##VIDEO ID:NTJGCU0YZ6s## [ RECITING PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ] [ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ] >> VIEWERS AND LISTENERS CAN ACCESS THE MEETING TODAY BY EITHER WATCHING ON COME CAST CHANNELS 234 AND 235, U-VERSE CHANNEL 99 OR YouTube LINK ON OUR WEB PAGE AT PALM BEACH SCHOOLS.org. IF INTERRUPTED, PLEASE SWITCH TO TV CHANNELS. MEETINGS ARE RECORDED IN ENTIRETY AND POSTED ON THE DISTRICT WEB SITE WITHIN 24 HOURS. A LISTEN-ONLY OPTION, 561-357-5900 OR TOLL FREE 18866-930-7015. THE MEETING I.D. IS 15561880112. BOARD MEMBERS, WE DO NOT HAVE ANY MINUTES TO APPROVE. SUPERINTENDENT, BEFORE YOU GO TO YOUR ITEMS, I HAVE TWO ITEMS TO ADD. ADDING P2, PERSONNEL ADDENDUM. GOOD CAUSE EXISTS FOR ADDING THE ITEM SO EMPLOYEES CAN BEGIN IN NEW POSITIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ADDING P3 OUT OF COMPLIANCE SURVEY 3, PER FLORIDA STATUTE 1012.42. PARENTS OF ALL STUDENTS IN THE CLASSES OF A TEACHER DETERMINED TO BE OUT OF FIELD SHALL BE NOTIFIED IN WRITING OF SUCH ASSIGNMENT WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE BEGINNING OF EACH SEMESTER. APPROVAL OF THE OUT OF FIELD REPORT BY THE BOARD WILL ALLOW THIS NOTIFICATION TO OCCUR WITHIN THE REQUIRED TIME PERIOD. MR. SUPERINTENDENT, NOW, DO YOU HAVE ANY ITEMS TO WITHDRAW? >> NO, MADAM CHAIR. >> BOARD MEMBERS, DO YOU HAVE ITEMS TO PULL FROM CONSENT? SEEING NONE, REVIEWING AND APPROVING THE AGENDA. VICE CHAIR AN DRUSE. >> BOARD CHAIR, SINCE WE HAVE NANCY STELLAWAY, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN PRESENT HERE TONIGHT, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO REORDER THE AGENDA AND TAKE ITEM COM6, NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH PROCLAMATION OUT OF ORDER TO BE READENNED VOTED ON AFTER BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS. >> MOTION BY MS. WHITFIELD, SECONDED BY MS. SAVIETTO. [ VOTING IN PROGRESS ] MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. DISCLOSURES OR ABSTENTIONS? SEEING NUB, MR. SUPERINTENDENT. WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND REVIEW AND APPROVE THE AGENDA. I'LL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MR. LANE MADE THE MOTION. MS. WHITFIELD MADE THE SECOND. DISCUSSION. [ VOTING IN PROGRESS ] MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ANY DISCUSSIONS AND ABSTENTIONS? SEEING NONE, MR. SUPERINTENDENT, WE ARE NOW MOVING TO YOUR COMMENTS. I HAVE A FEW. FIRST, I COMPRESS GRATITUDE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL PH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD FOR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. IT IS THE MONTH TO ACKNOWLEDGE BOARDS LEADING THE DISTRICTS. SO THANK YOU TO ALL. RECOGNIZING JANUARY 9 WAS LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY AND SO WE'VE RECOGNIZED THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE PALM BEACH SCHOOL POLICE DEPARTMENT. SAFETY AND SECURITY IS ALWAYS OUR TOP PRIORITY. WE APPRECIATE THESE MEN AND WOMEN WHO DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO PROTECTING OUR CAMPUSES. WE ARE ONLY ONE OF THE FEW SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA THAT HAS THEIR OWN FULLY ACCREDITED SCHOOL POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WE ARE VERY PROUD OF OUR SCHOOL POLICE DEPARTMENTs, AROUND OVER 50 YEARS, RECENTLY REACCREDITED AND RECEIVED THE HIGHEST RATING OF ACELLSIER. THE SAME ACCREDITATION ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN THE STATE WOULD APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE. THANK YOU CHIEF AND THE ENTIRE TEAM FOR PROTECTING AND SERVING FAMILIES. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF ATTENDING FIESTA ON JANUARY 11. MS. VIRGINIA SAVIETTO AND OUR HOST JUAN HOSTS THE EVENT EACH HERE. H.R. WAS THERE WITH THE RECRUITMENT TABLE AND THE OPERATIONS DIVISION AND MR. SANCHEZ, LOOKING TO FIND MORE MEMBERS OF TEAM PALM BEACH AND OUR MULTI-CULTURAL DEPARTMENT WAS THERE. YOU CAN SEE A FEW PICTURES UP THERE. A GREAT EVENT. RECENTLY ON MONDAY, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICES WERE CLOSED FOR THE MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF JOINING VICE CHAIR MARSHA ANDREWS IN BELLE GLADE FOR THE ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY PARADE AND CELEBRATIONS THAT FOLLOWED. WE HAD STUDENTS DANCING, SINGING, READING ESSAYS AND ORATORICAL WORK. THERE IS A PICTURE OF A SCHOOL WITH DANCERS AND MUSICIANS BEHIND THEM ON STAGE. THEY DID A GREAT RENDITION OF THEIR OWN SONG DEDICATED TO DR. KING. SO THAT WAS FUN. COMING DOWN THE HOME STRETCH, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT GRADUATION RATES. THIS IS SUCH A BIG DEAL, I FEEL LIKE IT BEARS MENTION AGAIN. WE HAD GREAT RESULTS WITH THE CLASS OF 2024, OUR OVERALL CONGRATULATION RATE WAS 92.1% WHICH WAS UP 1.6% OVER THE PRIOR YEAR WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT. WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR DISTRICT OPERATED SCHOOLS AND BACK OUT THE CHARTER SCHOOLS, WE ARE AT 95.9%, WHICH IS VERY STRONG, AND WE ARE A LEADER ACROSS THE STATE AND WE ARE THE HIGHEST PERFORMING URBAN DISTRICT IN FLORIDA. AND THAT'S WORTH A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. I THINK MS. WYATT STARTED THAT ROUND OF APPLAUSE. THANKS. QUICKLY THE SLIDE SHOWS YOU GROWTH AS WE BREAK IT DOWN. AT THIS POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE UP THE VICE CHAIR AND ADVISORY COMMITY. MR. SANDOVAL WILL GIVE US A NICE REPORT FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. >> I AM FRANCISCO SANDOVAL RO BLEARO. I SERVED ON THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TWO YEARS REPRESENTING SUPERINTENDENT MIKE BURKE. I AM A SENIOR AND A SCHOLAR STUDENT ATHLETE. DECEMBER 17, THE SUPERINTENDENT STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MET IN THE BOARD ROOM VIRTUALLY AND PHYSICALLY. SCHOOL PLANNING AND THE STRATEGIC PLANNING INITIATIVES. MR. ROBERT GROSSMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM PLANNER PRESENTED ON MIDDLE SCHOOL AND EDUCATION PLANNING. WE HAD A DISCUSSION AND PROVIDED HIS DEPARTMENT WITH FEEDBACK. BASED ON OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE WITH AN OLDER PLATFORM MY CAREER SHINES. TOOLS LIKE ZELLO WERE EVALUATED FOR EFFECTIVENESS IN ASSISTING STUDENTS TRANSITIONING FROM MIDDLE TO HIGH SCHOOL. STUDENT FEEDBACK INDICATED WHILE ZELLO WAS BENEFICIAL, ADDITIONAL ENHANCEMENTS AND SUPPORT COULD INCREASE IMPACT. THE COMMITTEE'S COMMENTS INDICATED ZELLO WILL PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH TOOLS TO BETTER PREPARE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 6:07 P.M. OUR NEXT MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 17, 2025. THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT, NICE JOB, FRANCISCO. GO BULLDOGS. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES MY COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU. THIS WEEK, WE'RE GOING TO START WITH VAMP AN -- VICE CHAIR ANDREWS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADAM CHAIR. FIRST OF ALL, I KNOW WE'LL HONOR THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON, BUT I MUST SHOUT OUT BEFORE THE HONOR, I JUST APPRECIATE THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON FOR BEING A LEADER WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY AND TONIGHT WE'LL BE DOING THE KILL LEES GRANTS AND YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE. ALL OF THE FOLKS IN THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON, AND MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO TO HELP OUR DISTRICT. I ALONG WITH THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, ELECTED OFFICIALS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL AND WE WERE INVITED TO SEE ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OUR STUDENTS HAVE. MULTIPLE CLASSROOMS ACROSS MULTIPLE SUBJECT AREAS AND WE LOOKED AT DIFFERENT INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES BEING IMPLEMENTED TO ENGAGE THE FACULTY AND THE STUDENTS. THE EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND WELLINGTON, THE ELECTED OFFICIALS, YOU ARE ON THE GROUND, IN THE SCHOOLS, MAKING IT HAPPEN. I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN, SAY THANK YOU AGAIN TO PRINCIPLE MYERS, A.P. LEWIS, AND THE WHOLE STAFF. WE WERE THERE FROM 8:00 UNTIL 12:00 AND WE LEARNED A LOT, SO THANK YOU. SATURDAY, SOME OF US, I KNOW MS. WHITFIELD WAS THERE, WE WERE AT THE FAIR. NOW, THEY HAD THE KIDS' MILE, AND I WAS TRYING TO DO SOME RUNNING, BUT I COULDN'T DO THE RUNNING THAT THE KIDS DID. BUT WE WERE JUST THRILLED TO BE AT THE SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR ANNUAL KIDS MILE RUN. ONE OF THE EVENT SPONSORS WAS OUR OWN VERY SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE, THEY WERE THERE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY HAD WATER, SNACKS, SO WHEN THEY FINISHED RUNNING THAT MILE THEY WERE SAYING -- (LABORED BREATHING ] -- AND MR. BURKE, I SAW YOU ALL AND WE ALL PRETENDED WE WERE DOING RUNNING. ACADEMIC OFFICE, MS. BISHOP, ERIC STERN, YOU MAKE THE DEFENSE EACH TIME. I WAS HAPPY TO BE IN BELLE GLADE TO THE MARTIN LUTHER KING CELEBRATION. ALWAYS WONDERFUL. SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, I SAW YOU ON THE AIR BOAT AND IT WAS COLD AND RAINING AND YOU STILL LOOKED GOOD IN THE RAIN! [ LAUGHTER ] AND YOUR WAVING WAS SO AWESOME. JUST TO HEAR THE WONDERFUL STUDENTS' ORATORICAL, TO REMEMBER THE KING, THE PARADE, MS. EVANS, ALL OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS, IT WAS PACKED, AND WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME. I WANT TO THANK CHRISTIAN BURKE WHO WAS OUT THERE TAKING THOSE WONDERFUL PICTURES IN THE RAIN, DOING IT. SHE IS A WONDERFUL PERSON LADY FOR THE DISTRICT OF PAWRKT. WE WILL BE HONORING OUR MENTORS TODAY WITH TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE SALAS CENTERS FOR TAKING STOCK IN CHILDREN MENTORS OF THE YEAR 2025. YES! THEY ARE OUT THERE AND WE ARE GOING TO HONOR THEM. THESE TWIN SISTERS BOTH TEACH AT VILLAGE ACADEMY AND DEL RAY BEEF AND HAVE A WONDERFUL STORY TO TELL HOW THEY REALLY MENTOR OUR STUDENTS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE READY COLLEGE AND CAREER. SO WE CONGRATULATE THEM. THEY ARE COMING UP TO SHAKE OUR HANDS. BUT, WHEN YOU LOOK OUT FOR THE TWINS, THEY ARE THE MENTORS FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN 2025. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, CHAMP ANDREWS. [ APPLAUSE ] I'M SORRY, MR. FERGUSON, THAT YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THAT. MR., MR. FERGUSON, WE'RE READY FOR YOUR COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. BELATED HAPPY FOUNDERS DAY TO THE ZETAs. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE YOU. YOU DO A GREAT JOB ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR ALL COMMUNITIES THAT ZETAS ARE IN. SO THANK YOU AND HAPPY FOUNDERS DAY. FOR THOSE REACHING OUT REGARDING THE CLEANUP EVENT KNOWN AS PROJECT UPLIFT, WE WILL BE BACK EFFECT ON FEBRUARY 22, MEETING AT THE ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN WEST PALM BEACH STARTING 8:00. ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, THE FLYER HAS MY CONTACT INFORMATION THERE, FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO ME. WE EXPECT IT TO BE ANOTHER SUCCESS AS ALL THE PRIOR COMMUNITY CLEAN-UPS HAVE BEEN. I ALSO WANT TO TAKE TIME TO BRIEFLY ADDRESS VERY POSITIVE NEWS AS RELATES TO BLACK STUDENTS HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. I SEE THERE'S ABOUT A 2% GAP BETWEEN OUR GRADUATION RATE AND THE STATE GRADUATION RATE FORBLOCK STUDENTS IN 2022, A 4.2 GAP BETWEEN OUR GRADUATION RATE FORBLOCK STUDENTS IN 2023 AS COMPARED TO THE RATE FOR BLACK STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE IN 2023, AND THEN LAST YEAR WE CONTINUED TO EXPAND THAT GAP, NOW AT 4.3%. THAT IS A KUDOS TO ALL THE EMPLOYEES HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. WE ARE THE BEST CHOICE FOR OUR STUDENTS AND THIS DATA TENDS TO BEAR IT OUT. ALSO, I'M VERY PROUD OF CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT, CHIEF OF SCHOOLS, CHIEF OF STAFF FOR FOCUSING ON INCLUDING MORE BLACK STUDENTS IN ADVANCED COURSE WORK. PRIOR TO 2022, WE HAD AN ISSUE OF STUDENTS NOT NECESSARILY BEING GIVEN THE CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN ACCELERATED COURSE WORK AND WHAT WE SEE IS WHEN YOU GIVE A CHILD A CHANCE AND RAISE THE EXPECTATION FOR THE CHILD, THEY WILL MEET YOUR EXPECTATION. IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA FOR SCHOOL YEAR ENDING 2022 UP THROUGH 2025, I SEE THAT 28.6% MORE BLACK STUDENTS ARE BEING PLACED IN ADVANCED COURSEWORK IN HIGH SCHOOL AND ANOTHER 38% MORE HAVE BEEN PLACED IN ADVANCE COURSEWORK IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. AND I DO THINK THERE'S A CORRELATION THERE BETWEEN OUR INCREASED GRADUATION RATES FOR OUR BLACK STUDENTS AS IT RELATES TO THE GRADUATION RATE ACROSS THE STATE FOR OUR BLACK STUDENTS AS WELL. SO THAT'S SOMETHING I WANT TO CONTINUE -- US TO CONTINUE TO DO, RAISE THE BAR OF EXPECTATION FOR OUR STUDENTS OF ALL COLORS BUT PARTICULARLY OUR BLACK STUDENTS BECAUSE WE KNOW HISTORICALLY WE AS BLACK STUDENTS HAVE GENERALLY BEEN THE ONES AT THE END OF THE LINE AND I THINK WE HAVE INHERENTLY THE SAME SKILLS AS ANY OTHER RACE HERE IN THE DISTRICT AND I THINK WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF SUPPORTING THAT AND I DO THINK THE DATA IS BEARING OUT OUR DISTRICT IS DOING THAT. SO KUDOS TO DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND YOUR STAFF CHIEF OF SCHOOLS MR. TIERNEY, JAMIE WHITE AND ALL THE OTHER PARTIES AS WELL THAT ARE PARTS PARTICIPATING IN TY WORTH WHILE ENDEAVOR. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I KNOW WE'LL RECOGNIZE THEM AS A GROUP, BUT SEEING AS I TOOK IT ON THE CHIN TWICE IN REGARDS TO THIS AMAZING SCHOOL, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE WEST BACHA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL -- BOCA HIGH SCHOOL ON BEING OUR RECENT STATE CHAMPION. YOU HAVE GREAT TALENT BUT WORKED AS ONE AND THIS IS WHY YOU ARE STATE CHAMPS. I KNOW WE'LL RECOGNIZE YOU ALL AS A BOARD AND DISTRICT BUT FOR THE PERSON WHO LOST A COUPLE OF BETS BETTING AGAINST YOU, I WANT TO SAY JOB WELL DONE, AND I HOPE YOU ALL ARE TO REPEAT AS STATE CHAMPIONS NEXT YEAR. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. FERGUSON. MRS. BRANCH. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR BRILL. I ECHO THAT WEST BOKO BOCA H. WEEK 17 DEL PRADO TEACHER MRS. THOMPSON. SHE RECEIVED THE CHECK $350 FROM OUR PARTNER H.E.A. FLORIDA HEALTHCARE, ALSO ATTENDING THE RIBBON CUTTING, I DON'T KNOW IF MR. GABARILLAS IS THERE FOR THE HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION. RAISE YOUR HAND. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY, OUR EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS. AND, OF COURSE, VISITING ALL MY AMAZING SCHOOLS. YOU KNOW, I'M SHORT AND SWEET. I DON'T NEED TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE. NEXT. >> THANK YOU, MS. BRANCH. MS. WHITFIELD. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I JUST HAVE TWO BRIEF THINGS TODAY, ONE HAS ALREADY BEEN COVERED SO IT WILL BE MORE BRIEF. BUT I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT FRIDAY NIGHT. I HAD THE ABSOLUTE PLEASURE, SO THRILLED, TO BE ABLE TO GO AND SPEAK ON HAITIAN RADIO. WE WENT TO RADIO NUVEL TEMERE AND ON THE SHOW -- [ SPEAKING (CH ] FRENCH ] >> MY PRIDE AND JOY, DR. VALERIE VALCOURT CAME AND SPEAKS FLUENT CREOLE. WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE A PRINCIPAL FOR THE FIRST TIME SPEAKING ON HAITIAN RADIO. WE HAVE JENNIFER JONES AND SPOKE ABOUT EARLY ATTENDANCE, BPK, ACADEMIC ACCELERATION AND MOST IMPORTANTLY HOW OUR HAITIAN FAMILIES CAN RECEIVE SERVICES. SO IT WAS AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO BE A PART OF THIS DAY. IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO REACH TO ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH HAITIAN FAMILIES ON THE RADIO WHERE THEY LISTEN FREQUENTLY AND IN OUR NATIVE LANGUAGE WITH ONE OF OUR OWN PRINCIPLES WAS THE ABSOLUTE PLEASURE, SO THRILLED THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT AND I WANT TO SAY A HUGE THANK YOU TO DR. VEAL COURT FOR MAKING IT WONDERFUL. I SPOKE FOR A MINUTE, THEY DID THE HEAVY LIFTING. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL. I HAD A PICTURE ALSO OF THE KIDS MILE. I JUST WANTED TO SAY, MRS. ANDREWS, YOU'RE IN THERE, MR. BURKE AS WELL. AND THEN I JUST WANT TO SAY HUGE THANK YOU TO THE P.E. TEAM AND SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE WHO ARE IN THAT PICTURE. THIS WAS SUCH AN AMAZING MOMENT. WE HAVE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO COME OUT AND BASICALLY THEY RUN 25 MILES TO GET TO THIS DAY, AND THEN ON THIS DAY THEY RUN THE FINAL MILE OF A MARATHON. I JUST BLANKED ON HOW MUCH A MARATHON IS. SO THIS IS THE FINAL MILE OF THE MARATHON FOR THEM AND THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL. THEY COME THROUGH, THEY ARE CHEERING. WE'RE GIVING OUT MEDALS, IT'S A WONDERFUL DAY. MRS. ANDREWS, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE STAFF AND SPONSORS WHO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, MS. WHITFIELD. MS. SAVIETTO. >> I'LL TAKE THEIR MINUTES. I STARTED THE YEAR WITH A LOVED TRADITION CELEBRATING THE THREE WISE KINGS AT TWO COMMUNITY EVENTS ON SATURDAY JANUARY 4 IN PALM BEACH WE HOSTED A CELEBRATION BRINGING SMILES TO COUNTLESS CHILDREN WITH HUNDREDS OF TOYS THANKS TO THE AMAZING EFFORTS OF OUR PARTNERS AND VOLUNTEERS, A BIG SHOUT OUT TOSET BUXTON FROM THE CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR BRINGING COMPUTERS AND BIKES. LATINOS IN ACTION AT FOREST TALE HIGH SCHOOL FOR SETTING UP, ARRIVING EARLY AND STAYING AT THE END. THE THREE WISE KINGS CELEBRATION CONTINUED THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND AS MR. BURKE ANNOUNCED IT. IN GREEN ACOARSE, HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME. RAINY, BUT THE LATINO COMMUNITY DOES NOT GET PUT AWAY FROM A COUPLE OF RAINDROPS. SO WE STAYED AND WE DANCED, WE ATE AND I LOVED SEEING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT REPRESENTED WITH HUMAN HUMAN RESOURCES, THE WELCOME CENTER, THE ADULT AND MULTI-CULTURAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. HUGE THANK YOU TO LATINOS IN ACTION STUDENTS FROM FORESTDALE HIGH SCHOOL, LAKEWORTH HIGH SCHOOL AND PALM BEACH CENTRAL FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION. SO GRATEFUL TO THE FLORIDA HISPANIC AMERICAN CHAMBERS FOR ORGANIZING SUCH A SUCCESSFUL EVENT YEAR AFFIDAVIT YEAR TO BRING THOUSANDS TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE CULTURE, CONNECTION AND TRADITION K. I ATTENDED THE OPENING OF THE CANYON BRANCH LIBRARY AS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD. EXCITED TO WITNESS THE IMPACT OF THE NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY THAT WE'LL HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY. LIBRARIES ARE MORE THAN SHELVES OF BOOKS. THEY ARE HUBS FOR LEARNING, CREATIVE AND CONNECTION. FROM EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO TECH RESOURCES, THEY OPEN DOORS TO ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES. MAKE SURE YOU VISIT AND GET YOUR LIBRARY CARD. MONDAY ATTENDED THE ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING SCHOLARSHIP BREAKFAST BRIGHT AND EARLY ON A HOLIDAY AND INSMIERING AN EVENT CENTERED ON THE TEAM MOVING FORWARD IN LOVE, PEACE AND JUSTICE. THE MORNING HIGHLIGHTED THE INCREDIBLE WORK TO HAVE THE M.L.K. COORDINATING COMMITTEE WHICH EMPOWERS STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THROUGH CULTURAL EVENTS, DROPOUT PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES. CELEBRATED THE EDITH BUSH AWARD, CELEBRATING STUDENTS. WE HAVE UNTIL JANUARY 31 TO APPLY FOR CHOICE SCHOOL PROGRAMS. SON LUCKA WILL BE STARTING HIGH SCHOOL NEXT YEAR AND HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED APPLICATION FOR CHOICE PROGRAM. SHOUT OUT TO MS. CAR DINAS FOR HELPING PARENTS NAVIGATE THE EDUCATION PROCESS ON THEIR OWN TIME. THIS CAN BE OVERWHELMING AND THEIR DEDICATION IS TRULY APPRECIATED. CATALINA, THANK YOU. [ SPEAKING IN LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH ] MY AFTER-HOURS MOBILE OFFICE WILL BE HELD MONDAY JANUARY 27 AND MONDAY FEBRUARY 24 FROM 5:0N ACRES FIRE RESCUE STATION ON JOG ROAD AND TENTH AVENUE. THANKS TO THE CHIEF FOR OPENING THE STATION TO ME. THIS IS AT MY OWN PERSONAL TIME AND COMES AT NO COST TO TAXPAYERS. COMMENTS ARE WE WELCOME, CONTY OFFICE. SHOUT OUT TO JAMES AT THE FOUNDATION. EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES IT WILL BRING. SO MANY PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY LEADER THAT WERE A PART OF IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, MS. SAVIETTO. MR. LANE. >> FOLLOWING UP ON THAT. PRIOR TO THE GRAND OPENING OF THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION'S NEW FACILITY, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TOUR THE BUILDING WITH MY FRIEND JAMES CABVRILLAS AND HE INSPIRED ME TO DEVOTE MY TIME TO INFORMING THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE GREAT WORK THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION DOES. I'LL BRIEFLY DISCUSS THREE THINGS THAT THE FOUNDATION DOES. FIRST, THEY PROVIDE SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS INCLUDING SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS, CONSTRUCTION PAPER, SCISSORS, PENCE, PENCILS, ERASERS, SHARPENERS AND CRAYONS. IN 2022-2023, THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION DISTRIBUTED $1.3 MILLION WORTH OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO OVER 58,000 UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN AND TEACHERS. SECOND, THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION ALSO PROVIDES GRANTS FOR TEACHERS WHICH ENABLED THEM TO CREATE INNOVATIVE AND INSPIRING PROGRAMMING IN THE AREAS OF LITERACY, CAREER EDUCATION, COLLEGE READINESS, FINANCIAL LITERACY AND STEM STUDIES. FINALLY, THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS THAT ENABLE STUDENTS TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. SO, WHERE DO WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, FIT IN? WELL, HERE'S SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO. THERE ARE BACKPACK SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE A NEEDY CHILD WITH A BACKPACK OF SUPPLIES. HOST A DRIVE. DONATE TO THE FOUNDATION, AND YOU CAN VOLUNTEER TO MAKE A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE HIVES OF THE COUNTY'S HIGHEST NEEDS CHILDREN INCREASE THEIR CHANCE FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. >> THANK YOU, MR. LANE. SO, TO THE PUBLIC, YOU HEAR JUST A SNIPPET OF HOW INVOLVED OUR BOARD IS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND TONIGHT I'M GOING TO SHARE A SPECIAL EVENT THAT I ATTENDED. FIRST, I JUST WANT TO MENTION TO MR. GAVRELOS, YOU MANAGED TO GET ALMOST THE FULL BOARD AT THE RIBBON CUTTING THAT CHOSE YOU, THE GREAT SUPPORT YOU HAVE OF THE BOARD AND HOW APPRECIATIVE WE HAVE OF YOUR EFFORTS. THE EVENT ON VIDEO IS PARK VISTA'S COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL'S 20th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. I WILL TELL YOU I ATTENDED THAT AFTER BEING IN THE RAIN AND FREEZING AT THE CANYON BRANCH LIBRARY OPENING WHERE MS. SAVIETTO AND MR. BURKE ATTENDED. SO I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THAT VIDEO WITH YOU RIGHT NOW. >> HI, KAREN BRILL, SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR AND REPRESENTATIVE OF DISTRICT 3 AT THE PARKVIEW COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL 20th 20th YEAR ANNUAL CELEBRATION. >> HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARK VISTA. PARK VISTA'S 20th BIRTHDAY. >> THE EVENT GOT OFTEN TO A GREAT START, BEING GREETED BY THE PARK VISTA CHEERLEADERS AND BANDS. IT WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL FEELING SEEING ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T SEEN EACH OTHER IN YEARS COMING TOGETHER AS FAMILY, AS COMMUNITY. DURING THE CEREMONY, WE HONORED THE DEDICATED COMMUNITY THAT HELPED TO BUILD THE SCHOOL. >> THERE'S SO MUCH GREAT ABOUT PARK VISTA. WE THOUGHT BRINGING BACK ALL THE ORIGINAL FOUNDING MEMBERS, RECOGNIZING THEM IN A FAMILY STYLE ATMOSPHERE WAS THE WAY TO GO. >> SEEING THE IMAGES FROM THE LAST 20 YEARS, WE ALL CAN SEE WHAT A FABULOUS SUCCESS THIS SCHOOL HAS BEEN INTO MODELING THE FUTURE GENERATIONS. PARK VISTA HAS BEEN SUCH A SUCCESS OVER THE YEARS BECAUSE OF THE COMMUNITY WHICH WORKED TOGETHER TO BUILD THE SCHOOL TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOL, THE FAMILIES, THEIR COMMITMENT, THE STUDENTS, THEIR PRIDE. HAPPY 20th ANNIVERSARY. THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT HERE AT PARK VISTA. >> SO THIS WAS ESPECIALLY SPECIAL FOR ME BECAUSE ONE OF MY CHILDREN ENTERED AS A FRESHMAN AND ANOTHER FOLLOWED AFTERWARDS. THEY WERE THE OPENING STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOL, SO IT WAS REALLY WONDERFUL, AND SEEING ALL THE FORMER ADMINISTRATORS. SO WE REALLY HAD A GREAT TIME AND, AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK THE PRINCIPAL FOR PUTTING ON THAT EVENT. SO, AT EVERY REGULAR BOARD MEETING, WE WE HAVE A MOMENT OFE FOR THE EMPLOYEES WE HAVE LOST, SO I'M GOING TO READ THE NAMES OF THE EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE LEFT US. [ READING ] -- PASSED AWAY ON NOVEMBER EIGHT, 2024. DALE, BLUMBERG, IT SOLUTIONS WITH THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE PASSED AWAY NOVEMBER 14, 2024. JAMES DAVIS, TEACHER ESEVE AT WILLIAM DWYER HIGH SCHOOL PASSED AWAY NUMBER 18, 2024. AND JACQUELINE RICHARDSON, AT LAKE WORTH MIDDLE SCHOOL, PASSED AWAY ON OCTOBER 18, 20 YOUY 24. NOW A -- 2024. NOW A MOMENT OF SILENCE, PLEASE. THANK YOU. SO, THAT WILL NOW BRING US, Mr. SUPERINTENDENT TO COM6. >> IF YOU WANT, REFRESH YOUR SCREENS IF YOU WANT TO REMOVE IT FROM NEW BUSINESS. >> I RECOMMEND THE BOARD PROCLAIM JANUARY 2025, AS NATIONAL MENTORING POCKET. >> MOTION BY Mrs. ANDREWS AND SECONDED BY Mrs. WHITFIELD. ANY DISCUSSION? READ THE PROCLAMATION. >> PROCLAMATION, NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH, JANUARY 2025. WHEREAS, NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH IS AN ANNUAL CAMPAIGN TO RECRUIT QUALITY MENTORS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL NETWORKS OF SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND WHEREAS, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF VOLUNTEER MENTORS WHO GUIDE YOUNG PEOPLE TO SUCCESS IN THEIR EDUCATION, CAREER AND WELL-BEING. AND, WHEREAS, LOCAL MENTORING PROGRAMS MAKE OUR STATE AND COMMUNITY STRONGER BY ENABLING IMPACTFUL RELATIONSHIPS THAT INCREASE SOCIAL CAPITAL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND PROVIDE VALUABLE SUPPORT NETWORKS. AND, WHERE AS, MENTORS CAN HELP YOUNG PEOPLE EXPLORE CAREERS AND BUILD SKILLS TO ACHIEVE AND PROVE LIFETIME ECONOMIC OUTCOMES THROUGH ACTIVITIES LIKE HELPING THEM SET CAREER GOALS, WRITE A RESUME, PRACTICE FOR AN INTERVIEW, CONNECTING THEM TO OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE; AND WHEREAS, RESEARCH HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT MENTORING PROGRAMS HAVE A SIGNIFICANT, POSITIVE IMPACT ON A VARIETY OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT MEASURES, INCLUDING TRUANCY AND ABSE ABSENTEEISM, SCHOLASTIC AND ENGAGEMENT. SCHOOL-RELATED MISCONDUCT AND PEER SUPPORT; ASK WHEREAS, QUALITY MENTORING PROMOTES HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION, POSITIVE SELF-ESTEEM, EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AND RELATIONSHIP GROWTH FOR YOUNG PEOPLE; AND WHEREAS, AT-RISK YOUTH ARE MORE LIKELY TO ENROLL IN COLLEGE, LESS LIKELY TO START USING DRUGS AND MORE LIKELY TO VOLUNTEER REGULARLY IN THE COMMUNITIES; AND WHEREAS, NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH IS THE TIME OF YEAR TO CELEBRATE, ELEVATE AND ENCOURAGE MENTORING ACROSS OUR STATE AND RECRUIT CARING ADULT MENTORS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. THEREFORE, NOW BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT AND SCHOOL BOARD OF PALM BEACH COUNTY DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JANUARY, 2025, AS NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH. DONE THIS 22nd DAY OF JANUARY, 200025 IN WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA. >> ALL IN FAVOR. ALL OPPOSED, MOTION CARRIES. BOARD MEMBERS, I INVITE YOU TO THE FLOOR TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH WITH THE TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN PEOPLE AND STAY ON THE FLOOR FOR PRESENTATIONS WHERE THE COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT WILL JOIN US FOR THE JANUARY BOARD RECOGNITION. PLEASE GO RIGHT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. [ APPLAUSE ] >> GOOD EVENING CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY. WE HAVE THREE RECOGNITIONS ON THE AGENDA. WE BEGIN WITH THE SCHOOL, STUDENT AND STAFF WINNERS OF THE 200024-2025, RECYCLE MANIA CONTEST SPONSORED BY KEEP CALM BEACH COUNTY BEAUTIFUL AND THE SOLID WAIST AUTHORITY IN THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DISTRICT'S ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSERVATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT. RECYCLE MANIA PARTICIPANTS WERE TASKED WITH COLLECTING AND RECYCLING AS MANY BOTTLES AND CANS AS POSSIBLE DURING HOMECOMING GAMES. FOUR DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS RECYCLED MORE THAN 600 POUNDS OF PLASTICS. THE AVERAGE WASTE DIVERS RATE FOR ALL FOUR SCHOOLS WAS 68%. THAT MEANS MORE THAN HALF OF ALL WASTE GENERATED WAS REDIRECTED FROM THE LANDFILL AND CONVERTED INTO REUSABLE MATERIAL. THE SOLLIST WASTE AUTHORITIES SPONSORED BONUSES FOR THE LEAD TEACHERS AND TEAM MEMBERS WHO WENT THE EXTRA MILE TO ENSURE THAT RECYCLING WAS A SUCCESS ON GAME NIGHT. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUAL WINNERS WHO EACH RECEIVED 200 DOLLAR BONUSES. PLEASE COME FORWARD AS I CALL YOUR NAME. THE STUDENT RECYCLING CHAMPIONS, ETHAN, A GRADUATE OF PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH. [ APPLAUSE ] AND LUCAS WEBER FROM SUN COAST COMMUNITY HIGH. [ APPLAUSE ] THE STAFF RECYCLING CHAMPIONS, LAUREN WEST, A TEACHER AT JOHN LEONARD HIGH, A TEACHER OF SUN COAST COMMUNITY HIGH, AND CHRISTINA, PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH TEACHER. [ APPLAUSE ] AND THE CUSTODIAL RECYCLING CHAMPIONS, WILLIE HARRIS AT SUN COAST COMMUNITY HIGH AND RETIRED CUSTODIAL FLOOR PERSON FROM JOHN LEONARD HIGH. LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [ APPLAUSE ] [ APPLAUSE ] >> THERE WERE TWO AWARD CATEGORIES SPONSORED BY KEEP PALM BEACH COUNTY BEAUTIFUL. THE FIRST AWARD CATEGORY FOR THE TOP THREE SCHOOLS WHO RECYCLED THE MOST AT HOMECOMING GAME. PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL EARNED 1,500 DOLLARS IN FIRST PLACE FOR RECYCLING 396 POUNDS. JOHN LEONARD HIGH SCHOOL EARNED 1000 DOLLARS FOR RECYCLING ONE08 POUNDS AND SUN COAST HIGH SCHOOL EARNED 500 DOLLARS IN THIRD PLACE FOR RECYCLING 67 POUNDS. CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE THREE SCHOOLS FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENT. PLEASE COME FORWARD AS I CALL YOUR NAME. WE HAVE REGEE MEYERS, CHRISTINA AND ETHAN. FROM LEONARD HIGH, PRINCIPAL, LAUREN WEST, TEACHER AS WELL AS STUDENTS, SHARON, TINA, IRVIN. AND FROM SUN COAST HIGH, WE HAVE CATHERINE, PRINCIPAL, BRANDON, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, AUTUMN RAMSEY, WILLIE HARRIS, CUSTODIAN AND LUCAS WEBER, A STUDENT THERE. LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [ APPLAUSE ] EVERYONE FROM PALM BEACH CENTRAL AND JOHN LEONARD REMAIN THERE BECAUSE YOU'RE A PART OF THE SECOND AWARD CATEGORY. TOP THREE SCHOOLS WHO DIVERTED THE MOST WASTE AT HOMECOMING GAME. JUPITER COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL EARNED 1000 DOLLARS IN SECOND PLACE, PALM BEACH CENTRAL EARNED 500 DOLLARS IN THIRD PLACE. CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE THREE SCHOOLS FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENT. FROM LEONARD, WE HAVE DR. ARMIS, LAUREN WEST AND SHARON, TRINA, IRVING. FROM JUPITER COMMUNITY HIGH, WE HAVE THE PRINCIPAL AND THERESA, A TEACHER. IN PALM BEACH CENTRAL, WE ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE FROM SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. LINDA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PATTY, EVENTS COORDINATOR, KATIE, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SPECIALIST,LY BETTER, RECYCLING FIELD TEAM MANAGER AND JESSICA, RECYCLING EDUCATION AND MARKETING MANAGER. LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [ APPLAUSE ] NEXT WE RECOGNIZE THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON FOR THEIR GENEROUS ANNUAL GRANT THAT IS GIVEN TO DISTRICT OPERATED SCHOOL IN WELLINGTON NAMED IN HONOR OF THE FORMER PRINCIPAL AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHO PASSED AWAY IN 20008. THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON CONTINUES TO SERVE AS A PARTNER WITH OUR WELLINGTON SCHOOLS AND INSTRUMENTAL TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS. A TOTAL OF 407,000 DOLLARS WAS AWARDED TO THE FOLLOWING SCHOOLS WITH EACH SCHOOL RECEIVING 37,000 DOLLARS. BINGES FOREST ELEMENTARY. ALBERT GALE ELEMENTARY, EMERALD COVE MIDDLE. EQUESTRIAN TRAILS ELEMENTARY. NEW HORIZONS ELEMENTARY. PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH. PANTHER RUN ELEMENTARY. POLA PARK MIDDLE. WELLINGTON COMMUNITY HIGH. WELLINGTON ELEMENTARY. AND WELLINGTON LANDINGS MIDDLE. THE DISTRICT DEEPLY APPRECIATES THIS ONGOING EXCEPTIONAL GENEROSITY AND THANKS THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON FORRINGS SUPPORT. FOR ITS SUPPORT. HERE TO EXCEPT RECOGNITION, WE HAVE THE MAYOR, VICE-MAYOR, COUNCILWOMEN, VILLAGE MANAGER, DEPUTY VILLAGE MANAGER, ASSISTANT VILLAGE MANAGER, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE STAFF LIAISON. AND WE ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK THE VILLAGE'S EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS, SHELLY, MARSHA, MARCELLA, CHRISTINA, CAROLINE, MELISSA AND JOHN. LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [ APPLAUSE ] [ APPLAUSE ] FINALLY, WE ARE RECOGNIZING THE FOOTBALL TEAM FROM WEST BOCA RATON COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL. FOR WINNING THE CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BEATING OSCEOLA 26-7. THE FIRST-EVER STATE TITLE CAPPING OFF UNDEFEATED SEASON WITH RECORD OF 15-0. A 60-YARD TOUCHDOWN ON THE SECOND OFFENSIVE PLAY OF THE GAME SET THE TONE FOR VICTORY. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WEST BOCA HIGH FOOTBALL TEAM ON THEIR STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. TO THE TEAM, THE ENTIRE COACHING STAFF AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, PLEASE COME FORWARD AT THIS TIME AND GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [ APPLAUSE ] BOARD CHAIR, VICE-CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT, STAFF AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, THIS CONCLUDES THE RECOGNITIONS FOR JANUARY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION THIS EVENING. >> OKAY, THAT'S NOW GOING TO BRING US TO OUR STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT. >> GOOD EVENING SUPERINTENDENT, CHAIRWOMAN AND VICE-CHAIR WOMAN, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. I'D LIKE TO PROVIDE UPDATE ON THE PALM BEACH HUNGER INITIATIVE. 14,000 246 RESPONSES ON THE FORM REGARDING STUDENT HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY. THIS OVERWHELMING FEEDBACK WILL INFORM OUR NEXT STEPS ADDRESSING THE PRESSING ISSUE OF FOOD INSECURITY WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WILL BE ATTENDING BOTH THE PRINCIPAL MEETINGS TOMORROW ALONGSIDE FORMER COUNTY PRESIDENTIFIESEL TO SPEAK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EVERY STUDENT FILLING OUT THE FORM. ENSURING THAT ALL VOICES ARE HEARD IS VITAL TO ACCURATELY UNDERSTANDING AND ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENT BODY. ADDITIONALLY, OUR STUDENT GOVERNMENTS ARE GETTING READY FOR END-OF-YEAR ELECTIONS AND UP COMING BANK WETS AS WELL AS OUR STATE CONVENTION. WE ARE ALSO PREPARING FOR A SENIOR-ONLY EVENT WHILE ENSURING OUR SCHOOLS ARE HOSTING EVENTS WHERE STUDENTS CAN ENJOY THEIR TIME. AS WE CONTINUE TO GATHER THIS FEED BACK, WE RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR A GREATER PARTICIPATION. EXPLORING WAYS FOR STUDENTS TO CONTRIBUTE VOICES ENSURING INITIATIVES REFLECT THE STUDENT BODY. YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT IS VALUABLE AS WE WORK TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY AND UPLIFT OUR COMMUNITY I. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. >> THANK YOU. THAT'S GOING TO BRING US TO OUR COMMITTEE REPORTS. THERE IS NO REPORT FOR THE ACADEMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND NO REPORT FROM THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. THE CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT REVIEW COMMITTEE'S REPORT IS ATTACHED TO YOUR AGENDA. DISTRICT DIVERSITY AND EQUITY COMMITTEE. DO WE HAVE SOMEONE HERE? DON'T SEE ANYBODY HERE. ACTUALLY, Ms. POST? >> MADAM CHAIR, THERE IS NO REPORT FOR THE DISTRICT DIVERSITY AND EQUITY COMMITTEE AS THERE WERE NO MEETING IN THE PREVIOUS MONTH. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. GENERAL COUNSEL, DO YOU HAVE A REPORT FOR US TONIGHT. >> NO REPORT. >> INSPECTOR GENERAL, DO YOU HAVE A REPORT FOR US? >> NO REPORT. >> THANK YOU. THAT'S GOING TO BRING US NOW TO OUR SPEAKERS OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND DELEGATES. I'LL CALL YOU UP TWO AT A TIME. WE HAVE FIRST Mr. JAMES, THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION FOLLOWED BY GORDON, CTA PRESIDENT. >> MADAM CHAIR, SUPERINTENDENT, VICE-CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, IF THIS WHOLE LAWYER THING DOESN'T WORK OUT, WORK FOR US AT THE FOUNDATION. IT'S BEEN A HEADY WEEK BETWEEN THE RIBBON CUTTING AND THE PRESS COVERAGE, OUR HEADS ARE SPINNING LIKE WE HAVE BEEN DRINKING SASSAFRAS TEA. ON THE RED APPLE SUPPLY THING, WHICH YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT IS ABOUT. I WANT TO SHARE WE ON-BOARDED IN THE LAST WEEK 3 NEW SCHOOLS BRINGING US TO 95. GRASSY WATERS, POINCIANA AND JUST YESTERDAY, WE BROUGHT ON PALM SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL. SO NOW IN 95. WE DO MORE THAN JUST RED APPLE SUPPLY. I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THREE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT ARE PART AND PARCEL OF WHAT WE DO. YOU MENTIONED SCHOLARSHIPS AND THROUGH H CA HEALTH CARE, WE ARE FOR OUR 4th YEAR OFFERING 15,000 DOLLARS IN SCHOLARSHIPS. MUST BE A GRADUATE OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM ATTENDING A MEDICAL ACADEMY AND GOING ON TO HIGHER EDUCATION. IN ADDITION TO THE DOLLARS, THE DOCTORS AT ACA PROVIDE A LEARNING COMMUNITY TO MENTOR THESE YOUNG FUTURE MEDICAL STUDENTS AND GUIDE THEM. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO. ON THE DIGITAL INCLUSION SIDE, WE ARE NOW OPENING UP A NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS AT LANTANA MIDDLE SCHOOL AS WE CONTINUE TO PASS OUT THE Wi-Fi EXTENDERS CONNECTING OUR FAMILIES TO THE INTERNET. THESE WORKSHOPS ARE OFFERED IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE ATTENDEES. SO WE GET SPANISH AND CREOLE SPEAKERS. WE PROVIDE CHILD CARE AND DINNER TO THE PARENTS AND TEACH THEM HOW TO GET ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WEBSITE ACCESS THEIR CHILDREN'S GRADES AND HOMEWORK AND USE THE INTERNET TO APPLY FOR JOBS, GOVERNMENT BENEFITS, ET CETERA. SO WE ARE COORDINATING THAT EFFORT AS WELL. AND I WANT TO MENTION TONIGHT OUR FRIENDS AT FPL WITH THEIR ANNUAL EMPOWERING STEM EDUCATORS. IT'S A LEARNING COMMUNITY. ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE FOCUSING ON IS LEADING THE DISCUSSION FOR TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. AND IN OUR NEW FACILITY, THAT TOOL THAT WE OPENED UP LAST WEEK, THERE IS A NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, FPL IS LEADING THE WAY. THEY GATHER OUR BEST STEM TEACHERS AND WE BRING 5, 10, 15 OTHER STEM TEACHERS INTO THE SAME ROOM WHERE THEY LEARN FROM EACH OTHER. SO AGAIN, JUST A BATE OF SOME OF THE PROGRAMS GOING ON. -- BREADTH. HOPEFULLY YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING CBS12, THIS IS NOT A COMMERCIAL, BUT THEY ARE SPONSORING THIS YEAR'S STUFF THE BUS. ON FEBRUARY 13, WE WILL HAVE BUSES SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT AND PEOPLE ARE BEING ENCOURAGED DAILY REMINDERS ON CBS12 WHEN THEY CUT TO COMMERCIAL BREAKS, THEY HAD INTRODUCE WITH A NUMBER OF TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS AND STAFF AND BOARD AT THE FOUNDATION TO ENCOURAGE PALM BEACH COUNTY TO STUFF THE BUS WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES THAT WILL GO INTO RED APPLE AND OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU WHO WERE AT THE RIBBON CUTTING ON THURSDAY. IT WASSA MAGNIFICENT DAY. IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE BUILDING, HAVE I GOT A CHANCE FOR YOU. WE ARE COMING UP NEXT WEEK ON THE ANNUAL CELEBRATE THE GREAT. WE WILL HOST CELEBRATE THE GREAT AT THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION, OUR NEW FACILITY. THAT IS GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR, THE PRINCE PALLING OF THE YEAR, THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR AND SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR. WE HOPE EVERYBODY CAN MAKE IT, SEE THE NEW BUILDING AND CELEBRATE THE GREATNESS THAT IS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THAT GREATNESS STARTS WITH YOU. WE WOULD BE NOWHERE AT THE ED FOUNDATION WITHOUT THE ANNUAL SUPPORT AND THE INCREDIBLE ENCOURAGEMENT RECEIVED NOT JUST DURING THESE MEETINGS BUT IN YOUR DELIBERATIONS, IN THE WORKSHOPS AND THROUGHOUT THE WORK WE DO. IF WE ARE ABLE TO SERVE THE SCHOOLS, THE TEACHERS, IT'S BECAUSE YOU'RE ABLE TO HELP US. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO TO MAKE US DO OUR WORK. HAVE A GREAT NIGHT. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT, GUESTS. I'M GOING TO FIX THIS MICROPHONE ONE MORE TIME. IF NOT I'LL HANG ON TO IT. I WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE. ON YOUR AGENDA IS THE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM AND I KNOW YOU HAVE DISCUSSED THAT AT LENGTH AND THE IT'S UP FOR VOTE AND JUST TO CUT TO THE CHASE, I WANT TO EXTEND MY SUPPORT TO YOUR YES VOTE ON THAT LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT ARE WORTHWHILE THERE AND I'M GOING TO BE BRIEF BUT I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE WORTH TALKING ABOUT. THE ONGOING SUPPORT THAT WE HAD FOR YEARS FROM THIS BOARD ASKING THE LEGISLATURE TO FUND THAT CONTINUALLY IS IN THERE AND I WANT TO APPLAUSE YOU FOR THAT. IT DOES RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT BEING THE TH THIRD-MOST POPULOUS STATE IN THE COUNTRY AND HAVING EDUCATION FUNDING ON A PER PEOPLE BASIS AT NUMBER 43 IS PAULING. SO IT IS NECESSARY FOR FUNDING WORK IN ORDER TO PROPERLY FUND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS KEY TO GETTING EVERYTHING DONE WE NEED. YOUR GOALS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY AREN'T GOING TO BE MET WITHOUT DOLLARS. THE GOALS FOR RECRUITING AND RETAINING TEACHERS WON'T BE MET WITHOUT DOLLARS. JUST RIGHT ON DOWN THE LINE. AND TRANSPORTING STUDENTS WHEN THEY NEED TO GET TO THEIR SCHOOLS ON TIME FOR THE CLASSES EACH DAY, THAT TOO, LIKE ALMOST ERVING ELSE NEEDS TO BE FUNDED. WHICH BRINGS ME TO A COUPLE OF OTHER ISSUES. WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR PRIORITIES, WHEN IT COMES TO TEACHER PAY, WE HAVE NOTED OVER THE YEARS THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF RESTRICTIONS IN FLORIDA LAW ON HOW SCHOOL BOARDS ARE ALLOWED TO WORK WITH THEIR LOCAL UNIONS IN ORDER TO PAY TEACHERS A SALARY THAT IS COMMENSURATE WITH THE WORK THEY ARE DOING. LATELY, IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME VARIANCE GIVEN AND THIS BOARD THROUGH THE TEAM IS SEEING FIT TO MAKE SURE THOSE VARIANCES WERE USED IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE COLLABORATIVE PROCESS TO PRODUCE MORE EQUITABLE PAY PLANS. ON TOP OF THAT NOW, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE POTENTIALLY AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE LEGISLATURE FINALLY MOVE THE NEEDLE ON THAT. SENATE BILL 136 HAS BEEN FILED AND IT WOULD REPEAL MANY OF THE ISSUES THAT EXIST WITH HOW DISTRICTS ARE RESTRICTED IN PAYING TEACHERS. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HOW THAT CAN PLAY OUT. THERE ARE SOME UNCENTERS IN THAT BILL BUT -- UNCERTAINTIES. SO WE WILL ADDRESS THOSE AND SEE THEM HOPEFULLY COME TO FRUITION. CHIEF AMONG YOUR CONCERNS I KNOW, IS THE ABILITY TO HAVE A WAIVER OR BE EXEMPT IN SOME WAY SHAPE OR FORM EVEN IF IT WERE OBVIOUSLY IN PART, FROM THE STUDENT START TIMES. FOUR DAYS AGO, SENATE BILL 296 WAS FILED THAT WOULD REPEAL THOSE MEASURES. SO AGAIN, WE ARE FINALLY SEEING A COUPLE OF LEGISLATIVE PIECES THAT MIGHT MOVE THE NEEDLE ON CRITICAL NEEDS FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS TO REGAIN THEIR AUTHORITY TO MAKE LOCAL DECISIONS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THEIR STUDENTS AND ALL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS WHO PROVIDE THE HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT WE HAVE HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. I APPLAUD YOU ALL FOR HAVING THESE AS YOUR PRIORITIES. I ASK YOU TO PASS IT. LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AS WE WORK WITH OUR OWN LOBBYISTS AND TALK TO LEGISLATORS ON HOW TO BEST MANAGE THOSE BILLS AND SHEPHERD THEM THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS TO BRING THEM TO FRUITION BY THE END OF THIS SESSION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING. >> THANK YOU. ERICA, VICE PRESIDENT OF JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF PALM BEACHES AND TREASURE COAST AND THEN SYLVIA HALL, PTA, PTSA PRESIDENT. >> GOOD EVENING CHAIRWOMAN AND BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENT BURKE. I'M ERICA, VP OF EDUCATION AT JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF PALM BEACHES AND TREASURE COAST. I HOPE YOU HAD A RESTFUL BREAK. WE ARE BACK IN FULL SWING ACROSS PALM BEACH COUNTY. LAST MONTH WE HAD 12 DEDICATED JA VOLUNTEERS VISIT GREENACRES ELEMENTARY TO TEACH STUDENTS THE BASICS ON FINANCIAL LISURACY, WORK READINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. NOTHING LIKE COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE CLASSROOM AND STEP IN THEIR ROLE LAS A TEACHER IS EYE-OPENING FOR ALL. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAD OUR JA HIGH SCHOOL CAREER EXPLORATION FAIRS CONTINUING WITH PARTNERSHIP WITH PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE. WE ARE ENGAGING JUNIORS AND SENIORS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. THIS MONTH ALONE WE HAVE 5 OF THOSE DATES SCHEDULED, TOMORROW AND FRIDAY OF THIS WEEK AND THURSDAY AND FRIDAY OF NEXT WEEK. TO DATE, WE HAD OVER 145 INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS FROM 62 DIFFERENT COMPANIES REPRESENTED AT THESE CAREER FAIRS. WITH JA HIGH SCHOOL HEROES, WE HAD 65 STUDENTS FROM JUPITER HIGH SCHOOL, LATINO IN ACTION, GO OUT AND TEACH KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE STUDENTS AT JUPITER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THERE WAS NOTHING BETTER THAN SEEING OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MENTOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS AND TRANSLATION IS BUILT IN. SO THAT WAS PRETTY AMAZING AS WELL. LATER THIS MONTH, WE ARE WORKING WITH THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT FROM PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL AND THEY ARE GOING OUT TO BRING JA PROGRAMMING TO EVERGLADES ELEMENTARY. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT OPPORTUNITY AS WELL. WE HAVE TWO EXCITING EVENTS COMING UP TO HELP SUPPORT STUDENTS ACROSS PALM BEACH COUNTY. WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US ON APRIL 24 FOR OUR COMEDY NIGHT WITH LAUGHTER, INCLUDING AN EXCITING, ISN'T AN ELECTED OFFICIAL SMARTER THAN A FIFTH GRADER? ADDITIONALLY, IF YOU'RE INTO GOLF, WE HAVE AN EVENT FOR MAY TWO, OUR ANNUAL PLAY FOR JA AND I KNOW YOU HAVE COME OUT IN THE PAST. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THIS WHERE PARTICIPANTS ENJOY A GREAT DAY ON PALM BEACH PAR 3 COURSE WHILE SUPPORTING OUR FINANCIAL LITERACY AND CAREER READINESS INITIATIVES. THIS YEAR WE ALSO ARE PARTNERING WITH PALM BEACH GARDENED HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MANAGEMENT STUDENTS PUTTING THEM TO WORK AT THE GOLF TOURNAMENT. SO THEY WILL BE WORKING ALONGSIDE US FOR THIS EVENT. AND WE'RE GOING TO BRING THAT TOURNAMENT TO LIFE AS WELL AS HANDS ON EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOR STUDENTS. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WANT TO COME OUT TO OUR EVENTS, REACH OUT TO ME. WE'D LOVE TOY SEE YOU THERE AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING OUR MISSION OF EMPOWERING STUDENTS WITH THE SKILL SET AND MINDSET NEEDED TO SUCCEED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT. >> THANK YOU. Ms. HALL. >> GOOD EVENING. HAPPY NEW YEAR AND. [ SPEAKING IN SPANISH ] I'D LIKE TO START WITH THE MISSION OF THE PTA. >> PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. >> SORRY ABOUT. THAT SYLVIA HALL. PALM BEACH COUNTY PTA PRESIDENT. OUR MISSION HASN'T CHANGED. REMAINS THE SAME. MISSION TO MAKE EVERY CHILD POTENTIAL A REALITY BOO I ENGAGING AND EMPOWERING FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO ADVOCATE FOR ALL, ALL CHILDREN. NOT JUST A FEW, ALL OF THEM, REGARDLESS. OF RACE, SEX, ETHNICITY, RELIGION, ET CETERA. SO I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN MY REPORT WITH A REFLECTION OF THE PROGRAM. WE RECEIVE OVER 130 SUBMISSIONS FROM STUDENTS IN SIX CATEGORIES AT DANCE, MUSIC, FILM PRODUCTION, LITERATURE AND VISUAL ARTS AND PHOTOGRAPHY. TOP THREE OF EACH CATEGORY WILL MOVE INTO THE STATE AND FROM THE STATE WILL GO TO NATIONAL. AND WE'LL BE CELEBRATING ALL STUDENTS THAT PARTICIPATED ON FEBRUARY 13 AT THE HILTON PALM BEACH HOTEL IN WEST PALM. EVERYONE IS INVITED TO COME. YESTERDAY WE HAD AS PART OF OUR BY LAWS AND KEEPING UP WITH OUR REQUIREMENTS, OUR MEETING OF THE YEAR. WE HAD A PRESENTATION ON THE NOMINATING PROCESS FOR THE LOCAL UNITS AND WE HAD A DISCUSSION ON HOW TO INCREASE MEMBERSHIP AND HOW TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO VOLUNTEER AT THE SCHOOL AND AT THEIR LOCAL UNITS INCLUDING COUNTY COUNCIL. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS. OUR COUNTY STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP WENT OUT THIS WEEK. ALSO THE PTA STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP WENT ON THIS MONTH FOR ALL THE STUDENTS, GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL, WHO ARE PTA MEMBERS CAN APPLY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP. ALSO, WE LIKE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT PTA WE DO. WE ADIE VOCATE. THIS IS WHAT -- WE ADVOCATE. WE DO PLAN FAIRS AND SPRING FESTIVAL, ET CETERA, BUT WE ADVOCATE. SO I WOULDLYIC TO MENTION THAT COMING IN MARCH, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE NATIONAL PTA WILL HAVE THEIR LEXICON VIRTUALLY ON MARCH FOUR-6. AND THEN THE PTA WILL HAVE LEXICON IN TALLAHASSEE FROM MARCH NINE-11. SO WE PROBABLY OVER 100PTA MEMBERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE WILL DESCEND INTO THE CAPITOL OF THE STATE TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND TO TALK TO OUR REPRESENTATIVES. AND TO JUST FOR THEM TO REMEMBER OUR CHILDREN AND OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. ALSO, ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO REMEMBER AND TO JUST REMIND PEOPLE BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE FORGET THESE THINGS -- THROUGH THE YEARS, PTA HAS BEEN REALLY IMPORTANT IN ADVOCATING FOR UNIVERSITY IN THE GARDEN, HOT LUNCHES, SEATBELT LAWS. WE HAVE SUPPORTED NEWBORN SCREENING, DAILY RECESS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND A BAN ON TEXTING WHILE DRIVING. AND TO FINISH, JUST TOY REMEMBER AND REMIND THAT ON FEBRUARY 17, WE WILL CELEBRATE OUR NATIONAL PTA FOUNDERS DAY. AND WE ARE THE OLDEST PARENT AND CHILDREN'S ORGANIZATION IN THE U.S. AND WANT TO SAY IN THE WORLD. JUST TO REMIND, THERE WILL BE OTHER PARENT GROUPS OUT THERE BUT THE -- REMAINED THIS FAR ARE THE ONES WHO CARE ABOUT ALL THE CHILDREN. >> THANK YOU. RIGHT ON TIME. BOARD MEMBERS, WE TWO NOT HAVE ANY AGENDA ITEMS SPEAKERS TONIGHT. THAT WILL BRING US TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION BY Ms. BRANCH AND SECONDED BY Ms. WHITFIELD. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE DON'T HAVE ANY UNFINISHED BUSINESS. THAT WILL BRING US TO NEW BUSINESS Mr. SUPERINTENDENT. >> C014. PROCLAIM JANUARY SEVEN, 2025, INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY. JANUARY 27. >> MOTION BY Ms. ANDREWS AND SECONDED BY Ms. BRANCH. I WILL READ THAT PROCLAMATION. ACTUALLY, ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. WHEREAS INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY MARKS THE 8Yth ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIBERATION OF THE CONCENTRATION CAMP AND WHEREAS JUST DAYS EARLIER, THE COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE SS, FORCED NEARLY 60,000 PRISONERS TO EVACUATE THE CONCENTRATION CAMP AND EMBARK ON THE DEATH MARCHES WHICH TOOK THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT LIVESES AND WHEREAS, ON NOVEMBER ONE, 2005, THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED A RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE JANUARY 27 AS AN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF COMMEMORATION IN MEMORY OF THE HOLOCAUST VICTIMS THE DAY UPON WHICH THE WORLD WILL RECOMMEND THE VICTIMS EACH. >>> AND WHEREAS ON THIS ANNIVERSARY, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY MUST COMMIT ITSELF TO COMBATING THE GLOBAL RISE IN ANTISEMITISM AND SHOULD ALWAYS REMEMBER THE TERRIBLE EVENTS OF THE HOLOCAUST AND REMAIN VIGILANT AGAINST HATRED, PERSECUTION AND TYRANNY. AND WHEREAS, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY SHOULD ACTIVELY DEDICATE ITSELF TO THE PRINCIPLES OF INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM IN A JUST SOCIETY; WHEREAS THE COMMEMORATION OF THIS UNPRECEDENTED EVENT REMINDS US ALL OF OUR SOLEMN DUTY TO KEEP ALIVE THE MEMORY OF THE MILLIONS WHO PERISHED DURING THE HOLOCAUST AND TO ENSURE THROUGH EDUCATION AND MUTUAL RESPECT THAT ACTS OF GENOCIDE SHALL NEVER AGAIN OCCUR. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT AND SCHOOL BOARD OF PALM BEACH COUNTY DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2025 AS INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY IN MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST AND IN HONOR OF THE SURVIVORS AS WELL AS THE RESCUERS AND LIBERATORS AND FURTHER PROCLAIM THAT WE SHOULD WORK TO PROMOTE HUMAN DIGNITY AND CONFRONT HATE WHENEVER AND WHEREVER IT OCCURS. DONE THIS ONE DAY OF JANUARY IN WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA. NULL FLAVOR, ALL OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> THAT TAKES US TO COM5. I RECOMMEND THE BOARD PROCLAIM JANUARY 2025, AS HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARES AND PREVENTION MONTH. >> ANY DISCUSSION? >> THANK YOU. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PROCLAMATION TO CREATE AWARENESS. WE NEED TO BREAK THE STIGMA ON THE TERM AND WHAT IT ENTAILS. SO PBSO THE AVERAGE AGE OF CHILDREN TRAFFICKED IN ALL NEIGHBORHOODS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY IS 13. MY SON LUCA IS 13. MANY VICTIMS ARE TRAFFICKED WITHOUT LEAVING THEIR HOME OR HOMETOWN. IF I TOLD YOU STORIES YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE IT. THIS IS NOT ABOUT TAKING CHILDREN TO OTHER COUNTRIES OR OTHER STATES OR BRINGING PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. ALTHOUGH THAT IS PART OF IT. IS HAPPENING IN WAYS YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT AND WE NEED TO EDUCATE AND EDUCATE AND EDUCATE. OUR ROLE IS TO PROTECT VULNERABLE STUDENTS AND TOGETHER WITH THE SUPPORT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS AND THE COMMUNITY, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I WANT TO THANK ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE WORKING NOW TOWARDS THIS HUGE PROBLEM. I WANT TO GIVE A CALL OUT TO GARY FROM DRAMA WORKS AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM IN THE FUTURE TO BRING SOME NEEDED EDUCATION IN OUR SCHOOLS AND TO AGAIN BREAK THE STIGMA. WITH THAT I WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION. HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH JANUARY 20, 25. WHEREAS HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN ANY FORM IS AN EGREGIOUS ABUSE OF POWER IN A HORRIFIC CRIME THAT THREATENS THE SAFETY, HEALTH AND DIGNITY OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WORLDWIDE; WHEREAS ALL THE WOMEN AND GIRLS ARE THE PRIMARY VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, SURVIVORS COME FROM EVERY BACKGROUND, RACE, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND ECONOMIC STATUS; WHEREAS YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO TRAFFICKING AND EXPLOITATION BUFFETS MANY BARRIERS IN REPORTING WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THEM DUE TO THE ISOLATION NATURE OF THESE CRIMES, THE MISUNDERSTANDING OF ITS DEFINITION AND THE LACK OF AWARENESS ABOUT ITS INDICATORS; WHEREAS SURVIVORS SHOULD RECEIVE ALL AVAILABLE SUPPORT ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY AND THE PUBLIC MUST LISTEN TO THEIR EXPERIENCES IN ORDER TO BETTER DETECT TRAFFICKING CRIMES, BRING PERPETRATORS TO JUSTICE AND IMPROVE PREVENTION EFFORTS; WHEREAS EXPANDING COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE IN AVAILABILITY OF LOCAL RESOURCES AND SERVICES FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THESE CRIMES CAN HELP RESTORE FREEDOM AND DIGNITY TO SURVIVORS, EFFORTS TO FIGHT HUMAN TRAFFICKING MUST BE TIED TO BROADER INITIATIVES, TO ADVANCE EQUITY AND JUSTICE THROUGHOUT SOCIETY; WHEREAS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PARTNERS WITH ALL RELEVANT PALM BEACH COUNTY AGENCIES TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO PREVENT TRAFFICKING, ASSISTING IN MAINTAINING THE RIGHTS OF STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WHO MAY BE AFFECTED; WHEREAS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT COLLABORATES WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ENSURE COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF AVAILABLE SUPPORT, RESOURCES TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING; WHEREAS ALL COMMUNITIES MUST WORK TO PREVENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING BEFORE IT OCCURS BY BLOW MEETING SAFE, HEALTHY AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS. NO THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE SUPERINTENDENT AND SCHOOL BOARD OF PALM BEACH COUNTY DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JANUARY 2025 AS HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS AND PLEA VENTION MONTH AND PLEDGES -- PREVENTION MONTH -- TO FIGHT AGAINST INJUSTICE, TO ENSURE DIGNITY AND FREEDOM FOR EVERYONE. DONE THIS 22nd DAY OF JANUARY, 2025 IN WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, SIGNED BY KAREN GRILL AND MICHAEL BURKE. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. ALL OPPOSED, MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> BOARD MEMBERS, WE HAVE REVIED THE CONTINUATION OF AN APPROPRIATION FROM THE FY24 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION LAST WEEK. WE'D LIKE TO MAINTAIN THIS. SO I HAVE REVISED MY RECOMMENDATION AS FOLLOWS: I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE FY25 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS AND APPROPRIATION REQUEST PROVIDE ENHANCED OPPORTUNITIES FOR ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. >> MOTION BY Ms. BRANCH, SECONDED BY VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> I RECOMMEND THE SCHOOL BOARD APPROVE PERSONNEL ADDENDUM AS SUBMITTED. >> MOTION BY Ms. WHITFIELD, SECONDED BY -- ANY DISCUSSION? IS IT ALL IN FAVOR, ALL OPPOSED, MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> P3. I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE ATTACHED LIST OF OUT OF FIELD, OUT OF COMPLIANCE TEACHER SURVEY 3 FOR THE FY25 SCHOOL YEAR. >> MOTION BY VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS AND SECONDED BY Ms. BRANCH. ANY DISCUSSION? I JUST WANT TO COMMENT WHEN I LOOKED AT THE CHART THERE IS A COMPARISON OF TITLE I COMPARED TO NON-TITLED SCHOOLS. THE DECREASE IN NUMBER OF OUT OF FIELD TEACHERS IS REMARKABLE. SO I JUST WANTED TO THANK THE SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF THAT IN SPITE OF US HAVING TEACHER SHORTAGE, WE HAVE IS FAR LESS TEACHERS OUT OF FIELD. SO CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU. I'LL SHARE THE CONGRATULATIONS WITH OUR HR DIVISION RECRUITMENT DEPARTMENT, AND ALSO OUR SCHOOL PRINCIPALS. OUR BUDGET DEPARTMENT, WE TRY TO GET THE BUDGETS OUT EARLIER SO THEY GET THE BUDGET IN FEBRUARY AND THE SCHOOLS ARE HUSTLING TO FIND CANDIDATES. SO IT'S ALL WORKING TOGETHER. >> ALL IN FAVOR, ALL OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THAT BRINGS US OUR NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS. ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL BOARD, I'D LIKED TO WELCOME ANY PUBLIC SPEAKERS. OUR POLICY PROVIDES THAT WE DO NOT RESPOND TO OR ENGAGE WITH OUR SPEAKERS. HOWEVER, WE DO MAKE NOTE OF YOUR ISSUES AND WE FOLLOW-UP WITH THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION REGARDING THEM. ALL NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS COMMENTS MUST RELATE TO EDUCATIONALLY RELEVANT TOPICS OR THE OPERATIONS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. PURSUANT TO SCHOOL BOARD POLICY, SPEAKERS WHOSE COMMENTS DON'T RELATE TO THE TOPIC THE SPEAKER INDICATED OR NOT OTHERWISE EDUCATIONALLY RELEVANT AS REQUIRED FOR NON AGENDA TOPICS WHO COMMENTS DISRUPT OR INTERFERE WITH THE ORDER OF THE MEETING, MAY BE SUBJECT TO REMOVAL FROM THE MEETING OR HAVING THE MICROPHONE TURNED OFF AND FORFEITING THE RIGHT TO SPEAK AT THE REMAINDER OF TODAY'S MEETING. YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD. IN ACCORDANCE SCHOOL BOARD POLICY, THE MICROPHONE WILL BE TURNED OFF WHEN THE TIME LIMIT HAS BEEN REACHED. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. WE ALSO REQUEST YOU PROVIDE YOUR ADDRESS, SCHOOL DISTRICT NUMBER OR CITY OF RESIDENCE. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND I WILL CALL THE NAMES TWO AT A TIME. WE'LL START WITH CARL MOHAMMED AND THEN JILL COLEMAN. >> CARL MUHAMMAD. I'M GLAD TO SEE EVERYBODY BACK AND HOPE EVERYBODY BEEN DOING WELL. ONE OF THE THINGS I HEARD AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN BEING MENTIONED TONIGHT, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT GRADUATION AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT JUST GETS MORE PEOPLE IN LINE AND NOT REALLY CHANGING THE CONTENT OF THESE ARE NOT REALLY MAKING ANY ADVANCEMENTS AND THOSE OF US HERE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING FEVERISHLY WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE PAST 20-30 YEARS AND WE HAVE REAL SYSTEMIC THINGS WE COME UP TO BRING SOME RESOLVE TO THE PROBLEMS. SO, TONIGHT I WANT TO THANK Mr. LAIN FOR TAKING THE TIME TO COME TO THE CITY OF RIVERA BEACH TO SPEAK WITH THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY ABOUT SOME SPECIFIC PROBLEMS THAT ARE PLAGUING US. WE ALL KNOW THAT FLORIDA STATUTE IS VERY CRITICAL TO OUR PEOPLE AND MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE GRADUATION AND EVERYTHING ELSE. SO ON BEHALF OF LITTLE LISA PROGRAM, OUR CITY COMMISSIONERS AND CITY MANAGER, RIVERA BEACH EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE AND THE NAACP OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, WE ALL IN VIT Mr. LAIN TO COME TO THE CITY OF RIVERA BEACH AND MEETING IN LAKE GROVE ON FEBRUARY FIVE FROM 6-8 AND IF YOU SHOULD KNOW ANY INDIVIDUALS OR ANY PALM BEACH COUNTY THAT NEEDS CLEAR DIRECTION AS IT RELATES FROM THE COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE AS OPPOSED FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PERSPECTIVE, WE WILL HAVE A INVIGORATING CONVERSATION RELATING TO SOME OF THE THINGS WE ARE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND EVERYTHING THAT IS BEING PRESENTED IS WHAT WE ACHIEVED HAVING A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. SO, WE HAVE ALREADY HAD THE APPEARANCE OF YOU, Ms. BRILL, AND Ms. ANDREWS AND Ms. WHITFIELD AND WE HAVE HOPES THAT THE REST OF YOU -- WE HAD YOU Mr. BURKE WHEN YOU GOT ELECTED. YOU CAME TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE APPRECIATE THAT KIND OF ACTIVITY AND WE ENCOURAGE THE OTHER THREE BOARD MEMBERS IF YOU POSSIBLY ENTERTAIN THE IDEA OF COMING TO TALK WITH SPECIFICITY AS IT RELATES TO THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE PLAGUING THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY. BECAUSE, WE ARE VERY LUCKY. WE GOT THREE OF THE INITIAL PEOPLE, INITIAL GROUPS THAT STARTED OUT WITH THE RELATIONSHIP AND THAT'S THE NAACP, BLACK YOUTH ENRICHMENT AND THE VIRERA BEACH EDUCATION COMMITTEE, ALL WILL BE THERE ON FEBRUARY FIVE. IF YOU HAVE THE TIME OR KNOW ANYBODY ELSE INTERESTED IN THE WELL-BEING OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN, WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD EXTEND THE RIGHT HAND OF FELLOWSHIP AND SHOW SOME LOVE AND WE HAVE SOMETHING GOOD TO TALK ABOUT IN FEBRUARY, WHICH IS IT BLACK HISTORY MONTH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. JILL COLEMAN IS NOT HERE SO WE'LL MOVE TO -- PATERSON AND DR. TANYA SMALL. IF YOU PLEASE COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M ESAVIDGE LA ALTER SON. I WORK FOR CENTRAL -- ESAVIDGE LA PATERSON. THIS IS NOT A GOOD OCCASION WHY I'M HERE. I'M HERE ABOUT HOW THE UPPER MANAGEMENT ARE TREATING THE DRIVERS. IT IS UNREAL HOW THEY ARE DOING THEM. THEY ARE GOING IN SAYING -- SPILLING OUT FOR A QUARTER POSITION AND THEY ARE NOT GIVIN. THEY'RE NOT GIVING THE CAUCASIANS A POSITION. THEY ARE GIVING IT ALL TO MINORITIES. THEY HAVE WENT AND WE HAVE A LOT THAT LEFT FROM HERE AND GONE TO ANOTHER JOB AND BEING A SUPERVISOR, WHICH THEY FILLED OUT TO BE A TEAM LEADER OR A COORDINATOR AND THEY WERE TURNED DOWN. AND I HAVE THE PAPERWORK SAYING THEY GOT THE HIGHEST SCORE AND THEY GAVE IT TO SOMEBODY ELSE THAT HAD THE LOWEST SCORE, WHICH WAS A MINORITY. AND THAT IS NOT RIGHT HOW THIS JOB IS SUPPOSED TO BE. I HAVE BEEN ON THIS JOB FOR 38 YEARS. I WAS UNDER GAY AND -- I KNOW THAT IS ALL BEHIND ME. BUT I'M LOOKING FORWARD. I SEE Mr. ART JOHNSON OVER THERE. HE WAS A SUPERINTENDENT OVER 37 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS DOING WHAT I'M DOING NOW. AND THINGS IS JUST NOT BEING DONE RIGHT AROUND HERE. WE HAVE A DRIVER THAT HIT A PEDESTRIAN WITH A BUS THAT'S ON PROBATION AND STILL HERE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON BUT I AIN'T NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN MY LIFE. I WILL TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO COME SIGN UP TO WORK FOR THE DISTRICT BUT NOT UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. IT'S JUST A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON. TIME IS BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM US. I HAVE -- EXCUSE ME. FOR SICK TIME, THEY ARE TAKING IT AWAY AND TOLD ME UNPAID. AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DIRECTOR, NOT THE DIRECTOR, THE -- Mr. SANCHEZ, THAT IF YOU HAVE SICK TIME AND YOU CALL OUT, THEY SUPPOSED TO PAY YOU AND THEY ARE NOT PAYING. AND I HAVE MY PAPERWORK AND EVERYTHING THAT I'M TELLING YOU ABOUT. I HAVE THE PAPERWORK ON IT. AND THEY SAID, NO PAY. AND TAKEN THE TIME AND NOT PAYING. I HAVE SICK TIME. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS. I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS BUT THIS NEED TO GET TAKEN CARE OF. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. DR. TANYA SMALL, STEVEN COSTA. ARE EITHER OF YOU HERE? YES YOU ARE. THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING, BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT, VICE-CHAIR, Ms. ANDREWS. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. I'M DOCTOR TANYA SMALL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF A STRONGER FOUNDATION. WE ARE A MINDSET IN EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM THAT SUPPLEMENTS, WE WORK LIKE A SUPPLEMENT THAT COMPLETES THE LEARNING TO FOSTER PROCESS AND RETENTION AND RECALL. AND TODAY I WANT TO SAY THAT THERE IS A CASE FOR A STRONGER FOUNDATION. AND YES AS WE ENTER IN BLACK HISTORY MONTH, I WANT US TO REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS HAPPENING AND YES, GRADUATION RATES HAVE INCREASED BUT SO HAVE ECONOMIC DISPARITY. AND I REALLY AM CONCERNED RIGHT NOW BECAUSE BEFORE I CAME TO THIS MEETING, I DECIDED I WANTED TO LOOK THROUGH THE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS JUST TO SHOW HOW EACH OF THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN ARE STRUGGLING ALONG SIGNIFICANTLY. AND I'D LIKE TO -- I REALIZED THAT WOW I COULD DO IT DISTRICT WIDE BECAUSE DISTRICT WIDE IT'S LIKE EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL YOU ATTEND OR YOU LOOK AT THE DATA, THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN ARE STRAGELLING SIGNIFICANTLY. AND THIS IS AGAIN, I'M REALLY THE LAST ONE TO EVEN THINK ABOUT BLACK CHILDREN, WHITE CHILDREN, HISPANIC CHILDREN. I'M JUST NOT. BUT I DO WANT TO BRING IT TO OUR ATTENTION BECAUSE IF THE DATA WAS REVERSED, WOULD WE BE DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY HERE? WE ARE TALKING ABOUT K12 AND I KNOW THAT'S OUR FOCUS HERE AND WE'RE DOING A GREAT JOB. I LOVE THE WAY THE BOARD IS IN THE PUBLIC AND YOU'RE GETTING YOUR HANDS DIRTY OUT THERE AND FREEZING IN THE COLD. IT'S ALL GREAT. AND SO WHAT HAPPENS HERE -- MY PURPOSE IS NOT JUST K12. MINE IS AFTER K12, BEYOND THAT AND WHAT'S GOING ON WITH OUR CHILDREN ONCE THEY GRADUATE. ONCE THEY GRADUATE, THE DISPARITY SHOWS THEY ARE LOST. AND I REALLY WANT US TO IMPLEMENT -- I TALKED TO YOU ABOUT THE BOOKS I PUBLISHED. A WHOLE CURRICULUM, WHAT YOU SAY IS WHAT YOU ARE. BECAUSE ONCE THEY GRADUATE, WHAT DIFFERENTIATES THEM FROM BARELY SURVIVAL, IF YOU THINK ABOUT SURVIVAL, IT'S A RANGE. SURVIVAL GOES FROM JUST -- IT GOES FROM JUST ECONOMIC DISPARITY HOMELESSNESS. THAT'S ALL ABOUT SURVIVAL. SURVIVAL IS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SURVIVAL IS ABOUT YOUR MIND GOES INTO THAT -- MY BRAIN -- BASICALLY IT GOES INTO FIGHT-OR-FLIGHT. THAT'S YOUR SURVIVAL. AND THAT'S JUST DO REGAIN YOUR HOMEOSTASIS TO GET THINGS BACK TO NORMAL. WHAT WE HAVE TO DO HERE IS THESE AFRICAN-AMERICANS, THEY HAVE GREATNESS INSIDE OF THEM. WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHY DO WE STILL HAVE THESE CHILDREN STILL STRUGGLING IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS OR SCHOOLS? WHY CAN'T WE IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAM THAT IS GOING TO HELP THEM AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE? AND SORRY I RAN OUT OF TIME. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. STEVEN COSTA, TIFFANY BRYANT. PLEASE COME UP TO THE MICR MICROPHONE. THANK YOU. >> TIFFANY BRYANT. DISMISSIVE BEHAVIOR INVOLVES BRUSHING SOMEONE OFF, IGNORING THEM OR BEING IN DIFFERENT. IT CAN BE DISRESPECTFUL INCONSIDERATE OR RUDE. ON MAY 31, 2024, I E-MAILED A TRACE PROGRAM MANAGER REGARDING EXPERIENCES ON ONE OF THE DISTRICT'S CHOICE PROGRAMS. I NEVER RECEIVED A REPLY MUCH LESS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MY E-MAIL AND CONCERNS. ON DECEMBER SIX, 2024, I E-MAILED THE SCHOOL LIAISON AT THE DISTRICT FOR THE TRACE PROGRAM MY CHILD ATTENDS. I DID NOT RECEIVE A REPLY. SO ON DECEMBER 11, I E-MAILED THE DIRECTOR, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AND THE PROGRAM PLANNER FOR THE SAME CHOICE PROGRAM OFFICE. ON DECEMBER 12, I RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR THAT THE LIAISON WAS PROMOTED AND A PROGRAM MANAGER WOULD CONTACT ME. IRONICALLY, IT WAS TO BE THE SAME MANAGER WHO NEVER REPLIED NOR ACKNOWLEDGED MY MAY 2024 E-MAIL. THE SAME DAY, DECEMBER 12, THE MANAGER E-MAILED, HOWEVER, DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY OF MY QUESTIONS. I REPLIED TO THE MANAGER THE VERY SAME DAY EXPRESSING THAT WHILE I APPRECIATED HER CONTACTING ME PER THE INSTRUCTION OF THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, NONE OF MY CONCERNS WERE DISTRESSED. UNSURPRISING THE MANAGER NEVER RESPONDED TO MY E-MAIL AND NEVER ANSWERED ANY OF MY QUESTIONS. THE FOLLOWING WEEK, ANOTHER ISSUE AROSE AND I E-MAILED THE MANAGER AGAIN ON DECEMBER 17. I ALSO REFERENCED MY DECEMBER 12 E-MAIL. AGAIN, I NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE NOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MY DECEMBER 17th E-MAIL. HOWEVER, I KNOW SOMEONE RECEIVED BOTH E-MAILS BECAUSE I RECEIVED AN OUT OF OFFICE REPLY TO MY DECEMBER 17 E-MAIL FROM THE DIRECTOR STATING E-MAILS WILL BE RESPONDED TO ON DECEMBER 19 UPON HER RETURN TO THE OFFICE. EACH INQUIRY I HAVE SUBMITTED FALLS UNDER THE SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 5.735, PARENTS BILL OF RIGHTS AND NOTIFICATION OF RIGHT TO INVOLVEMENT IN PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS. SPECIFICALLY SECTION 2 PART 1D AND SECTIONS 3 PARTS 1B, 5.73 PART F AND PART M. YET TODAY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22nd, 2025, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLY TO ANY OF THE THREE E-MAILS I SENT TO THE DISTRICT'S DESIGNATED PUBLICLY FUNDED OFFICE FOR ONE OF THE CHOICE SCHOOL PROGRAMS AN OFFICE WHOSE VERY EXISTENCE IS TO BE OF SERVICE TO THOSE AND TO SPECIFIED CHOICE PROGRAM. NOT ONE OFFICIAL ON THIS DISSIZES AND DISTRICT PERSONNEL SELF-FUNDED. NEVER HAVE TO SELL COOKIES LIKE SOCIETIES OR POP SI KILLS LIKE STUDENT PATROLS YET YOU HAVE PERSONNEL WHO IGNORE AND DISRESPECT THE VERY PEOPLE NEEDED BY THIS DISTRICT TO SECURE ITS EXISTENCE AND RELEVANCE, NOT ONLY FINANCIALLY BUT WITH OUR CHILDREN, THE STUDENTS. DUE TO THE DISTRICT'S DISMISSIVENESS, I HAVE CONCLUDED THAT CONTACTING THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER IS . >> PLEASE DON'T LEAVE. DEPARTMENT SUPERINTENDENT ED TIERNEY IS GOING TO COME SPEAK WITH YOU. >> NOW I'M GOING TO CALL UP ANEAT RA STRAHAN AND FELICIA SIMON. ARE THEERTSDZ OF YOU HERE-- ARE EITHER OF YOU HERE? PLEASE COME RIGHT UP. SORRY IF I PRONOUNCED YOUR NAME WRONG. I'M NOT GOOD AT THAT. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. >> CAN SOMEONE ADJUST THE MICROPHONE? >> GOOD EVENING, BILLBOARD BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE. MY NAME IS ANITA GRANT STRONG FROM DELRAY. STUDENT LEARNING AND WELL-BEING ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP. THE INABILITY OF THE HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTERS TO INFLUENCE TEACHERS WILL RESULT IN CONTINUED PROBLEMS OF LOW EXPECTATION, UNFAIR DISCIPLINE PRACTICES AND POOR STUDENT PERFORMANCE. THE FACT IS, UNDER THE WATCH OF POOR LEADERS, STAFF MORALE DECLINES, EMPLOYEE EMPLOYEES FEELS LESS COMMITTED WHICH LEADS TO LESSER QUALITY OF WORK AND NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR CHILDREN. WHEN THE DISTRICT PLACES POOR LEADERSHIP IN SCHOOLS, WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION IS LOW INCOME STUDENTS OF COLOR, EXPERIENCE HIGH TEACHER TURNOVER RATES WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO SCARCITIES IN THE CLASSROOM. THESE SCARCITYIES LEAVE UNPREPARED TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM COMPROMISING STUDENT LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT. FURTHERMORE EFFECTIVE TEACHERS WHO CHOOSE TO STAY IN THE HIGH NEEDS PREDOMINANTLY BLACK SCHOOLS ARE MOTIVATED BY SUPPORT FROM THEIR ADMINISTRATIVE TEAMS. HOWEVER THE SUPPORT IS NOT EVIDENT AT ATLANTIC HIGH SCHOOL. CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT ISSUES ARE IGNORED, ENFORCEMENT OF SCHOOL POLICIES IS INCONSISTENT. THERE IS AN EXTREME LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM AND INTEGRITY SHOWN BY ADMINISTRATORS TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS. WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION IS NOT ACTIVELY IN PURSUIT OF CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT OF INCLUSION FOR ALL TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, WHO DO WE AS PARENTS TURN TO? WE ARE TOLD TO CONSULT OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM; HOWEVER, WHEN THE LEADERSHIP TEAM IS THE CULPRIT, WHO DO WE TURN TO? I HAVE TURNED TO THE DISTRICT'S LEADERSHIP TEAM AND A MONTH LATER MY DAUGHTER IS STILL HARASSED BY THE ADMINISTRATORS. LASTLY I ASK THAT THE BOARD REEVALUATE THE ADMINISTRATORS PLACED IN THE SCHOOL IS. ADMINISTRATORS SET THE TONE FOR EVERY HIGH SCHOOL. THANK YOU. >> Chair Brill: FELICIA SIMON. DO YOU WANT THEM TO ADJUST THAT FOR YOU? CAN YOU COME OUT AND LOWER IT? THANK YOU. >> GOOD DAY, MY NAME IS FELICIA AND I'M A CURRENT STUDENT AT ATLANTIC COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL. A WHILE AGO I WAS FACED WITH THIS INCIDENT WHERE A TEACHER NOT ONLY YELLED AT ME, SHE CUSSED AT ME AND PHYSICALLY BARRED ME FROM ENTERING THE SCHOOL BUILDING WHICH SHE FORCED ME TO-- SORRY. SHE BARRED ME FROM ENTERING THE SCHOOL BUILDING FORCING ME TO FIND AN ACCESSIBLE OPENING. I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO THE HIGH SCHOOL WHICH I WAS IGNORED FOR THREE TO FOUR DAYS. SHE DIDN'T RESPOND TO ME AND WHEN SHE DID RESPOND TO ME, I HAD TO HAVE A MEETING AND IN THIS MEETING, I WAS ASKED TO REITERATE WHAT I STATED IN MY EMAIL IN FRONT OF THE TEACHER. WHICH WAS NOT ONLY UNNECESSARY BUT ALSO UNCOMFORTABLE. IN THIS MEETING, SHE SPECIFICALLY READ SEVERAL LINES OF MY EMAIL WHICH MADE ME FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE AND I STAND HERE TO ASK THE BOARD MEMBERS WHO DO WE GO TO WHEN-- WHO DO WE GO TO FOR SUPPORT WHEN OUR ADMINISTRATORS ARE NOT SUPPORTIVE. >> Chair: THANK YOU. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBERS. THAT'S GOING TO BRING US TO THE END OF OUR NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS. AND THE END OF OUR BOARD MEETING I'LL TAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. MOTION BY Mr., SECOND BY Ms. BRANCH. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY DISCUSSION? I DON'T THINK SO. ALL IN FAVOR? IN ALL OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. PLEASE BE CAREFUL DRIVING HOME. IT WAS PRETTY NASTY COMING HERE. THANK YOU EVERYBODY. SAFE TRAVELS HOPE.