE COUNTRY PTA'S USE NOVEMBER TO HIGHLIGHT ISSUES SUCH AS MEN'S HEALTH AWARENESS AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES WE APPRECIATE OUR PALM BEACH COUNTY PTA FOR THE WORK THEY CONTINUE TO DO IN THESE AREAS. NOVEMBER IS ALSO YOUTH
CAREGIVING MONTH HONORING THE MILLIONS OF CHILDREN AND TEENS WHO PROVIDE CARE FOR FAMILY MEMBERS. LAST WEEK, A BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION WAS PASSED ACKNOWLEDGING CAREGIVING YOUTH NATIONWIDE A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD. HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY WE'RE PROUD TO RECOGNIZE Dr. CONNIE WHO IS NOT ONLY A WITH THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CAREGIVING YOUTH FOR THEIR NEAR WORK BUT SHE HAS BEEN A DEDICATED SUPPORTER OF FLORIDA PTA, PALM BEACH COUNTY AND PTA
AND THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO SHAPE THE NATIONAL AWARENESS. AS WE PREPARE FOR THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION A COUPLE OF UPDATES FOR MY COLLEAGUE WE ARE TRACKING THE FILED BILLS FROM TALLAHASSEE IDENTIFYING PRIORITY ISSUES REVIEWING ALIGNMENT WITH PTA RESOLUTIONS AND POSITIONS AND PROVIDING TIMELY UPDATES TO FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. AS SYLVIA MENTIONED OUR PALM BEACH COUNTY PTA PRESIDENT MENTIONED OUR ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE THAT IS TAKING PLACE
ON JANUARY 25-27 IN TALLAHASSEE, THE NEW COMPONENT THE STUDENT HILL DAY ON JANUARY 27, I AM A COLEAD ON THAT INITIATIVE AND REGISTRATION IS OPEN SPONSORSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE PROVIDED YOU CAN SEE ME AFTER OR YOU CAN SEND ME AN E-MAIL AT EDUCATION.COMMITTEE AT FLORIDA PTA.ORG. ADVOCACY CHAIRS ARE BEGINNING OUTREACH TO LEGISLATORS IN PREPARING LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS FOR CAPITAL DAYS AS THE PALM BEACH COUNTY ADVOCACY CHAIR I
WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH THE BOARD OR A LOT OF TEACHERS ARE HERE TEACHERS AND CTA TO DISCUSS PRIORITIES AND ENSURING OUR DELEGATION ADVOCATES EFFECTIVELY ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, STAFF, SCHOOL BOARD BECAUSE WE WILL NEED A LOT OF IT AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS OUR TOP PRIORITY. FINALLY, IN BRINGING ATTENTION TO THE CRITICAL CHARTER COLLOCATION FILINGS, FOLLOWING THE RECENT EXPANSION OF THE STATE LAW AT LEAST 690 LETTERS OF INTENT HAVE BEEN FILED OF
SCHOOLS OF HOPE CHARTER OPERATORS ACROSS 22 COUNTIES WITH 300 FILINGS TARGETING MIAMI-DADE, BROWARD AND PALM BEACH THESE OPEN THE DOOR FOR PRIVATE CHARTER OPERATORS TO CO-LOCATE INSIDE OF OUR SCHOOLS. I WANT TO SHARE THAT TOMORROW A COALITION OF PARENT GROUPS PTA, EDUCATORS AND ORGANIZATIONS WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE IN RESPONSE TO THIS UNPRECEDENTED SURGE OF SCHOOLS OF HOPE CHARTER OPERATINGS SEEKING TO CO-LOCATE INSIDE OF OUR SCHOOLS. THIS WILL BE HELD IN MIAMI
BECAUSE IT IS A TRI COUNTY EFFORT AT 2:15PM IN FRONT OF SHADOW LAWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 149 NORTHWEST 49TH STREET MIAMI, FLORIDA. IN THE SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING I GET A SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT TO ERIC STERN MY DAUGHTER GOT HER PERMIT AND LEAVE YOU WITH THIS... >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SO BOARD MEMBERS WE DO NOT HAVE ANY AGENDA ITEM SPEAKERS THAT WILL BRING US TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE
THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION BY MS. WHITFIELD AND SECONDED BY VICE-CHAIR LANE. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE DON'T HAVE ANY UNFINISHED BUSINESS THAT WILL BRING US Mr. SUPERINTENDENT TO NEW BUSINESS. >> Mike Burke: I RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON AND THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION AT LAKE WORTH ROAD AND AISLE VIEW DRIVE AS IT RELATES TO POLO
PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL AND I AUTHORIZE THE SIGNING OF THE DOCUMENTS. >> Karen Brill: MOTION BY MS. ANDREWS. I BELIEVE SOMEONE PULLED THAT IS THAT Mr. FERGUSON CAN YOU PULL THAT? >> Edwin Ferguson: I DID BECAUSE WHEN WE MET WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY STATE LEGISLATURE THERE WAS A QUESTION POSED BY ONE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES. I DON'T REMEMBER HER NAME NOW. BUT THERE WAS A SCHOOL WHERE I BELIEVE ONE OR TWO CHILDREN WERE INJURED I THINK WITH BICYCLES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND SHE ASKED WHETHER WE WOULD BE ABLE TO BUILD A ROAD THAT WOULD
PROVIDE THEM SAFE ACCESS EGRESS AND INGRESS TO THE CAMPUS AND I THOUGHT IT WAS SAID WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT I WAS SURPRISED WE'RE PAYING A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT TO INSTALL A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND I'M WONDERING WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO SITUATIONS. >> Mike Burke: YES, I RECALL THAT CONVERSATION IT WAS REGARDING WOODLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL I BELIEVE REPRESENTATIVE WEINBERG THAT POSED THE QUESTION. THE WAKES IS DIFFERENT. WE DO WORK WITH THE COUNTY ON AN ONGOING BASIS WE MEET WITH OUR
TEAMS TO ANALYZE TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. AND WE HAVE ADDED TRAFFIC SIGNALS BEFORE AND SHARED THE COST. FOR THIS SCHOOL, THIS SCHOOL WAS BUILT ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO. AND THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS HAVE CHANGED QUITE A BIT OVER THAT TIME PERIOD. THINGS HAVE GOTTEN MUCH MORE CONGESTED AND THE MIDDLE SCHOOL IS NOT THE SOLE CAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC THERE'S OTHER FACTORS WITH THE GROWTH WE'VE SEEN. WE FELT IT WAS FAIR ON THIS ONE TO SHARE THE COST. IT WILL BENEFIT OUR SCHOOL AND OUR PARENTS AND STUDENTS. THE QUESTION THAT WAS POSED TO
ME REGARDING THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ADDING A LANE FOR A DESIGNATED BIKE LANE FELT LIKE A MUCH GRANDER PROJECT THAT WAS WAY OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF WHAT WE DO AS FAR AS LIKE YOU KNOW, WE DON'T CREATE OUR OWN ROADS OR PATHS OR SIDEWALKS. AND THAT IS WHERE I FELT THAT WAS A BRIDGE TOO FAR. BUT WE HAVE DONE THIS AND YOU WILL SEE MORE OF THESE IN THE FUTURE WE ARE WORKING ON NOW FOR LIMESTONE CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. >> Edwin Ferguson: OKAY. >> Karen Brill: FURTHER DISCUSSION?
ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> Mike Burke: FMPA4 THE PURCHASE OF KINDERGARTEN READINESS KIDS FROM HAND TO MINDS I CANNOT TO EXCEED 308,336 DOLLARS. >> Karen Brill: MOTION AND SECONDED. Mr. FERGUSON? >> Edwin Ferguson: I PULLED THIS TOO, JUST TO GET CLARITY ON THE TIMELINE FROM WHEN THE PARENTS RECEIVE THE KINDERGARTEN READINESS KIT AND TO WHEN SCHOOL STARTS? THE REGISTRATION PERIOD IS IT NOT IN APRIL OF THE YEAR
PRECEDING THE START OF THE SCHOOL? >> Mike Burke: YES, GENERALLY YOU'RE RIGHT IN THE SPRING APRIL, MAY, WE FORMALIZE THAT TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE WELCOMING INCOMING GARTERS. IT WILL BE THE CLASS OF 2039 AND THIS IS PART OF THAT PIECE TO HELP KIDS BE KINDERGARTEN READY. AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT OUR OFFICER MARIE BISHOP HAS THE KIT ON HER TABLE IT IS A NEW KIT THAT MERGES ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND MATHEMATICS INTO ONE BOX.
BUT SIMILAR FROM WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST AND WE THINK IT'S HELPING RAISE THE KINDERGARTEN READINESS LEVELS. >> Edwin Ferguson: QUESTION FOR CAO THROUGH THE SUPERINTENDENT. WHAT IS IN THE BOX? >> Mike Burke: WHAT IS PEA IN THE BOX MS. BISHOP? GO AHEAD YOU ARE THE EXPERT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. SO WE HAVE SOME RESOURCES FOR PARENTS. WE HAVE EXACTLY HAVE A PARENT GUIDE A 32-PAGE PARENT GUIDE WHICH FEATURES 60 ACTIVITIES AND
GAMES. WE HAVE 24 PAGE ACTIVITY BOOKS FOR THE STUDENTS TO REUSE. WE HAVE A ONE WHITE BOARD THE STORAGE BOX WE HAVE MATH AND COUNTING TOOLS ABOUT 60 SHAPE PIECES, 20 CRITTER COUNTERS FOR LITERACY AND FINE MOTOR TOOLS WE HAVE UPPER AND LOWER CASE LETTERS, PUZZLE CARDS A GATOR FINE MOTOR TOOL THAT IS ALL THAT IS IN HERE. >> Edwin Ferguson: THAT FOUR MONTHS BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS AND
MOST PEOPLE KNOW HOW MUCH OF AN ADVOCATE I AM FOR EARLY EDUCATION KIDS START BEHIND TEND TO STAY BEHIND. SO WOULD IT BE FEASIBLE AND POSSIBLE FOR US TO MAYBE GO A YEAR BEFORE GOING TO THE CHILDCARE CENTERS AND TRY TO DISSEMINATE THESE? I'VE NEVER HEARD OF US DOING IT BUT IT MIGHT BE MORE PRUDENT UTILIZATION IN FOUR MONTHS IT IS UNLIKELY A CHILD NOT KINDERGARTEN READY IS GOING TO BE KINDERGARTEN READY AND WE SEE THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF CHILDREN START BEHIND IN TERMS OF GETTING AHEAD OF THE CURVE DURING THEIR
13 YEARS OR MORE IN OUR SYSTEM. >> Mike Burke: THESE KITS ARE DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN 4-6. WE LIKE TO MAKE THAT CONNECTION WITH THE INCOMING FAMILY THE WELCOME TO PALM BEACH COUNTY SHOW THEM WHY WE ARE THE BEST CHOICE AND WE COMPLIMENT THE KIT WITH VIDEOS IN THREE LANGUAGES I NEED TO TAKE BACK TO MY TEAM AND EXTEND A REACH A YEAR EARLY. TYPICALLY WE DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH INTERACTION WITH STUDENTS THAT FAR IN ADVANCE AND I KNOW
YOU ARE STRONG SUPPORTERS WE KNOW A HIGH QUALITY PRE-K PROGRAM IS SO BENEFICIAL THAT 72% OF THE KIDS THAT FINISH ARE CONSIDERED SCHOOL READY WHEN THEY FINISH. AND SO ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO STRENGTHEN THE PARTNERSHIPS WE'RE INTERESTED IN. SO WE CAN KICK THAT AROUND MAYBE WITH THE CHILDREN'S SERVICE COUNCIL THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION AND SEE WHAT WE CAN COME UP WITH. >> Edwin Ferguson: THE REASON I'M SENSITIVE ABOUT THIS I WAS IN FRONT OF THE LAKE WORTH COMMISSION AND ONE OF MY DISTRICT SEVEN SCHOOLS THE KINDERGARTEN READINESS SCORE WAS
19, 13 AND 9 AND THERE WAS A GASP IN THE ROOM AS IF WE DID IT AND WE DIDN'T. I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IT'S 4-6. MOST OF THOSE CHILDREN WERE STARTING KINDERGARTEN ARE FOUR THE YEAR FOR PART OF THE YEAR. IT IS A NEW PARADIGM THAT MAYBE WE NEED TO CONSIDER. I DON'T WANT TO BELABOR THE POINT I SUPPORT THE UTILIZATION OF THE KITS BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US EXPAND OUR SCOPE BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT AT STAKE 9% OF THE KIDS ARE GRARYT READY WHICH
SAYS 91% ARE NOT. WE ARE A CHILDREN'S KEEPER IN THAT REGARD IF IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT IS A BUDGET BUSTER MY UNSOPHISTICATED WAY OF SAYING IT DOESN'T COST MUCH I THINK WE SHOULD TRY TO DO THAT MOVING FORWARD. YOU WILL TAKE IT BACK TO YOUR TEAM. I WILL NOT BELABOR IT. IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US DOING IT IN THE UPCOMING YEARS. >> Mike Burke: I OFFER -- THANK YOU [APPLAUSE] THESE KITS ARE NO SUBSTITUTE FOR
A HIGH QUALITY PRE-K PROGRAM. IT IS A NICE TOUCH. IT IS A BOOST TO GET THE PARENTS WORKING WITH THEIR LITTLE PERSON MAYBE HELP DISPEL ANXIETY ABOUT GOING TO KINDERGARTEN AND HAVING THE BASIC SKILLS WE ALSO HAVE TO AND YOU'VE ADVOCATED FOR THIS AS WELL AS THE BOARD NOT EVERY FAMILY IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE PVK PROVIDED BY THE STATE IT IS A HALF-DAY OR A FULL DAY SUMMER PROGRAM. EITHER ONE OF THOSE HAS TREMENDOUS BENEFIT TO THE STUDENTS. I THINK WE HAVE A TAKE A MULTIFACETED APPROACH TO GET
MORE STUDENTS HIGH QUALITY PRE-K WHEN THEY COME TO US AS KINDERGARTENER THEY ARE READY TO GO. BUT, YEAH WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THIS. >> Edwin Ferguson: THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: MS. ANDREWS. >> Marcia Andrews: THANK YOU WITH THE COMMENT. BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU WHEN DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT ED TIERNEY WAS HERE THIS WAS HIS BABY AND THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS WE'VE DONE IN A LONGTIME WITH OUR PRE-K CHILDREN THAT HAVE THE KITS FOR THE FAMILIES. I'VE BEEN IN A LOT OF SCHOOLS WHERE PARENTS ARE LINED UP WAITING TO GET THE KITS TO HELP
THEIR CHILDREN. I COMMEND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY BECAUSE WE DID NOT DO THIS IN THE PAST AND WHEN WE BROUGHT THIS FORTH IT'S MADE A DIFFERENCE FOR THOSE FAMILIES. CERTAINLY A THING THAT THE SCHOOL CENTERS OR INTERFACING WITH THE PARENTS THEY ARE SO THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THIS EARLY LEARNING KIT TO WORK WITH THEIR CHILDREN BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY BEGIN THE SCHOOL CENTER. YOU KNOW WITH THE PARTICULAR SCHOOL. SO IT'S TWO FOLD GOOD FOR THE SCHOOL, GOOD FOR THE PARENT AND CERTAINLY GREAT FOR THE CHILDREN. I COMMEND YOU FOR TAKING THIS
STEP AND TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL. BUT PLEASE WE HAVE TO PASS THIS BECAUSE PARENTS ARE WAITING ON THIS. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: VICE-CHAIR LANE? >> Matthew Lane: I WANT TO COMMEND MS. BISHOP AND MS. WYATT. THIS IS A FIRST STEP AND I CAN SEE ALREADY MAKING A DIFFERENCE. FOR THESE CHILDREN SO THANK YOU AND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF MANY GREAT THINGS I EXPECT TO SEE FROM BOTH OF YOU. I'M SO HAPPY YOU ARE IN YOUR POSITIONS AND I AGREE WITH Mr.
FERGUSON WE NEED TO ATTACK THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND I'M EXCITED WE ARE GOING TO LOOK INTO THE NEXT STEP IF 9% ARE KINDERGARTEN READY WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM AND WE HAVE THE RIGHT TEAM IN PLACE TO DO SO. >> Karen Brill: MS. SAVIETTO. >> Virginia Savietto: THANK YOU, YES, I AM EXCITED ABOUT THOSE BOXES. BUT ONE INITIATIVE THAT I HAD STARTED IN MY DISTRICT IS TO VISIT THE DIFFERENT DAYCARES.
AND ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING AT THE DISTRICT AND ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THEY ARE DOING WHAT PROGRAMS THEY ARE USING. I'VE HEARD SOMETIMES THAT THE KIDS THAT COME FROM PRIVATE DAYCARES NOT OUR VPK PROGRAMS SOMETIMES ARE NOT WELL PREPARED. SO UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WE CAN DO AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL BUT PERSONALLY, I THINK, I CAN ESTABLISH RELATIONSHIPS, OPEN THOSE DOORS
OF COMMUNICATION. SO FOR MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE IF THEY HAD THE TIME OR THE WILLINGNESS THERE COULD BE SOMETHING NICE TO START VISITING YOUR OWN DAYCARES IN YOUR DISTRICT. AND ASK QUESTIONS AND THEN WE CAN MAYBE JUST ASSESS A LITTLE MORE OF MAYBE WHERE THE CHILDREN MAYBE GOING, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO BUMP INTO PARENTS AS THEY COME IN AND MAYBE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH SOME OF THE PARENTS AND I THINK THAT IS A WAY TO GET TO WORK IN OUR COMMUNITIES IT'S
JUST ALSO TO GET TO KNOW OUR DAYCARES THE ONES NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE DISTRICT. BUT THE PRIVATE ONES. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: MS. WHITFIELD. >> >> Erica Whitfield: THANK YOU. SO I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THIS KIT WITH MY DAUGHTER. IT WAS SUPER FUN I'M GLAD NOT THIS KIT BUT THE ONES WE HAD BEFORE. IT WAS REALLY, I THINK BENEFICIAL FOR FAMILIES TO START THINKING ABOUT HOW THEY CAN ENGAGE WITH THEIR CHILDREN AS THEY GO THROUGH THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS. AND WHAT WE'RE HOPING FOR FROM
THEM. I THINK IT'S A BIT OF A PROJECT FOR THEM TO DO AND AN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE PARENTS AND I'M VERY GLAD WE DO IT. THE NUMBERS IN LAKE WORTH THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT Mr. FERGUSON ARE DEVASTATING AND I THINK THE BIGGEST ISSUE WE HAVE IS FAMILIES NOT TAKING PART IN ANY VPK PROGRAM AT ALL. THE CHILDREN NEED THAT ACCESS AND THAT OPPORTUNITY AND THEY NEED THAT STRUCTURED LEARNING SO THAT THEIR NUMBERS CAN BE HIGHER AND GIVE THAT ASSISTANCE TO OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN LAKE WORTH
THAT ARE COMING IN WITH SUCH LOW NUMBERS. BUT THIS IS SUCH A GREAT OPPORTUNITY AND I'M THRILLED WE HAVE IT AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO STAFF FOR CONTINUING TO PROVIDE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO OUR FAMILIES IT IS A GOOD USE OF OUR FUNDS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REALIZE THAT THEY ARE THEIR CHILDREN'S FIRST TEACHER AND THIS IS A GREAT WAY FOR THEM TO DO IT. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. Mr. FERGUSON? >> Edwin Ferguson: FOLLOWING UP ON THE BOARD MEMBER'S POINT SHE REFRESHED MY RECOLLECTION. TWO OF THE CITY COUNCIL PEOPLE CAME TO ME AND SAID PART OF THE
REASON IS THE FACT WE HAVE A LARGE DEMOGRAPHIC THAT WHOSE HOUSEHOLDS ARE NOT PRIMARILY ENGLISH SPEAKERS. AGAIN TIMES PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DON'T KNOW. THE SOONER WE CAN GET THIS OUT, I JUST THINK THAT'S JUST BEST PRACTICES. SO AGAIN, IT IS NOT A CRITIQUE BUT IT IS CONSTRUCTIVE. THE CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER HAVE BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB AND I WOULD LIKE US TO HAVE DEEPER CONVERSATIONS IN TERMS OF HOW WE CAN HAVE GREATER INFLUENCE ON
OUR INCOMING KINDERGARTENERS. AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA ANYBODY CAN PULL THE DATA ON THE SCHOOLS IN ANY CITY FOR THAT MATTER. THE PRINCIPALS ARE DOING AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB. YOU WILL SEE THAT THE KINDERGARTEN READINESS AT ONE SCHOOL IS A 9 AND THE OTHERS ARE 13 BUT THE THIRD GRADE PERFORMANCE IS NOT LIKE 30-40 PER TILE IT OCCURRED TO ME HOW MUCH BETTER COULD THEY BE IN THE
READINESS SCORES WERE AT 45 OR 48. A RATED SCHOOLS ACROSS THE DISTRICT AND NOT AN A RATED DISTRICT THIS IS SUBSTANTIVE AND NUANCED PROPOSITION I'M PRESENTING BUT THE TIME IS NOW WE HAVE THE SILLY LAWS WE HAVE TO BE MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE PRESENT AS PUBLIC EDUCATION HERE IN THE COUNTY TO MAKE SURE THAT PARENTS UNDERSTAND WE ARE THE BEST CHOICE. AND SOME OTHER THINGS THAT PROBABLY RELATE TO THE SPEAKER ARE TIED TO WHAT I'M SAYING.
I SUPPORT THIS ISSUE THIS POLICY AND I WANTED TO HAVE THIS BRIEF DISCUSSION WITH YOU ALL TONIGHT. >> Karen Brill: MS. SAVIETTO? >> Virginia Savietto: AND AGAIN, I REALLY AGREE. BUT ALSO WE NEED HELP FROM THE COMMUNITY. SO WE DON'T DO THIS BY OURSELVES. THE DISTRICT CANNOT DO EVERYTHING WHY WE PARTNER WITH THE NONPROFITS LIKE FAMILY IMPACT AND THE DEPENDING ON THE DISTRICTS WE GATHER AND TELL
THEM WHAT WE HAVE. AND THEY CAN BE OUR VOICE. BECAUSE THE DISTRICT I CAN'T SEE THE DISTRICT GOING EVERYWHERE TO TRY TO ADVERTISE ABOUT HOW AWESOME WE ARE WE DO OUR PART AND THEN OUR PART IS ALSO TO REACH OUT TO ALL OF THE AGENCIES AND NONPROFITS AND ALL THE ASSOCIATIONS THAT WE CAN LIKE WE DID RECENTLY WITH THE PASTORS ASSOCIATION. AND THERE'S FEAR IN THE COMMUNITY, RIGHT? SO THE LAST THING IN THEIR MIND IS TAKING THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL
WHEN THEY THINK THEY WILL BE STOPPED. IT IS A CRUEL AND AWFUL REALITY. BUT JUST TO FOCUS ON THIS PART, I THINK, THAT AND I ALWAYS SAY I WANT TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION IN MY DISTRICT I THOUGH WHAT COMMUNITIES AND WHAT AGENCIES DO WHAT. AND THAT'S HOW WE IF WE EVERY DISTRICT DID A LITTLE BIT OF THAT WE CAN GO TO THEM AND THEY CAN BE THE ADVOCATES FOR US. AND GIVE THEM THE TOOLS AND BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW LIKE
YOU SAID THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DON'T KNOW THAT IS TRUE. AND THAT IS WHERE WE NEED OUR PARTNERS TO HELP US CROSS THAT BRIDGE. SO WE CAN BE STRONGER TOGETHER AND YOU KNOW, I THINK WE DO A GREAT JOB. BUT WE DEFINITELY NEED TO GET THOSE AGENCIES CLOSER TO US WITH THE MESSAGE AND IF WE HAVE A NEW MESSAGE WE PICK UP THE PHONE OR GET THEM AT THE TABLE. SO I WANT TO BE PART OF THAT SOLUTION SO WHATEVER I CAN DO FOR DISTRICT TWO ON YOUR END I'M
HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT HAPPENS AT LEAST ON MY END. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: I WILL CALL THE QUESTION ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSEDDED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> Erica Whitfield: MS. BRILL? I WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK TO FC5 I'VE RECONSIDERED MY VOTE AND WONDERING IF WE CAN BRING IT BACK UP SO I CAN CHANGE MY VOTE. >> Karen Brill: SO WHY DON'T WE WAIT UNTIL WE GET TO JUST THE BOTTOM OF THE NEW BUSINESS AND WE'LL BRING IT BACK.
>> Erica Whitfield: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. BURKE THAT WILL TAKE US TO P2 I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE PERSONNEL ADDENDUM AS SUBMITTED. >> Karen Brill: MOTION BY MS. WHITFIELD. SECOND BY MS. BRANCH. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> Mike Burke: RGN ONE I RECOMMEND THE SCHOOL BOARD APPROVE THE $25,000 DONATION FROM THE CITY OF RIVIERA BEACH TO THE BAND DESIGNATED THE COVER TRIP COST OF RESIDENTS STUDIES
PERFORMING IN THE LONDON NEW YEAR'S DAY PARADE. >> Karen Brill: MOTION AND SECOND IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? Mr. FERGUSON. >> Edwin Ferguson: FERG I WANT TO RECOGNIZE MAYOR LAW SOB HE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME OF BEING AN ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION. AND I APPRECIATE HIM AND HIS COMMISSION HIS COUNCIL BEING WILLING TO GIVE THIS DONATION TO PALM BEACH. THEY ARE WELL ON THEIR WAY I BELIEVE THEY NEED TO RAISE 450
OR 460K. THEY'VE RAISED A FAIR AMOUNT OF THAT AND I APPRECIATE THE CITY WHICH HAS A SMALL NUMBER OF RESIDENTS WHO ATTEND PALM BEACH LAKES STILL SEE TO GO FIT TO SUPPORT THIS WORK TO ALLOW CHILDREN TO SEE THINGS OUTSIDE THEIR NORMAL EVERYDAY. SO I APPRECIATE MAYOR LAWSON OF RIVIERA BEACH AND THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THIS EFFORT AND WE HAVE OTHER BUSINESSES COMING DOWN THE PIPES. BUT, YEAH, I APPRECIATE IF HE IS GOING TO PUT 25 DOWN ON THIS.
YEAH. >> Karen Brill: FURTHER DISCUSSION. >> Edwin Ferguson: I SUPPORT THIS GREAT JOB. >> Karen Brill: FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> Mike Burke: ALL RIGHT TAKE US TO POLICY IG1 I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE REVISED POLICY 1.091 AUDIT COMMITTEE. >> Karen Brill: MOTION BY MS. WHITFIELD AND SECOND BY VICE-CHAIR LANE. I UNDERSTAND MS. BRANCH YOU
PULLED IT. >> Gloria Branch: I DID FOR TWO REASONS AS I'VE STATED AT OUR MEETINGS I DON'T BELIEVE THE IOG TO HAVE POWERS OVER SECURITY AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THE IOG SHOULD EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTROLS ENCOMPASSING THE DISTRICT'S GORCH NANCE I BELIEVE THAT IS LEFT TO THE VOTERS. THE OPINION RENDERED AT THE LAST AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING CITED CHATGPT AS AN AUTHORITY COMPARISON TO EVALUATE POWERS OVER SECURITY AND IF YOU LOOK IT UP, IT'S ASKED IF IT IS A
RELIABLE SOURCE, IT SAYS NO, CHATGPT IS NOT A SOURCE FOR FACTUAL INFORMATION THERE ARE OTHER REASONS A COUPLE ARE CANNOT CITE SOURCES AND PROVIDE LINKS TO SPECIFIC ORIGINAL SOURCES MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CROSS REFERENCE OR VERIFY THE INFORMATION. NO FACTUAL GROUNDING IT DOES NOT KNOW OR UNDERSTAND INFORMATION. IT RECOGNIZES PATTERNS AND CONFIDENCE IN THE TONE DOES NOT EQUATE CORRECTNESS BIAS, THE RESPONSES MIGHT REFLECT BIASES PRESENT IN THE VAST TRAINING
DATA. AND THE LAST ONE, NOT FOR CRITICAL DECISIONS IT IS NOT A SUBJECT TAUGHT FOR HUMAN EXPERTISE IN CRITICAL AREAS SUCH AS LEGAL, MEDICAL OR FINANCIAL ADVICE WHERE ACCURACY IS PARAMOUNT FOR THIS YEAR I CANNOT VOTE FOR THE POLICY. >> Karen Brill: ABOUT FERGUSON. >> Edwin Ferguson: POINT ME TO THE LINES IN THE PROPOSED POLICY. >> Gloria Branch: 164 I BELIEVE IT IS. >> Edwin Ferguson: ONE SECOND MADAM CHAIR. HELP ME GET TO THE POINT ABOUT
A.I. >> Gloria Branch: SUCH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AS DEEMED NECESSARY TO EVALUATE THE CONTROLS ENCOMPASSING THE DISTRICT A AND INFORMATION AT ANY TIME SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE RELIABILITY AND INTEGRITY OF OPERATIONAL AND RELATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND SAFEGUARDING ASSETS. >> Edwin Ferguson: I AM SORRY I THOUGHT YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT A.I. >> Gloria Branch: I DID AT THE LAST AUDIT COMMITTEE LAST MONTH
BECAUSE I TALKED ABOUT IT LAST MONTH AND I DID NOT AGREE WITH SECURITY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL BROUGHT UP THAT SHE WANTED TO MAKE SURE SHE WAS COMPARING EVERYTHING RIGHT AND SHE LOOKED UP CHATGPT SAYING CHATGPT SAID YES YOU ARE DOING IT RIGHT. WHEN YOU LOOK UP CHATGPT IT ACTUALLY SAYS THAT IS NOT AN AUTHORITATIVE SOURCE FOR THE INFORMATION ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO LEGAL SECURITY, ET CETERA. >> Edwin Ferguson: THANK YOU. QUESTION FOR THE IG? BEFORE I MAKE MY VOTE. WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS?
>> ALL RIGHT. THE INFORMATION THAT WAS PRESENTED ON THE CHATGPT CITED THE IG POLICY AND IT CITED THE ASSOCIATION OF INSPECTOR GENERAL GREEN BOOK IT CITED THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S STATUTES ON SAFETY AND SECURITY. IT CITED THE I BELIEVE IT WAS ALSO THE YELLOW BOOK STANDARDS FOR THE AUDITS. THERE WERE REFERENCES IN THERE. AND THE IG'S LOOK AT THE CONTROLS RELATED TO SAFETY AND
SECURITY. WE HAD JUST RECENTLY DID AN AUDIT WHERE ONE OF THE ELEMENTS WAS THAT WE HAD SOME VENDORS WHO ARE NOT ADEQUATELY SCREENED HAD NOT PASSEDDED LEFT TWO SCREENING PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES. HAD WE NOT DONE THAT AUDIT IT WAS CONSIDERED PART OF SAFETY AND SECURITY WE WOULD HAVE NEVER FOUND THAT. WE DO CYBERSECURITY. WE DO ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT WE ARE LOOKING TO SEE COMPLIANCE WITH ESTABLISHED GOVERNING DIRECTIVES.
IF THERE IS -- IF WE CITE THAT THE ISSUE THAT THE WE FIND THAT SOMEBODY IS NOT COMPLYING WITH THE DIRECTIVE IT'S UP TO THE BOARD OR THE DISTRICT IF THEY WANT TO TAKE ACTION ON IT. THERE'S MANY TIMES THAT PEOPLE SAY WE UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING BUT WE DISAGREE. AND ALL WE'RE DOING IS CITING WHETHER OR NOT WE SEE IF PEOPLE ARE COMMON MILING. >> Edwin Ferguson: I MAYBE MISUNDERSTANDING THE POINT BUT WHAT I THOUGHT HER CONCERN WAS THE FACT THAT YOU WERE SOLELY RELYING ON A.I. IF CHATGPT TELLS
YOU THAT EVERYTHING IS COPASETIC YOU WILL SAY ALL GREAT CHATGPT SAYS EVERYTHING MUST BE COPASETIC. AND BOARD MEMBER BRANCH CORRECT ME IF I DID NOT INCAPSULATE WHAT YOU SAID BUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS YOUR APPREHENSION. >> Gloria Branch: THE REFERENCE IT SHOW IT SAYS THAT ACCORDING TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND IT PROVIDED THE LINK, IT PROVIDED THE LINK FOR THE LINK OF INSPECTOR GENERAL AND I PROVIDED THIS INFORMATION AS WELL. I WAS TRYING TO PROVIDE
REASSURANCE FROM A COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT TYPE OF A SOURCE. BUT ALL OF THE REFERENCES BOTH BETWEEN THE ASSOCIATION OF INSPECTOR GENERAL YOU HAVE THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE INSPECTOR GENERAL WHO LOOKS AT SAFETY AND SECURITY. YOU HAVE THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL WHO LOOKS AT SAFETY AND SECURITY. WHEN I WAS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE I LOOKED AT SAFETY AND SECURITY BECAUSE PART OF THE IG'S OFFICE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN AN IG'S OFFICE NOT LOOK AT SAFETY AND SECURITY
FOR COMPLIANCE. >> Edwin Ferguson: OKAY. THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR. >> Karen Brill: VICE-CHAIR. >> Matthew Lane: LANE MAY I ASK A QUESTION TO BOARD MEMBER BRANCH? >> Karen Brill: YES THAT'S FINE. THANK YOU. >> Matthew Lane: HOW WOULD YOU LIKE US TO CHANGE THIS POLICY WHAT LANGUAGE WOULD YOU LIKE US TO ADD OR DELETE. >> Gloria Branch: I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE SECURITY PART IN THE LAST COMMITTEE MEETING THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE VENDORS. AND Mr. HIDE PULLED IT OUT OF
HIS POCKET AND THIS IS WHY WE NEED SECURITY BUT WHEN I ASKED ABOUT SECURITY NOBODY HAD AN ANSWER FOR ME. I THINK IT'S KIND OF YOU CAN ANSWER HOLD ON IT IS A STAY IN YOUR LANE KIND OF THING WE HAVE A POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE OUR OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT. AND IF WE RELY ON CHATGPT FOR EVERYTHING WHY DO WE NEED AN OIG AND IT SAYS CHATGPT IS NOT CONSIDERED A VALID SOURCE. SO THAT'S MY CONCERN. HOW MANY OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE AN OIG? DO YOU KNOW?
NATIONWIDE? >> Gloria Branch: INTO. >> I BELIEVE WE ARE THE ONLY INTERNAL IG MIAMI-DADE COUNTY HAS A SHARED RELATIONSHIP THROUGH AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT SAME WITH BROWARD COUNTY I BELIEVE. I HOPE I'M NOT MISSPEAKING BUT THAT PRETTY MUCH COVER IT IS FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA. IT IS A PROGRESSIVE THING WE WERE THE FIRST TO DO IT AND I BELIEVE THE OTHER LARGE BIG DISTRICTS FOLLOWING. BUT TO THAT POINT IF I COULD CLARIFY SOMETHING QUICKLY. I TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF UMBRAGE WITH YOU SAYING I PULLED SOMETHING OUT WHEN I COULDN'T ABS YOUR QUESTION AT THE LAST
DEVELOPMENT READ. THAT AUDIT WAS ONE THAT HADN'T BEEN PUBLISHED IT WAS CONFIDENTIAL I HAD TO BE CAREFUL ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS I REFERENCED SCHOOL BUS SECURITY ONE OF THE SECURITY ITEMS WE LOOK AT. I BELIEVE WHERE THERE'S CONFUSION AND HOPE WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THE ADDITION OF SECURITY TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE POLICY TO ENSURE OUR OFFICE GET THE SUPPORT IT NEEDS. IF YOU WANT SOURCES I WENT THROUGH JUST AGAIN IF WE TALKED BEFORE TONIGHT I COULD HAVE ADDRESSED THIS DIRECTLY.
THERE'S 53 TOTAL REFERENCES IN OUR POLICIES. USING THE TERM SECURITY. AND THERE IS A LOST OF DIFFERENT EXAMPLES OF SECURITY AS I'M SURE THE TEACHERS AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY. SO WHETHER WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BACKGROUND SCREENING SECURITY, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT VENDORS DRIVING OUR MOST PRECIOUS STUDENTS WHO ARE EMOTIONALLY DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED SECURITY IS NOT LIMITED TO THE PHYSICAL PLAN. WE HAVE IT SECURITY AND HAVE HAD INVESTIGATIONS AGAIN, IN THE PAST, THAT RELATE TO TESTING
SECURITY. UTILIZATION OF THE TERM SECURITY IS NOT A MATTER OF US GETTING OUTSIDE OF OUR LANE OR DOING ANYTHING THAT IS ATYPICAL. IF YOU LOOK AND RESEARCH WHAT OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE DONE NATIONWIDE, I PULLED UP A LIST OF TIMES THAT SECURITY HAS BEEN ADDRESSED JUST IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. THEY ARE AGAIN IT'S NOT LIMITED JUST TO PHYSICAL PLANT SECURITY IT RELATES TO ALL DIFFERENT TYPES WE HAVE GOVERNANCE SECURITY, PERSONNEL SCREENING RISK, GUN VIOLENCE. THERE IS A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT
REASONS THAT IS WHY THAT WORD WAS USED AND THAT IS WHY WE'VE DONE THIS WE CONDUCT DOOR CHECKS AND DO ALL SORTS OF ISSUES INVOLVING SECURITY AND I WISH I COULD HAVE ANSWERED THAT QUESTION AT THE LAST DEVELOPMENT READ BUT I COULDN'T. >> Gloria Branch: I APPRECIATE THAT AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT SECURITY IS MY NUMBER ONE. WE HAVE A GREAT POLICE CHIEF WE HAVE OUR OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT. AND I SECURITY LIKE IF IT WAS THAT IMPORTANT WHY WOULDN'T IT ALREADY BE HERE? >> YOU WANT ME TO ANSWER THAT? I WOULD SAY SINCE THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS OFFICE IN 2012, THE CHANGES IN SECURITY WHETHER IT BE TECHNOLOGY RELATED OR TESTING RELATED, WHETHER IT BE TRANSPORTATION RELATED, WHETHER IT BE WHAT HAPPENED DOWN IN MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS THE LANDSCAPE CHANGED AND LIKE YOU HAVE A FANTASTIC POLICE DEPARTMENT I'M BIASED I BELIEVE IN A FANTASTIC INSPECTOR GENERAL AND WE WORK TOGETHER. >> Gloria Branch: I AGREE WITH BOARD MEMBER FERGUSON NOT USING
CHATGPT. >> I BELIEVE. >> Gloria Branch: I KNOW YOU DIDN'T. AT THE COMMITTEE AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING I WAS LIKE WHY ARE YOU ASKING THIS WHY DO YOU DISAGREE. >> Karen Brill: CHATGPT IS NOT IN THE POLICY WE HAVE TO BE DIRECTED. >> Gloria Branch: CHATGPT TO COMPARE. >> Karen Brill: THIS ITEM IS TO ADOCHT THE POLICY. SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT TONIGHT WE HAVE TO ADOPT THE POLICY WE NEED A POLICY IN PLACE. HOWEVER IF YOU WANT TO BRING IT BACK FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION YOU CAN BRING IT BACK AS A
DISCUSSION ITEM RATER ON BUT AT THIS POINT IF YOU ARE NOT IN AGREEMENT. >> Gloria Branch: I APPRECIATE YOU FOR EXPLAINING. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 6-1 WITH MS. BRANCH IN OPPOSITION. AT THIS POINT NOW MS. WHITFIELD I WILL ASK YOU TO MAKE A MOTION PLEASE TO BRING BACK THAT ITEM SO MAKE A MOTION.
>> Erica Whitfield: A MOTION TO RECONSIDER FC5 INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION FUNDING. >> Karen Brill: MOTION BY MS. WHITFIELD AND SECOND BY Mr. LANE. >> Erica Whitfield: THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: Mr. SUPERINTENDENT. WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THE MOTION. SO ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT. >> Mike Burke: I RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON AND SCHOOL BOARD FOR TRAFFIC INSTALLATION AS IT
RELATES TO POLO PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL AND AUTHORIZE THE NECESSARY NEW DOCUMENTS. >> Karen Brill: MOTION BY MS. WHITFIELD AND SECOND BY MS. BRANCH. MS. WHITFIELD. >> Erica Whitfield: I WANTED TO BRING THIS UP BECAUSE I THINK Mr. FERGUSON HAD A GOOD POINT WITH THIS. THE CONCERN THAT I HAVE IS AROUND THE DESIGNATION OF WHO FUNDS WHAT. AND SO IT TOOK ME A MINUTE AND I APOLOGIZE LOOKING THROUGH AFTER HIS COMMENTS BUT I THINK WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS IN MY MIND, IT'S THE LAND THAT IS THE
DECIDING FACTOR AND SO THIS IS NOT ON OUR LAND. SO TO ME I DON'T KNOW THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SHOULD BE FUNDING SOMETHING THAT IS NOT ON OUR PROPERTY. SO I WOULD PERSONALLY LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS ON HOW WE ARE CREATING THESE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS BECAUSE IT IS QUITE A BIT OF MONEY AND AS HE BROUGHT UP $232,000. SO QUITE A BIT OF MONEY THAT WE ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROJECT. OBVIOUSLY I BELIEVE IN SAFETY AND SECURITY BUT IT SHOULD BE
EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTED ON THAT ISSUE I WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE MY VOTE TO NO. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: MS. ANDREWS. >> Marcia Andrews: I WITH LIKE TO REFER TO THE SUPERINTENDENT TO TALK ABOUT WHY WE ARE PARTNERING TOGETHER AND WHAT THE DIFFERENCES MADE FOR SAFETY. >> Mike Burke: ALL RIGHT I WILL ASK Mr. SANCHEZ OUR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER TO SHARE HIS THOUGHTS. AND HE IS CLOSER TO THE WORK. >> I JUST I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT WE GET BEAT UP FOR NOT
DOING ENOUGH FOR TRAFFIC AND SOMETIMES YOU GET BEAT UP FOR DOING STUFF WITH TRAFFIC. FEELS LIKE A NO WIN SITUATION. THIS IS A SITUATION WHERE THE SCHOOL IS IT IS CAUSING IMPACT BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF TRAFFIC AT THAT SCHOOL. IT WAS PRETTY BAD BEFORE. THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL IS NOW IN WAS INSTALLED OVER THE SUMMER AND THINGS ARE BETTER I WAS OUT THERE TALKING TO THE CROSSING GUARDS AND THIS IT'S MUCH BETTER I TALKED TO THE PRINCIPAL A YEAR AGO ABOUT THE SITUATION AND SHE
WAS BEGGING ME TO TRY TO DO SOMETHING TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION. MS. ANDREWS USED TO BE THE PRINTOUT THERE. IT WAS A DIFFICULT SITUATION BUT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE THE QUESTION THAT MRS. WHITFIELD ASKED ABOUT WHEN WE MAKE DECISIONS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS, IT'S NOT ALWAYS ON OUR PROPERTY. WE ALWAYS WHEN WE HAVE TRAFFIC ENGINEERS THAT LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF OUR SCHOOLS AROUND THE COMMUNITY, IT SOMETIMES IT'S DOWN THE BLOCK AND SOMETIMES
IT'S ON THE PROPERTY BUT WE WORK WITH OUR TRAFFIC TASK FORCE WITH THE COUNTY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT THEY COME UP WITH RECOMMENDATIONS. AND IT MAKES SENSE IN THIS CASE TO SHARE THE COST WITH THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON. BECAUSE IT WASN'T ALL OUR IMPACT AS Mr. BURKE SAID PREVIOUSLY. AND IT IS OF TREMENDOUS BENEFIT TO THE SCHOOL. WHENEVER WE CAN BENEFIT THE SCHOOL, AND WHENEVER WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO NOT JUST EAT ALL THE COSTS BUT SHARE IT WITH
OTHERS IT MAKES SENSE. EVERYBODY IN HERE KNOWS WE HAVE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. AND SOMETIMES THE SOLUTIONS ARE ON OUR CAMPUS. CHANGING THE BUS LOOP OR THE CAR LOOP OR CHANGING THINGS LIKE THAT AND SOMETIMES THE SOLUTION IS OFF THE CAMPUS AND THIS HAPPENS TO BE THE CASE WHERE THE SOLUTION IS OFF THE CAMPUS. >> Karen Brill: Mr. FERGUSON. >> Edwin Ferguson: QUESTION THROUGH THE SUPERINTENDENT TO SANCHEZ IF YOU KNOW THE ANSWER I'M ASKING FOR IT IF YOU DON'T I
UNDERSTAND. IF YOU HAD WHAT IT WOULD COST TO LAY DOWN A BIKE LANE WHAT DO YOU ESTIMATE THAT COST WOULD BE FOR WHOEVER IS PAYING THE COST? >> TOTALLY DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION. IF YOU ARE REFERRING TO THE SITUATION AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL THE SITUATION IS VERY DIFFERENT, DIFFICULT THERE BECAUSE THERE IS A BRIDGE RIGHT THERE AND THE BRIDGE WOULD HAVE TO BE EXPANDED. SIMPLY CHANGING THAT BIKE LANE AND AGAIN, THIS IS A BIKE LANE THAT'S ON THE ROAD NOT A BIKE
LANE THAT IS PART OF THE SIDEWALK. TOTALLY DIFFERENT WE DON'T ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO RIDE IN THE BIKE LANE ON THE ROAD. IF WE WANTED TO ENCOURAGE WORK WITH THE COUNTY TO WIDENING THAT SIDEWALK TO MAKE IT, I THINK IT'S FOUR-FOOT SIDEWALK YOU HAVE TO EXPAND THE BRIDGE THAT WOULD BE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS MAYBE IT COULD BE A MILLION DOLLARS. I DON'T KNOW. BECAUSE THE BRIDGE IS RIGHT THERE. IT IS NOT JUST ADDING TWO FEET TO THE SIDEWALK. >> Edwin Ferguson: SO OBVIOUSLY
NOT HOLDING YOU TO THIS I'M TRYING TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING YOU SAY ON THE HIGH-END IT COULD BE SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS UP TO A SEVEN FIGURE FEE FOR THE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST, CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >>. >> Edwin Ferguson: I WAS CONFUSED AND SUPPORTIVE OF VOTING FOR THIS AND NOW THAT BOARD MEMBER WHITFIELD BROUGHT IT BACK, I DO WONDER WHY WE'RE PAYING 50% BECAUSE I CANNOT IMAGINE THAT PRO RAT TA WE HAVE
A 50% OR GREATER BENEFIT. WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT OF SESSION OR TIMES OF THE DAY WE DON'T HAVE BUSES FAMILIES USING THAT TRAFFIC SIGNAL WHY ARE WE PAYING A LARGE PORTION OF IT? >> IT IS NOT A SUBJECTIVE EVALUATION. THERE ARE WHAT IS CALLED A TRAFFIC WARRANTS AND IT DETERMINES WHAT THINGS CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE TRAFFIC IN THAT COMMUNITY. AND SO THE WARRANT THAT
ASSESSMENT THE ENGINEERING ASSESSMENT IS WHAT DETERMINES THE GENT OF CONTRIBUTION TO SCHOOL MAKES TOWARDS THAT TRAFFIC SITUATION ANDTH THIS CASE IT DETERMINED THAT WE ARE REPRESENTING ABOUT 50% OF THE COST OF THE IMPACT. AGAIN THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE PULLED OUT OF THIN AIR. >> Edwin Ferguson: I NEVER THOUGHT YOU DID PULL IT OUT OF THIN AIR ANYTIME I HAVE A QUESTION I'M GOING TO ASK AND I APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT. I WANT TO MOVE ON. BUT SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, THE YOUTH THAT WERE INJURED IN THAT
OTHER SCHOOL THAT IS A CONCERN FOR ME I'M WONDERING IF A LATER DATE WITH CAN LOOK INTO THAT AND FIGURE OUT THINGS TO DO. WE DON'T HAVE A LIMITED AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT IS WHY SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HERE TO SPEAK ON THAT. I WANT US TO LOOK AT THAT AT SOME POINT BUT NOT TONIGHT I APPRECIATE YOUR CANDOR MS. SANCHEZ. >> Karen Brill: MS. WHITFIELD. >> Erica Whitfield: I WANTED TO REITERATE I BELIEVE THIS IS A WARRANTED LIGHT. MY CONCERN IS ONLY IN THE WHO
SHOULD PAY FOR IT. AND SO I'M GLAD THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE A LIGHT. BUT I DO NOT WANT TO VOTE FOR IT BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT THERE ARE MANY, MANY PLACES WITH TRAFFIC AND ISSUES WITHIN OUR COUNTY. I'VE COMPLAINED ABOUT A TON OF THEM WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS. ISSUES OF LINING UP. ISSUES OF JUST CONGESTION AROUND THE TIME THINGS THAT WE COULD DO. AND I WONDER WHERE IT ENDS WHEN WE FUND THIS LEVEL AND WE ARE AT
A VERY LIMITED BUDGET. SO WHEN WE ARE IN SUCH A LIMITED BUDGET TIME SHOULD WE BE PUTTING OUR LIMITED FUNDS TOWARDS THINGS THAT COULD COME FROM ANOTHER POTTED OF MONEY. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: MS. ANDREWS. >> Marcia Andrews: I'M CERTAINLY GOING TO SUPPORT THIS. AND I APPRECIATE THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. I USED TO BE THE PRINTOUT THERE. I KNOW ABOUT THE TRAFFIC ANY CHILD THAT IS INJURED OR KILLED ON OUR PROPERTY OR RIGHT IN THE
VICINITY, WE HAVE TO COLLABORATE AND COMMUNICATE WITH OUR PARTNERS. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WORKS WITH US AS WE LOOK AT ALL OF THE DIFFERENT SITUATIONS. AND EVERY SITUATION IS DIFFERENT. AND I'M JUST THRILLED TO SEE IF WE CAN VOTE FOR THIS BECAUSE IF IT'S GOING TO SAVE SOMEBODY'S LIFE OR KEEP SOMEONE FROM BEING INJURED THAT WE ARE PULLING OUR WEIGHT AND I THINK THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON HAS ALWAYS PROVEN ITSELF WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. BY PUTTING THEIR MONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTHS ARE. FOR OUR CHILDREN EACH AND
EVERYDAY. AND THIS IS THE SAFETY ISSUE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. I'M HAPPY WOULD HAVE THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM WHERE IT COULD BE THE NEXT TIME AROUND THAT THEY MAYBE PAYING A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN WE'RE PAYING BUT WE HAVE THE PARTNERSHIP TOGETHER TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE. I'M SUPPORTING THIS. >> Karen Brill: ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 6-1 WITH MS. WHITFIELD IN OPPOSITION. THAT'S GOING TO BRING US NOW TO OUR NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS. ON PAST WILL SCHOOL BOARD I
WELCOME PUBLIC SPEAKERS JOINING US. THE BOARD RECOGNIZES THE RIGHT OF THE PUBLIC TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS, HOWEVER OUR POLICY PROVIDES WE DO NOT RESPOND TO OR ENGAGE WITH OUR SPEAKERS WE MAKE NOTE OF YOUR ISSUES AND FOLLOW-UP WITH THE ADMINISTRATION REGARDING THEM ALL NON-AGENDA SPEAKER'S COMMENTS MUST RELATE TO RELEVANT TOPICS OR THE OPERATIONS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. PURSUANT TO SCHOOL BOARD POLICY SPEAKERS WHOSE COMMENTS DO NOT RELATE TO THE TOPIC THE SPEAKER
INDICATED OR NOT EDUCATIONALLY RELEVANT AS REQUIRED FOR NON-AGENDA TOPICS OR WHOSE COMMENTS DISRUPT OR INTERFERE WITH THE ORDER OF THE MEETING MAYBE SUBJECT TO HAVING THE MICROPHONE TURNED OFF FORFEITING THE RIGHT TO SPEAK AT TODAY'S MEETING OR REMOVAL FROM THE MEETING. WE UNDERSTAND THAT ALL OF YOU HERE TONIGHT ARE PASSIONATE AND WANT TO BE HEARD. WE ASK ALL PARTICIPANTS TO ENGAGE IN RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE MAINTAINING CIVILITY AND DECORUM. ALLOW US TO HEAR EACH OF THE
SPEAKER BECAUSE WE REALLY DO WANT TO HEAR FROM ALL OF YOU. I'M GOING TO BE CALLING YOU TWO AT A TIME. I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE FOR ANY MISS PRONOUNCATIONS OF YOUR NAMES. I WILL START OFF WITH CARLESIMO HAM METHOD AND MILKA SANTOS. PLEASE COME UM WITH THE MICROPHONES. >> CARLESIMO HAM METHOD. I WANTED TO START TONIGHT BY SAYING LAST MONTH I TOLD YOU THAT I WANTED TO IDENTIFY THE TWO DIFFERENT COALITIONS FOR
BLACK STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND TONIGHT I BROUGHT EVERYBODY THE INFORMATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COALITION AND THE BLACK STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT. AND WHO AND HOW IT CAME INTO EXISTENCE PLUS A LOT OF THE WORLD CLASS MOVEMENTS THAT WE MADE AS A DISTRICT AND AS A COMMUNITY WORKING TOGETHER. AND ONE OF THE THINGS I DO ALWAYS LIKE TO MENTION IS THE FACT I NEVER HEAR ANYTHING SPECIFICALLY SPECIFYING THE NEEDS OF THE AMERICAN BLACKS AS WE NOTE THAT THE FLORIDA STATUTE
1003.TO YOUR 28 IS A FLORIDA LAW THAT HAS NOT BEEN INSTITUTED PROPERLY AND TONIGHT WE HAVE OUR TEACHERS HERE BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SURFACE WITH THE TEACHERS THAT HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO ADDRESS OUR ADDRESS IN A PROPER WAY. AND WE USED TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CLASSROOM TEACHERS ASSOCIATION BUT SOME WAY THAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP HAS BEEN DISSOLVED. AND WITH THIS PAPERWORK I'M LEAVING A COPY FOR THE INSPECTOR GENERAL AND FOR OUR ATTORNEY AS WELL. BECAUSE WE NEED EVERYBODY
INVOLVEMENT AS WE PREPARE OURSELVES TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO GO FORWARD. NEXT MONTH WE WILL GO INTO KWANZAA AND AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO FOCUS ON POSSIBLY REPAIRING SOME OF THE DAMAGES THAT HAS BEEN DONE THAT WE KNOW OF. AND WE KNOW THAT FLORIDA 1003.428 STIPULATES THAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE INFUSED IN ALL GRADE LEVELS AND ALL SUBJECT MATTER. I DO APPRECIATE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD AND OUR
COMMEND YOU FOR TAKING ON SUCH A CHALLENGE AND WE HAVE REAL SUBSTANTIVE THINGS WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED AS A TEAM AND I'M HOPING WE DON'T PULLBACK AND NEXT MONTH YOU WILL BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY A TEACHER, A CLASSROOM, OR STUDENT, THAT HAS BEEN VIEWED THE SPIRIT OF THE FLORIDA STATUTE. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT WHERE THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN DISSEMINATED AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT REALITY FOR US AS A PEOPLE BECAUSE THIS LAW PROVIDES US WITH THE
CORRECTING OF THE MISS EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN BY ADMITTING THE KNOWLEDGE OF THEM INSIDE THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. I'M HOPING AS YOU GO OUT FOR THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS YOU WILL BRING THAT GOOD FAMILY SPIRIT BACK FOR NEXT MONTH AS WE PREPARE OURSELF FOR CHRISTMAS AND KWANZAA. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONGRATULATIONS Mr. LANE ON YOUR MOVE. AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO REALLY HAVING A REAL RELATIONSHIP BECAUSE WHEN YOU COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE YOU CAN BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND OUR
COMMUNITY IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF THAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP. BECAUSE YOU SEE WE MENTION INSIDE THE CONVERSATION. THANK YOU ALL AND HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING. >> Karen Brill: BEFORE YOU BEGIN I WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD AND WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD POLICY THE MICROPHONE WILL BE TURNED OFF WHEN THE TIME LIMIT HAS BEEN REAPED WHEN YOU COME TO THE MICROPHONE PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND WE THANK YOU AGAIN FOR JOINING US. MS. SANTOS.
WITH THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CAREGIVING YOUTH. GOOD EVENING. SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD. I'M MILKA SANTOS AND SERVE AS THE COMMUNITY EDUCATOR FOR THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CAREGIVING YOWTD I'M INFORMING YOU LAST WEEK PALM BEACH COUNTY MADE THE NEWS ON CAPITOL HILL. A BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION WAS ANNOUNCED HONORING CAREGIVING YOUTH IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESSWOMAN SALIZAR INTRODUCED A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING
NOVEMBER 10TH THROUGH THE 16TH AS NATIONAL CAREGIVING YOUTH WEEK. IN HONOR OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND COMMITMENT OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 18. THESE STUDENTS ARE AS PRIMARY OR SECONDARY CAREGIVERS FOR A LOVED ONE WHO HAS A CHRONIC ILLNESS, DISABILITY, FRAILTY OR OTHER HEALTH CONDITIONS REQUIRING REGULAR ASSISTANCE. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE MORE THAN SIX MILLION CAREGIVING YOUTH NATIONWIDE. AND IN FLORIDA THERE ARE MORE
THAN 290,000 STUDENT CAREGIVERS IN PUBLIC, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS. THESE ARE CHILDREN WHO WOULD BE HIGHLY LIKELY TO DROPOUT OF SCHOOL WERE IT NOT FOR THE INTERCONVENTION OF ORGANIZED ASSISTANCE. THIS RESOLUTION SPOTLIGHTS PALM BEACH COUNTY'S DOCTOR'S AND THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CAREGIVING YOUTH. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ORGANIZATION AND THE ALL OF THE DISTRICT IN SCHOOL STAFF WHO SUPPORT NEARLY 700 STUDENT
CAREGIVERS WITH MANY MORE TO REACH. THE RESOLUTION SUPPORTS THE DESIGNATION OF CAREGIVING YOUTH WEEK RECOGNIZES CAREGIVING YOUTH IN THE UNITED STATES AS AN UNDERSERVED UNDER RECOGNIZED POPULATION AND ENCOURAGES EDUCATOR POLICYMAKERS, HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND OTHERS TO BECOME MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE WORK, NEEDS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF CAREGIVING YOWTD AND SUPPORTS INITIATIVES TO PROVIDE UP-TO-DATE NATIONWIDE RESEARCH OR CAREGIVING YOUTH. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL AT AACY TO THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL
DISTRICT FOR BEING OUR PARTNER. WE APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP WHICH ALLOWS THE 70000 STUDENT CAREGIVERS TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE. HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYBODY. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. ALESHA CAR AND MICHELLE BUCKLE. PLEASE COME UP WITH THE MICROPHONES. >> GOOD EVENING CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND DISTRICT LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I'M ALESHA CAR AND I AM A TEACHER IN THE COUNTY AND A FORMER STUDENT. IT WAS BECAUSE OF DEDICATED TEACHERS WHO LOVED THEIR JOB THAT ENCOURAGED ME TO BE A TEACHER. I BELIEVE DEEPLY IN OUR MISSION OF OUR SCHOOLS AND SERVING OUR STUDENTS I WANT TO DISCUSS TONIGHT ABOUT HOW I WORK NOT TWO BUT THREE JOBS WHILE BEING A SINGLE MOM I CAN'T MAKE ENDS MEET. I LIVE IN INCOME BASED HOUSING YET MY PAYCHECK DOES NOT COVER THE RENT. MANY OF US WHO DEDICATE
OURSELVES TO EDUCATING THE CHILDREN OF THIS COMMUNITY ARE FORCED INTO MULTIPLE JOBS JUST TO SURVIVE BUT LOVE FOR ONE'S JOB DOES NOT PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE AND CLOSE THE GAP BETWEEN PAYCHECK AND RENT AND DOESN'T PAY FOR THE COST OF LIVING IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. I WANT TO BRING TO FOCUS THE REAL GAP BETWEEN OUR PAY AND WHAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING COSTS. THE PALM BEACH COUNTY WORKFORCE HOUSING PROGRAM IS MEANT TO HELP IT'S TWO BEDROOM FALLS BETWEEN 1578 AND 2104 DOLLARS A MONTH
FOR THE LOWER INCOME TIER WITH A SALARY AT 60,000 WHICH COMES TO $5,000 A MONTH BEFORE TAXES THE LOW END STILL EATS UP 30% OF MY INCOME. AND THE HIGHER END PUSHES BEYOND THE AFFORDABILITY LINE. AND THAT IS BEFORE TAXES UTILITIES GROCERIES INSURANCE AND EVERY OTHER COST OF LIVING IN THE COUNTY. THAT IS WHY MANY OF US ARE WORKING EXTRA JOBS AND SHARING LIVING SPACES BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE IN THE VERY COUNTY THAT WE SERVE AND TEACH.
THIS IS MORE THAN A PERSONAL HARDSHIP IT IS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE WHICH WHEN TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF HAVE TO SPEND TIME MOONLIGHTING TO AFFORD HOUSING. THAT DRAINS OUR CAPACITY TO SERVE STUDENTS AND UNDERMINEDS MORALE AN ATTENTION TO FULLY DEDICATE OURSELVES AS ROLES AS EDUCATORS. I'M ASKING YOU TO PLEASE, PLEASE MAKE TEACHER AND STAFF COMPENSATION A TOP PRIORITY AS YOU CONSIDER RAISES AND BUDGET PRIORITIES REMEMBER THE HOUSING PIECE IT IS NOT JUST THE
COMPENSATION IT'S MAKING LIFE SUSTAINABLE FOR PEOPLE EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE] [AUDIO INTERRUPTION] SO STUDENTS
CAN RETURN TO AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS FOCUSED AND READY FOR LEARNING. LIKEWISE PROTECTING PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS RATHER THAN FILLING THAT TIME WITH MEETINGS WOULD ENSURE TEACHERS CAN START THE YEAR PREPARED, ENERGIZED AND FOCUSED ON STUDENTS. THESE ARE NOT EXTRAVAGANT ASKS THEY ARE REASONABLE, PRACTICAL AND ENTIRELY ACHIEVABLE. THEY SHOW RESPECT FOR TEACHERS TIME. AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN PART OF THIS DISTRICT MY WHOLE LIFE AND CHOSEN TO GIVE BACK I'M ASKING
YOU TO SHOW US THE COMMITMENT IN RETURN. INVESTING IN TEACHERS IS INVESTING IN STUDENTS. TO CLOSE, I'D LIKE TO QUOTE Mr. BURKE FROM LAST MONTH'S BOARD MEETING HE SAID QUOTE WE ALL KNOW THAT THE GREATEST MOST IMPORTANT VARIABLE IN THE CLASSROOM IS THE TEACHER. THAT'S WHAT HAS THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON STUDENT SUCCESS END QUOTE AND I COULDN'T AGREE MORE. MY PLEA IS THAT YOU RECONSIDER YOUR PRIORITIES AND DEMONSTRATE THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS NOT JUST
WORDS THAT YOU VALUE THE PEOPLE DOING THE WORK THAT KEEPS THIS DISTRICT RUNNING EVERY SINGLE DAY. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. STEVEN CREW AND Dr. ERIC JORGENSON IF YOU ARE HERE COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE. IS THERE ANYBODY COMING UP? OKAY. THAT IS GOING TO GO TO DAISY DANIEL AND DIANA CARIS. >> GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS DAISY
DANIEL ACCORDING TO PHILLIP JACKSON LIFE IN CLASSROOMS TEACHERS MAKE 1500 EXECUTIVE DECISIONS WITH STUDENTS EVERYDAY AND MORE MINUTE BY MINUTE DECISIONS THAN EVEN SURGEONS. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE TEACHING PROFESSION IS HIGHLY STRESSFUL. TEACHERS FACE A MYRIAD OF ISSUES ON A DAILY BASIS WHILE TRYING TO SUCCESSFULLY RUN A CLASSROOM WITH MANY STUDENTS. SO IF THEIR JOB IS TO DIFFICULT, WHY IS IT SUCH A -- WHY IS THERE A BIG DISPARITY IN
SALARIES GIVEN TO TEACHERS VERSUS OTHER POSITIONS? AND PROFESSIONS? THE TEACHERS STARTING SALARY IN FLORIDA IS $50,000 PER YEAR. REQUIRING A FOUR YEAR DEGREE. A SURGEON'S STARTING SALARY IS 34 SUB,000. 347,000. A ROOKIE NFL PLAYER PLAYING FOOTBALL HAS A STARTING SALARY IN ALL STATES OF $840,000.
AND GET THIS... A COLLEGE EDUCATION IS NOT EVEN REQUIRED. 53, 347, 840, LET THAT SINK IN FOR A MINUTE. ALL OF THE PEOPLE EARNING THESE TYPES OF SALARIES LEARNED HOW TO READ BECAUSE OF TEACHERS. SURGEONS CANNOT HAVE BECOME SURGEONS WITHOUT TEACHERS. MANY PEOPLE CHOSE PROFESSIONS AND DID THE IMPOSSIBLE.
WITH THEIR LIVES BECAUSE OF TEACHERS. [APPLAUSE] IN OTHER WORDS TEACHERS MAKE FOREVER IMPRINTS IN THE HEARTS OF STUDENTS AND HELP GUIDE THEM THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. WHAT IS THAT WORTH? IN 2024921 ALMOST 1,000 TEACHERS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY MADE THE EXECUTIVE DECISION TO LEAVE THEIR PROFESSION.
AS OF TODAY THERE ARE 233 TEACHING VACANCIES ON THE DISTRICT PORTAL. WE NEED TO START PRIORITIZING AND VALUING TEACHERS OR THEY WILL SEEK DIVORCE. IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR TEACHERS, RESPECT THEM AND PAY THEM WHAT THEY DESERVE. GIVE THEM THE 5% RAISE THAT THE C TVMENT A IS ASKING FOR INSTEAD OF THE 1.5 RAISE OFFERED BY THE DISTRICT. I THINK STUDENTS HAVE A BETTER IDEA. RAISE IT TO 67!
>> GOOD EVENING I'M Dr. DIANA CARIS AND A 20 YEAR VETERANS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF 120 TEACHERS WHO WANT TO BE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT WITH THIS BOARD AND WITH SUPERINTENDENT BURKE ABOUT WHY A 1% RAISE IS NOT ENOUGH. NOT ENOUGH FOR THEM, NOT ENOUGH FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND CERTAINLY NOT ENOUGH FOR THEIR SURVIVAL. LET ME TELL YOU WHAT TEACHERS ARE LIVING THROUGH RIGHT NOW. ONE 30 YEAR TEACHER IS INASKING DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS AND
STRETCHING HER MEDICATIONS. SHE WORKS THREE JOBS. SHE EATS TWICE A DAY. SHE PRAYS HER TRUCK DOESN'T BREAKDOWN BECAUSE SHE CANNOT AFFORD REPAIRS SHE CANNOT AFFORD HER CHILD'S CAP AND GOWN OR CLASS RING OR COLLEGE TOURS. OTHER TEACHERS ARE WORKING FOUR JOBS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM THAT IS RIGHT FOUR JOBS. JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET. SOME ARE BORROWING MONEY FROM THEIR CHILDREN. SOME ARE GOING INTO DEBT TO PAY THEIR BILLS.
ONE TEACHER TOLD ME SHE HASN'T TAKEN A VACATION IN A DECADE SHE SHOPS AT THRIFT STORES USE US COUPONS AND AVOIDS MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS BECAUSE SHE CANNOT COVER THE COPAYS. AND SHE IS NOT ALONE. MANY TEACHERS ARE SKIPPING MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE NOT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO, BUT BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO STAY HEALTHY. TEACHERS ARE MOVING IN WITH FAMILY MEMBERS TO SURVIVE. OTHERS COMING FROM PORT ST. LUCIE THEY HAVE BEEN PRICED OUT
OF PALM BEACH COUNTY EVERY MONTH TEACHERS ARE FORCED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PAYING THE MORTGAGE OR BUYING GROCERIES THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO RENT A HOME SOME HAVE STOPPED PAYING THE MORTGAGE BECAUSE THEY HAVE ZERO SAVINGS LEFT. THEY ARE CHOOSING BETWEEN KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON AND FEEDING THEIR CHILDREN. DAYCARE IS UNAFFORDABLE, HOME REPAIRS ARE IMPOSSIBLE, THANKSGIVING PLANS ARE UNCERTAIN. HOLIDAY GIFTS FEEL OUT OF REACH. TEACHERS ARE LIVING WITH OVERDRAFTS INS MOUNTING CREDIT
CARD DEBT RISING MEDICAL COSTS AND FEAR, FEAR THAT THEIR CAR WILL BREAKDOWN, FEAR THAT ONE EMERGENCY WILL PUSH THEM INTO HOMELESSNESS. AND, YES, SOME TEACHERS SAY THAT WITHOUT HELP FROM EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS THEY WOULD BE HOMELESS. THIS IS WHERE WE ARE. SO THE QUESTION TEACHERS ARE ASKING IS SIMPLE: WHY AREN'T YOU HELPING? WHY AREN'T YOU EXTENDING A HAND IN THE EDUCATORS WHO ARE CROWNING?
WHY AREN'T YOU EXTENDING A HAND TO THE TEACHERS WHO ARE EXHAUSTED AND DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO SURVIVE. WILL YOU HELP THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE YOUR A RATING POSSIBLE? WHO SUPPORTS YOUR EVALUATIONS, WHO HELPS JUSTIFY YOUR RAISES? BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY DON'T FEEL HELPED THEY DON'T FEEL VALUED AND THEY DON'T FEEL SEEN ONE TEACHER SAID IT BEST BEING A TEACHER IN PALM BEACH COUNTY ISN'T LIVING IT'S SURVIVING. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. JODY MORE AND GILL DE MORGAN
WILLIAMS PLEASE COME UP WITH THE MICROPHONES. THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENT BURKE. I'M JODY MOREL AND IN 2010 I MOVED TO FLORIDA WITH MY FIANCEE TO OPEN A BUSINESS TOGETHER. WE HOPED TO BUILD AND RUN IT SIDE-BY-SIDE BUT THE REALITY IS LIVING ON PROFITS WAS NOT SUSTAINABLE I MADE THE DECISION TO RETURN TO EDUCATION. THE FIRST SHOCK WAS THE PAY CUT. I HAD BEEN EARNING OVER $80,000 IN NEW JERSEY BUT DESPITE MY 16
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, MY STARTING SALARY IN FLORIDA WAS ONLY $45,000. I WAS TOLD THE COST OF LIVING WOULD MAKEUP FOR IT. BUT THE TRUTH IS IT WASN'T THAT DIFFERENT. AT THE TIME MY TWO CHILDREN WERE IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL IN BROWARD AND I WORKED THERE MY FIRST YEAR AS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLTEACHER AFTER BEING ACCESSED I FOUND A COUNSELING JOB IN BELLE GLADE AT GLADE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL AND BETWEEN THE BUSINESS INCOME AND MY SALARY WE MANAGED JUST BARELY RAISING KIDS IS EXPENSIVE WE HAD
TO MAKE SACRIFICES. THEN IN 2014 MY FIANCEE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER. MY DAUGHTER HAD JUST LEFT FOR COLLEGE AND MY SON WAS A JUNIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL. JUST FOUR MONTHS LATER ON SEPTEMBER 10TH HE PASSED AWAY. SUDDENLY I WAS A SINGLE MOTHER WITH A CHILD IN COLLEGE AND ANOTHER PREPARING FOR IT. I WAS DWREFFING DEEPLY AND AT THE SAME TIME I WAS STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY. I MANAGED TO STAY IN MY HOME FOR TWO YEARS UNTIL MY SON LEFT FOR
COLLEGE BUT MY CREDIT CARD DEBT KEPT RISING. I TOOK OUT A HOME EQUITY LOAN I KNEW I WAS DELAYING. I MADE THE PAINFUL DECISION TO RENT MY HOME TO ANOTHER FAMILY AND I RENTED A ROOM IN A NEIGHBOR'S HOME. IT WAS HUMBLING. HONESTLY HUMILIATING. TO NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE IN MY OWN HOME DESPITE HOLDING A MASTERS DEGREE AND WORKING FULL-TIME BUT IT ALLOWED ME TO PAY DOWN MY DEBT AND SUPPORT COLLEGE EXPENSES BECOMING A
ROOMMATE WAS NOT EASY BUT FINANCIALLY IT WAS THE RIGHT CHOICE AND I WILL BE HONEST, IT WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN NECESSARY IF FLORIDA'S TEACHER PAY RESEMBLED THAT OF NEW JERSEY OR NEW YORK OR CONNECTICUT OR CALIFORNIA OR SO MANY OTHER STATES. FORTUNATELY IN 2019 I ENTERED A NEW RELATIONSHIP BECAME ENGAGED AGAIN AND I NO LONGER NEEDED TO RENT A ROOM TO STAY AFLOAT AND NOW WE ARE BEING OFFERED A RAISE THAT DOES NOT KEEP UP WITH INFLATION THAT MEANS EVERY YEAR OUR BUYING POWER DECREASES. I WANT TO RETIRE WITH DIGNITY.
MY PENSION DEPENDS ON MY SALARY INCREASING OVER TIME. I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT EVEN WITH THE REFERENDUM OUR WAGES ARE NOT ENOUGH FOR A SINGLE PERSON TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTY. MOST OF MY COLLEAGUES AREN'T HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE THEY ARE AT THEIR SECOND AND THIRD JOBS WHEN I ASKED THEM TO JOIN ME. I WORK THREE JOBS MYSELF. I AM A SCHOOL COUNSELOR I AM -- >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] >> EXCUSE ME THAT WAS TOUCHING. GOOD EVENING. SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND ESTEEMED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS I'M GILDA MORGAN WILLIAMS AND I PROUDLY SERVE AS A PREKINDERGARTEN SPEECH LANGUAGE FOR THE NORTH TWO PRE-K DIAGNOSTIC TEAM AS WELL AS THE CPA VICE-PRESIDENT. I HAVE HAD THE HONOR OF SERVING
THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES OF PALM BEACH COUNTY FOR ALMOST 39 YEARS. MY JOURNEY IN THIS DISTRICT BEGAN WITH MRS. ANDREWS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF CALVIN TAYLOR AND SUPERINTENDENT TOM MILLS. RECRUITED ME TO JOIN PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS. I BELIEVE SO DEEPLY IN THE MISSION AND PROMISE OF THE DISTRICT THAT I CONVINCED MY YOUNGER SISTER TO RELOCATE FROM SARASOTA COUNTY WITH THE HELP OF MRS. ANDREWS AND Mr. TAYLOR SHE MADE PALM BEACH COUNTY HER HOME AND IS SERVING AS A TEACHER AT TRADE WINDS MIDDLE SCHOOL.
I BUILT MY FAMILY HERE. MY HUSBAND RELOCATED FROM LOUISIANA TOGETHER WE RAISED OUR DAUGHTER RIGHT HERE IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE. WESTWOOD ELEMENTARY, ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY, BALK MIDDLE SCHOOL, PARK VISTA HIGH SCHOOL EACH ONE OF THOSE SCHOOLS POURED INTO HER SHAPED HER AND I STAND HERE TODAY AS A PROUD MOTHER OF ATTORNEY A SUCCESSFUL PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER. THANKS FOR THOSE AMAZING TEACHERS AT EACH OF THOSE
SCHOOLS. [APPLAUSE] THERE IS A SAYING FROM A GREAT BOOK TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS REQUIRED. AND PALM BEACH COUNTY A RATED SCHOOL DISTRICT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN MUCH. YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN HIGHLY QUALIFIED DEEPLY COMMITTED EDUCATORS WHO SHOW UP EVERYDAY READY TO TEACH EVERY CHILD REGARDLESS OF RACE, ETHNICITY, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND ZIP
CODES. WE SHOW UP PREPARED. WE SHOW UP WITH PASSION. WE SHOW UP BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN THE PROMISE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION. BUT WE CANNOT CONTINUE THAT UPHOLD PROMISE IF WE ARE NOT PROTECTED, VALUED AND INVESTED IN. SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND BOARD MEMBERS, THAT INVESTMENT BEGINS WITH PAYING OUR TEACHERS. YOU STAND AT RISK OUR DISTRICT STANDS AT RISK IF WE ARE NOT PAID. WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOSE YOUNG EDUCATORS WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTY.
OUR A RATED RATING WILL BE AT RISK. GRADUATION RATES WILL SUFFER. AND MOST OF ALL, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTRACT THE BRIGHTEST AND THE BEST TEACHERS HERE TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN. WITH THAT, MUCH GIVEN MUCH REQUIRED. WE HAVE GIVEN THIS DISTRICT OUR DEDICATION OUR LOYALTY OUR EXPERTISE AND MANY CASES OUR LIVES WORK. NOW WE ASK YOU TO HONOR COMMITMENT. PAY US OUR WORTH. BECAUSE WE ARE MORE THAN THAT. THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
WE ARE EXPECTED TO DO LESSON PLANS AND EXPECTED FOR RETIONZFUL TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS AND EXPECTED TO COMMUNICATE AND EXPECTED TO HAVE THE PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE. WE ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE CARE OF OUR STUDENTS AND STAY CALM IN MANY SITUATIONS THAT ARISE IN OUR SCHOOL FROM SCHOOL SHOOTINGS, DEATHS, FIGHTS, I WILL NSZ AND THE LIST GOES ON. WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND ARE REQUIRED TO MEET THE EXPECTATION. AS TEACHERS WE DO ALL OF THIS AND MORE WE ARE PROFESSIONAL AND IN RETURN WE SHOULD HAVE
PROFESSIONAL PAY AND PROFESSIONAL RAISES AT THAT TIME MATCH THE LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE THAT IS REQUIRED FROM US. MOST OF YOU HAVE BEEN IN A CLASSROOM BUT I CHALLENGE YOU TO WORK ONE FULL WEEK IN ANY SCHOOL THAT IS REPRESENTED HERE TONIGHT AND I PROMISE YOU YOU WILL RUN TO SIGN FOR THE PAY INCREASE. BUT HERE ARE FACTS. ACCORDING TO CBS12 NEWS FLORIDA IS LOW IN TEACHER PAY. IT PLACES FLORIDA SECOND TO LAST IN AVERAGE TEACHER SALARY. 60% OF TEACHERS TAKE ON A SECOND
JOB TO MEET THE COST OF LIVING. YES I HAVE A SECOND JOB. JUGGLING TEACHING WITH OTHER JOBS LEADS TO BURN-OUT WHICH CAN NEGATIVELY AFFECT TEACHERS AND THE WELL-BEING OF QUALITY. I KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT TEACHERS FEELING THE BURN-OUT AND BECOMING ILL. TERMINALLY AND SOMETIME CASES LEADING TO DEATH. I DON'T KNOW A LOT OF ENGINEERS THAT WORK A SECOND JOB. I DON'T KNOW A LOT OF LAWYERS THAT WORK A SECOND JOB OR NURSES THAT WORK A SECOND JOB OR FIREMEN THAT WORK A SECOND JOB. I DON'T KNOW POLICE OFFICERS
THAT WORK A SECOND JOB AND THESE ARE ALL ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES. IF ESSENTIAL PEOPLE IN THE WORKFORCE TEACHERS ARE JUST THE SAME. WE ARE ESSENTIAL AND PROFESSIONAL. YET WE ARE NOT BEING COMPENSATED ON A PROFESSIONAL LEVEL. I'M REQUESTING THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD AWARD TEACHERS 5% SALARY RAISE THIS YEAR BUT THE 1% IS AND INSULT FOR THE WORK WE DO THE LIVES WE TOUCH AND THE WORLD THAT WE IMPACT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. >> I AM A TEACHER AT HIGH
SCHOOL. AS A FORMER STUDENT AND TEACHER IN A DWYER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION WINNER WITH 33 YEARS PLUS IN THE CLASSROOM, I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE NEED FOR RESPECTFUL AND ADEQUATE RAISES. AS MANY OF US ARE RECOGNIZED AND FELT THE ABILITY TO AFFORD EVERYDAY BILLS TRYING TO MAKE CHILE FOR THE WEEKEND. HAVE BECOME ALMOST UNAFFORDABLE. DAILY BILLS AND EXPENSES AND HOUSING HAS BECOME MORE DIFFICULT IF NOT DOWN RIGHT IMPOSSIBLE. WE FIND THAT MANY OF OUR EDUCATORS MUST LIVE IN ADJACENT
COUNTIES AND SPENDING HOURS GOING TO AND FROM THEIR SCHOOLS AND HOMES I'VE WITNESSED OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS LEAVE THE PROFESSION. ALTOGETHER DUE TO DAILY STRESS, FINANCIAL STRAIN AND THE NEED TO WORK MULTIPLE JOBS. I WORKED MULTIPLE JOBS FOR 20 YEARS. I GAVE IT UP BECAUSE I AM TOO OLD TO BE WORKING UNTIL 9:30 AT NIGHT. I WAS YOUR COORDINATOR AT LANTANA MIDDLE MY COLLEAGUES LIVE AS ROOMMATES TO MAKE ENDS MEET THESE CERTIFIED EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS DESERVE BETTER.
WHY ISN'T ONE OF OUR MOST AFFLUENT COUNTIES NOT DOING ITS BEST TO ATTRACT THE BEST EDUCATORS? I HAD AMAZING TEACHNERS THIS COUNTY. OUR STUDENTS DESERVE THE SAME. AS A PERSON IN MY DROP OF RETIREMENT ERA, TAYLOR SWIFT IT IS BEEN CLEAR TO ME THAT I MUST NOT ONLY ADVOCATE FOR MYSELF, BUT FOR ALL EDUCATORS ESPECIALLY OUR YOUNGER EDUCATORS WHO OFTEN FEEL VOICELESS AND AFRAID TO
SPEAK. I'M IN MY GOLDEN ERA. I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING HIGHLY EDUCATED AND TECHNICALLY TRAINED, TRAINED, FORMER STUDENTS TO HELP ME IN THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE, TO FIX MY AIR-CONDITIONING TO BE MY DOCTORS AND NURSES I WANT TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MILLEY GRAHAMS AND GRASMS AND THAT WILL ONLY HAPPEN IF WE HAVE THE QUALITY EDUCATORS AS A CLINICALLY TRAINED TEACHER WHO HAS INTERNS WITH ONE WHO LEFT THE STATE BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT
AFFORD TO LIVE HERE. SHE COULD NOT AFFORD TO BE HERE. SHE DID NOT FEEL RESPECTED SHE WAS MY FORMER STUDENT AND BECAME MY INTERN FROM FAU WE POURED A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY INTO HER AND SHE IS GONE AND PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST TEACHERS I HAVE TRAINED. PLEASE DO WHAT IS RIGHT. I'M RETIRING AND I ENTERED DROP BECAUSE I KNEW WE WERE NOT GOING TO GET RAISES. I HAVE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR ME AND YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR US.
[APPLAUSE] >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. DONALD PIERSON AND ANDY GOLDSTEIN. PLEASE COME UP. >> GOOD EVENING I'M ANDY GOLD SUSTAIN I HAVE BEEN A TEACHER FOR 25 YEARS AND THE PROUD
PARENT OF A DAUGHTER NOW A SENIOR AT ONE OF OUR PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS I AM A CTA REP I BECAME A TEACHER BECAUSE I WAS GREATFUL FOR THE EDUCATION I RECEIVED AND WANTED TO GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY AND MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF KIDS. I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE ABYSMAL OFFER OF A MEAGER 1.5 SALARY INCREMENT FOR OUR TEACHERS. THE OFFER IS NOT RESPECTFUL OF OUR PROFESSION. I RECENT HE WILL REREAD THE MISSION OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY
SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE MISSION OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS TO EDUCATE, AFFIRM AND INSPIRE EACH STUDENT IN AN EQUITY EMBEDDED SCHOOL SYSTEM. BEAUTIFUL. WE USED TO HAVE AS PART OF OUR STATEMENT THE COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION THAT EMPOWERS EACH STUDENT TO REACH THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL. A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION. WOW. THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL MISSION STATEMENT IT RESOUNDS WITH YES WE CAN. AND FROM OUR CORE BELIEFS INVESTING IN OUR EMPLOYEES IS AND INVESTMENT IN THE ABILITY TO SERVE OUR STUDENTS.
NICE. BUT WHAT DO WE HEAR FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WHEN IT COMES TO PAYING OUR TEACHERS SO WE CAN LIVE AND GROW AND RAISE A FAMILY WE HEAR THE CRY NO, WE CAN'T. AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT WE'RE CREATING A LEGACY OF WE CAN'T, WE CAN'T WHERE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY AND WE CAN'T. WHAT WILL BE OUR LEGACY? ♪HOW WILL WE BE REMEMBERED? ♪HOW WILL WE BE REMEMBERED?
RESPECTFULLY, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, PLEASE FIGURE OUT A WAY TO SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS SO THAT WE CAN GET TO YES WE CAN. THE WORLD IS WATCHING. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. JULIA MOORE AND SHERI PERIL WITS. I SEE DON PIERSON YOU ARE HERE. SO DON YOU ARE FIRST. >> THANK YOU. DON PIERSON. 44 YEARS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. I'M GOING TO CHANGE IT UP A
LITTLE BIT. AND TALK ABOUT MONEY THAT IS ALREADY ESTABLISHED THAT I'M WONDERING WHAT IS GOING ON. REALLY COACHES ASK ME TO DO THIS ON THE ASSIGNER FOR A WRESTLING OFFICIALS FOR WRESTLING COACHES AND WE HAD A MEETING LAST WEEK AND THEY ARE WONDERING WHAT IS GOING ON WITH SUPPLEMENTS. AND I SAID I WOULD DO THAT TALK TO YOU ABOUT THAT. HERE IS WHAT THEY'RE SAYING. THERE'S GIRLS WRESTLING WHICH IS REALLY NICE AND THERE'S SUPPLEMENTS FOR IT BUT SOME OF
THE COACHES SAYING THE AD'S ARE SAYING THERE'S NO SUPPLEMENTS. WE KNOW HOW MANY SUPPLEMENTEDS THERE ARE. AND AD'S ARE SAYING THAT THEY ARE TOLD I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE, AND I HOPE NOT, THEY ARE SAYING WE'RE TOLD IF YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FEMALE WRESTLERS THAT WE CAN'T GIVE YOU A SUPPLEMENT THAT IS AN INDIVIDUAL SPORT. I DON'T THINK YOU WOULD DO THAT TO INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS. SO COACHES LEAVE. AND THEN PROGRAMS LIKE PALM
BEACH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL HAD A GREAT WRESTLING PROGRAM THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THEY DON'T HAVE ONE BECAUSE FRANKLY, SOME AD'S DON'T WANT IT. SO THE QUESTION THAT COACHES ARE ASKING IS: WHY ARE THE MONEY THAT IS ALREADY ESTABLISHED NOT BEING GIVEN? ONE COACH SAID I WAS ASKED IN THE MIDDLE OF A SEASON TO COME BACK AND COACH WE NEED YOU. AND HE SAID HE WOULD. BUT AFTER THE SEASON THEY SAID WELL, WE GOT THE SEASON, AND HED THAT WAS SO DISENGINE WIN TO
HIM. HE SAID, I FELT EMBARRASSED AND WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO PEOPLE? AND THE ANSWER SEEMS TO ALWAYS BE BLAMED ON, SOMEONE ELSE. THOSE SUPPLEMENTS ARE ALREADY ESTABLISHED. WHY WOULD AN AD BE TOLD TO NOT PAY THE COACHES? AND IT JUST FALLS IN LINE WITH PAY. WE HAVE GREAT -- EVERYBODY, WE JUST TALKED ABOUT SOME GREAT ATHLETES, AND OUR PROGRAMS.
BUT WHY WOULD YOU DO TO YOUR COACHES? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO YOUR TEACHERS? I HAVE SEEN SINCE Mr. MILLS, IN 1982 WHEN I FIRST STARTED TEACHING, I HAVE SEEN THIS CONVERSATION OVER AND OVER AGAIN. BUT I HAVE ALSO SEEN THE PROUD A1A. YOU KNOW, WE'RE A DISTRICT AND WE ARE BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE PEOPLE SITTING HERE AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE WORKING THEIR THIRD JOB. THAT'S WHY WE'RE AN A DISTRICT. WE'RE AN A DISTRICT BECAUSE
PEOPLE LIKE Mr. WOODS AND MYSELF, AND, GILDA, WE DIDN'T QUIT AFTER FOUR YEARS, WHICH MANY ARE DOING. YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYBODY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. ADMINISTRATORS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. MY NAME IS JULIA MOORE AND THIS IS MY NINTH YEAR TEACHING BUT MY FIRST YEAR TEACHING IN FLORIDA. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO
SPEAK. I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS TWO URGENT ISSUES THAT ARE AFFECTING TEACHER, STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ACROSS OUR DISTRICTS. FIRST, TEACHER COMPENSATION. TEACHERS WORK LONG HOURS PLANNING, ASSESSING, DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION, COMMUNICATING WITH FAMILIES AND PROVIDING SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. OFTEN BEYOND OUR CONTRACTED TIME. COMPETITIVE PAY HELPS TO RETAIN EXPERIENCE, EDUCATORS, REDUCES TURNOVER, AND SUPPORTS CONTINUITY OF INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS.
I PERSONALLY TOOK A HUGE PAY CUT WHEN I MOVED HERE WHICH HAS MADE IT DIFFERENT TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE BOARD TO CONSIDER A MEANINGFUL RAISE FOR CLASSROOM TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF TO KEEP AND ATTRACT THE TALENT OUR STUDENTS DESERVE. SECOND, INSTABILITY CAUSED BY THE DISTRICT'S 11 DAY COUNT AND PREDICTIVE ENROLLMENT MODEL. I MOVED TO PALM BEACH COUNTY OVER THE SUMMER AND DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THESE POLICIES. AFTER RELOCATING TO PALM BEACH, I RECEIVED LITTLE SUPPORT FROM
ADMINISTRATION. I PAID TO MOVE MY BELONGINGS FROM NEW YORK TO BOCA, I SPENT MY SUMMER SETTING UP A CLASSROOM, AND THEN I HAD TO TAKE IT DOWN A MONTH INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR AND MOVE EVERYTHING AGAIN OF BOYNTON BEACH. I MADE MULTIPLE TRIPS IN MY SMALL SEDAN USING MY OWN, TIME, ENERGY AND MONEY. I RECEIVED NO PAY, NO COMPENSATION, AND NO HELP WITH THESE MOVES. AS A RESULT I FEEL UNPREPARED FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR AND I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING TO STAY AFLOAT AMID THE UNFORESEEN CHANGES.
MY NEW SCHOOL WAS TOLD TO REASSIGN THE THIRD GRADER WHICH IS RESULTED IN GAINING AND LOSING STUDENTS SO I'VE HAD FIVE DIFFERENT CLASSES WITHIN THREE MONTHS, WITH SOME STUDENTS ALSO HAVING FIVE DIFFERENT TEACHERS, SO FAR THIS SCHOOL YEAR, AND SOME ARE ABOUT TO HAVE A SIXTH NEXT MONTH. THAT LEVEL OF INSTABILITY UNDERMINES CONSISTENT INSTRUCTION, LEADS TO LOST LEARNING TIME, AND PLACES UNDUE STRESS ON TEACHER, ADMINISTRATOR, STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. IT IS ESPECIALLY HARMFUL TO STUDENTS WHO RELY ON ROUTINE, AND STRONG TEACHER STUDENT
RELATIONSHIPS. I URGE THE BOARD TO RECONSIDER ALLIANCE ON THE 11 DAY COUNT AND PREDICTIVE ENROLLMENT MODEL. USE SUMMER PLACEMENTS SUCH AS. M-3 AND SPRING ASSESSMENT DATA AS THE STAFF ASSIGNMENT. PROVIDE TIMELY COMMUNICATION, LOGISTICAL SUPPORT AND FAIR COMPENSATION, WHEN MOVES OR MAJOR CHANGES ARE REQUIRED. I FOUND OUT TWO DAYS BEFORE. AND SUPPORT STUDENT GROUPINGS SO ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY CLASSROOM
CLASSROOMS CAN INCLUDE CLASSROOMS WITH VARIED STRENGTHS AND NEEDS. MIXED GROUPS LET'S STUDENTS LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER. STRONGER READERS ARE MODEL STRATEGIES FOR PEERS. >> THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS CHEYN. >> MY NAME IS SHARI AND I HAVE SPENT SIX AND A HALF HOURS WIPING NOSES AND TEARS, TYING SHOES AND EXHAUSTING DOING THREE READING GROUP AS DAY AND
TEACHING ADDITION THAT'S FAR ABOVE ANY KINDERGARTENER'S HEAD AND YET I'M NERVOUS IN FRONT OF YOU, WHY? BECAUSE, MY DEAR KINDERS DON'T JUDGE ME YET I FEEL JUDGED BY THE 1% BOARD IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE HEARD SUCH IMPRESSIVE AND INCREDIBLE PROGRAMS TODAY. MOST OF WHICH I DID NOT REALIZE IN THIS APLUS COUNTY BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE TIME TO LISTEN OR READ WHAT IS SENT OUT BY THE DISTRICT. ONE QUESTION BEFORE MY SECOND POINT: DO YOU THINK THAT EDUCATORS
WORTH 1% CAN DO THAT? WITHOUT US, ALL OF YOUR KIDS COULD NOT DO THIS. ARE YOUR KIDS WORTH 1%? I MADE A BIG SACRIFICE TO COME HERE. I GAVE UP TWO TUTORING JOBS TO COME. ONE FROM 3:30 TO 4:30 AND ONE FROM FIVE CROCK TO 6:00. I NORMALLY DON'T GET HOME EVERY DAY UNTIL 7:00 SO I'M WORKING A 12 HOUR DAY SO BECAUSE I CAME OUT TO SUPPORT MY UNIONS, COLLEAGUES AND ALL OF MY TEACHERS, I WILL BE DOING TRIPLE TUTORING SEXES TOMORROW. I TUTOR MONDAY TO FRIDAY, TWO DAYS OR A DOUBLE.
I COME TOO TIRED TO COOK, EXERCISE OR ENJOY TIME WITH MY FAMILY YET I GET ON THE COMPUTER, USUALLY FALLING ASLEEP ON IT AND DROOLING ALL OVER IT, TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF MY PLANS ARE STANDARD BASED AND EVERYTHING READY BY EARLY DAY. A COLLEAGUE AND I AND I TRIED TO ENCOURAGE MORE TEACHERS TO. COULD. THEY WANTED TO BUT THEY WERE ALL EITHER TOO EXHAUSTED OR DOUBLE TUTORING ALSO. PLEASE PUT YOURSELVES IN OUR SHOES. FOR ONE PERCENT, WE CAN'T EVEN BE ABLE TO AFFORD ANY SHOES. DO YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE WORTH
1%? DURING COVID, YOU ALL NEEDED US. YOU CANNOT DO WITHOUT US AND NOW THAT WE'RE ALL BACK, MAYBE YOU CAN RUN YOUR SCHOOLS WITH ONE PERCENT OF US BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE WE'RE HEADED. YESTERDAY I WALKED INTO FRESH MARKET. LE SOMEONE CALLED MY NAME. IT WAS A PARENT OF THREE BOYS THAT I TAUGHT MY FIRST YEAR OF TEACHING IN 2050678 SHE HUG MED SO TIGHTLY AND SAID, I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. MY BOYS WILL NEVER FORGET YOU.
FUNNY THING IS I SEE ALL OF THESE PEOPLE AROUND THE COMMUNITY. MRS. PERLOWITZ, YOU'RE MY FAVORITE TEACHER AND I STILL REMEMBER YOU. AND THESE KIDS HAVE GRADUATED COLLEGE. SO, SHE SAID, YOU WERE MY BOYS' SAFE PLACE THE FIRST TIME AWAY FROM FRANCE. SHE PULLED OUT A PICTURE OF ME AND HER YOUNGEST SON ON HALLOWEEN. THAT'S WORTH WAY MORE THAN ONE PERCENT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. KAREN LONGHOFER AND CHEYNE, SELESKI.
GOOD EVENING, EVERYONEN. MY NAME IS CHEYNE SELLESKI. RAISES ARE COMPOUNDING AND IF WE STICK TO THIS 1.5% RAISE THIS WILL JUST THIS ONE YEAR, WILL ULTIMATELY COST MY TEN OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FLIGHT CAREER. MY WIFE ALSO TEACHES IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AS WELL SO I GUESS YOU CAN DOUBLE THAT NUMBER. IF WE CAN'T FIND MONEY FOR A BETTER RAISE, WE HAVE TO CUT SPENDING. WITH 6,000 LESS STUDENT, WEIGHED AS MANY WORKERS. THE LAST TIME WE HAD A BUDGET
CRISIS WAS DURING THE GREAT RECESSION. WE DID OUR BEST TO KEEP ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES DURING SUCH A CHALLENGING TIME. BACK THEN, IT MADE SENSE TO DO THAT. FIRST OUR ENENROLL MACHINE DID NOT GO DOWN. WE NEEDED THE STAFF TO KEEP THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENT WERE SECOND DUE TO NATURE OFARY ECONOMIC CONDITIONS,. HAVING A JOB WAS BETTER THAN NO JOB. FAST FORWARD TO TODAY, INFLATION IS AROUND 3%, UNEMPLOYMENT 4.3% WHICH IS CONSIDERED CLOSE TO
MAXIMUM EMPLOYMENT. OUR DEMAND FOR STAFF HAS BEEN REDUCED SINCE WE LOST 6,000 STUDENTS. UNLESS THE POLITICAL CLIMATE SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGES IN TALLAHASSEE, THOSE STUDENTS ARE NOT COMING BACK. AS YOU CAN SEE, BOTH OF THESE SITUATIONS ARE VERY DIFFERENT. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO HOLD ON TO UNNECESSARY STAFF THIS HE DID FIND A. >> WHERE THEY ARE MORE USEFUL WE CAN'T MAKE THE REST OF THE TEAM SUFFER GREATLY BECAUSE WE REFUSE TO LET GO OF SOME STAFF. PLEASE URGE THE DISTRICT TO GIVE TEACHER RAISE AS BIGGER PRIORITY. EACH YEAR WE ALREADY LOSE
TEACHERS TO OTHER PROFESSIONS DUE TO PAY. AND WE CANNOT LET THIS TREND ACT SELL RATE IT ULTIMATELY HURTS OR STUDENTS TO HAVE ACCESS QUALITY TEACHER. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> >> GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS JESSICA AND I'M A PROUD PRODUCT OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM I GRADUATED FROM IS UP COAST AND WENT OFF TO THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, GO GATORS FOR A DEGREE WHICH I HOPED WOULD BE FUTURE SUCCESS. UNFORTUNATELY MY BROTHER WAS ALSO A PRODUCT OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM AND HE DID NOT HAVE THE SAME OUTCOME. MY BROTHER HAD A SEVERE DISSITY DISABILITY AND HAD FAR GREATER SUPPORT NEEDS. HE FELL THROUGH THE CRACK OF THE SUPPORT SYSTEMS SUPPOSED TO BE IF PLACE AND I REALIZED AT A VERY EARLY AGE THAT HOUR SYSTEMS TO PROTECT THE NEEDIEST STUDENTS ARE ONLY AS STRONG AS THE ADULTS
ENTRUSTED TO UPHOLD THEM. GREAT STAFF FOR HIM LED TO GROWTH. BUT, BURNOUT AND OVEREXHAUSTED ABSENT MINDED STAFF LED TO SEVERE REGRESSION. I GREW UP DETERMINED TO COME BACK AND HELP TO FIX THE SYSTEM. TO KEEP OTHER FAMILIES FROM STRUGGLING AND TO GET OUR STUDENT AS BETTER OUTCOME. SO FAST FORWARD TO 2018, I EARN MID-MASTERS DEGREE, CAME BACK TO PALM BEACH COUNTY AND SO EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO WORK HERE AS AN EFE TEACHER. I KNEW I WASN'T GOING INTO THIS PROFESSION OR THE INCOME, BUT FOR THE OUTCOMES, RIGHT? MY GOAL IN LIFE WAS NEVER TO BE RICH BUT TO HELP STRUGGLING STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
BUT THEN, THE YEAR WENT ON AND IT QUICKLY BECAME EVIDENT THAT INCOME WAS A BIGGER FACTOR THAN I REALIZED. IT STARTED WITH PICKING UP A HOSPITAL HOME BOUND STUDENT OR TWO FOR EXTRA MONEY AND SELLING PLASMA ON THE SIDE. IT WAS A TEMPORARY STRUGGLE. I CAN DO HARD THINGS I THOUGHT ESPECIALLY IF IT IS ONLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. BUT, NOW, ON YEAR 8, I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION WITH THE STRUGGLE WASN'T TEMPORARY. IN ORDER TO HAVE A QUALITY OF LIFE THAT'S WORTH LIVING I HAVE CONTINUED TO NEED EXTRA REVENUE SOURCES BECAUSE MY BASE SALARY IS NOT SUFFICIENT. THE SIDE HUSTLES LOOK DIFFERENT NOW BUT THE FACT REMAINED MY
SALARY IS NOT KEEPING ONE THE RATE OF INFLATION AND THE INCREASE IN THE COST OF LIVING IN THIS COUNTY. TODAY, I'M AN ESE COORDINATOR AND LET ME TELL YOU, I LOVE MY JOB. I TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT I DO. BUT, MY THINKING HAS SHIFTED TREMENDOUSLY. ARE PREVIOUSLY, I DISREGARDED THE INCOME SO I COULD SEE THE OUTCOMES. BUT, TODAY I STAND HERE AND REALIZE THAT WITHOUT A SUFFICIENT INCOME, THE OUTCOMES THAT WE WANT ARE UNATTAINABLE. IN MY LINE OF WORK, I SEE DAILY THE STRUGGLE OF TEACHER DRAGGING THEMSELVES IN COMPLETELY BURNED OUT FROM ALL OF THE EXTRA JOB. HOW CAN WE EXPECT PEOPLE RUNNING
ON FUMES TO REMEMBER EVERY IEP NEEDING AND CHECK OFF EVERY ACCOMMODATION THE BRING THE BEST PATIENTS WITH OUR NEEDIEST OF STUDENTS WHEN THEY THEMSELVES ARE IN NEED. HOW CAN WE BILL LASTING SYSTEMS FOR OUR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, GIVEN OUR HOW HIGH THE TURNOVER RATE IS BECAUSE TEACHERS ARE LEAVING THE FRO NEGOTIATION LEFT AND RIGHT FOR BETTER PAY. THE REALITY IS WE CAN'T. I DESPERATELY WANT TO DO MY JOB WELL AND I WANT TO HELP OUR STUDENTS. BUT I ALSO HAVE TO THINK BACK TO MY BROTHER'S EDUCATION AND THE REAL THAT I OUR SYSTEMS ARE ONLY AS STRONG ASITY ADULTS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING
THEM. AND AS ONE OFS TO ADULTS I'M HERE TO SAY THAT I'M EXHAUSTED. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS NOT A VOTE ON THE TABLE REGARDING OUR SALARY BUT IN THE. COMING MONTHS IF IF OUR SALARY FALLS INTO YOUR HANDS FOR VOTE, I'M BEGGING YOU TO VOTE NO ON ANY PROPOSAL THATLE CANS LESS THAN 3% SALARY INCREASE. ANYTHING LESS IS AN INSIT SUCCESSFUL TO OUR PROFESSION. >> I'M KAREN LONGHOFER AND I
HAVE BEEN A CLASSROOM TEACHER FOR 39 YEARS. 38 IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY PUBLIC SCH SCHOOLS. Ms. ANDREWS YOU RECRUITED ME AND I THANK YOU. MY HUSBAND AND I MOVED TO FLORIDA AND WE HAD FOUR CHILDREN THROUGH THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THEY HAVE AN INCREDIBLE EDUCATION. THANK YOU TO EVERY TEACHER THAT TAUGHT THEM. I AM HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU TONIGHT ABOUT THE TEACHER CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS. WHILE RAISING OUR FOUR KIDS, MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH TAUGHT. WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE THEM TO DINNER AND TAKE VACATION OCCASIONALLY.
TODAY, OUR OLDEST SON, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, BOTH TEACH. THEY HAVE TWO CHILDREN. THEY CANNOT AFFORD THATICTHAT THEM OUT TO DINNER. THEY DON'T TAKE VACATION. AND THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STAY IN THE TEACHING PROFESSION. EVERY YEAR, WE TEACHERS, WE GIVE EXTRA TIME. WE DIG INTO OUR OWN POCKETS FOR MONEY THAT WE MIGHT NEED FOR BILLS. WE MIGHT JUST WANT TO SAVE IT FOR A RAINY DAY. BUT WE DO IT TO BUY ITEMS FOR
OUR CLASSROOMS AND OUR STUDENTS. WHY? TO BENEFIT OUR STUDENT EDUCATION. BUT WHY DO WE DIG INTO OUR OWN POCKETS? BECAUSE WE BELIEVE OUR STUDENTS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY ARE THE TOP PRIORITY. THEY DESERVE THE BEST. YOU THE SCHOOL BOARD AND Mr. SUPERINTENDENT, YOU TELL EVERYBODY, WE HAVE THE BEST TEACHERS AND YES, WE DO HAVE THE BEST TEACHERS. WE'RE HERE. WE ARE THE BEST. AND THAT WE ARE A PRIORITY. IF YOU TRUE MY BELIEVE THAT,
THAT WE ARE THE BEST, THAT WE ARE THE TOP PRIORITY, WE NEED TO TAKE SOME MONEY OUT OF YOUR POCKETS. THE DISTRICT'S POCKETS AND PROVE, PROVE TO US THAT THE TEACHERS THAT WE ARE THE BEST, WE ARE YOUR TOP PRIORITY BECAUSE OUR STUDENTS ARE OUR TOP PRIORITY. I'M SORRY. IT IS A RAINY DAY. AND THANK YOU. >> >> VERONICA KIVELA AND PERLA
ABATE. >> GOOD EVENING, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT I WOULDN'T YET AND ESTEEMED BOARD MEMBERS. MY NAME IS VERONICA KIVELA AND I'M A TEACHER AT SANTA LUCES HIGH SCHOOL. I SPENT MY ENTIRE 23 CAREER -- 23-YEAR CAREER TEACHING IN THIS A-RATED SCHOOL DISTRICT. I AM IMMENSELY PROUD AND
GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LIVE AND WORK IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN LATELY EXTREMELY CHALLENGING BEING ABLE TO CONTINUE TO AFFORD TO LIVE HERE. AND YES, I DO HAVE TWO OTHER JOBS. OVER THE YEARS, THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS ALWAYS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS. SO, I AM HERE TODAY TO URGENTLY AND RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT
THE SCHOOL BOARD CONSIDER AN ADEQUATE AND DECENT RAISE FOR TEACHERS LIKE ME, TO ENCOURAGE RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT OF MORE TALENTED TEACHERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS. MY NAME IS PERLA ABATE AND I'M
ONE OF THE MANY TEACHERS WHO DECIDED TO LEAVE THE PROFESSION AS OF OCTOBER 31, I RESIGNED FROM MY POSITION AT LAKE WORTH HIGH SCHOOL. AND I AM GOING TO READ SOMETHING THAT I SENT TO THE BOARD AS AN EMAIL AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MAY NOT BE VOTED ON TODAY, BUT, I DO THINK THAT IT IS WORTH MENTIONING BECAUSE, TEACHER MORALE IS DOWN ON THE FLOOR
RIGHT NOW. WE ARE WALKING OUT BY THE THOUSANDS. OVER FLORIDA ESPECIALLY AND I'M SURE ACROSS THE NATION. AND, THIS IS WHAT I WROTE UP. I'M AN 18-YEAR VETERAN TEACHER, CERTIFIED IN THE CRITICAL SHORTAGE AREAS OF MATHEMATICS, 6-12, ESAL, ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES AND READING AND ALSO SPANISH. I HAVE WORKED OR I WORK AT LAKE WORTH COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
SINCE 2021 WHEN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC, THEY WERE DESPERATE FOR TEACHERS. I HEARD THE CALL THAT THEY NEEDED SPANISH SPEAKERS FOR THE IMMIGRANT STUDENTS AND IT WAS TIME TO GO BACK AFTER I HAD MY DAUGHTER IN 2018. AND I DECIDED TO BEGIN WORKING THERE. I BELIEVE DEEPLY IN THE MISSION OF PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND IN THE WELL-BEING OF OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.
HOWEVER, PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL -- DISTRICT TEACHERS ARE EXPERIENCING HOW THE VERY INSTITUTION THAT WE DEDICATE OUR LIVES TO HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY HOSTILE TO WORK FOR. THE POLICIES AND THE PRACTICES CURRENTLY IN PLACE, HAVE CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE'RE OFTEN SILENCED UNDERVALUED AND OVERBURDENED, RATHER THAN EMPOWERED TO FULFILL OUR CALLING TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE AND GUIDE OUR STUDENTS TOWARD A BETTER FUTURE.
THE GROWING EROSION OF OUR PROFESSIONAL FREEDOMS IS ALSO INCREASINGLY TROUBLING. TEACHERS DESERVE THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS THEY FEEL THEMSELVES AND ADVOCATE FOR STUDENTS AND PROFESSION WITHOUT FEAR OF RETALIATION AND WORK IN AN ENVIRONMENT -- INVITING ENVIRONMENT THAT FOSTERS RESPECT, COLLABORATION, AND TRUST. WHEN TEACHERS ARE TREATED AS LIABILITIES INSTEAD OF PROFESSIONALS, MORALE DECLINES AND SO DOES THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION. WHEN A TEACHER MAY BE SUBJECT OF AN INVESTIGATION INTO A
NEWLY-ADOPTED SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 2.3817 MANDATING A REPORT BE PLAYED TO THE TO FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR PROPPING A HALLWAY DOOR OPEN, MOREOVER THAT THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MAY DECIDE TO INVESTIGATE THE MATTER FURTHER WHEN THE PERSON, THE TEACHER WAS ONLY MAKING A PHOTOCOPY, IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT PUNISHMENT IS THE GOAL. >> THANK YOU. LORI LANDIS AND TEKA FIELDS.
>> GOOD EVENING, I'M LORI LANDIS, SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD MIGHT BE. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. PLEASE DON'T STRESS. I'M NOT HERE TO TALK ABOUT -- OR ELIMINATING OUR JOB DESCRIPTION. I CONFESS. FROM GUIDANCE COUNSEL COUNSELORS BUT TONIGHT I'M HERE FOR THE HEART TO SPEAK FOR THE WHOLE IN EVERY WAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR LISTENING WITH CARE. YOU HAVE SHOWN THAT OUR VOICES MATTER EVERYWHERE. WE COUNSEL STUDENTS YOUNG AND OLD BUT OUR STRUGGLES MUST ALSO BE TOLD. WE GUIDE AND LISTEN AND WIPE
EVERY TEAR. WE STAY LATE AT NIGHT TO CALM EVERY FEAR. WE LIFT SPIRITS HIGH AND HEARTS THAT ARE LOW, ALL TO HELP OUR CHILDREN FLOURISH AND GROW. BEHIND THE SCENE, REAL LIVES UNFOLD, TWO COLLEAGUES COULDN'T PAY THE RENT TRUTH BE TOLD. ONE MOVED BACK HOME WITH HER PARENTS AGAIN, JUST TRYING TO SURVIVE AMID STRESS AND STRAIN. I TIGHTEN MY BUDGET AND FOUND A SIDE GIG OR TWO. A BURDEN SHARED BY COLLEAGUES MORE THAN A FY- I CANCELED TWO CLIENTS TO BE HERE TONIGHT. $100 OR SO DOWN THE PIKE. WE RAISED OUR VOICES TO TOGETHER
WE STAND CALLING FOR RAISES, NOT A TOKEN IN HAND. BONUSES HELP NOW, SALARIES MATTER, MORE AS RETIREMENT NEARS. OUR SCHOOLS ARE A RATED BECAUSE WE CARE. TEACHERS AND COUNSELORS GIVE MORE THAN FAIR. BEYOND REQUIRED HOURS AWAY FROM HOME, WE SHOW UP FOR STUDENTS WHEREVER THEY ROME. OUR COUNTIES HAVE MOVED AHEAD, THEY HAVE HEARD WHAT WE SAID. IT IS TIME WE MATCH THEM OR RISK THE COST, LOSING GREAT EDUCATORS
WE CANNOT EXHAUST. OUR EDUCATORS ARE SKILLED AND HIGHLY TRAINED. IF WE WANT LIFE LONG LEARNER, WE MUST MAINTAIN. HIGHER EDUCATION IS THE PATH TO GROW. BUT COST RISES FAST AND THE PAY MOVES SLOW. OUR MASTER SUPPLEMENT HAS NOT MOVED IN YEARS. IT IS A TIME TO CORRECT IT AND EASE THOSE FEARS. TO RECRUIT THE BEST WE MUST COMPETE WITH NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS OFFERING PAY THAT IS SWEET. STUDENT DESERVE ADULT, NOT WORRIED IF RENT COULD BE FOUND. WE GIVE OUR HEART AND SKILL ASKS
TIME. LET'S MAKE OUR PAY REFLECT THAT CLIMB. AND HERE IS MY PLEA BOTH STRONG AND TRUE. INVEST IN THE PEOPLE WHO INVEST IN YOU. SUPPORT US AND VALUE US, AND HELP US TO STAY. AND OUR STUDENTS WILL SHINE IN EVERY WAY. WHEN TEACHERS THRIVE, CHILDREN SOAR. OUR DISTRICT GROWS STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE. THANK YOU. >> >> >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. I'M TAKA FIELDS. GREETINGS, CHAIR BRILL, VICE
CHAIR LANE, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT, STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE, OH, SHE'S GONE. DISTINGUISHED GUESTS. AND TO THE MVPs OF EDUCATION, MY FELLOW EDUCATORS. I'M A 13 YEAR U.S. AIR FORCE VETERAN. A TEN-YEAR CIVIL SERVANT. SOMEONE WITH 20 YEARS IN MINISTRY. AND, WELL ON MY WAY TO BECOMING A VETERAN TEACHER. I'M ALSO A PROUD GRADUATE OF THE INAUGURAL CLASS OF THE TEACHER ACADEMY OF 1996. I KNOW I DON'T LOOK IT. 1996. I'M A MEMBER OF CTA AND A MEMBER OF THE NAACP. AND I STAND HERE TODAY, AS A
TEACHER, AT THE A RATED SANTA LUCES COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL. MY BOARD REPRESENTATIVES ARE VICE CHAIR LANE BECAUSE OF WHERE I LIVE, AND BOARD MEMBER WHITFIELD BECAUSE OF WHERE I TEACH. EVERY DAY MY COLLEAGUES AND I POUR OUR LIVES INTO CHILDREN, WHO OFTEN ARRIVE CARRYING MORE THAN THEY SHOULD. AND YET, MANY OF THOSE SAME TEACHERS WALK OUT OF THE CLASSROOM, AND INTO A SECOND OR THIRD OR FOURTH SHIFT, DELIVERING TODAY, TUTORING LATE
INTO IF NIGHT OR PICKING UP SIDE JOB NOT FOR EXTRA INCOME BUT BECAUSE THE SALARIES NO LONGER COVER THE BASICS OF LIVING. THIS IS NOT A LACK OF DEDICATION, THIS IS DEDICATION BEING EXPLOITED. AND, IT IS COSTING US IN TALENT, IN STABILITY, AND IN THE FUTURE THAT WE SAY THAT WE WANT FOR OUR STUDENTS. LET ME BE CLEAR: THIS IS NOT SIMPLY A MORAL IS
ISSUE. THIS IS A I WILL LIVE WITH THIS. THE IDEA THAT TEACHES SHOULDN'T EXPECT FAIR COMPENSATION BECAUSE THEY LOVE WHAT THEY, DO IT IS A LOGICAL FALLACY. STOP IT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, GORDON LONGHOFER. GORDON, COME ON UP IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK. >> I DON'T THINK I NED TO
INTRODUCE MYSELF AGAIN SO I'M NOT GOING TO. >> PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> FOR THE RECORD, GORDON LONGHOFER, CTA PRESIDENT. I AM SHOW INCREDIBLY PROUD AND GRATEFUL FOR THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE TONIGHT TO TELL THEIR STORIES. YOU MAY NEVER HEAR A SPEECH THIS SHORT AGAIN. I CANNOT IMPROVE ON THAT. GIVE YOUR EAR TO THE TEACHER. HAVE A GOOD EVENING. >> THANK YOU. >> SO, BOARD MEMBERS, THAT'S THE END OF OUR SPEAKERS AND THE END OF OUR MEETING AND I'LL TAKE A
NOTION TO ADJOURN. MOTION BY Ms. BRANCH AND SECONDED BY Ms. WHITFIELD. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT, EVERYBODY. AND DRIVE SAF