LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I WILL NOW CALL THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TO ORDER AT 5 P.M. Mrs. SINCLAIR PLEASE CALL THE RULE. >> DISTRICT 1 MATTHEW LANE. >> HERE. >> VIRGINIA SAVIETTO. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 3 KAREN BRILL. >> HERE. >> HERE GLORIA BRANCH. >> HERE.
>> EDWARD FERGUSON. >> HERE. >> ALSO JOINING US IS SUPERINTENDENT MICHAEL BURKE. GENERAL COUNSEL SEAN BERNARD, INSPECTOR GENERAL THERESA MICHAEL, ELRY WEISS AND BOARD CLERK TONY SINCLAIR. SENIOR STAFF MEMBERS WILL JOIN US PERIODICALLY AS DIRECTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT.
TONIGHT THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WILL BE PERFORMED BY THE BOCA RATON HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER CHOIR. WOULD EVERYONE PLEASE STAND IF YOU ARE ABLE TO FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE LED BY GLORIA BRANCH. ♪ O SAY CAN YOU SEE BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT ♪ ♪ WHAT'S SO PROUDLY WE HAIL'D 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 ROCKETS 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. VIEWERS AND LISTENERS CAN ACCESS THE MEETING TODAY BY WATCHING ON COMCAST CHANNELS 234 AND 235. U VERSE CHANNEL 99 OR BY USING THE YOUTUBE LINK ON OUR WEB PAGE
AT PALM BEACH SCHOOLS.ORG. IN THE EVENT THE LINK IS INTERRUPTED FOR TECHNICAL REASONS, PLEASE SWITCH OVER TO THE TV CHANNELS. ALL BOARD MEETINGS ARE RECORDED IN THEIR ENTIRETY AND POSTED ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE WITHIN 24 HOURS. BOARD MEMBERS WE DO NOT HAVE ANY MINUTES TO APPROVE TONIGHT BUT I
DO HAVE SEVERAL ITEMS TO ADD FOR GOOD CAUSE. COM 3 AGREEMENT WITH KACIA, PUBLIC STRATEGY LLC DBA K-12 FOR STUDENT RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN, GOOD CAUSE EXISTS FOR ADDING
THIS ITEM TO THE AGENDA TO ENSURE ADEQUATE LEAD TIME IS IN PLACE TO ALLOW FOR PREPARATION OF A STUDENT RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN TO TARGET ENROLLMENT FOR THE UPCOMING 2026-2027
SCHOOL YEAR. ALSO ADDING PL P HF 2 SO EMPLOYEES CAN BEGIN IN THEIR NEW POSITIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. LD1, AUTHORIZATION TO RULE ON REQUEST FOR ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING, GOOD CAUSE EXISTS FOR ADDING THIS ITEM TO THE AGENDA AT THIS TIME.
ROBERT LEE RICH HAS FILED A REQUEST FOR APRIL ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING. THE BOARD, AS THE AGENCY, HAS 15 DAYS TO GRANT OR DENY A REQUEST FOR A HEARING BECAUSE OF THIS ABBREVIATED TIMEFRAME, THIS IS
BEING BROUGHT ON AS GOOD CAUSE. AND FINALLY JUPITER HIGH SCHOOL, SOGAO HIGH SCHOOL, GLOBAL FORUM KYOTO JAPAN, GOOD CAUSE EXISTS FOR ADDING THIS ITEM SO THAT OPPORTUNITIES AND PATIENTS MAY HAVE ADEQUATE TIME TO PREPARE
FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT DO YOU HAVE ANY ITEMS TO PULL. >> Supt.Burke: I WILL PULL ONE. >> I WILL TAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR?
OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. DO WE HAVE ANY DISCLOSURES AND ABSTENTIONS? THAT WILL BRING US TO SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS. >> Supt.Burke: I HAVE SEVERAL
COMMENTS. I WILL TRY TO MOVE RIGHT ALONG, WE CELEBRATED PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEEK. THEME WAS FLORIDA'S FUTURE BUILT BY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CELEBRATED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF DISTRICT SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS. WE ALSO CELEBRATED OUR PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE DUBBED WE ARE STAR STRUCK BY YOU. AND THIS IS OUR INITIATIVE TO
HONOR THE 28,500 ROUGHLY FULL AND PART-TIME EMPLOYEES THAT CONSTITUTE TEAM PALM BEACH AND HAVE LED US TO OUR 97% GRADUATION RATE MAINTAINING OUR A RATING. THANK YOU TO PALM BEACH AND TO OUR FAMILIES FOR CHOOSING OUR SCHOOLS AND MAKING US YOUR BEST
CHOICE. MARCHS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH AND WE RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF WOMEN WHO SHAPE OUR COMMUNITY AND LEAD OUR SCHOOLS AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT TEAM PALM BEACH AND THE DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE SHAPED BY WOMEN OVER THE YEARS. 17,402 PERMANENT PULL TIME
EMPLOYEES ARE WOMEN REPRESENTING 76% OF OUR WORKFORCE. AND WHEN I LOOK ACROSS THE DAIS I SEE WE HAVE FIVE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS THAT ARE WOMEN SO THAT'S ABOUT 71% PLY PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOU AND THANKS FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO MAKE THIS DISTRICT A GREAT PLACE.
MARCH 6 WE HAD MAINTENANCE WORKER APPRECIATION DAY. OUR MAINTENANCE TEAMS, THEY'RE THE BACK BONE OF THE DISTRICT, UNSUNG HEROES AND WORK VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE THE SCHOOLS ARE CLEAN, SAFE AND OPERATIONAL FROM DAY TO DAY. THANK YOU NPO AND SCHOOL
CUSTODIANS. LAST WEEK WE CELEBRATED READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY. I KNOW MANY OF US WERE OUT AND ABOUT READING. I WAS JOINED BY OFFICER TY WHO I THINK IS WITH US HERE TONIGHT KEEPING US SAFE. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF GOING DOWN
TO POINSETTIA ELEMENTARY AND READY TO THE CLASS AND WE HAVE A SHORT VIDEO TO RECAP THE EXPERIENCE. ♪ NOW I'M A BELIEVER. >> TODAY WE ARE HEAR CELEBRATING READ FOR THE RECORD. HERE AT POINT SI NEE NA, WE READ
TO LEARN. >> Supt.Burke: HAVE YOU READ THIS ONE YET? >> NO. >> Supt.Burke: I WILL BE READING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME THEN. YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND MARCUS ZIPPING AROUND, ALWAYS FIND HIS GRANDMOTHER IN PLACE PLACE. I ENJOY GETTING INTO THE CLASSROOMS AND CONNECTING WITH, THE WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO AS A
DISTRICT. AND WHEN YOU GET TO SPEND TIME WITH OUR STUDENTS AND SEE TEACHERS THAT ARE DOING A TREMENDOUS JOB, IT'S A REAL TREAT. >> I'M THE PROUD PRINCIPAL. >> AND I'M THE ASSISTANT
PRINCIPAL WE WANT COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP SO OUR STUDENTS UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A WAY OF LIVING AND A WAY OF LIFE. >> AND WE CONTINUE TO BUILD OUR OWN LIFE LONG READERS BY ENCOURAGING OUR READERS TO GET LOST IN A BOOK AND USING THEIR IMAGINATION TO TAKE THEM ON A
JOURNEY. >> I LOVE READING. >> A FOCUS ON LITERACY AND COMMUNITY, SUPPORTING EVERY CHILD. THAT'S WHY THE DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY IS YOUR BEST CHOICE. >> Supt.Burke: MOST OF THE-- I'M ALSO PROUD TO AFUN TOES TWO SCHOOLS WON THE EXCEEDING
EXPECTATION AWARD AND THIS IS CORAL SUNSET ELEMENTARY AND CRESTWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE Dr. STEPHANIE NANCE OF CRESTWOOD AND SHONDA. GREAT JOB. WE WILL BE DOING A PRESENTATION IN A FEW MOMENTS TO RECOGNIZE THEM PROPERLY.
AND THEN WE'VE GOTTEN TO THE SPRING HERE. IT'S TIME TO STEP INTO KINDERGARTEN. YOU KNOW EACH YEAR, WE TRY TO BUILD AND BUILD UPON THIS PROGRAM TO WELCOME OUR NEW FAMILIES. WE WILL BE HOSTING EVENTS TO KICK OFF KINDERGARTEN STARTING APRIL 6 THROUGH APRIL SO ALLOWING PARENTS TO MEET
PRINCIPALS TO OUR CAMPUSES AND PREPARE FOR KINDERGARTEN. AND OUR PARENTS CAN USE TO FIND MY SCHOOL ON THE WEBSITE TO IDENTIFY THEIR ZONE CAMPUS AND START THE REGISTRATION CAMPUS. I ALSO HAD THE CHANCE TO BE PART OF THE RISING CHEFS CHALLENGE.
WE HAVE SOME EXCELLENT CULINARY PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT PALM BEACH. THIS WAS THE BEST OF THE BEST OVER AT THE CONVENTION CENTER. AND IT WAS KIND OF LIKE WHAT YOU WOULD SEE ON A TV SHOW. THE CHEFS WERE-- THEY HAD LIMITED TIME UNDER A TIGHT DEADLINE TO GET THEIR MEALS PREPARED AND THEY FACED SOME VERY TOUGH JUDGES SO WE GOT A
QUICK VIDEO TO SHOW YOU THERE. WE ARE HERE AT THE PALM BEACH COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER AND WE ARE HERE FOR THE RISING CHEFS CHALLENGE. IS SO WE ARE IN THE BACK OF THE HOUSE. WE ARE BACK IN THE KITCHEN WHICH NORMALLY WOULD I NOT HAVE ACCESS TO AND WE'VE GOT THREE OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS COMPETING TODAY. WE HAVE BEHIND ME PALM BEACH
GARDENS HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM AGAINST WILLIAM T. DWYER AND FOREST HILL AND CHARTER SCHOOL INLET GROVE HIGH SCHOOL. >> IT IS LIKE A DIFFERENT MIND SET THAT HAVE YOU TO PICK UP. A DIFFERENT WORK SPACE. I LOVE COOKING. >> WE ARE JUDGING ALL THE GREAT STUDENTS THAT WE HAVE HERE,
COMPETING FOR THE RISING CHEF STAR AND WE ARE BASICALLY GRADING THEM ON THE TEAMWORK, ORGANIZATION AND COOKING KNOWLEDGE. >> I'M JUST MASHING UP BLUEBERRIES AND STRAWBERRIES. >> IT IS EXCITING TO BE HERE, GREAT KITCHEN.
THE PEOPLE WORKING HERE HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL WITH US GETTING ACCLIMATED. >> FLOUR AND EGGS, GOING TOO MAKE... THESE DISHES ARE GOING
TO BE EXCEPTIONAL BECAUSE THEY'RE MADE FROM THE HEART. >> NICE WITH THE APPLES AROUND AND THE CHICKEN AND RICE IN THE CENTER. I'M ABOUT TO DIG INTO THE DESSERT HERE SOON. >> WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO SHOWCASE TO OUR STUDENTS THE PIPELINE OF HOW TO ENTER THE INDUSTRY AND HOW THEY CAN STAY HERE AND CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE
TO THIS FONDAS TICK COUNTY. -- FANTASTIC COUNTY. >> I WAS OVERJOYED. IT WAS SO COOL. I WAS JUMPING UP AND DOWN WITH JOY. I WAS SO GRATEFUL WE WON. EACH SCHOOL DID GREAT.
>> Speaker: THAT WAS A GREAT EVENT. CONGRATULATIONS TO PALM BEACH GARDENS HIGH SCHOOL. THEY WERE THE CHAMPS, THE GATORS THERE. AND I HAD A CHANCE TO SAMPLE THEIR DISHES AND THEY REALLY WERE SUPERB. ALL THE FOOD WAS GREAT AND I'M CONDITIONED TO JUST SAY GOOD THINGS ABOUT ANYTHING THAT IS SERVED TO ME NOW.
I'VE LEARNED THIS OVER THE YEARS BUT I CAN TELL YOU THE GARDENS REALLY KICKED IT UP A NOTCH. AND THEN, YOU KNOW, NEXT WEEK, I PROBABLY DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU BUT MONDAY STARTS SPRING BREAK ON MARCH 16, SO BE CAREFUL OF IF YOU ARE AROUND HERE 5:00 FRIDAY,
YOU DON'T WANT TO GET RUN OVER. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE READY TO CELEBRATE SPRING BREAK. AND FOR OUR STUDENTS, THEY WILL BE COMING BACK. THEY GET MONDAY MARCH 23 OFF AND WILL BE MACK MARCH 24th TUESDAY. THE SECOND SEMESTER IS GOING WELL AND WE WILL COME BACK FROM THE BREAK READY TO GO FOR THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCUDS MY COMMENTS. >> Chair Brill: MS. SAVIETTO. >> THANK YOU. AS I MENTIONED LAST WEEK, LET'S MOVE PALM BEACH COUNTY CHALLENGE STARTED AND I WANT TO KEEP ENCOURAGE COURAGING EVERYONE ACROSS THE DISTRICT TO PARTICIPATE. TEACHERS, STAFF, ADMINISTRATORS,
SCHOOL POLICE, EVERYBODY. THIS MONTH WE LOG OUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, WALKING RUNNING DANCING, RUNNING GYM TIME. IT ALL COUNTS. WHEN WE DO IT TOGETHER, THE MINUTES ADD UP QUICKLY. AS I SAID BEFORE AS WELL, LAST YEAR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT FINISHED THIRD COUNTY WIDE BUT WE ARE THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN
PALM BEACH COUNTY SO HONESTLY WE SHOULD BE FIRST PLACE. SIGNING UP IS EASY. LET'S MOVE, YOU KNOW, VISIT AND MOVE PALM BEACH COUNTY.ORG JOIN A TEAM AND START LOGGING YOUR MINUTES. LUCA AND I HAVE JOINED. HE IS LOGGING SOME INTERESTS FROM P.E. CLASSES, SOCCER AT THE
PARK AND EVEN WITH THE BOY SCOUTS AND I HAVE BEEN WALKING WITH MY DOGS AND MY KID EVERY DAY FOR 30 MINUTES AT LEAST. ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT PAULA MANAGER OF WELLNESS PROMOTION. LET'S MOVE, SUPPORT EACH OTHER
AND WIN THIS THING. A WONDERFUL EVENT AND GREAT REMINDER OF WHAT STRONG COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR OUR SCHOOL LOOKS LIKE. PARENTS, LOCAL SUPPORTERS AND SCHOOL LEADERS ALL CAME TOGETHER WITH A SHARED COMMITMENT TO OUR
STUDENTS AND THEIR FUTURE. I WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL SHOUTOUT TO PRINCIPAL COREY BROOKS, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ERIC FAZONE AND ENTIRE ROCKSTAR STAFF INCLUDING PENNY PAIN AND THE VOLUNTEERS WHO HELPED TO MAKE THIS EVENING POSSIBLE.
THE LEADERSHIP, ENERGY AND CARE FOR STUDENTS AT DWYER TRULY SHOWS IN EVERYTHING THEY DO. IT'S INSPIRING TO SEE A SCHOOL COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER LIKE THIS IN SUPPORT OF THEIR STUDENTS. THIS WEEK I HAD THE PLEASURE OF ATTENDING THE INTERNATIONAL
SPANISH ACADEMY STUDENTS SYMPOSIUM KNOWN AS SASA. A WONDERFUL CELEBRATION OF LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND STUDENT LEADERSHIP. ALL SIX SCHOOLS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY WERE REPRESENTED AND THE STUDENTS PERFORMED BEAUTIFULLY
FROM THE PALM SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ BAND TO THE CHOIR FROM OAK HELY MIDDLE AND THE TALENT AND PRIDE OF THESE STUDENTS WAS TRULY INSPIRING. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS WAS
HEARING STUDENTS SPEAK IN BOTH ENGLISHING AND SPANISH AND HOW CONFIDENT THEY ARE AND SEEING NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR THE FUTURE AND EVEN CONNECT WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES. AND THAT WAS JUST SUPER, SUPER INSPIRING. THE ESA PROGRAM INCLUDES NEW
HORIZON, BERKSHIRE, GREEN ACRES ELEMENTARY, OKEEHEELEE PALM SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL AND JOHN LEONARD HIGH SCHOOL. I'M PROUD THAT FIVE OF THE SIX SCHOOLS ARE IN DISTRICT 2. THANK YOU TO THE PRINCIPAL AND STAFF AT JOHN I. FOR HOSTING ESA
FOR STUDENT LEADER FROM THE CONSULATE OF SPAIN AND MIAMI FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT. IT WAS ALSO WONDERFUL SEEING Dr. DAVID SAMORI WHOSE VISION HELPED BRING THE PROGRAM TO THE DISTRICT MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO. THAT LEGACY CONTINUES TO OPEN DOORS FOR STUDENTS TODAY.
AND THANK YOU NOT DISTRICT'S MULTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT LED BY Dr. PATRICIA ORDONIZ AND SONIA BIRCH FOR HELPING PROGRAMS LIKE THIS CONTINUE TO GROW. SPEAKING MORE THAN ONE LANGUAGE
OPENS DOORS IN TODAY'S GLOBAL ECONOMY, BILINGUAL STUDENTS GAIN SKILLS THAT LEAD TO CAREERS, CONNECTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD. GRACIAS TO EVERYONE WHO MADE THIS EVENING POSSIBLE AND ESPECIALLY TO THE STUDENTS WHO REMINDED US WHY EDUCATION MATTERS SO MUCH.
(SPEAKING SPANISH) >> THANK YOU. >> Chair Brill: Ms. WHITFIELD. >> Erica Whitfield: THANK YOU SO MUCH. I HAVE MORE PICTURES THAN I NORMALLY DO. I HAVE TO PUT THOSE UP. A COUPLE THINGS I WANTED TO MENTION, A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WE HAD OUR ETHICAL GOVERNANCE DAY
AT BOYNTON BEACH HIGH SCHOOL WHICH IS ACTUALLY ONE OF MINE SO THRILLED. THIS IS A PICTURE OF ALL THE KIDS THAT PARTICIPATED AS WELL. WE ARE REALLY THRILLED. YOU CAN SEE THE PANELISTS IN THE FRONT ROW. WE HAD AN AMAZING TURNOUT.
Dr. MULEY-- Dr. MOODY FULLER IS AN AMAZING ORGANIZER. HE PUT IT ALL TOGETHER WITH HIS STAFF. WE WERE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE AN AMAZING DAY WITH THEIR STUDENTS. ROTC CAME OUT AND IT WAS JUST REALLY A VERY CLASSY EVENT AND WE WERE VERY PROUD OF IT. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE INVOLVED WITH ETHICAL GOVERNMENT
DAY ESPECIALLY JUDGE SAMANTHA WHO HAS BEEN RUNNING THIS WITH ME FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS NOW. THIS IS A PHOTO OF LEADERSHIP PALM BEACH COUNTY. I HAVE RUN THE GROW PROGRAM FOR THIS ENTIRE YEAR, WHICH IS THE 5,511TH GRADE STUDENTS AND WE
TAKE THEM ALL OVER THE COUNTY AND INTRODUCE THEM TO MANY FACETS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND LAST WEEK WAS GROW DAY. THIS WAS IN AGRICULTURE. YOU CAN SEE US THERE. WE ARE ACTUALLY THIS IS A REALLY GREAT ONE. THIS IS A SOD FARM AND SO I WAS LIKE HOW CAN I GET A PALLET OF THIS TO BRING BACK TO MY HOUSE.
SO THIS IS ALL THE KIDS OUT THERE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE ACTUALLY GROW SOD AND IT IS AN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT. AND IT WAS A WONDERFUL DAY. THEY GOT TO SEE SUGAR MOUNTAIN, WHICH IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS IN THE WORLD, BEING ABLE TO SEE HOW WE PILE UP THE SUGAR AND THEY GOT TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THIS HUGE INDUSTRY.
SO IT WAS A REALLY FUN DAY. AND THEN I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND TWO FPL STEM MAKEOVER GRANTS THIS WEEK SO HUGE THANK YOU TO THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION WHO WORKS WITH US TO DO THIS WORK. BUT ALSO THANK YOU TO FP&L-FOR-DOING IT.
THIS IS THE PINE JOG GARDEN, ONE OF MISS SAVIETTO'S SCHOOL. THIS ONE WAS ALREADY FUNCTIONAL SO I DIDN'T DO A WHOLE LO FOR THAT BUT I DID GO OUT FREQUENTLY
THERE WAS A LOT OF WORK THAT HAD TO BE DONE. I WAS THRILLED TO SEE IT AND VERY, VERY PROUD OF ALL THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE THERE AND I JUST WANT TO SAY A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL THE PARTNERS INVOLVED TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN AND THEN, WE WERE, YESTERDAY, AT MY DAUGHTER'S HOME.
SHE WAS THRILLED. THEY'RE DOING A STEM MAKEOVER AS WELL. THEY'RE GOING TO BE GETTING A COMPUTER CLASSROOM WHICH GOES REALLY WELL WITH THE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM FOR THE K-8 HAPPENING THERE AND TO CELEBRATE THE
FUNDING COMING IN ALSO FROM THE FP&L AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION, WE HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE CITY OF WEST PALM BEACHING AS WELL. THAT IS GOING TO BE A HUGE WIN FOR THE COMMUNITY. I DON'T HAVE A PHOTO OF THIS MORNING BUT I I GOT TO BE A CAREER DAY SPEAKER WHICH IS
FUNNY BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE I HAVE A CAREER. I'M JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE. SO I GOT TO SPEAK TO THE STUDENTS AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT ELECTIONS AND HOW THAT WORKS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT. AND OF COURSE, I'M ASKING, YOU KNOW, WHAT DO YOU GUYS HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT. IF YOU HAVE A $5.6 BILLION
BUDGET, WHY DON'T WE HAVE BETTER LUNCHES. I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE ALL OF THAT WITH YOU. THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION I GET WHEN I'M OUT. SO ELEMENTARY STUDENTS WERE ADORABLE AND I WAS THERE WITH CHIEF MOONEY. SHE WAS ALSO ONE OF THE SPEAKERS TODAY. SO A REAL PLEASURE TO SEE SO MANY DISTRICT PERSONNEL COMING
TO TALK ABOUT THEIR JOBS AS POTENTIAL CAREERS. FINALLY I JUST WANT TO SAY I LOVE SPRING BREAK. IT IS MY BIRTHDAY SO I LOVE THAT AS WELL. AND I JUST LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE AS A COMMUNITY TO TAKE A LITTLE BREAK. I KNOW OUR TEACHERS ARE EXHAUSTED BY THIS POINT IN THE YEAR SO I JUST WANT TO TELL
EVERYONE, PLEASE HAVE AN ENJOYABLE SPRING BREAK, BE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE. WE WANT TO SEE YOU ALL BACK HERE IN JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND REALLY ENJOY YOURSELF. IT'S ONE OF THE PRIVILEGES OF WORKING AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SO DEFINITELY TAKE ADVANTAGE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> AND THE CHAMBER CHORUS, YOU SOUNDED FANTASTIC, GO BOBCATS. I WANT TO SAY A QUICK CONGRATULATIONS TO PRINCIPAL SHAW AND HER TEAM AT PEARL SUNSET AND DISTRICT 5 AS SUPERINTENDENT BURKE SAID, FOR WINNING THE EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS AWARDS FOR 2026 BY
THE EAST COAST TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER. SCHOOLS RECEIVE THE AWARD BASED ON THEIR SUCCESS IN THE AREAS OF ACHIEVEMENT, LEARNING GAMES, LEARNING GAINS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDED ACT, STUDENT GROUPS, SUBGROUPS AND PERCENTAGE OF ECONOMICALLY
DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS SO CONGRATULATIONS TO CORAL SUNSET AND ALSO CRESTWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL. THANK YOU. >> Chair Brill: MS. ANDREWSS. >> Marcia Andrews: THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING. YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL AND
TALENTED BOCA HIGH SCHOOL CHORUS. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR VOICES WITH US TODAY. IT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS MEETING SO FAR. I'M LOOKING OUT IN THE AUDIENCE AND I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO HONOR THE WHITES CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY AT SEMINOLE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL. THEY HAVE BUILT THE 12TH HOUSE
FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY. THANK YOU, PRINCIPAL HATCHER. THANK YOU, Mr. PORTER. THANK YOU TO THE STUDENTS. THANK YOU TO THE STAFF AND THE SUPPORTERS OF SEMINOLE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL WHITES CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY. IT'S A BIG DEAL.
TO GIVE SOMEONE OWNERSHIP AND TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM A LIFE WHERE THEY CAN HAVE THEIR OWN HOME AND IT'S NOTHING LIKE IT. AND THE STUDENTS ARE SO AWESOME. YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL AND I'M HAPPY THAT WE ARE HONORING YOU THIS EVENING. AND I DO HAVE A FEW PICTURES IF
WE CAN PUT THEM UP. FIRST OF ALL, WE CELEBRATED THE CTE MONTH LUNCHEON AT CENTRAL PALM BEACH HIGH SCHOOL AND HERE I AM WITH SHERIFF GARCIA. HE IS AWESOME. HE IS ACTUALLY MY SORORITY
FRATERNITY BROTHER WITH FFY BETA SIGMA MR. FERGUSON. BUT HIS KIDS CAN COOK. THEY COOKED MASHED POTATOES. THEY HAD GARLIC BREAD, CHICKEN, BARBECUE RIBS, JUST EVERYTHING. AND THEY'RE HEADED TO COLLEGE.
THIS IS WHAT WE DO. AND I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU, Mr. BURKE, WHEN I SAW YOUR SLIDE. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE GET OUR KIDS READY. MANY OF THEM ARE GOING TO COLLEGE, CULINARY SPECIALTY SCHOOLS. WE ARE SO EXCITED PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, CHEF GARCIA. MY BROTHER.
THANK A TEACHER AT ELBRIDGE GAIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. MICHELLE GOGANO. YOU ARE SO AWESOME AND BEAUTIFUL. YOUR MOTHER WAS THERE AND SHE CAME, SURPRISED, TOO, TO SEE YOU GET THIS BIG AWARD. WHAT SHE DOES FOR OUR CHILDREN. $500 FROM HCA, PALMS WEST
HOSPITAL FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE, BUT EVERY DAY SHE MAKES A DIFFERENCE FOR THOSE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN. THEY LOVE HER. SHE IS GREAT. I WAS JUST HAPPY TO BE IN HER PRESENCE AND TO BE AT ELBRIDGE GAIL WHICH IS ONE OF THE BEST SCHOOLS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY.
YES, Ms. WHITFIELD, I DID CAREER DAY AT ACREAGE PINES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THE ELEMENTARY KIDS HAVE DIFFERENT QUESTIONS TO ASK YOU AND THEY WANTED TO KNOW HOW OLD I WAS AND HOW LONG I HAD BEEN AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THEY REALLY
WANTED TO GUESS AND SO IT WAS SOMETHING. I SAID OH MY GOSH, I DO CAREER DAY AT SECONDARY ALL THE TIME BUT IT WAS REALLY FUNNY BEING AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I LOVED IT. IT WAS GREAT. AND THE PRINCIPAL, DARLENE
WANESKI AND YOU ALL HAD IT GOING ON AT ACREAGE PINES. I WAS ABLE TO GO OVER TO SEMINOLE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL TO SEE A.P., ANTHONY HATHAWAY. HE WAS SELECTED THE HIGH SCHOOL
ADD MIN STRAIGHTER OF THE YEAR. IT WAS MY PLEASURE TO BE OVER THERE AND TOUCH HIM AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND Mr. HATCHER, YOU ARE OUTSTANDING WITH WHAT YOU DO. GO HAWKS! AND PAHOKEE ROBOTIC STUDENTS ARE STATE CHAMPIONS AGAIN,
MEGATRONNIC STUDENTS CAME IN 16th PLACE IN THE STATE. TEAM DYNAMICS CAME IN IN THE 17th PLACE. AND Mr. CORTEZ, IF YOU COULD SEE THEM, I HOPE WE HAVE THEIR PICTURES. HE WAS AWARDED THE FIRST TECH CHALLENGE COMPASS AWARD FROM
PAHOKEE MIDDLE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL. ALSO PAHOKEE IS STILL SHINING BRIGHT. THE SUNSHINE STATE SCHOLAR PROGRAM IN ORLANDO THIS WEEKEND. WILL NAM BELTAZAR. WE DON'T HAVE HIS PICTURE UP THERE BUT HE IS A SUPER STAR STUDENT. HE WAS ONE OF ONLY THREE
STUDENTS FROM PALM BEACH COUNTY SELECTED AS THE TOP 11TH GRADE STEM STUDENT. I'M GOING TO-- HERE HE IS. THERE HE IS. HE IS AWESOME I REMEMBERED HIM WHEN HE WAS ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE AND NOW HE IS A BIG SHOT.
IN ORLANDO BEING HONORED AS ONE OF THE TOP 11TH GRADE STEM STUDENTS. AND THANK YOU, SHERIFF OF PALM BEACH COUNTY FOR ACTUALLY AWARDING XAVIER MITCHELL FROM PAHOKEE HIGH SCHOOL, 2500 SCHOLARSHIP WITH THE PALM BEACH
COUNTY SHERIFFS FOUNDATION YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING SO MUCH TO KEEP US SAFE IN THE COMMUNITY BUT ALSO CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN OUR STUDENTS. AND LASTLY, I WANT TO SAY, AT ROYAL PALM BEACHING ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL, WE WERE ACTUALLY IN THE AREA, BUT WE WERE ACTUALLY WORKING WITH THE ROYAL PALM BEACHING CITY COUNCIL VILLAGE COUNCIL ON MONDAY NIGHT. AND THIS LITTLE KID RIGHT HERE, JEREMIAH, HE RAN THE WHOLE MEETING, FROM HL JOHNSON MIDDLE
SCHOOL. HE READ THE AGENDA, HE TOOK EVERYBODY THROUGH THE PROGRAM. THE MAYOR WAS THERE, ALL OF THE OFFICIALS FROM H.L. JOHNSON, ALL OF THE AUDIENCE WAS PACKED WITH PARENTS. GO JEREMIAH. WHEN YOU SEE THE STUDENTS, THEY WERE SINGING.
THEY HAD THE CHORUS THERE, THEY HAD THE DRAMA CLUB, HAND BELLS AND THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT HELPING STUDENTS BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE RIGHT IN THE COMMUNITY. IT TAKES THE SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY WORKING TOGETHER THANK YOU. >> Chair Brill: MR. FERGUSON. >> Edward Ferguson: I WANT TO THANK Mr. HOOVER AND HIS TEAM
FOR LETTING ME KNOW I'M A SHINING STAR. I FEEL ALL WARM INSIDE AND WILL USE THIS. AND THANK YOU TO THE KIND SENTIMENTS EXPRESSED IN THIS CARD. IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOU THAT WOULD YOU TAKE TIME TO RECOGNIZE
MY FAMILY'S LOSS. IN TERMS OF BOARD COMMENTS, UP LIFT EVENT AT THE NEW MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 911 NINTH STREET AT WEST PALM BEACH. THIS THING HAS GROWN BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS SO INITIALLY THE GOAL WAS TO REMOVE TWO TONS OF TRASH.
WE ARE ALREADY AT FOUR TONS AND I THINK THAT OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS, WE CAN GET ALL THE WAY UP TO FIVE TONS WHICH FOR THOSE OF US MATHEMATICALLY CHALLENGED, THAT'S 10,000 POUNDS OF REFUSE AND GARBAGE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN IN OUR WATERWAYS, SERVING AS BLIGHT IN THE COMMUNITY. STUDENTS AND PARENTS AND
CONCERNED CITIZENS ARE REMOVING THAT FROM THE CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE YOUR HONOR AN LEAGUE YOUNG PROFESSIONAL GROUPS, ONE OF SEVERAL GROUPS I BROUGHT INTO THIS PROJECT UPLIFT. A LOT OF THEM HAVE INTEREST IN BEING PART OF PUBLIC SERVICE. AND I TOLD THEM THAT PART OF
PUBLIC SERVICE IS DOING THESE TYPES OF THINGS. THEY SEEM MUNDANE BUT IT SPEAKS A LOT SO I THINK I SEE AT LEAST ONE OF THEIR MEMBERS HERE. AND HELLO, LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND AND GROW OUR
RELATIONSHIP AS CITIZENS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. ON MARCH 31, I WILL BE HOLDING A CHOICE PROGRAM SYMPOSIUM REGARDING THE AS OF YET UNNAMED HIGH SCHOOL THAT IS COMING TO RIFF RIVIERA BEACH ALONG WITH MAYOR DOUG LAWSON. THERE SHOULD BE A QR CODE
AFFIXED TO IT IF YOU WANT TO RSV FP. WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF THE LOCAL COMPANIES THERE AS WELL BECAUSE WE WANT THIS TO BE A VERY COLLABORATIVE ENGAGEMENT IN REGARD TO THE DIFFERENT ACADEMIC PROGRAMS THAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO SEE AT THE SCHOOL. IT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THE BETTER SCHOOLS IN PALM BEACH
COUNTY, I PREDICT WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OR TWO OF IT OPENING AND WE WILL DO IT THE RIGHT WAY HAVING THE INTERACTION BETWEEN COMMUNITY, DISTRICT, SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS WITHIN THE DISTRICT AS WELL. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN COMING OUT. PLEASE SCAN THAT QR CODE OR JUST SHOW UP BUT WE WOULD APPRECIATE
TO HAVE A HEAD COUNT BECAUSE WE EXPECT IT TO BE WELL ATTENDED. THERE IS ALSO A SURVEY TO THAT POINT THAT I'M ASKING EVERYONE PARTICULARLY RESIDENTS OF RIVIERA BEACH, WHETHER STUDENT OR PARENT OR NOT TO FILL OUT JUST TO GET INSIGHT ON WHAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN TERMS OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING AT THIS SCHOOL.
IN REGARD TO-- I WANT TO GIVE A QUICK LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TO TWO THINGS HAPPENING IN TALLAHASSEE THAT I WANT TO KIND OF ALERT, DEFINITELY MY CONSTITUENTS ON BECAUSE I KNOW THEY WILL NOT BE HAPPY TO HEAR THIS BUT I'M GOING TO MAKE A CALL OF ACTION TO YOU. SENATE BILL 1294 I AND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE CALLED IT A UNION
BUSTING BILL THAT I BELIEVE THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO SIGN INTO LAW. I DON'T THINK THE IS GOING TO ADVERSELY AFFECT CTA BUT SOME OF THE SMALLER UNIONS, I THINK IT WILL HAVE NEGATIVE EFFECTS AND ALSO MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO SIGN INTO LAW LEGISLATION THAT WILL
ESSENTIALLY CREATE A CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST A MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY GOVERNMENT AGENCY AS WELL IF THEY HAVE DEI-BASED POLICIES IN EFFECT. SO I KNOW THAT'S GOING TO ANNOY AND IRRITATE A LOT OF PEOPLE BUT
DON'T LET THAT BE THE END OF IT EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THE ISSUES, VOTE, BRING OTHER PEOPLE TO VOTE AS WELL. THE ONLY RRN THIS IS UPSIDE DOWN, 6-7 IF YOU WILL, IS BECAUSE WE HAVE ALLOWED PERSONS INTO OFFICE WHO DON'T REALLY SUPPORT THE GREATER MAJORITY OF US WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND THE
IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION ASIDE FROM HOUSING AND FOOD, I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS ANYTHING MORE IMPORTANT FOR A GOVERNMENT THAN HAVING A ROBUST PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM. LY CALL YOU ALL-- I WILL CALL
YOU ALL TO ACTION. MAKE SURE YOU VOTE OFTEN MAKE SURE YOU EDUCATE YOUR FAMILY AN FRIENDS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THEM VOTING AS WELL. PEOPLE DIED FOR YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE. IRRESPECTIVE OF YOUR RACE OR CREED OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, I FEEL LIKE IT IS AN INSULT TO YOUR ANCESTORS TO YOURSELF AND YOUR FUTURE. CHILDREN AND WHAT HAVE YOU, IF
YOU DON'T VOTE. DON'T COMPLAIN, GET OUT HERE AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE MY ALMA MATER SUN COAST HIGH SCHOOL. THEY BEAT BOCA 63-51. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE
MADE IT BACK TO THE BOYS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. THE LAST TIME THEY WENT I WAS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THE REASON I CHOSE SUN COAST OVER PALM BEACH LAKES BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE PART OF A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM IN BASKETBALL NOT LEARNING I WOULD BE MUCH BETTER IN FOOTBALL BUT I WILL
SAY THIS WE HAD A COUPLE OF GOOD TEAMS. CAME UP A LITTLE BIT SHORT. AND I STILL DID ALL RIGHT FOR MYSELF IN REGARDS TO BEING FIRST TEAM ALL STATE AND SCHOLARSHIP OFFERSES TO PRETTY MUCH EVERY SCHOOL OF MY CHOICE AND I WAS ABLE TO GO UNDERGRADUATE, YOU KNOW, ON A SOLAR POWER.
THE EXPERIENCES I WAS ABLE TO GO THROUGH IN COLLEGE HAVE MADE ME THE MAN I AM TODAY. THERE IS SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT DOING SOMETHING AS A TEAM. YOU GUYS ARE ON THE PRECIPICE OF SOMETHING THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED IN ALMOST 40 YEARS. WE JUST RECOGNIZED THE LAST STATE CHAMPION AT SUN COAST EARLIER THIS SCHOOL YEAR.
IT IS APROPOS THAT YOU STAND ON THE PRECIPICE OF SOMETHING PROFOUND. I WILL TRY TO BE UP THERE AT TOMORROW MORNING. IT REALLY MEANS A LOT. SO YOU ARE WINNERS IN MY EYES, WHETHER YOU WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP OR NOT, LET'S GO AND SEE THIS THING THROUGH FOR YOURSELVES,
YOUR FAMILY, YOUR COACH, ALL THE CHARGERS NATION. WE ARE PULLING FOR YOU AND COMING WITH A GREEN AND GOLD SUIT AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING IF YOU GUYS WIN. SO THAT'S ALL MY COMMENTS FOR TODAY MADAM CHAIR AND I THANK YOU FOR THE INDULGENCE. >> Chair Brill: VICE CHAIR LANE. >> I'M GOING TO BEGIN MY REPORT
BY TALKING ABOUT THREE OF MY FAVORITE TOPICS: EDUCATION FOUNDATION, CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT JAMIE WYATT AND GENERAL FER ETHRIDGE WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND GRANTS AT THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION ON
FEBRUARY 25, THEY GAVE EXCELLENT PRESENTATIONS TO THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION AFTER LISTENING TO THEIR PRESENTATIONS IT BECAME CLEAR TO ME THAT THERE ARE FIVE KEY COMPONENTS IN ORDER TO
IMPLEMENT THE MOST EFFECTIVE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM IN THE DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRST WE MUST TEST OUR STUDENTS TO ASCERTAIN THEIR ABILITIES, APTITUDES AND INTERESTS. SECOND WE NEED COUNSELORS WHO
CAN INTERPRET THOSE RESULTS AND GUIDE STUDENTS INTO THE CORRECT FIELDS WE NEED TRANSPORTATION. SO STUDENTS CAN ACCESS THESE PROGRAMS AND FIFTH WE NEED TEACHERS WITH THE CAPACITY TO
TEACH THESE CAREER AND TECHNICAL SKILLS. THIS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED BY DEVELOPING STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE VARIOUS INDUSTRIES IN OUR COMMUNITY WHERE WE OFFER TO TRAIN THEIR FUTURE EMPLOYEES AND IN RETURN, THEY HELP PROVIDE US WITH INSTRUCTORS AND EXPERTISE
FOR OUR STUDENTS. SINCE APPROXIMATELY FOWFORT% OF OUR STUDENTS-- 40% OF OUR STUDENTS ARE NOT GOING TO COLLEGE, THAT'S ALMOST ONE IN TWO, MANY MEMBERS OF THE SKILLED TRADES, ELECTRICIANS AND PLUMBERS AND CARPENTERS ARE AGING OUT OF THE WORKFORCE, IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE PROPERLY EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS
WHEN THEY GRADUATE THEY WILL HAVE THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE WORKFORCE. TURNING TO MY NEXT ITEM, FEBRUARY 20 I ATTENDED THE WINNERS SCHOLARSHIP FUND EVENT AT JUPITER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
WINNERS SCHOLARSHIP FUND GIVE SCHOLARSHIPS THEY CAN USE TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION AFTER HIGH SCHOOL. THE FUND WHICH IS MAINTAINED BY THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION, WAS ESTABLISHED. NEXT ON FEBRUARY 22, I ATTENDED
A VERY SUCCESSFUL AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL THAT IT WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THREE ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS IN 2026 FINALLY CONGRATULATIONS TO PRINCIPAL COREY BROOKS, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AND COACH ERIC FAZONE AND GOLF TEAM AT DWYER HIGH
SCHOOL. THEY'RE OUR STATE CHAMPIONS AND IT WAS A PLEASURE TO ATTEND THE RING CEREMONY YESTERDAY GOVERNOR TAKES INTEREST INTELLECT, HARD WORK AND PERSEVERANCE. THE VERY QUALITIES THAT WE STRIVE TO INSTILL IN OUR STUDENTS AT THE EIGHT RATED SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY.
CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN TO DWYER HIGH SCHOOL AND THEIR GOLF TEAM FOR DEMONSTRATING EXACT LIB WHAT PALM BEACH COUNTY STUDENTS CAN ACHIEVE, THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT FOR MARCH 2026. >> Chair Brill: SO TONIGHT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ONE OF THE
ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA FMP04 WHICH IS THE PURCHASE OF SCHOOL BUSES. I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT GETTING SMALLER BUSES FOR A VERY LONG TIME FOR OUR ESE STUDENTS. THIS PURCHASE IS GOING TO BE FIVE 14 PASSENGER BUSES EQUIPPED
WITH WHEELCHAIR LIFTS AND 10 14 PASSENGER BUSS WITH STANDARD CONFIGURATION. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? ON MY WAY HOME, I'M GOING TO GET GAS AND I SHUDDER TO THINK OF WHAT THE COST IS GOING TO BE WHEN I GET TO THE GAS STATION SO THESE ARE GOING TO BE A LOT MORE ECONOMICALLY SECOND, MY
UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE DRIVERS HAVE TO TAKE CDL TRAINING BUT THEY DON'T NEED A CDL LICENSE. AND THAT'S GOING TO HELP US BECAUSE, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF BUS DRIVERS AND THE OTHER THING IS THAT THIS IS NOW GOING TO DECREASE OUR RELIANCE
ON OUTSIDE CONTRACTS FOR ESE TRANSPORTATION. SO IT TOOK A LITTLE TIME AND HELP FROM THE LEGISLATURE IT IS
GOING TO SAVE US MONEY AT A TIME WHEN WE DESPERATELY NEED THAT SO I ALSO TONIGHT WANT TO EXTEND MY CONGRATULATIONS TO CARL REEF'S FIRST GRADE TEACHER, JANET
JIMENEZ RECOGNIZED AS THIS WEEK'S THANK A TEACHER. NOMINATED NOT JUST BY ONE FAMILY BUT BY THREE FAMILIES FROM HER CLASSROOM. AS YOU WILL SEE IN THE VIDEO, SHE IS A TRULY VERY SPECIAL
TEACHER FIRST GRADE TEACHER. IF YOU CAN HEAR ME CLAP ONCE.
WE HAVE A MORNING TO-DO LIST WHICH SETS THE DAY AND HAVE SOMETHING AS A SET OF GOALS TO HAVE A PRODUCTIVE DAY 11.
SOUNDING OUT WORDS. THEIR ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION FACTS. WHAT IS THE NEXT NUMBER WE ARE GOING PUT ON THERE. >> 20. >> AWESOME. I'M VERY PROUD OF THE, YOU KNOW, CHANGE I MAKE IN THE STUDENTS EVERY DAY. NOT KNOWING SOMETHING TO DEFINITELY GETTING IT. WHAT I'M DOING IS GIVING IT AND
THEY'RE APPLYING IT. >> CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE THIS WEEK'S BANK A TEACHER. SHE TEACHERS KIDS TO HAVE A GROWTH MIND SET. SHE TEACHES THEM TO PERSEVERE. >> AND YOU ARE MOLDING THEIR MINDS, GETTING THEM EXCITED ABOUT LEARNING AND WE CAN'T
THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR ALL THE THAT YOU DO. >> JANET IS SO DEDICATED. SHE LOVES WHAT SHE DOES. SHE IS AMAZING WITH THE KIDS. >> WE ARE PROUD OF YOU.
I LOVE THAT I CAN MAKE THAT CONNECTION WITH STUDENTS AND GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW AND SEE THE GROWTH IN THEM.
>> IT IS A PLEASURE BEING WITH YOU IN THEIR CRASS ROOM AND THANK YOU H DR A FLORIDA HEALTHCARE FOR ALL THAT YOU DO. THIS IS A THIS WAS MONDAY MORNING AND I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER WAY TO START MY WEEK. THAT'S NOW GOING TO BRING US TO
OUR PRESENTATIONS. GOOD EVENING, AND EVERYBODY PLEASE GO DOWN OFF THE DAIS.
GOOD EVENING, TONIGHT THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WILL BE PERFORMED BY THE BOCA RATON COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER CHOIR. WOULD EVERYONE PLEASE STAND FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM FOLLOWED BY GOOD EVENING CHAIR BRILL, VICE CHAIR LANE, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY. THIS EVENING WE HAVE TWO
RECOGNITIONS ON THE AGENDA. WE BEGIN WITH A RECOGNITION FOR CORAL SUNSET ELEMENTARY AND CRESTWOOD MIDDLE. THESE TWO CAMPUSES WERE NAMED 2026 EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS AWARD SCHOOLS BY THE EAST COAST TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER, SELECTED OUT OF MORE THAN 3,400 SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA. SCHOOLS RECEIVE THE AWARD FOR DEMONSTRATING EXCEPTIONAL PROGRESS IN ENHANCING ACHIEVEMENT FOR ALL STUDENTS. BOTH SCHOOLS CREDIT THEIR TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND FAMILIES FOR WORKING TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE THIS DESIGNATION. HERE TO ACCEPT
THIS RECOGNITION, FROM CORAL SUNSET ELEMENTARY, WE HAVE: SHANDA GARVIN-SHAW ┘ PRINCIPAL JENNIFER ESPINOZA ┘ ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AND FROM CRESTWOOD MIDDLE: DR. STEPHANIE NANCE ┘ PRINCIPAL MARTIN PASQUARIELLO ┘ ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CLAUDE SMITH ┘ ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
MELISSA KALISER ┘ ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF
APPLAUSE.
[ APPLAUSE ] AND LASTLY, THIS EVENING, WE ARE RECOGNIZING SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE WHITES COP INSTRUCTION ACADEMY AT SEMINOLE RIDGE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL ARE TAUGHT ABOUT CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES IN ALL TRADES AS THEY BUILD HOUSES FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, WHILE THEY
ALSO LEARN ABOUT GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. THE STUDENTS RECENTLY DELIVERED THE 12th HOUSE TO BE BUILT FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY. THE STRICT IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE.
FROM HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, WE HAVE: TARA OKLER ┘ CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER JENNIFER THOMASON ┘ CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER JULIA MURPHY ┘ CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER WE'RE PLEASED TO ALSO WELCOME: DOUG STRATHIE ┘ SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER, WEITZ CONSTRUCTION DAVID PORTER ┘ OWNER, PORTER ARCHITECTS AND FROM SEMINOLE RIDGE HIGH: BOB HATCHER ┘ PRINCIPAL
TODD WILLIAMS ┘ CONSTRUCTION TEACHER LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF
APPLAUSE.
BOARD CHAIR BRILL, VICE CHAIR LANE, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, STAFF, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, THIS CONCLUDES THE RECOGNITIONS FOR MARCH. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR
ATTENTION THIS EVENING. OKAY, SO THAT'S NOW GOING TO
BRING US TO OUR STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT BY PLZ ELRY WEISS-- >> THANK YOU SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, CHAIRWOMAN BRILL, VICE CHAIRMAN LANE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND GENERAL PUBLIC. A LITTLE OVER TWO WEEKS AGO FROM FEBRUARY 20 TO 22, Dr. JOAQUIN
GARCIA AND PARK VISTA COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL FLOATED THE STATE CONFERENCE. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALL SCHOOLS WHOSE PROJECTS PLACED ON THE STATE LEVEL. JUPITER COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL RECEIVED TWO FIRST PLACE TROPHY AND TWO THIRD PLACE TROVE TROPHIES AND RECEIVED GOLD FOR
OUR MEDALLION BOOK. A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE SCHOOLS WHO WERE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES ON THE STATE BOARD. THEY WORKED SO HARD ON THEIR CAMPAIGNS, SKITS AND SPEECHES. THE PALM BEACH COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT COUNCIL WILL BE HELD MARCH 26, AND IN
JUST OVER TWO WEEKS, COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS. CANNOT WAIT TO ANNOUNCE THE NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT AT THE NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. MY ASSOCIATION IS COMING TO AN END, I WILL STILL CONTINUE TO PRESIDE AT THE MEETING UNTIL THE
END OF MAY. IN REGARDS TO ELECTING NEW OFFICERS, SCHOOLS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SELECTING NEW COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR WITHIN THEIR STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATIONS. THIS PROCESS ALLOWS STUDENT LEADERS TO STEP FORWARD AND TAKE ON IMPORTANT ROLES IN
REPRESENTING THEIR PEERS, ORGANIZING INITIATIVES AND HELPING GUIDE THE DIRECTION OF THEIR ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR. AT THIS TIME I DO NOT HAVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIGHTING HUNGER INITIATIVE. AN AWARD TO THE SCHOOLS WITH THE
MOST RESPONSES AT THE SUPERINTENDENT LEADERSHIP SUMMIT ON APRIL 2. WOULD I LIKE TO REMIND ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS TO PLEASE CONTINUE FILLING OUT THE LOCAL SCHOOL UPDATES FORM THAT IS POSTED ON THE PC GRAM OPEN ALL YEAR AND FILLED OUT MULTIPLE
TIMES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I WISH EVERYONE A WONDERFUL SPRING BREAK. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. THAT'S GOING TO BRING US TO OUR COMMITTEE REPORTS. WE DO NOT HAVE A REPORT TONIGHT FROM THE ACADEMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT IS ATTACHED TO YOUR AGENDA. THE CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT IS ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA BUT WE HAVE THE CHAIR OF THAT COMMITTEE, Mr. DAVID PORTER, WHO WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS US
TONIGHT. >> I THOUGHT BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN A FEW YEARS SINCE LOU DOCTOR USED TO COME HERE AND GIVE YOU A VERBAL REPORT, SINCE I WAS
ALREADY HERE, I FIGURED IF YOU HAD ANY QUESTIONS AND THEREFORE IF NOT. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THE DISTRICT AND MANY YEARS OF SERVICE. >> 25. THAT'S WHAT I GOT...
>> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. FOR OUR DISTRICT DIVERSITY AND EQUITY COMMITTEE REPORT, WE HAVE THE CHAIR CHARMAIN POSTAL HERE I BELIEVE. NOPE. I DON'T SEE HER. OKAY. SO THAT'S GOING TO BRING US TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL. DO YOU HAVE A REPORT FOR US TONIGHT? >> NO REPORT, THANK YOU.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU. SPEM INSPECTOR GENERAL DO YOU HAVE A REPORT FOR US? >> I DO. MADAM CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO OUR TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, COACHES AND STAFF WHO MAY BE LISTENING TONIGHT FIRST I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE
SOMETHING IMPORTANT. MANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE TALENTS AND PASSIONS OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL DAY. COACHING TRAVEL TEAMS, RUNNING BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL CAMPS, OFFERING ONE ON ONE LESSONS, TUTORING, MUSIC LESSONS OR SUMMER PROGRAMS ARE POSITIVE ACTIVITIES.
THEY SUPPORT STUDENTS AND THEY SUPPLEMENT INCOME. THERE IS NOTHING INHERENTLY WRONG WITH OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT. I UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO BRING IN OUTSIDE INCOME AS IN THE FIRST 20 YEARS I WORKED FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA, I HELD A SECOND JOB. AND SOMETIMES I EVEN HAD A THIRD JOB. HOWEVER, FLORIDA LAW
SPECIFICALLY SECTION 112-31-3 FLORIDA STATUTES PLACES GUARD RAILS AROUND WHEN OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT INTERSECTS WITH YOUR PUBLIC ROLE. THE LAW DOES NOT REQUIRE BAD INTENT. IT IS PREVENTATIVE. IT LOOKS AT WHETHER EYE PRIVATE BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP COULD
CREATE DIVIDED LOYALTIES OR EVEN THE APPEARANCE OF FAVORITISM. HERE IS WHERE CONCERNS ARISE. IF YOU PRIVATELY COACH, TUTOR OR PROVIDE PAID SERVICES TO A STUDENT THAT YOU TEACH, COACH, SUPERVISE, EVALUATE, INFLUENCE
OR, AND THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT, MAY LATER EVALUATE, INCLUDING STUDENTS PENDING TRYOUTS, THAT PRIVATE RELATIONSHIP MAY CREATE A PROHIBITED CONFLICT AS DEFINED BY THE STATE. THE ISSUE ISN'T WHETHER YOU TREAT A STUDENT UNFAIRLY. THE ISSUE IS WHETHER THE
SITUATION COULD TEMPT FAVORITISM OR CAUSE OTHERS TO REASONABLY QUESTION WHETHER ACCESS, PLAYING TIME, GRADES, RECOMMENDATIONS OR OPPORTUNITIES ARE INFLUENCED BY FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIP. THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON ETHICS IS CONSISTENTLY SAID THAT WHEN
PUBLIC AUTHORITY AND PRIVATE BUSINESS OVERLAP WITH THE SAME STUDENT, THAT OVERLAP CAN VIOLATE THE STATUTE, EVEN IF IT HAPPENS ONCE. A RECENT C.E.O. OPINION SUMMARIZES THIS AND SHOULD BE EXAMINED BY ANY DISTRICT EMPLOYEE WHO HAS AN OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT.
THAT C.E.O. 25-6 CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THE SAME CAUTION APPLIES TO RECRUITING YOUR OWN STUDENTS INTO PRIVATE CAMPS OR LESSONS, MARKETING PRIVATE PROGRAMS INSIDE SCHOOLS, USING DISTRICT COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS TO PROMOTE PRIVATE BUSINESSES. HIRING DISTRICT EMPLOYEES INTO
YOUR PRIVATE BUSINESS WHEN YOU HAVE AUTHORITY OVER THEM. OUR DISTRICT CODE OF ETHICS REMINDS US THAT PUBLIC SERVICE IS A PUBLIC TRUST AND THAT WE MUST AVOID EVEN THE APPEARANCE OF CONFLICTS BETWEEN PRIVATE INTERESTS AND OFFICIAL RESPONSIBILITIES. SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN PRACTICALLY?
IT MEANS DO NOT ENTER INTO A PAID PRIVATE ARRANGEMENT WITH STUDENTS YOU CURRENTLY SUPERVISE OR EVALUATE. BE CAUTIOUS WITH STUDENTS WHO ARE TRYING OUT OR MAY LATER BE IN YOUR CLASS OR ON YOUR TEAM. DO NOT USE YOUR POSITION ACCESS OR SCHOOL PLATFORMS TO PROMOTE PRIVATE VENTURES. AND WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK BEFORE
YOU ACT. THIS IS ABOUT PROTECTING YOU AS IT IS AS MUCH ABOUT PROTECTING THE DISTRICT. WE WANT OUR EDUCATORS TO THRIVE. WE ALSO MUST ENSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT HAS EQUAL ACCESS, EQUAL TREATMENT AND CONFIDENCE THAT DECISIONS ARE BASED SOLELY ON MERIT. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT
OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT, PLEASE REACH OUT TO YOUR PRINCIPAL H.R., THE GENERAL COUNSEL'S OFFICE, MY OFFICE, AND GET GUIDANCE EARLY TO PREVENT SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES LATER. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO EVERY DAY FOR OUR STUDENTS FOR HELPING US MAINTAIN THE TRUST OUR COMMUNITY PLACES IN
THE DISTRICT. THANK YOU. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. THAT'S GOING TO BRING US NOW TO OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND DELEGATES REPORT. I WILL START OFF WITH JAMES GAVRILOS, PRESIDENT AND C.E.O. OF THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION. >> GOOD EVENING LADIES AND
GENTLEMEN, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, BOARD CHAIR BRILL AND MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD. BOARD CHAIR BRILL YOU MENTIONED A GREAT WAY TO START YOUR DAY. YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE WAKE UP AND WONDER WHAT CAT ALCOHOLISM IS WAITING FOR US-- AND THEN I HAD A MORNING LIKE THIS MORNING, ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF OUR
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JIM REINHARDT CALLED US AND SAID DO YOU MIND IF OUR C.E.O. STOPS BY TOMORROW MORNING BROUGHT A $25,0
CHECK. SAID, WHY DO WE NEED TO PLAN A BIG CHECK PRESENTATION. HE SAID THAT'S NOT WHAT IT IS ABOUT. WE LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING, WE LOVE YOUR MISSION. GO DO WHAT YOU DO BEST. IT'S THOSE KINDS OF RELATIONSHIPS THAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY DEMONSTRATES THEIR COMMITMENT TO THIS SCHOOL
DISTRICT. SO KASS CONSTRUCTION, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. -- KAST CONSTRUCTION, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. SPEAKING OF GREAT PARTNERS, STEM CLASSROOM MAKEOVER GRANTS. THESE ARE $50,000 GRANTS AND COMBINED WITH CHARITY FOUNDATION THIS YEAR THERE ARE EIGHT OF THEM GOING TO OUR DISTRICT.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A COMMITMENT $400,000. JUST TO RUN THROUGH VERY, VERY QUICKLY YOU MENTIONED THE ONE AT PINE JOG, A LOT OF FUN THIS WEEK, WE THANK BOARD CHAIR BRILL, MS. SAVIETTO AND Ms. WHITFIELD, THAT $50,000 INVESTMENT IS UPGRADE THE SCHOOL'S HYDROPONIC GARDEN AND
SO WE HEARD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT ONE EARLIER. YESTERDAY, AAS YOU MENTIONED ERICA, WE WERE AT SOUTH OLIVE, THAT $50,000 STEM GRANT IS TO HELP THEM AS THEY EXPAND K-8 TO BUILD A PREENGINEERING PROGRAM. AS WE GO THROUGH THE STEM GRANTS, YOU ARE SEEING THE BREADTH OF NOT ONLY THE ACADEMIC
PROGRAMS YOU SPONSOR HERE BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY HOW FLORIDA, POWER AND SLIGHT IS SUPPORTING ALL THESE VARIOUS ACADEMIES. THIS FRIDAY WE WILL BE AT DIAMOND VIEW ELEMENTARY WITH FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT ALONG WITH MEREDITH TRIM FOR YET ANOTHER $50,000 STEM CLASSROOM ANNOUNCEMENT.
COMING RIGHT OUT OF THE BREAK ON MARCH 24, WHEN THE STUDENTS COME BACK, WE WILL JOIN FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT AND MEREDITH TRIM AND THE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AT L.C. SWAIN FOR THEIR STEM CLASSROOM MAKEOVER. WE HAVE SEEN THE GARDEN, PREENGINEERING PROGRAM, DIAMOND
VIEW ELEMENTARY, OVER AT L.C. SWAIN THEY WILL BE FOCUSING ON ROBOTICS. THREE DAYS LATER ON MARCH 27, BANNION CREEK ELEMENTARY WITH PRINCIPAL RYAPEL ALONG WITH FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT TO REVEAL TWO NEW STEM SPACES AND WRAP UP THIS JORNGY ON APRIL 10
AT ROOSEVELT COMMUNITY MIDDLE SCHOOL TO CUT THE RIBBON ON THEIR NEW E-SPORTS LAB. FROM GARDENS TO EXAMPLE SPORTS, PREENGINEERING, ROBOTICS. THESE STEM GRASS ROOM GRANTS ARE GIVING OUR STUDENTS THE BEST CHANCE TO HAVE A FIRST CLASS WORLD CLASS SCIENTIFIC TECHNICAL
ELECTRICAL AND MATHEMATICAL ENGINEERING MATHEMATICAL ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND WE CANNOT THANK SUPERINTENDENT BURKE ENTIRE BOARD, CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER MARIA BISHOP AND CERTAINLY FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT AND THE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, THE BREADTH OF THESE PROGRAMS IS ASTOUNDING.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HEROES AND OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY, KAST CONSTRUCTION, FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT. AND TALK ABOUT THE HEROES WHO SIT IN THIS ROOM. I'VE MENTIONED THIS BEFORE BUT CHIEF MOONEY I'M GOING TO EMBARRASS YOU AGAIN. THE SCHOOL POLICE DO SUCH AN AMAZING JOB. LAST WEEK FOR THE SECOND TIME, THEY USED OUR FACILITY AND IN
JUST OVER THREE HOURS, OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICE DISTRIBUTED OVER 15,000 POUNDS OF FOOD TO SOME 300 TO 400 FAMILIES FROM THE LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD WHO ARE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY AND ARE JUST HAVING TROUBLE MAKING ENDS MEET. IT'S THAT KIND OF COMMITMENT FROM OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICE
CHIEF MOONEY. YOU ARE A BRIGHT LIGHT IN THIS COMMUNITY. PEOPLE LIKE KAST CONSTRUCTION, FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT AND MEREDITH TRIM THAT MAKE OUR DAYS NOT LOOK LIKE A CATACLYSM BUT LIKE A BRIGHT SHINING LIGHT. WE ARE YOUR FOUNDATION.
HAVE A GREAT REST OF YOUR DAY. >> Chair Brill: GORDON LONGHOFER, C.T.A. PRESIDENT. >> GOOD EVENING CHAIR BRILL, VICE CHAIR LANE, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, AND GUESTS. MY NAME IS GRD ONLONGHOFER,
PRESIDENT OF THE CLASSROOM TEACHERS ASSOCIATION. I HAVE BEEN HEARING A LOT FROM TEACHERS LATELY ABOUT PROJECT TANGO. AS MOST OF YOU ARE PROBABLY AWARE, IT IS THE HYPERSCALE A.I. DATA CENTER PROPOSED-FOR-THE LAND ADJACENT TO SADDLE VIEW
ELEMENTARY NEAR ARDEN AND FOR PURPOSES OF UNDERSTANDING MORE ABOUT THIS, THE BULK OF THAT FACILITY WOULD BE ABOUT 2,000 FEET AWAY FROM THE WEST END OF THE BUILDING. I DO WANT TO START WITH THIS. I'M NOT OPPOSED TO A.I.
I'VE ACTUALLY TALKED WITH SUPERINTENDENT BURKE ABOUT A.I. IN EDUCATION AND SOME OTHER DISTRICT LEADERS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR THING. AND WE UNDERSTAND IT IS HERE AND IT'S A TOOL TO BE USED BUT THERE HAVE TO BE GUARD RAILS ABOUT THAT. SO, AGAIN, I'M NOT OPPOSED BUT WHAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT, IN
SPITE OF THE FACT THAT IT'S HERE AND HERE TO STAY, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE POTENTIALLY A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON STUDENT LEARNING. FOR THAT REASON, WE HAVE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT GUARD RAILS FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AS WELL. ESPECIALLY WHERE THE HEALTH AND
DEVELOPMENT OF OUR STUDENTS IS CONCERNED. AIR QUART AND NOISE, ESPECIALLY THE CONSTANTLY EMITTING LOW FREQUENCY VIBRATIONS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THESE FACILITIES, THEY CAN BE VERY-- I SHOULD SAY THE EFFECTS OF THIS CAN BE VERY UNNERVING. STUDENTS HAVE SHOWN NEGATIVE
IMPACTS ON SLEEP, ON MENTAL HEALTH. HERE'S THE KICKER. COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT. IF THERE IS SOMETHING OUT THERE THAT IS GOING TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR OUR KIDS BRAINS TO GROW AND FOR THEM TO LEARN, WE'VE GOT TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT. AND GIVEN THAT HIGH STUDENT
ACHIEVEMENT IS LITERALLY OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY AND GIVEN THE CONCERNS OVER SUCH A FACILITY, AND ITS PROXIMITY TO A SCHOOL SITE CENTER, I THINK WE HAVE TO TAKE A VERY CAREFUL PROCESS AND STEP MOVING FORWARD ON THAT. FOR THAT REASON, I WILL SIMPLY
SAY THIS. WE DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THESE IMPACTS, THESE POTENTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACTS TO REALLY STEP INTO THIS AND LEAVE CART BLANCHE OUT THERE AND SAY NOTHING AND ALLOW THIS TO GO FORWARD. I BELIEVE WE NEED A MORATORIUM ON PROJECTS OF THIS TYPE UNTIL
WE BETTER UNDERSTAND MORE OF THESE NEGATIVE IMPACTS. WE ALL NEED TO KNOW MORE AND I'M ASKING YOU ALL TO JOIN ME IN THAT POSITION OF WANTING TO WAIT ON THIS UNTIL BEE GET MORE INFORMATION AND CAN LITERALLY LEARN ABOUT IT. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT BEING OUR
NUMBER ONE GOAL. THAT'S GOT TO BE OUR GUIDING LIGHT ABOUT ANY OTHER DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE REGARDING ANYTHING THAT IS GOING TO IMPACT THE COMMUNITY AND THE FAMILIES THAT WE SERVE. WITH OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I DO WANT TO THANK, ON ANOTHER NOTE I WANT TO THANK
MR. FERGUSON FOR HIS REMARKS ABOUT SENATE BILL 1296. IT'S A HORRIBLE BILL. IT SEEKS TO DO ONE THING AND ONE THING ONLY AND THAT IS TO STRIP AWAY THE VOICE OF WORKERS, NOT JUST TEACHERS, ABOUT THE WORKERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR STATEWIDE SIMPLY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY
WANT TO DO. IT'S NOT THE RIGHT THING. IT DOESN'T RING-- IT DOESN'T RING WITH AN OUNCE OF FAIRNESS WHEN YOU START TO SEPARATE CLASSES OF INDIVIDUALS INTO TWO SEPARATE CLASSES AND PROVIDE A VOICE FOR ONE GROUP BUT NOT PROVIDE A GROUP FOR ALL. THERE ARE CONSTITUTIONAL
PROBLEMS WITH THIS BILL AS ANALYZED BY THE SENATE'S OWN LAWYERS WHEN THEY DID THE BILL ANALYSIS SO IT SHOULDN'T BE LOOKED UPON AS A DONE DEAL. YOU CAN KNOW THAT AS THE PRESIDENT OF OUR TEACHERS UNION I'M GOING TO FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL TO MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT VOICE AND REINFORCE THE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WE
HAVE HAD WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD OF PALM BEACH COUNTY AND THE DISTRICT LEADERS FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE THAT'S HOW WE'VE GOTTEN TO THE A RATING THAT I'VE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE AND THE HIGH STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT WE HAVE