♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
♪ ♪ WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS
THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT ♪ ♪ O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING ♪ ♪ AND THE ROCKETS RED GLARE THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR ♪ ♪ GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE ♪ ♪ OH, SAY DOES THAT STAR SPANGLED BANNER YET WAVE ♪ ♪ O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE AND
THE HOME OF THE BRAVE ♪ [ Applause ]
[ 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.
Viewers and listeners can access the meeting watching on Comcast channels 234 and 245, or by using the YouTube link on our web page at Palm Beachschools spoil orgn the link the
interrupted, please switch over to the t.v. channels. All board meetings with recorded in their entirety and posted on the district website within 24 hour. Board members Well, have two sets of minutes to approve and I'll take a motion to approve the minutes. Motion by Ms. Whitfield, seconded by Ms. branch.
Is there any discussion? All in favor? All opposed? The motion carries unanimously. I have three items to add for good cause.
PALM BEACH COUNTY JOINT LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY, GOOD CAUSE EXISTS FOR ADDING THIS ITEM SO THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AND LETTER CAN BE SIGNED AND SUBMITTED TO THE FLORIDA SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, AND SENATE PRESIDENT PRIOR TO THE START OF THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
WHICH BEGINS JANUARY 13, 2025. COS-2 THE GREATER FLORIDA CONSORTIUM OF SCHOOL BOARD LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM. GOOD CAUSE EXISTS FOR ADDING THIS ITEM SO THE BOARD'S APPROVAL OF THE 2026 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM CAN BE
SUBMITTED, AND TIMELY PRESENTED FOR USE IN DISCUSSION WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION IN WASHINGTON D.C. AND P-2, PERSON NEL ADDENDUM. GOOD CAUSE EXISTS FOR ADDING THIS ITEM SO EMPLOYEES CAN BEGIN IN NEW POSITIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT, DO YOU
HAVE ANY ITEMS TO WITHDRAW? >> NO, MADAM CHAIR. >> >> OKAY. BOARD MEMBERS, I HAVE ONE ITEM PULLED FROM CONSENT. F MPF2. ANY OTHER ITEMS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE PULLED? SEEING NONE, I'LL TAKE A MOTION
TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION BY Ms. BRANCH, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR LANE. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ANY DISCLOSURES AND ABSTENTIONS. Ms. BRANCH?
>> I HAVE ONE ON THE AGENDA ITEM F-MFP-01W FOR PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE BROKER AND CONSULTANT SERVICES. WITH THE BEACON GROUP. HE DOES MY HOMEOWNER INSURANCE BEFORE I GOT ELECTED. SO, I NEED TO DISCLOSE THAT. >> Chair Brill: OKAY, THANK
YOU. ANY OTHERS? OKAY THAT WILL BRING US NOW TO SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS, Mr. SUPERINTENDENT. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. FIRST I WANT TO THANK THE PALM BEACH COUNTY LAKES VOICES OF UPANYITY CHORAL GROUP. THEY DID AN AENEAS AMAZING JOB
WITH OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM AND TO REMIND US HOW TALENTED OUR STUDENTS ARE, THE REGIMENTS BAND WILL BE HEADED OVER THE LONDON FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY PARADE AND WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF THEM. THEY'LL REPRESENT US WELL AND SO, I JUST WISH THE PRINCIPAL
ROSALYN McRAE AND DIRECTOR OF THE BANDS VALEZ FIRST THANK THEM FOR WHAT THEY ARE DOING FOR THE STUDENT MUSI MUSICIANS AND WISHM WELL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY AND HOPE THEY HAVE AN ENJOYABLE TRIP IN LONDON. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE WEST BOCA RATON HIGH SCHOOL. THEY'VE JUST DONE SOMETHING THAT
DOESN'T HAPPEN VERY OFTEN. THE FOOTBALL TEAM WON BACK-TO-BACK 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS SO THE BULLS ARE NOW, YEAH, TWO-TIME STATE CHAMPS. [ APPLAUSE ] AND I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE
PRINCIPAL ED CAPITANO, COACH DYLAN POTTS, THEY'VE BUILT A DYNASTY AND IT IS EXCITING TO BE A PART OF THAT AND WE'VE--- -- OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAMWORKING WITH SEVERAL SCHOOLS ACROSS PALM BEACH COUNTY HAS PRODUCED THEIR ANNUAL SONGS OF THE SEASON.
SO, YOU CAN VIEW THIS ON YOUTUBE. YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THE TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY SONGS AND OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES AGAIN BY OUR VERY OWN STUDENTS HERE. SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO CHECK OUT THE DISTRICT'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND HOPE IT WILL HELP
YOU GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT AND I WANT TO EXTEND A VERY SPECIAL HOLIDAY GREETING TO STUDENT, COMMUNITY AND TEAM PALM BEACH. I HOPE THAT EVERYONE HAS A VERY HAPPY AND SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON. AND, I JUST WANT TO AGAIN RECOGNIZE ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK THAT GOES INTO SERVING OUR STUDENTS EACH DAY.
AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT WHAT WE'LL ACCOMPLISH IN 2026. MADAM CHAIR THAT CONCLUDES MY COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU. AND Ms. SAVIETTO? >> YES, I ATTENDED THE FLORIDA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION
CONFERENCE WHERE FOCUS ON A.I. GOVERNANCE AND THE BUDGET REALITIES DISTRICTS ARE FACING. THE CONVERSATIONS AROUND A.I. WERE PRACTICAL. THE MESSAGE WAS CLEAR: THIS IS NOT ABOUT REPLACING PEOPLE, IT IS ABOUT STRENGTHENING TEACHER, TEACHING AND LEARNING, BUILDING CRITICAL THINKING AND MAKING SURE THAT
OUR STUDENTS GRADUATE PREPARED FOR JOBS IN A RAPIDLY-CHANGING WORKFORCE. EQUALLY IMPORTANT, WERE THE DISCUSSIONS ON THE BUDGET UNCERTAINTY, ENROLLMENT SHIFTS AND THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE HAVE AROUND THAT. TECHNOLOGY CANNOT EXIST IN A
VACUUM, IT HAS TO ALIGN WITH SOUND PLANNING AND LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND BOARD CHAIR BRILL ON THEIR RECEIVING 2025 STAR AWARDS FROM THE CONSORTIUM OF FLORIDA EDUCATION FOUNDATIONS, DISTRICT COMMISSION
REFLECTS THE LEADERSHIP AND THE STRONG PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF PALM BEACH COUNTY THAT DIRECTLY BENEFITS STUDENT, TEACHERS AND FAMILIES. THANK YOU, AND CONGRATULATIONS. I LEFT THE CONFERENCE INFORMED, ENERGIZED AND READY TO CONTINUE THIS WORK HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. ALWAYS KEEPING STUDENTS AND EDUCATION AT THE CENTER.
>> WE WERE -- I PROUDLY SERVE AS THE BOARD MEMBER, OUR MID-YEAR EFFORT REACHED 300 STUDENTS THE ACROSS FIVE NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS IN MY
DISTRICT. BELVEDERE, PALMETTO, AND FOREST HILL HIGH SCHOOL. THIS EFFORT WENT BEYOND SCHOOL SUPPLIES. WE DELIVERED BICYCLES, BACKPACK, SHOES AND CLOTHING AND HYGIENE ITEMS AND EVERY DAY ESSENTIALS SO STUDENTS COULD WALK INTO
CLASS READY TO LEARN. SPECIAL THANK YOU TO JACK THE BIKE MAN FOR DONATING 20 BICYCLES TO MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. I WANT TO THANK THE MANY FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO DONATED ALONG THE PRINCIPALS AND STAFF AT EACH SCHOOL WHO WELCOMED US,
AND FOR THE WORK THEY DO EVERY DAY FOR OUR STUDENTS. A BIG SHOUT OUT TO Ms. CPAHARO IN LATIN NO IN ACTION AT FOREST HILL HIGH SCHOOL FOR STEPPING UP TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOL, STUDENT LEADERSHIP LIKE THIS MATTERS.
AND, A DEEP GRATITUDE TO MY BOARD MEMBERS WHO WORKED BEHIND THE SCENES FOR WEEKS TO MOBILIZE DONATIONS AND ORGANIZE LOGISTICS. THIS IS WHAT COLLABORATION LOOKS LIKE, REMOVING BARRIERS SO STUDENTS CAN FOCUS ON LEARNING. I ATTENDED THE ADULT AND
COMMUNITY EDUCATION LUNCHEON AND I WAS REMINDED HOW WORKFORCE EDUCATION IS TOUCHING LIVES FROM HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ADULTS, BUILDING NEW SKILLS AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL HONOREES, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN DISTRICT
TWO. MICHAEL AARONSON, PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR FOR FOREST HILL HIGH, BONNIE, TEACH OTHER OF THE YEAR, JOHN LEARNER, JOHN SCOTT, TEACHER OF THE YEAR PALM SPRINGS MIDDLE AND YNESSE TEACH OTHER OF THE YEAR FOR FOREST HILL.
THIS RECOGNITION ALSO STACY THOMAS WITH SPECIALLY MEANINGFUL WITH HIS LEGACY CONTINUING THROUGH HIS SON JAMES THOMAS, PRINCIPAL OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL. THANK YOU TO Mr. FRED BARGE, DIRECTOR OF ADULT EDUCATION
AND -- DIRECTOR OF THE TECHNICAL CENTER FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT. THIS WEEK, THANK A TEACHER RECOGNITION GOES TO CRYSTAL -- A PRE-K TEACHER AT CLIFFORD KIRK LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
EARLY EDUCATION IS WHERE FOUNDATIONS ARE BUILT AND SHE FINDS JOY IN SEEING DAILY GROWTH AS HER STUDENTS LEARN TO WRITE THEIR NAME AND DISCOVER LANGUAGE. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN GOING TO HER CLASSROOM. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS HCA HEALTHCARE FOR INVESTING IN OUR
EDUCATORS AND YOUNGEST LEARNERS. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT TWO MEANINGFUL STUDENT ENGAGEMENT EXPERIENCES, GREEN ACRES ELEMENTARY I JOINED A PANEL ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADERS, THEIR HONESTY WAS VERY POWERFUL, AND IT WAS A VERY POWERFUL REMINDER OF WHY
THIS WORKS REALLY MATTERS. THANK YOU SO GREEN ACRES TEAM FOR THE WARM WELCOME AND A THOUGHTFUL THANK YOU CARD. I WANT TO THANK MY FELLOW SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER ERIKA WHITFIELD FOR ORGANIZING ETHICAL GOVERNANCE DAY AT FOREST HILL HIGH SCHOOL. ONE OF MY SCHOOLS IN MY DISTRICT.
INSTEAD OF A LARGE PANEL THIS TIME WE VISITED CLASSROOM WHICH IS ALLOWED FOR REAL CONVERSATIONS AND CONNECTION, IT WAS REALLY NICE, THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO PRINCIPAL MICHAEL AARONSON, THE STAFF AND THE STUDENTS, LEADERS WHO GUIDED US FROM CLASSROOM TO CLASSROOM AS WELL AS THE TEACHERS WHO WELCOMED US IN THEIR ROOMS.
IT WAS FUN FOR ME. I WAS IN GROUP C, ALONGSIDE COMMISSIONER WIESE AND Mr. REED FROM THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND PROFESSOR PETER CRUZ. >> PLEASE TRY TO WRAP IT UP. >> AND, HAPPY HOLIDAYS. AND -- HANUKKAH.
AS WE CLOSE FOR THE YEAR I WANT TO WISH OUR TEACHER, STUDENT, AND STAFF HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND -- AND HAPPY HANUKKAH. (SPEAKING SPANISH) AND I'M
DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THE TRUST THAT YOU HAVE PLACED IN ME AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE WORK TOGETHER IN THE YEAR AHEAD. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. Ms. WHITFIELD. >> >> Erica Whitfield: THANK YOU SO MUCH AND GOOD NEWS, I'LL TRY NOT TO REPEAT BUT I'LL DEFINITELY TALK ABOUT THE SCHOOL GOVERNANCE DAY AND THAT'S A SPECIAL TIME FOR US TO HAVE OUR
ELECTED LEADERS COME IN AND POINTED LEADERS COME IN AND SPEAK TO STUDENTS SO I'M GRATEFUL TO Mr. AARONSON AT FOREST HILL HIGH SCHOOL FOR HELPING US TO PUT THIS TOGETHER. IT WAS REALLY A LOVE DAY DAY. HE HAD MANY STUDENT AMBASSADORS WORKING WITH US TO SPEAK TO PARTICIPANTS THAT CAME IN SO
MANY PEOPLE THAT CAME, WELL, I'LL NAME ALL THE PEOPLE, JEN JUDGE WHO WORKED TO ALWAYS COULDED OR LATE IN THIS DAY WITH ME. COMMISSIONER KATHLEEN WARD, MAYOR SECSE, JUDGE SHARIF, DANIELLEIZINGER, PUBLIC
DEFENDER, COUNTY CLERK MIKA RUSO, STATE ATTORNEY ASSISTANT CHAIR REED AND OBVIOUSLY OUR AMAZING VIRGINIA SAVIETTO, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, PETER CRUZ FROM THE ETHICS BOARD AND WIESE AND WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THEM TO COME?
SPEAK TO OUR STUDENTS. IT IS SOMETHING WE LOVE TO DO OUR NEXT ONE IS GOING TO BE AT BOYNTON BEACH HIGH SCHOOL IN THE SPRING. VERY EXCITED FOR THAT. ALSO, I DID HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ALSO ATTEND THE FLORIDA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE AND I WAS ACTUALLY ABLE TO PRESENT.
SO, I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE A PICTURE FOR THAT THERE WE GO. SO THAT IS ACTUALLY A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER FROM JACKSONVILLE THAT I'M FRIENDS WITH WHO INVITED ME TO SPEAK ON THE TOPIC OF OUR PATRIOTIC OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AND WE ARE JOINED BY TWO OF OUR PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATIONS. THAT'S AN OFFICIAL TERM BY THE WAY. AND THAT'S JEANNIE FROM OUR LOCAL BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB AND ALSO, WENDY FROM THE GIRL SCOUTS OF THE GATEWAY REGION WHICH IS NORTH FLORIDA. SO WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE
IMPORTANCE OF DOING PARTNERSHIPS WITH OUR ORGANIZATIONS AND OUR COMMUNITY AND HOW THEY CAN BETTER SERVE OUR SCHOOLS. SO, REALLY ENJOYED BEING ABLE TO PRESENT WITH THEM AND SO I WANTED TO SHARE THAT PICTURE. OVERALL, I WANTED TO SAY HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERY PERSON HERE WHO WORKS AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AS ALWAYS WE'RE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR WORK. I KNOW THE WORK THAT YOU DO, YOU COULD DO FOR MORE MONEY OTHER PLACES AND WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL OF THE TIME AND EFFORT THAT YOU CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR CHILDREN IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. I THINK THAT IT IS A WONDERFUL THING THAT WE HAVE SUCH
WONDERFUL PEOPLE THAT WORK HERE AND SO I WANTED TO SAY A HUGE HAPPY HOLIDAYS. BE SAFE AND TAKE CARE AND WE ROOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL IN THE NEW YEAR AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK THIS YEAR. >> >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. Ms. BRANCH. >> THANK YOU AND I'LL ECHO WHAT SUPERINTENDENT BURKE SAID, BIG
CONGRATULATIONS TO WEST BOCA HIGH FOR WINNING THE 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BACK-TO-BACK. IT IS ALWAYS GOOD FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT WHEN ANY SPORTS TEAM, THEATRE, CLUBS WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS. WE REALLY DO HAVE VERY -- WE HAVE A LOT OF TALENTED STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
I WANTED TO WISH EVERYONE HAPPY HOLIDAYS, AND VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR, AND THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT. THANK YOU. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. Ms. ANDREWS. >> Marcia Andrews: AND THANK YOU AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE. I HAVE SOME SLIDES AND I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO LOOK AT THEM AS WE WALK THROUGH THEM QUICKLY.
THE PALM BEACH COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES NETS WORKING LUNCHEON. THIS YEAR IN THE GLADES. BARBECUE, LOTS OF FUN, NETWORKING WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. ALL OF OUR MAYORS, C COUNCILMEMBER, CIVIC ORGANIZATION. Ms. WHITFIELD I SAW YOU THERE IN THE CROWD.
IT IS A GREAT TIME. WE BRING TOYS FOR OUR CHILDREN, GETTING THEM READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS. REPRESENTED -- REPRESENTATIVE WEINBERGER WHO REPRESENTS THE GLADES REGION, LORI BUTMAN OUR SENATOR, MAYOR STEVE WILSON HOSTS THIS YEAR AND NEXT YEAR,
THEY WILL BE IN PAHOKEE SO HOPEFULLY YOU'LL JOIN US. EMERALD COVE MIDDLE SCHOOL HOSTS THE ANNUAL HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR SERIES. Mr. BARRY ASH, AND YOU'LL SEE HIM BUT YOU'RE LOOKING NOW AT MARY. SHE WAS ONE OF OUR GUEST
SPEAKERS AND PAUL GOLDSTEIN WAS THE SPEAKER. EVERY YEAR AT EMERALD COVE, WE NEVER FORGET. WE TALK ABOUT THE H HOLOCAUST AD TEACH OUR CHILDREN THIS HATE HAS TO BE DISTINGUISHED IN AMERICA AND THE CHILDREN PAY ATTENTION TO THE STORIES THAT ARE BEING TOLD.
WE LOVE YOU, Mr. BARRY ASH FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO FOR OUR CHILDREN, EVERY YEAR. GLADES CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, A WINTER WONDER LAND. WOW, I WAS IN THERE WITH SANTA CLAUS, AND, THE TINMAN AND
CHILDREN FROM PIONEER PARK, BELLE GLADE ELEMENTARY. THEY WENT TO A WINTER WONDER LAND AT GLADES CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL AND THE TWINKLING LIGHTS GETTING THEM READY FOR THE HOLIDAY. AND YES, Mr. BURKE, I WAS OUT THERE THIS YEAR WITH THE CITY OF PAHOKEE.
CHRISTMAS PARADE THE OTHER NIGHT. AND YOU KNOW, IT IS ALWAYS AT NIGHT AND THE CHILDREN ARE WAITING FOR ME TO THROW THE CANDY. Mr. ANDREWS LIKES THIS EVENT BECAUSE WE GO SHOPPING AND WE BUY, YOU KNOW THAT, Mr. BURKE, WE BUY SO MUCH CANDY AND EVERYBODY WANTS IT. AND THIS YEAR, WE TIMED IT JUST
RIGHT. EVERYBODY GOT A THROW. AND WE -- IT WAS JUST SO WONDERFUL TO BE THERE. AND REPRESENTATIVE WEINBERGER WAS THERE WITH ME, SHE'S ALL OVER THE GLADES DOING A GREAT JOB. US A LOOK NOW, YOU'LL SEE SOMEONE THAT I HAVE KNOWN FOR YEARS.
THIS IS Mr. EMMANUEL GARRETT. I STARTED MY CAREER WITH HIM AT JEFFERSON DAVIS MIDDLE SCHOOL. HE RETIRED AFTER 35 YEARS AS A TEACHER AND 90 YEARS OLD. ON THE FLOOR, DOING THE ELECTRIC SLIDE, OKAY.
I WANT TO TELL YOU ALL IN HERE WHEN WE HAVE AN EVENT, I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TELLING ME THEY CAN'T GET UP AND DO IT. HERE IT IS, Mr. GARRETT OUT THERE WITH HIS FAMILY CELEBRATING 09 YEARS AND Mr. FERGUSON, HE'S YOUR BROTHER, OMEGA PSI-PHI AND WE
HAD A GREAT TIME CELEBRATING ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES BUT MADE IT TO 90 YEARS AND I WANT TO SAY, TO FLORIDA CRYSTALS ON YESTERDAY, WE WERE OUT THERE IN THE GLADES IN THE REGION. THANKING OUR RETIREES AT CHRISTMAS TIME. THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO WORK SO
HARD FOR FLORIDA CRYSTALS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE FOOD ON OUR TABLE, ALL THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT WE EAT. THE VEGETABLES. WE CELEBRATED THEM ON YESTERDAY LETTING THEM KNOW HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE THAT WORK IN THE FIELD. AND I WANT TO CONGRATULATE FLORIDA CRYSTALS. THEY ARE HERE TONIGHT FOR ALL OF
THE WORK THAT THEY DO FOR THE COUNTRY, AMERICA, FEEDING AMERICA, AND FEEDING THE GLADES, FEEDING PALM BEACH COUNTY AND PUTTING THEIR MOUTH, MONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTH IS. HELPING OUR CHILDREN AND YES, THE FOUNDATION, BEFORE I STOP,
THANK YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF
THAT OCCURRED AT GROUP UNIVERSITY PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND. THERE WERE TWO PEOPLE, I APOLOGIZE FOR BUTCHERING HIS LAST NAME BUT THEY WERE KILLED BY AN AS YET UNIDENTIFIED
ASSAILANT ON THE CAMPUS AS I MENTIONED LAST SATURDAY AND BY ALL ACCOUNTS, BOTH WERE BURGEONING LEADERS AND MY HEART GOES OUT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE FAMILIES, ALL THE STUDENTS SUBJECTED TO THIS TRAGIC AND SENSELESS ASSAULT ON THEIR WELL-BEING AND IT IS SPIN SEAR
PRAYER THIS ASSAILANT IS ARRESTED SOON AND THAT HE IS BROUGHT TO JUSTICE BY THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND SOON AND THAT HIS PUNISHMENT BE AN APPROPRIATE ONE. ALSO, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE TRAGEDY THAT HAPPENED AT BONDI BEACH IN AUSTRALIA SUNDAY.
IF IT WASN'T ENOUGH TO BREAK YOUR HEART, AS TO WHAT HAPPENED IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND AT BROWN UNIVERSITY, THE TRAGEDY AT BONDI BEACH DEFINITELY PUTS THROUGH AND IT TOOK' LOT MORE ME TO OVER THAT I TOOK TIME TO LEARN ABOUT A LOT OF THE VICTIMS.
THE PERSONS THAT WERE MURDERED. AT THIS I -- EVENT AND THERE WAS ONE IN PARTICULAR THAT REALLY PULLED ON MY HEART STRINGS AND IT WAS A GENTLEMAN 87 YEARS OLD, HIS NAME WAS ALEX CLITMAN. I BELIEVE THAT I'M PRONOUNCING
HIS NAME CORRECTLY. HE HOLOCAUST ANDHE GAVE HIS WIFS WIFE. HE SHIELDED HER WITH HIS BODY FROM THESE VICIOUS AND VILLE PEOPLE.
AND I WANT TO, IT SPEAKS TO ME AS FAR AS THE LEVEL OF HEROISM AND HOW IT SHOULD INSPIRE US TO BE AS GIVING AS WE CAN WHILE WE CAN FOR THOSE THAT WE LOVE. AND I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THIS IN HEBREW BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO BUTCHER IT BUT I WANT TO SAY THAT, MY HOPE IS THAT HIS MEMORY
BE A BLESSING TO EACH AND EVERY ONE WHO KNOWS AND LEARNS ABOUT HIM IN THE UPCOMING DAY. TURNING TO MY MOVEMENTS. I SPENT THE BETTER PART OF LAST FRIDAY BETWEEN CRESTWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL AT THE ANNUAL CAREER DAY
AND ALSO AT EMERALD COVE FROM A SPEAKER WHOSE HARN PARENTS WERET SURVIVORS. THERE WAS BARELY A CLOUD IN THE SKY, THE YOU HAD MIGHTY WAS LOW
AND WE WERE OUT THERE, THE FRATERNITY TO DO OUR SECOND PROJECT UPLIFT IN THE GLADES AREA. AND WHAT IS SO IMPRESSIVE ABOUT THIS EVENT THAT STUDENTS CAME FROM AS FAR AS EAST DELRAY TO HELP US TO MAKE TO HO KEY.
WE HAD ABOUT GIVE OR TAKE THE TAKE ONE OR MORE AND WE WERE ABLE TO REMOVE THE TRASH OUT IN THE GLADES, AND ALSO, STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO EARN OVER 30 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. NEXT MONTH WE'LL BE BACK AT OUR NORMAL STOMPING GROUNDS WHICH IS DOWNTOWN WEST PALM BEACH ALONG
THE CORRIDOR ON JANUARY 17, 2026 READY TO ROCK'N'ROLL. AND I WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT THE BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM IN SESSION IN DELRAY AND ALSO AT TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN WEST PALM BEACH. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING THERE IS THE WEBSITE ON THE FLYER AND IT IS
HARD TO SEE. IT IS WWW.PBCADHCS.COM.BRACKHISTORY STUDY AND I'LL WRAP UP AND SAY, I COULD LIKE TO WISH A HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO MY ASSISTANT. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO TO
MAKE MY JOBS THE OF DISTRICT EASIER AND I WANT TO THANK YOU THE DISTRICT STAFF FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR TEAM PALM BEACH. THERE ARE TOO MANY OF YOU TO THANK AND I KNOW THAT, I WANT YOU TO KNOW YOUR EFFORTS ARE SEEN AND APPRECIATED. NOTWITHSTANDING MY COMMENTS ABOUT NOT HAVING ENOUGH TIME TO RECOGNIZE, I WOULD BE REMISS IF
I DIDN'T GIVE A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO OUR CLERK FOR YOUR HELP, IN ENSURING THE BOARD MEETING GOES OFF WITHOUT A HITCH. Dr. ADAM MILLER FOR YOUR FOR DATA THAT I USE IN MY TOWN
HALLS. , THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. >> THANK YOU, VICE CHAIR LANE. >> I WANT TO BEGIN BY ACKNOWLEDGING MY WIFE SUSAN'S BIRTHDAY TODAY.
FOR WE'RE COMING UP ON 340 YEARS OF MARRIAGE SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY. AND SECOND I WANT TO WISH EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS, A BLESSED KWANZAA AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. MAY THIS BE A YEAR OF HEALTH, HAPPINESS, AND GROWTH. FINALLY A NUMBER OF US ATTENDED
INSIDE THROUGH EDUCATION GALA LAST WEDNESDAY NIGHT. AND I WOULD LIKE TO TALK A BIT ABOUT INSIDE THROUGH EDUCATION IN THE TIME THAT I HAVE BEEN ALLOTTED. RECENTLY, I WAS SPEAKING WITH THE INCREDIBLY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND INTELLIGENT FRIEND, BUT HE DID NOT SEEM TO KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE
HOLOCAUST SO I WANT TO TAKE THE MISSION TO DISCUSS INSIGHT AND EDUCATION AND DESCRIBE WHAT THEY DO. ALL STARTS WITH HISTORY. ANYONE WHO HAS EVEN TANGENT ALLY FAMILIAR WITH THE BIBLE KNOWS THE JUS WERE SLAVES IN EGYPT.
THE BOOK OF EXODUS DESCRIBES THE LIBERATION FROM SLAVERY. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THE J EWS WERE EMANCIPATED FROM SLAVERY FROM CHARLTON HESTON WHEN HE SPLIT THE RED SEA IN THE BIBLE IT IS REFERRED TO AS THE SEA OF
REEDS. FAST FORWARD TO 1941. YEARS 1941-1945 BEGAN A PERIOD OF SYSTEMATIC MASS EXTERMINATION. SIX MILLION J EWS WERE MURDERED BECAUSE OF THEIR RELIGION.
IN PRESENT DAY TERMS, IN THE LAW, RELIGION IS CONSIDERED TO BE A PROTECTED CLASS. A PROTECTED CLASS IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO WERE LEGALLY PROTECTED FROM DISCRIMINATION BY STATE AND FEDERAL LAW. A PROTECTED CLASS OF PEOPLE ARE PROTECTED FROM HARM BASED UPON
THE RACE, RELIGION, GENDER, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE OR DISABILITY. SO TO PUT THIS INTO A GLOBAL CONTEXT, THESE PEOPLE WERE MURDERED BECAUSE THEY WERE MEMBERS OF A PROTECTED CLASS. IT COULD HAVE BEEN MEMBERS OF ANY PROTECTED CLASS WHO WERE
HATED BY CERTAIN PEOPLE, WHO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HARM THEM. BUT, IN 1941-1945, THERE WAS A PERIOD OF SYSTEMATIC MASS MURDER OF J EWS. THESE PEOPLE WERE MADE TO DIG PITS AND STAND IN THEM, AND THEY WERE SHOT. MEMBERS OF FAMILIES WERE LOCKED
INTO SEALED GAS CHAMBERS AND PLAYED TO STAND THERE AND WATCH THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS DIE, IN FRONT OF THEIR EYES, AND THEN DIE THEMSELVES WITH A POISON HYDROGEN CYANIDE WAS PLACED INTO THESE CHAMBERS. INSIGHT THROUGH EDUCATION HELPS TO FOUND THE HOLOCAUST STUDIES
PROGRAM IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. THEIR MISSION IS TO EDUCATE AND ENCOURAGE KINDNESS, AND ACCEPTANCE OF ALL PEOPLE. THE GOAL IS TO RECOGNIZE AND OPPOSE ALL TYPES OF HATRED, AND BIGOTRY BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN THERE.
AND THEIR MESSAGE COULD NOT BE MORE RELEVANT IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT. THANK YOU. >> >> Chair Brill: THANK YOUEN FOR THOSE ATTENDING THE MEETING TODAY AND GOING FORWARD, YOU'LL FIND WHEN YOU COME HERE IN THE EVENINGS, A CARD OUT ON THE
TABLES FOR THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION LICENSE PLATE. AND I NOSE EATEST HE'S OUT THERE IN THE AUDIENCE BUT I'M ENCOURAGING EVERYONE TO PITCH IN. IF YOU PURCHASE THIS SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE, $20 OF EVERY
LICENSE PLATE GOES DIRECTLY TO THE PALM BEACH COUNTY EDUCATION FOUNDATION, AND I THINK THAT THIS YEAR, WE CAN HAVE A RECORD BREAKING NUMBER OF PEOPLE GET THE LICENSE PLATE, SO, I PUT THEM OUT THERE AND I HOPE THAT YOU'LL PICK PIT UP AND REALIZE THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO CONTRIBUTE TO HELP US WITH
GETTING FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR TEACHERS, FUNDING CLASSROOM PROGRAMS, AND TEACHER DEVELOPMENT, I THINK IT IS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY. IT DOESN'T COST A LOT, AND YOU'LL LOVE THE COLORS OF THE LICENSE PLATE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE IT. I DO WANT TO TELL YOU THAT OVER
THE MANY, MANY YEARS AROUND THIS TIME, AT OUR BOARD MEETING, I HAVE READ MANY ITERATIONS OF, TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND IN FACT, Dr. JOHNSON MIGHT REMEMBER FROM 25 YEARS AGO WHEN THINK CHILDREN WERE IN THE AUDIENCE AND READ ONE VERSION OF
IT. AND SO, SINCE MANY OF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD IT, I AM GOING TO READ TO YOU THE UPDATED VERSION FOR THIS YEAR. TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, AND ALL THROUGH THE SCHOOLS, NO STUDENTS WERE PRESENT TO BREAK ANY RULES.
THE BUDGET WAS WRITTEN, AND EVERY DIME SPENT. WITH NO ONE QUITE CERTAIN WHERE ALL OF IT WENT. THE SCHOOL BOARD WAS SNUGGLED ALL SAFE IN THEIR BEDS. WHILE VISIONS OF BUDGET DECREASES DANCED IN THEIR HEADS. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE AROSS
SUCH A CHATTER THEY LEPT FROM THEIR BEDS TO SEE WHAT WAS THE MATTER. AWAY TO THE BOARD ROOM THEY WENT IN A DASH. TO SEE WHO IT WAS THAT THREATENED THE CASH. AND THERE BEFORE THEM, WHO DID APPEAR? WITH ISSUES THEY THOUGHT FINISHED THIS YEAR? ONCE MORE BEFORE THEM PLAINLY TO
SEE, WERE PARENTS OF CHILDREN THEY CALLED ESE. WE HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE, AND WE WERE QUITE CLEAR, SO ONCE AGAIN, TELL US, WHY YOU ARE HERE. ONE OF THEM STEPPED FORWARD AND SOON IT WAS APPARENT, THAT THIS PERSON BEFORE THEM WAS ONE
INFORMED PARENT. THE PRESENTATION WAS PREPARED WITH GREAT THOUGHT AND CARE, WITH FEDERAL LAW QUOTES THAT BROUGHT THEM GREAT GLARES. WITH A VOICE LOUD AND CLEAR, THEY WERE ALL CALLED BY NAME. THESE ARE NOT NEW LAWS AND THE
MEANING IS PLAIN. IT IS TIME TO REMIND YOU JUST LIKE BEFORE. NOW, TODAY, WE WISH YOU GOOD TIDINGS AND CHEER, INCLUSION IN PALM BEACH COUNTY IS FINALLY HERE. WE HAVE KEENLY LISTENED TO YOUR CHILDREN'S PLIGHT.
YES, TO BE INCLUDED IS NOT A PRIVILEGE, IT IS A RIGHT. YOU WANT THEM INCLUDED RIGHT FROM THE START TO BE PART OF THE WHOLE IS NOT KEPT APART. YOU WANT THEM INCLUDED AND YES, ALL MEANS ALL. WE WON'T MAKE THEM FEEL DIFFERENT, WE WON'T MAKE THEM FEEL SMALL.
FOR SUCH A LONG TIME, THE SLEET SEED HAS BEEN PLANTED AND WE NOEN LOWER STILL STRUGGLE FOR WHAT TO OTHERS IS GRANTED. WE DON'T SAY NOT NOW, BUT, WE'LL TELL YOU WHEN. YOU HAD HEARD THAT SAME STORY AGAIN AND AGAIN. SO ON THIS DECEMBER BOARD MEETING NIGHT, WE ALL AGREE THAT
INCLUSION IS A PRIVILEGE, IT IS NOT A PRIVILEGE BUT IT IS A RIGHT. AND ON THIS ISSUE, WE FIRMLY DO STAND FOR THE RIGHTS OF YOUR CHILDREN, THAT YOU DID DEMAND. AS THE MEETING CONCLUDED ENDING THE NIGHT, IT WAS HEARD HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL, AND TO ALL
EQUAL RIGHTS. MERRY CHRISTMAS. HAPPY KWANZAA, AND A HAPPY AND A HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU. THANK YOU. AND SO WITH THAT, I DO WANT TO THANK Mr. FERGUSON BECAUSE, HE SPOKE ABOUT THE HORRIBLE
SHOOTINGS, THE MASSACRE AT BROWN UNIVERSITY AND BONDI BEACH IN AUSTRALIA AND SO, TONIGHT I WANT TO ASK FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOSE VICTIMS. (MOMENT OF SILENCE).
THANK YOU. AND NOW,. -- FROM COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT JOINS US FOR THE DECEMBER RECOGNITIONS. GOOD EVENING. AND BOARD MEMBERS, PLEASE GO
DOWN FROM THE DAIS. 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 THE WINNERS OF THE TENTH ANNUAL STUDENT GREETING CARD CONTEST. FOR THIS CONTEST, DISTRICT STUDENTS ARE ASKED TO CREATE A PIECE OF ART DEPICTING THEIR INTERPRETATION OF THE WINTER SEASON IN FLORIDA'S UNIQUE GEOGRAPHY.
UNDER THE GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT OF THEIR ART TEACHERS, WINNERS WERE CHOSEN BY Mr. BURKE FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL SUBMISSIONS, REPRESENTING ONE STUDENT EACH FROM THE ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVELS. EACH OF THESE STUDENTS DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL CREATIVITY AND WE ARE PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THEM THIS EVENING FOR THEIR TALENT. WE WANT TO FIRST RECOGNIZE THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WINNER FROM
MORIKAMI PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, THIRD GRADE STUDENT GABIA JAKAITYTE WHO DESIGNED THE GREETING CARD SHOWING A TURTLE IN A SANTA HAT UNDER THE SEA. AND YOU CAN SEE THAT ON THE SCREEN THERE.
[ APPLAUSE ] AND WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE HER TEACHER, MARIA SARACENI, AND MORIKAMI PARK'S PRINCIPAL, Ms. STEPHANIE COLETTO. LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[ APPLAUSE ]
[ APPLAUSE ] NEXT WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE MIDDLE SCHOOL WINNER FROM BAK MIDDLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS, SEVENTH GRADE STUDENT MILA CARDAS WHO DESIGNED THE GREETING CARD WITH A DACHSHUND WRAPPED IN CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. CONGRATULATIONS TO MILA, HER
TEACHER Ms. ASHLEY MONASTRA, AND BAK'S PRINCIPAL, Ms. SALLY ROZANSKI. UNFORTUNATELY THE MIDDLE SCHOOL WINNER COULD NOT BE HERE BUT WE SEND CONGRATULATIONS TO HER AND HER TEACHER AND THE SCHOOL. LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[ APPLAUSE ] FINALLY, WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE HIGH SCHOOL WINNER FROM JOHN I. LEONARD HIGH SCHOOL, TWELFTH GRADE STUDENT RYAN
GARCIA WHO DESIGNED THE GREETING CARD WITH A PELICAN AND AN ALLIGATOR MUNCHING ON A CHRISTMAS PRESENT. VERY DETAILED THERE. CONGRATULATIONS TO RYAN, HIS TEACHER Ms. NATASHA VAN DER
KAMP, AND JOHN I. LEONARD'S PRINCIPAL, DR. JESUS ARMAS. LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[ APPLAUSE ]
AND NEXT WE'RE RECOGNIZING THE CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH FOR THE GENEROUS MAYOR'S EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP GRANT. THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT IS TO ENHANCE THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES OF STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS. FUNDING WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT THROUGH EXHIBITIONS, WORKSHOPS, GUIDED TOURS, AND HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES
FACILITATED BY LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. MORE THAN $59,000 WILL BE AWARDED TO 11 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT. WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE EACH OF THE SCHOOLS AND THEIR PRINCIPALS:
"BELVEDERE ELEMENTARY - AMY LOPEZ "EGRET LAKE ELEMENTARY - DIONNE NAPIER "GRASSY WATERS ELEMENTARY - SEAN HIGGINS "NORTHBORO ELEMENTARY - CHANDA KINLAW "NORTHMORE ELEMENTARY - CORY HEATH-FRIESS "PALMETTO ELEMENTARY - KRISTINA SANFORD PLEASANT CITY ELEMENTARY - ADRIENNE GRIFFIN
"ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY - DR. TANYA MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY - DR. "SAARA KINSEY/PALMVIEW ELEMENTARY - ALEXANDER BEMBRY "WESTWARD ELEMENTARY - DR.ANDREA WALKER WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THE GENEROSITY FROM THE CITY, AND THEIR INVESTMENT IN LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS. HERE TO ACCEPT THIS RECOGNITION, WE HAVE "THOMAS VALEO
- CHIEF OF STAFF "DR. MARCIA BEDASSE - CHAIR OF THE WEST PALM BEACH EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE. KATHLEEN WARD, WEST PALM BEACH CITY
COMMISSIONER, AND COMMISSION LIAISON FOR THE EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE. "AND WE ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE Mr. "KEITH JAMES, THE MAYOR OF WEST PALM BEACH. LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[ APPLAUSE ]
AND FINALLY THIS EVENING, WE ARE RECOGNIZING FLORIDA CRYSTALS CORPORATION FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL GENEROSITY. FLORIDA CRYSTALS HAS INVESTED MORE THAN $50,000 DIRECTLY INTO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN SUPPORT OF GLADES REGION SCHOOLS. KEY CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDE $32,080 TO PAHOKEE MIDDLE SENIOR
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM AND BAND AND GLADES CENTRAL COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL'S VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM FOR PRE-GAME MEALS. SPONSORING THESE MEALS FOR ATHLETES DIRECTLY SUPPORTS STUDENT HEALTH, PERFORMANCE, AND OVERALL WELL-BEING. THEIR GENEROSITY EXTENDS TO THE "CELEBRATE THE A" EVENTS FOR PARENTS AND STAFF WHICH PROVIDES
MUCH-NEEDED RECOGNITION AND MORALE BOOSTS. ACKNOWLEDGING THE HARD WORK OF EDUCATORS AND SUPPORT STAFF IN A HIGH-NEEDS AREA IS VITAL FOR RETENTION AND APPRECIATION. HERE TO ACCEPT THIS RECOGNITION, FROM FLORIDA CRYSTALS, WE HAVE
CAROLINE C. VILLANUEVA - SOUTH FLORIDA EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR. AND WE ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE: ANGELA AVERY-MOORE - GLADES REGIONAL SUPERINTENDENT
DWAYNE DENNARD - PRINCIPAL, PAHOKEE MIDDLE-SENIOR HIGH "MELANIE BOLDEN-MORRIS - PRINCIPAL, GLADES CENTRAL COMMUNITY HIGH LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[ APPLAUSE ] BOARD CHAIR BRILL, VICE CHAIR
ANDREWS, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, STAFF, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, THIS CONCLUDES THE RECOGNITIONS FOR DECEMBER. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR ATTENTION THIS EVENING.
REPRESENTS A MEANINGFUL STEP FORWARD FOR OUR COMMUNITY. DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE DECLINING ENROLL MUNICIPAL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, -- COUNTY THIS RESOLUTION PRIORITIZING CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE AND MULTI-LINGUAL OUTREACH. PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS AND THE APPOINTMENT OF FAMILY. THESE EFFORTS ARE ESPECIALLY IMPACTFUL FEDERAL IMMIGRANT AND HISTORICALLY UNDESERVED FAMILIES AS THEY WORK TO REBUILD TRUST, REDUCE FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY AND REAFFIRM THAT EVERY FAMILY AS THEY WORK TO REBUILD TRUST,
REDUCE FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY AND EVERY CHILD REGARDLESS OF BACKGROUND HAS EQUITABLE ACCESS TO EDUCATION. BY STRENGTHENING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND FAMILY THIS INITIATIVE NOT ONLY SUPPORTS STUDENT ENROLLMENT BUT REINFORCE AS SENSE OF BELONGING WITHIN OUR BORDER COMMUNITY.
IN ADDITION TO THIS POLICY WORK, I COLLABORATED WITH TOYS FOR TOTS TO ORGANIZE AND EXECUTE A COUNTY WIDE TOY DRIVE TO SUPPORT CHILDREN FROM LOW INCOME FAMILIES. EACH SCHOOL ATTENDING THE SECOND COUNTY MEETING WAS ASKED TO BRING AT LEAST TWO NEW UNOPENED
TOYS FOR DONATION. FOLLOWING THE MEET, JUPITER HIGH SCHOOL EXTENDED THE EFFORT BY SERVING AS AN OFFICIAL DROPOFF LOCATION. I'M HONORED TO SHARE THAT THROUGH THIS COLLECTIVE EFFORT, WE'LL BE DONATING A TOTAL 178 TOYS TO THE INITIATIVE. THIS OUTCOME REFLECTS THE
GENEROSITY COMPASSION AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT OF OUR STUDENT, SCHOOLS AND STAFF. FINALLY I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS TO PLEASE CONTINUE FILLING OUT THE LOCAL SCHOOL UPDATES THAT'S POSTED ON INSTAGRAM. IT WOULD BE OPEN ALL YEAR AND IS ABLE TO BE FILLED OUT MULLET
MULTIPLE TIMES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO WHOEVER IS SELL CELEBRATING. I WISH YOU ALL AN AMAZING START TO 2026. >> THANK YOU AND AN AMAZING 202. THAT WILL BRING US TO COMMITTEE REPORTS.
WE DO NOT HAVE AN ACADEMIC ADVISORY REPORT. NO REPORT FROM THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE REPORT IS ATTACHED. NO-- GENERAL COUNSEL DO YOU HAVE A REPORT FOR US TONIGHT? >> NO REPORT, THANK YOU. >> Chair Brill: INSPECTOR
GENERAL, DO YOU HAVE A REPORT. >> NO. >> Chair Brill: THE INDEPENDENT REFERENDUM OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, PLEASE COME UP. >> Supt.Burke: WE HAD A LATE SUBS TUITION. THE WRITTEN REPORT IS ATTACHED. Ms. BROWN IS NOT GOING TO BE
HERE TONIGHT BUT THE REPORT IS ATTACHED . THE THAT BRINGS US TO OUR ELECTED BOARDS AND OFFICIALS. JAMES GAVRILOS, PRESIDENT AND
C.E.O. >> GOOD EVENING. AS WE WIND DOWN THE YEAR, A COUPLE THINGS WOULD I LIKE TO SHARE TONIGHT I HAD MENTIONED LAST MONTH AN INCREDIBLE DONATION FROM SUPERVISORY ELECTIONS WENDY SARTORI LINK OF 400,000 PENS AND DONATED 500
TABLETS. ADMITTEDLY THESE ARE AN OLDER ITERATION OF THE TABLETS, THE UPDATES HAVE GONE AWAY. BUT THEY'RE STILL FUNCTIONAL. WE ARE PROUD TO SAY WE ARE USING THE TABLETS FOR OUR STARS PROGRAM, THE SUPPORTING TEACHERS TO ACCELERATE READING SUCCESS IN A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS WE HAVE ADDED BARTON ELEMENTARY FUNDED
BY THE T.D. BANK FOUNDATION AND WE WANT TO SHOUT OUT TO MICHAEL WHO OVERSEES THAT PROGRAM AND IT IS SHOWING INCREDIBLE RESULTS HELPING THE CHILDREN IMPROVE THEIR READING SKILLS. IN ADDITION, SOME OF THE TABLETS ARE GOING OUT TO PAHOKEE, MS. ANDREWS FOR THE STEPPING UP
STEM PROGRAM AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR SHOUTOUT TO THE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION FUNDING THE PROGRAM FOR SO LONG. THESE TABLETS ALMOST 500 OF THEM ARE BEING USED BY OUR STUDENTS WHO OTHERWISE WOULD NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THESE PROGRAMS AND TECHNOLOGY. AS WE CONCLUDE THE FIRST HALF OF OUR YEAR, A COUPLE NUMBERS I
WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU. TO SHOW YOU THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NEW FACILITY WE HAVE BUILT WITH YOUR HELP AND CERTAINLY MADAM CHAIR, WITH THIS SCHOOL BOARD, GIVING US THE LAND WHICH WE LEASE FOR A DOLLAR A YEAR FOR THE NEXT 75 YEARS, I SAID FROM DAY ONE, THE BUILDING IS NOTHING
MORE THAN A TOOL TO HELP US CARRY OUT OUR MISSION AND IT'S GOING TO INCREASE OUR CAPACITY. ALL OF LAST YEAR, IN THE 12 MONTHS WE DISTRIBUTED 1,061,920 FROM OUR RED APPLE SUPPLY PROGRAM. IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS
YEAR, SINCE AUGUST 1, WE HAVE DISTRIBUTED $845,715 OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES. WE ARE ON A PACE TO DISTRIBUTE 1.6 MILLION THIS YEAR. LAST YEAR WE WERE SERVING 92 SCHOOLS. WE ARE ALREADY SERVING 102. THE NUMBER THAT I FIND MOST
IMPORTANT THOUGH OF THE 4964 TEACHERS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO SHOP, 1860 OF THEM HAVE. THAT'S A 37.5% RESPONSE. NATIONALLY THESE RESOURCE STORES ARE SHOWING ABOUT A 24 OR EVEN A 22% PARTICIPATION RATE. HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY
SUPERINTENDENT BUCIALG 37.5% OF OUR TEACHERS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE RED APPLE SUPPLY PROGRAM. SHOWS THIS MANY PRACTICE IS REACHING THOSE WHO NEED IT AND WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS BUT AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW THIS PROGRAM FINALLY AS I WRAP UP THE YEAR, I WANT TO
HIGHLIGHT A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS. THE INTO SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION HAS A PORTION OF THEIR AGENDA WHERE THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION HONOR A SUPER STAR PLEASE NOTE THAT OF THE 6 P COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, 64 OF THEM HAVE AN EDUCATION FOUNDATION. THOSE 64 EDUCATION FOUNDATIONS
THERE WAS ONE SUPERINTENDENT, THERE WAS ONE DISOOB MEMBER WHO WAS GIVEN THE STAR DESIGNATION AND THAT RASE RIGHT HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY OUR BOARD CHAIR KAREN BRILL AND OUR SUPERINTENDENT MIKE BURKE. I HOPE YOU REALIZE THE
IMPORTANCE SO AS WE WIND UP HALF OF THE YEAR, WE ARE READY TO CHARGE FORWARD INTO A NEW YEAR THANKING YOU ALWAYS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, I KNOW YOU HAVE A FAMILY WEDDING COMING UP. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BORROW MY JACKET, YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO. HAVE A BLESSED HOLIDAY SEASON,
FOLKS. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU, GORDON LONGHOFER, CTA PRESIDENT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH CHAIR BILL, GOOD EVENING VICE CHAIR LANE, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, HONORED GUESTS. I'M GORDON LONGHOFER, PRESIDENT
OF THE CLASSROOM TEACHERS ASSOCIATION. HAPPY TO ALWAYS BE HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU. IT'S DECEMBER. YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS? WELL, BESIDE THE HOLIDAYS, WHICH WE'LL COME TO THAT LATER, IT DOES MEAN THAT WE ARE COMING TO LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND YOU DO HAVE TWO ITEMS ON YOUR AGENDA TONIGHT I HOPE WILL YOU PASS.
THEY WERE MENTIONED IN THE ON THE ITEMS ADDED FOR GOOD CAUSE. JOINT LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES LETTER AND THEN THE FEDERAL PROPOSED SUPPORTIVE LEGISLATION, TO BE SUPPORTED FROM THE GREATER
CONSORTIUM OF SCHOOL BOARDS. THERE IS A LOT TO UNPAM IN THESE-- UNPACK IN THESE TWO ITEMS. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE CONSORTIUM PLAN AND REQUEST FOR FEDERAL FUNDING. PALM BEACH COUNTY GETS $300 MILLION A YEAR IN FEDERAL
FUNDING FOR TITLE I, 2, 3 AND 4. THAT ACCOUNTS FOR ROUGHLY 10% OF THE GENERAL REVENUE, THE PART OF OUR BUDGET THAT DIRECTLY IMPACTS STUDENT INSTRUCTION. THINK ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO
PROGRAMS AND THEIR INTERVENTION AND EMPLOYEES IF 10% OF THE FUNDS DISAPPEARED OVERNIGHT? THAT ALSO AMOUNTS TO $4 BILLION FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THINK ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN STATEWIDE. WE ARE ALREADY SITTING AT 42nd IN STATE FUNDING.
WE ARE SITTING AT 50th IN AVERAGE TEACHER SALARY. WE KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN GOOD TEACHERS. THEY NEED TO LIVE IN OR NEAR THE COMMUNITIES THEY'RE SERVING SO THEY CAN DO THE WORK THAT THEY BELIEVE THEY HAVE BEEN CALLED TO
DO AND GUIDE STUDENTS TO THEIR BEST POSSIBLE LIFE THROUGH A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION. THESE FUNDS IMPACT STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS AND A HOST OF OTHER
SPECIAL NEEDS AREAS WHERE STUDENTS WHO MIGHT BE SHOWING UP ILL-PREPARED TO GO TO SCHOOL SIMPLY BECAUSE FOOD IN THEIR HOUSE-- I MEAN THEY'RE EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY, AND THE FREE BREAKFAST AND FREE LUNCH PROGRAMS THAT ARE SUPPLIED AS WELL, THOSE ARE IMPORTANT AS
WELL IN MAKING SURE THE STUDENTS LEARN. EVERY BIT OF THAT IS NEEDED. AND SO I URGE YOU TO REDOUBLE YOUR EVERY IN TALKING TO OUR FEDERAL PEOPLE AND THEN THE OTHERS AND I SEE I'M GOING TO RUN OUT OF TIME IF I DON'T DO THIS FAST. THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. K-12 FUNDING FOR FLORIDA
OBVIOUSLY IS A PRIORITY BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE SCHOOLS ARE FUNDED. AND I'VE ALREADY MENTIONED THE NUMBERS ON WHERE WE ARE WITH STATE FUNDING FOR PER PUPIL EXPENDITURES AND FOR TEACHER SALARIES. BUT WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT BEYOND THAT PRIORITY, WE GO
AHEAD AND PROVIDE SOME SUPPORT FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION. DARE I SAY THIS AS A TEACHER? NOT EVERY CHILD IS GOING TO GO TO COLLEGE. BUT EVERY CHILD DESERVES A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION TO EQUIP THEM
FOR THE WORK THEY ARE GOING TO DO. AND THE K-12 FUNDING, THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET IS OUT AND WHILE HE HAS PROPOSED ANOTHER $200 MILLION FOR TEACHER SALARY SUPPORT THAT IS JUST THE MONEY FOR THIS YEAR. DON'T CONFUSE THAT WITH THE
TOTAL. THAT IS NOT GOING TO MOVE THE NEEDLE FROM 1.1 TO 1.2% INCREASE. I ASK YOU TO STAND UP FIRMLY SUPPORT THE INITIATIVES WITH YOUR LOBBYING AND WITH A FEW SECONDS LEFT, IRISH WISH YOU A JOYOUS AND RELAXED HOLIDAY
SEASON AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. I WILL SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE OF JANUARY 1. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. ERICA HEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS FOR JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF PALM BEACH AND THE TREASURE COAST. >> GOOD EVENING CHAIRWOMAN BRILL, VICE CHAIR LANE, BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENT BURKE.
I'M V.P. OF EDUCATION AT JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE PALM BEACHES AND TREASURE COAST. YOU KNOW WHERE YOU FOUND ME EARLIER IN THE MONTH? DIRECTING 47 BUSS TO CACTI BALL PARK OF THE PALM BEACHES WHERE WE WELCOMED 1800 EIGHTH GRADERS. THAT WAS JUST IN DECEMBER.
OVERALL WE HAVE MORE THAN 6,000 EIGHTH GRADERS TO COME OUT FOR CAREER FAIR EXPERIENCE. HAVE I TO TELL YOU THERE WAS SO MUCH EXCITEMENT AND WE HAVE HEARD SO MANY WONDERFUL THINGS FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND CACTI AND LOOKING FORWARD TO
CONTINUING TO HELPING OUR STUDENTS UNDERSTAND THE MANY FACTS POSSIBILITIES THAT ARE OUT THERE AS THEY CHOOSE THEIR FUTURE PROGRAMS WITH PALM BEACH SCHOOLS AND ULTIMATELY THEIR FUTURE CAREERS AS WELL. SPECIAL SHOUTOUT TO OUR SCHOOL
DISTRICT TEAM MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, VICE CHAIR LANE, THE SCHOOL POLICE AND SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO ELIZABETH MARCELLE FOR JOINING US FOR THESE EVENTS. WE GOT A LOT OF WONDERFUL FEEDBACK FROM HER AS WELL. SO TODAY I STARTED OFF MY DAY AT GREEN ACRES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. WE WERE WORKING WITH COMMUNITY
VOLUNTEERS AND J.A. BOARD MEMBERS FOR J.A. IN A DAY IN THIRD, FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADE. THIS EXPERIENCE INTRODUCED STUDENTS TO KEY CONCEPTS IN FINANCIAL LITERACY, CAREER READINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP YOU KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING THIS
TIME OF YEAR, STUFF IS GOING AROUND. GUESS WHO HAD THE CHA TONS STEP IN. YOURS TRULY. SO I TAUGHT THIRD GRADE TODAY AT GREEN ACRES AND I HAD THE BEST TIME BEE BUILT A CITY, TALKED ABOUT JOBS IN THE CITY, TALKED
ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL TRAITS AND WHAT THEY'RE GOOD AT. IT WAS AN EXCITING MORNING AT GREEN ACRES. ON FRIDAY WE WILL BE AT PALM SPRINGS ELEMENTARY WHERE OVER 1,000 STUDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN A J.A. ELEMENTARY CAREER EXPLORATION FAIR.
OUR GOAL IS TO HELP THEM CHOOSE PATHWAYS. WE WANT THEM TO COME OUT AND SEE THE POLICE DOGS, TO SHOOT FIRE HOSE, TO LOOK AT WELDING AND MAYBE OTHER DIFFERENT CAREERS THAT ARE OUT THERE WE ASK OUR FIVE AND SIX YEAR OLDS WHAT DO
YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GET OLDER. NEVER TOO EARLY TO IGNITE CURIOSITY. SOME PARTICIPANTS COMING OUT THIS FRIDAY ARE THE VILLAGE OF PALM SPRINGS, SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY, FLORIDA STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND MANY, MANY MORE SO WE ARE EXCITED.
I GUESS THIS MONTH EVERYBODY WAS IN PAHOKEE. WE HOSTED A J.A. CAREER HIGH FAIR LAST WEEK. WE HAD 36 COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS COME OUT TO PAHOKEE TO HELP OUR STUDENTS UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING
THAT IS OUT THERE TO THEM. WE HAD WELDING, ELECTRICAL MOTORS, A LOT OF THINGS I DON'T UNDERSTAND BUT WE ARE HERE TO HELP OUR STUDENTS UNDERSTAND. SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT FOR THAT INITIATIVE WAS THE GLADES
INITIATIVE U.S. SUGAR, SOUTH FLORIDA OPERATING, LOCAL 487. THEY CAME OUT AND DID SUCH A GREAT JOB SPEAKING TO OUR STUDENTS HELPING THEM WITH SOFT SKILLS ARE HAND SHAKING, MAKING EYE CONTACT. I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THE MORNING.
AND LATER THIS MONTH WE HAVE OUR HIGH SCHOOL HEROES, THIS PROGRAM IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART. BUSINESS ACADEMY STUDENTS FROM PARK VISTA HIGH SCHOOL THAT ARE PARTNERING WITH CITRUS COVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND SECOND GRADE. WE SEE THE MENTORSHIP AND LEADERSHIP HAPPENING THERE WHERE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE TRAINED AND THEN GOING OUT TO OUR
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO TEACH PROGRAMS. YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE HAD A PRODUCTIVE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR AND EXCITED ABOUT THE INITIATIVES FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR. WE WISH ALL OF YOU A HAPPY HOLIDAYS, AND GET WELL DESERVED REST.
>> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. SYLVIA HALL, P.P.-- P.T.A. PRESIDENT. >> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.
MY NAME IS SYLVIA HALL. PALM BEACH COUNTY P.T.A. PRESIDENT AND WOULD I LIKE TO START THE MISSION OF THE P.T.A. IS TO MAKE POSSIBLE THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE TO MAKE EVERY
CHILD'S POTENTIAL A REALITY AND TO ADVOCATE FOR ALL CHILDREN. I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH THE REFLECTIONS PROGRAMS, THE LINE WAS DECEMBER 1. WE RECEIVED OVER 218 SUBMISSIONS FROM STUDENTS IN ADVANCED FILM PRODUCTION, PHOTOGRAPHY AND
VISUAL ARTS AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF JUDGING THEM NOW WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE ALL THE SCHOOLS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM. THE TOM THREE WINNERS WILL
ADVANCE IN FRONT OF THE P.T.A. AND THE TOP THREE WINNERS WILL GO TO NATIONAL P.T.A. OUR PROFESSIONAL CEREMONY WILL BE HELD THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26 AND WE ARE FINALIZING THE VENUE. REMINDER THAT FOR THE P.T.A. STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP IS STILL
ONGOING. ALSO PALM BEACH COUNTY IS STILL OPEN AND THE DEAD LINE IS MARCH 31. SO I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT GRANTS. AT THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER I TALKED ABOUT THE GRANTS THAT NATIONAL P.T.A. HAD OUT THERE AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, I WOULD
LIKE TO CONGRATULATE SANDPIPER SHORES ELEMENTARY P.T.A. AND DISCOVERY P.T.A. FOR GETTING-- THEY WILL RECEIVE LIKE 1500 EACH FOR THE P.T.A. CONNECTED READY TECH GO PROGRAM.
ALSO CONGRATULATIONS TO ATLANTIC HIGH SCHOOL P.T.A. THEY WILL RECEIVE LIKE $3,000 FOR THE P.T.A. CONNECTED CREATE WITH KINDNESS PROGRAM. AND ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE TO MIDDLE SCHOOL
P.T.S.A. OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL P.T.S.A. AND FOR THEIR P.T.A. CONNECTED INTERNET PROGRAM AND THEY WILL RECEIVE $1250 EACH. UNDERSTOOD I'M RUNNING OUT OF
TIME. LITTLE CONGRATULATIONS-- ALSO CONGRATULATIONS TO SPANISH RIVER BECAUSE THEY WILL RECEIVE LIKE 1,000 HAPPY COFFEE POTS TO PROVIDE TO TEACHERS AND STAFF AT THEIR SCHOOL. ALSO OUR COUNTY GOT A GRANT FROM PAP AJOHNS, ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS
GRANT TO DEVELOP AND ORGANIZE A YOUTH LEADERSHIP AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMS TO KEEP TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES AND SKILLS. AND ADVOCACY BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT P.T.A. HAS DONE FOR OVER 100 YEARS.
128 YEARS. SO LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE WILL BE IN TALLAHASSEE JANUARY 25 THROUGH JANUARY 2 AND WOULD I LIKE TO-- TO JANUARY 27 AND I WANT TO KEEP THIS IN THE MINDS OF EVERYBODY WHAT WE HAVE HEARD ALREADY.
THE SO CALLED SCHOOLS OF HOPE. THERE WERE 46 LETTERS SENT TO THE PALM BEACH SCHOOLS AND WOULD I LIKE TO ADVISE YOU YOU ARE HEARING THAT TO PLEASE CONTACT YOUR PRINCIPAL TO SAVE YOUR, TO
SEE IF YOUR PRINCIPAL WAS ON THE LIST. MOST OF THE SCHOOLS WERE NOT LOW PERFORMING. THE LOW PERFORMING... AND A REMINDER THAT THIS AFFECTS ALL OF US. REGARDLESS IF YOU HAVE A P.T.A. IN ANOTHER SCHOOL OR OTHER PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS SO PLEASE
BE AWARE OF THAT. I WOULD LIKE-- FELIZNAVIDAD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> Chair Brill: BOARD MEMBERS, WE DO NOT HAVE ANY AGENDA ITEM SPEAKERS TONIGHT SO THAT'S GOING
TO BRING US TO THE CONSENT AGENDA I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY UNFINISHED BUSINESS. THAT IS NOW GOING TO BRING US TO
NEW BUSINESS, Mr. SUPERINTENDENT. >> Supt.Burke: COS 1 I RECOMMEND THE JOINT APPROVE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, CHILDREN SERVICE COUNCIL, HEALTHCARE DISTRICT AND AUTHORIZE THE BOARD CHAIR TO SIGN REVISED FINALIZE THE JOINT LETTER OUTLINING THE
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. >> MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> CSO2 I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE GREATER FLORIDA CONSORTIUM SCHOOL BOARD'S 2026
FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM AS SUBMITTED. >> MOTION BY MR. FERGUSON, SECOND BY Ms. BRANCH. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> Supt.Burke: FMPF2, THIRD
AMEND PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE BROKER AND CONSULTANT SERVICES AND AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD CHAIR TO FINALIZE THE SIGN ON ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS. >> Chair Brill: MOTION BY Ms. WHITFIELD, SECOND BY MS. ANDREWS. WE ALREADY KNOW THAT Ms. BRANCH IS GOING TO BE ABSTAINING FROM THE VOTE.
ANY DISCUSSION? >> I'M VOTE-- >> Gloria Branch: I'M VOTING. >> Chair Brill: MISUNDERSTOOD. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> Supt.Burke: I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE PERSONNEL
ADDENDUM AS SUBMIT. >> Clerk: MOTION BY MS. ANDREWS, SECOND BY Ms. WHITFIELD. ANY DISCUSSION IN ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THAT BRINGS US TO NON-AGENDA TOPIC SPEAKERS. ON BEHALF OF THE OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME ANY PUBLIC SPEAKERS JOINING US TODAY MUCH THE BOARD RECOGNIZES
THE IMPORTANT RIGHT OF THE PUBLIC TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS; HOWEVER, OUR POLICY PROVIDES THAT WE DO NOT RESPOND OR ENGAGE WITH OUR SPEAKERS. WE DO MAKE NOTE OF YOUR ISSUES AND WE WILL FOLLOW UP WITH DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION REGARDING THEM. ALL NON-AGENDA ITEM SPEAKERS,
COMMENTS, MUST RELATE TO EDUCATIONALLY RELEVANT TOPICS OR THE OPERATIONS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PURSUANT TO SCHOOL BOARD POLICY, SPEAKERS WHOSE COMMENTS DO NOT RELATE TO THE TOPIC THAT THE SPEAKER INDICATED, OR ARE NOT OTHERWISE EDUCATIONALLY RELEVANT, AS
REQUIRED FOR NON-AGENDA TOPICS INCLUDING THE MENTION OF A PERSON'S CANDIDACY FOR ELECTED OFFICE OR WHOSE COMMENTS DISRUPT OR INTERFERE WITH THE ORDER OF THE MEETING MAY BE SUBJECT TO HAVING THE MICROPHONE TURNED OFF, FOREFITTING THE RIGHT TO SPEAK AT THE REMAINDER OF
TODAY'S MEETING OR AFTER WARNINGS, REMOVAL FROM THE MEETING. WE ASK THAT ALL PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE, MAINTAINING CIVILITY AND DECORUM. YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD IN ACCORDANCE WITH SCHOOL BOARD POLICY, THE MICROPHONE WILL BE TURNED OFF WHEN THE TIME LIMIT HAS BEEN REACHED.
WHEN YOU SPEAK, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND, AGAIN, WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND I'M GOING TO CALL YOU TWO AT A TIME. WE'LL START WITH CARL MUHAMMAD FOLLOWED BY TERRENCE HART.
>> CARL MUHAMMAD. I WANTED TO ASK YOU IF WOULD TAKE UNDER CONSIDERATION WHAT Ms. BRILL HAD TO SAY WHEN IT COMES TO CHRISTMAS GREETING AND UNDERSTANDING BECAUSE TO GIVE THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THOSE OF US WHO REFUSE TO MENTION AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN IN THE DIALOGUE AND WHEN SHE TALKED
ABOUT NOT LEAVING ANYONE BEHIND, PLEASE WE NEED-- >> WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE BUT PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. >> CARL MUHAMMAD. I SAID THAT AT THE FIRST. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, YOU KNOW, WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE GARCIA SCHOOL DOWN IN DOWN SOUTH, I THINK ABOUT THE INLET
GROVE SCHOOL IN RIVIERA BEACH. AND AS YOU CAN SEE ALL ACROSS THE COMMUNITY, THEY'RE DESTROYING ALL OF THE HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS AND BUILDING AS IT RELATES TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND I THINK THE ONLY SCHOOL WE HAVE LEFT THAT WE CAN IDENTIFY WITH
IS INLET GROVE AND I'M ASKING THE BOARD TO RECONSIDER TEARING DOWN THE SCHOOL AND CONSIDER THE FACT THAT THE BUILDING IS HISTORICAL. IT'S QUALIFIED AS A HISTORICAL BUILDING AND WE NEED AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE OUR CHILDREN
CAN EXPERIENCE THE SAME KIND OF EXPERIENCE THAT OUR HISPANIC BROTHERS AND SISTERS ARE EXPERIENCING IN OTHER PLACES AND OTHER CHILDREN BECAUSE EVEN I HEARD THE SCHOOL BOARD-- I MEAN THE SCHOOLTEACHERS ASSOCIATION TALK ABOUT DUAL LANGUAGES AND EVERYTHING. AND INSIDE OF OUR COMMUNITY, WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET A
REPORT RELATIVE TO THE IDEA OF OUR CHILDREN READING AND PREPARING OUR CHILDREN AS IT RELATES TO THE FLORIDA STATUTE 1,003.42H AND AS I STAND HERE, YOU KNOW, I'M STILL THE LONGEST VOLUNTEER IN THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND WHEN I
HEARD THE CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH COME UP HERE FOR THE PREVIOUS MAYOR, SHE HAD AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN ADVISE ARE I BOARD AND I WAS THE CHAIRPERSON FOR EDUCATION FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS SO I HAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THE LARGEST CITY INSIDE OF THIS COUNTY.
AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE FAILURE THAT IS STILL EVERYBODY'S DOING AS IT RELATES TO THE NEGLECT THAT IS NECESSARY FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN. NOW I HUMBLY AND RESPECTFULLY SAY TO EVERYBODY, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A DESIRE TO ASSIST US, PLEASE TELL US AND THEN THAT WILL PROVIDE SOME SYSTEM OF SOME
OTHER POSSIBLE SUPPORT THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO RECEIVE FROM OTHERS WHO MIGHT SEE THE NEED TO HELP OUR CHILDREN GET TO WHERE THEY KNEAD TO GO. AND-- NEED TO GO AND I UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFICULT IT IS BECAUSE ONCE AGAIN, I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT OFFER AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN WITH
SPECIFICITY WHEN IT COMES TO THE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE THEY NEED AND I PRAY SINCERELY WHILE WE ARE IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON THAT YOU WOULD REALLY BRING GOD CONSCIOUSNESS INTO YOURSELF SO THAT WHEN WE START BACK NEXT YEAR WE PLIGHT HAVE SOME THINGS THAT YOU COMMIT TO OUR CHILDREN AND POSSIBLY MIGHT BE ON THE ROAD TOWARDS SOME KIND OF
SUCCESS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND ALL OF THE SEASONAL GREETINGS THAT I CAN GIVE, MUCH LOVE, Y'ALL HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND. >> GOOD EVENING MADAM CHAIR AND
ENTIRE BOARD. I'M TERRENCE HART HERE TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR YOU GUYS DOING THE RIGHT THING IN MY SITUATION. YOUR SUPERINTENDENT, ALONG WITH THE EXECUTIVE CABINET, TRIED TO TARNISH MY NAME AND RUIN MY CAREER AND YOU GUYS STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE AND I REALLY
APPRECIATE IT. I AM HERE TONIGHT SPEAKING AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN. I WOULD LIKE TO BRING YOUR AWARENESS TO TWO SITUATIONS THAT I'M SURE YOU ARE NOT AWARE OF. I'M NOT VINDICTIVE, I'M NOT RETALIATORY BUT I AM CONCERNED
BECAUSE I'M SURE YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT THESE SITUATIONS MUCH THE FIRST IS THE CONTRACT WITH THE HIGH RIDGE FAMILY CENTER PART OF THE REASON THE FAMILY CENTER AND Mr. HART DIDN'T SEE EYE TO EYE MUCH I CALLED THEM OUT.
THE CONTRACT STATES THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED COUNSELOR IN EVERY CLASSROOM DURING INSTRUCTION. YOU CURRENTLY HAVE FIVE TEACHERS THAT TEACH SIMULTANEOUSLY. BUT YOU HAVE FOUR COUNSELORS. THE REASON THOSE COUNSELORS ARE THERE IS TO SUPPORT THE TEACHERS WHO ARE TEACHING MULTIPLE
SUBJECTS AND MULTIPLE GRADE LEVELS AT THE SAME TIME. SO THOSE COUNSELORS ARE THERE FOR MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, THEY'RE THERE FOR RESTROOM BREAKS AND THE MINOR DISCIPLINE INFRACTIONS. AND THE REASON THEY WERE UPSET WITH ME OR DIDN'T SEE EYE TO EYE WITH ME IS BECAUSE I CALLED THEM
OUT. SO I WOULD STRONGLY ADVISE THAT YOU HAVE YOUR LOCAL TEAM LOOK AT THE CONTRACT SO THE TEACHERS GET THEIR SUPPORT. THE SECOND ISSUE OR CONCERN THAT YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF IS RIGHT NOW, AT THE DETENTION CENTER AND THE HIGH RIDGE SCHOOL, YOU DO NOT HAVE THE APPROPRIATE
PERSONNEL ON CAMPUS TO DEAL WITH STUDENTS WITH IEPS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE I WAS AT THE SCHOOL BEFORE THIS SITUATION HAPPENED TO ME. YOU HAVE STUDENTS THAT REQUIRE
SUPPORT, FACILITATION OR DIRECT INSTRUCTION. HAVE YOU TWO TEACHERS AT THE DETENTION CENTER THAT ARE CERTIFIED IN ESE BUT THEY TEACH MADS AND SCIENCE SO E. LSM A. AND SOCIAL STUDIES IF THE STUDENTS REQUIRE DIRECT INSTRUCTION, THEY'RE NOT RECEIVING THOSE SERVICES. THAT'S A DIRECT VIOLATION OF
IDEA. I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE ANY TEACHERS AT THE HIGH RISK SCHOOL THAT ARE CERTIFIED IN ESE. THIS INFORMATION WAS BRAT UP TO MY THEN PRINCIPAL WHO RESIGNED AND THE CURRENT DIRECTOR OF SUPPORT SERVICES.
I KNOW FOR A FACT HE TOOK THAT INFORMATION TO YOUR CHIEF OF EQUITY AND WELLNESS AND WAS TOLD WE ARE NOT GOING TO PUT MONEY IN THE BUDGET. YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT COULD GET THE DISTRICT IN A LOT OF TROUBLE THIS WAS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
FOR THE CHIEF OF EQUITY AND WELLNESS TO DO SOME EQUITABLE FOR STUDENTS THAT ARE AT RISK. SO I URGE YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THIS TAKEN CARE OF. THANK YOU.
>> LICKSON NELSON AND SCOTT LEWIS. >> GOOD EVENING, BOARD, AND FELLOW COMMUNITY ADVISERS. MY NAME IS LICKSON NELSON, PRESIDENT OF ALLIANCE COMMUNITY
AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FORMER ESE STUDENT OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SO EVERYTHING THAT Y'ALL ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY IS HITTING DIRECTLY TO THE HEART. SO I AM HERE BECAUSE I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT WORKING WITH CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES THAT ARE IN THE JUVENILE SYSTEM. ACES IS HERE TO COLLABORATE WITH
THE DISTRICT TO HELP CURB THE PIPELINE TO PRISON AS A COMMUNITY PARTNER TO HELP THE STUDENTS SEEK POST SECONDARY EDUCATION, SEEK COMMUNITY WORK INCLUSION, AND ALSO PROVIDE MENTORSHIP. WE HAVE A MENTORSHIP CALLED LEADERS WITH A DESTINY.
WE BELIEVE THOSE CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES, THOSE IN THE JUVENILE SYSTEM, THOSE IN THE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS ARE LEADERS WITH A DESTINY. ACES HAS FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCES AND HAVE WORKED WITH OTHER ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS TO WORK WITH STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. WE ALSO WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION WHEN IT COMES TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND WE ALSO WORK WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. THE GOAL IS TO CURB THE PIPELINE TO PRISON AND NOT FILL THE PIPELINE TO PRISON.
60 TO 70 YOUTH INVOLVED WITHIN THE JUVENILE SYSTEM HAVE A DIAGNOSED DISABILITY. THE ESTIMATE OF INCARCERATION WITH YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES IS ABOUT BETWEEN 30 TO 60% WITH SOME ESTIMATES REPORTING HIGHER DEPENDING ON HOW THE
DISABILITIES ARE IDENTIFIED. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ALSO NEARLY THREE TIMES ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE ARRESTED THAN NON INDIVIDUALS IT IS NOT A BAD STUDENT ISSUE. IT'S A SUPPORT GAP ISSUE THAT WE CAN TACKLE TOGETHER AND ACES
WOULD LIKE TO TACKLE IT WITH THE DISTRICT. ACES PROVIDES COMMUNITY BASE TO SUPPORT YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS BUILD SUSTAINABLE GROWTH THROUGH SELF EMPLOYMENT AND THROUGH EMPLOYMENT AND THROUGH POST SECONDARY EDUCATION. WE OFFER WORK READINESS
TRAINING, JOB COACHING ON THE JOB WHEN IT COMES TO LEARNING HOW TO COMMUNICATE ON THE JOB, HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF ON THE JOB AND HOW WORK CULTURE ALSO IS VERY IMPORTANT WE PROVIDE A MENTORSHIP STYLE
PROGRAM TO HELP THE STUDENTS, YOU KNOW, TRANSITION INTO THE COMMUNITY TO BECOME VIABLE TO THE COMMUNITY. WE ALSO ARE PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO THE STUDENTS TO GET THEM TO UNDERSTAND THEIR
DISABILITY. ACES SEEKS TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DISTRICT TO INCREASE MORE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES TO BE ABLE TO GO INTO POST SECONDARY EDUCATION, YOU KNOW, GO ON TO TRADE SCHOOLS AND POSSIBLY BE
YOU KNOW, DISTRICT CHAIR... (BELL RINGS). >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. SCOTT LEWIS AND DON PIERSON DON,
YOU MAY AS WELL COME UP. DON PIERSON, PALM BEACH CENTRAL 44 YEARS AND I TALK ABOUT TESTING BECAUSE IT'S RELEVANT
RIGHT NOW THE FIRST THING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS I NOW AM TEACHING GEOMETRY AND EOC AND THE DISTRICT GIVES US A TEST. IT'S ON PERFORMANCE MATTERS BUT BUT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT BECAUSE THE KIDS CAN
STILL GET OUT OF THE PROGRAM AND LOOK STUFF UP AND THAT DOES NOT BEAR WELL FOR SOMEONE THAT'S TRYING TO LEARN THE BEST THEY CAN. I FOUND AN ARTICLE JUST TODAY FROM THE COLLEGE BOARD AND THE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA JUST WANT TO READ IT REAL QUICK. THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO DETERMINED THAT 12% OF ITS STUDENTS DID NOT MEET THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY IN MATH AND AMONG THIS GROUP, 42%
OF THEM TOOK PRECALCULOUS AND CALCULOUS IN HIGH SCHOOL. FURTHERMORE 25% OF THOSE HAD A 4.0 ALL THE WAY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.
IT'S BAD ENOUGH THAT WITH THESE MEASURES THAT STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS ARE NOT EVEN AWARE OF HOW ACCURATE OR INACCURATE THE INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR EDUCATION AND THEIR LEVEL OF
KNOWLEDGE IS. YOU KNOW, YOU ARE MISLEADING STUDENTS IF YOU GIVE A TEST THAT THEY CAN EASILY CHEAT ON. I WORK WITH FINDING ALL THESE ON
THERE BUT I WANT MY STUDENTS TO BE PROFICIENT IN THE DISCIPLINE AND I EXPLAIN THAT TO THEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN BUT EVEN THE ONES THAT DO TRY TO CHEAT, THEY GET 50%, MAYBE 53%, 54% AND WHAT MAKES IT WORSE, AND THIS IS WHAT
I'M TALKING ABOUT THAT THE PARENTS AND WE NEED TO KNOW BECAUSE I KNOW THE POLICIES THAT YOU SEND DOWN ARE WELL INTENDED TO HELP, BUT YOU DON'T KNOW
SOMETIMES WHEN IT HITS THE CLASSROOM WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING. WE'LL GET THE TEST SCORES ON FRIDAY, THE CURVE THE COUNTY IS GOING TO PUT ON THEM. THIS IS JUST LAST YEAR. 0 TO 38% IS AN F BUT 39% TO 52%
IS A D. 53% WHICH IS STILL AN F TO 72% IS A C. 73 TO 81% IS A B. WE CAN'T DO THIS TO OUR STUDENTS IF WE WANT THEM TO BE PROFICIENT WE'VE GOT TO REALLY EDUCATE THEM
>> Chair Brill: THAT BRINGS US TO THE END OF THE AGENDA. I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY. WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT YEAR. STAY SAFE AND ENJOY YOUR FAMILIES