>> Karen Brill: GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN I WILL CALL THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TO ORDER. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> DISTRICT 1, MATTHEW JAY LANE. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 2, VIRGINIA SAVIETTO. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 3, KAREN BRILL. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 4, ERICA WHITFIELD. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 5, GLORIA BRANCH. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 6, MARCIA ANDREWS. >> HERE. >> DISTRICT 7, EDWIN FERGUSON.
>> HERE. ALSO JOINING US IS SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, AND STUDENT COUNTY PRESIDENT ISABELLA MIRISOLA. SENIOR STAFF MEMBERS WILL JOIN US PERIODICALLY AS DIRECTED BY
THE SUPERINTENDENT. TONIGHT, THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WILL BE PERFORMED BY THE EAGLES LANDING MIDDLE SCHOOL VOCAL ACADEMY CHAMBER CHOIR. WOULD EVERYONE STAND FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AND FOLLOWED BY
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BIAS IS. ♪O SAY CAN YOU SEE BY THE DAWN'S
EARLY LIGHT♪ ♪WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED AT THE TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING♪
♪WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT♪ ♪O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED, WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING♪
♪AND THE ROCKET'S RED GLARE, THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR♪ ♪GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE♪
♪O SAY DOES THAT STAR-SPANGLED BANNER YET WAVE♪
♪O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE ♪.
[APPLAUSE] I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
VIEWSERS AND LISTENERS CAN ACCESS THE MEETING BY WATCHING ON COMCAST CHANNELS 234 AND 235, U VERSE CHANNEL OR USING THE YouTube LINK AT PALM BEACH SCHOOLS.ORG. IN THE EVENT THE LINK IS INTERRUPTED, PLEASE SWITCH OVER TO THE TV CHANNELS.
ALL BOARD MEETINGS ARE RECORDED IN THEIR ENTIRETY AND POSTED ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE WITHIN 24 HOURS. WE ALSO OFFER A LISTENING ONLY OPTION WHICH THE PUBLIC CAN ACCESS BY CALLING 561-357-5900
OR TOLL FREE, 1-866-930-7015. THE MEETING ID IS 1561, 8801124 POUND. BOARD MEMBERS WE DO NOT HAVE MINUTES TO APPROVE. I HAVE TWO ITEMS TO ADD FOR GOOD
CAUSE. WHEN MY COMPUTER ALLOWS ME. I'M GOING TO BE ADDING LD1 AUTHORIZATION TO RULE ON REQUEST FOR ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING. GOOD CAUSE EXISTS FOR ADDING THIS ITEM TO THE AGENDA AT THIS TIME. PEDRO RAPHAEL FILED A REQUEST
FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING. THE BOARD AS THE AGENCY HAS 15 DAYS TO GRANTOR DENY A REQUEST FOR HEARING. BECAUSE OF THIS ABBREVIATED TIME-FRAME, THIS ITEM IS BEING BROUGHT AS A GOOD CAUSE ITEM ON TODAY'S AGENDA. IN ADDITION, P2 PERSONNEL
ADDENDUM. GOOD CAUSE EXISTS FOR ADDING THIS ITEM SO EMPLOYEES CAN BEGIN IN THEIR NEW POSITIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT DO YOU HAVE ITEMS TO WITHDRAW. >> Mike Burke: NO. >> Karen Brill: BOARD ITEMS DO YOU HAVE ITEMS TO APPROVE.
MOVE AND APPROVE THE AGENDA. MRS. WHITFIELD? >> Erica Whitfield: THANK YOU. SOMEHOW THAT SNUCK UP ON ME. SINCE MEMBERS OF THE CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA ARE IN ATTENDANCE TONIGHT I WOULD LIKE
TO MAKE A MOTION TO REORDER THE AGENDA TO PULL REGC3 A DONATION OF $15,000 FROM LAKE WORTH HIGH SCHOOL OFF OF THE CONSENT AGENDA TO BE READ AND VOTED ON AFTER BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN TAKE A PHOTO
WITH THEM DURING OUR PRESENTATIONS. >> Karen Brill: MOTION BY MRS. WHITFIELD AND SECONDED BY MS. SAVIO. ANY DISCUSSION? MOTION DAIRIES UNANIMOUSLY. CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THAT WILL NOW BRING US TO
DISCLOSURES AND ABSTENTIONS. SEEING NONE WE DO NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. A MOTION BY MRS. ANDREWS AND SADDED BY MRS. BRANCH. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE WILL MOVE TO SUPERINTENDENT
AND BOARD COMMENTS. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT? >> Mike Burke: THANK YOU. EARLIER THIS MONTH, WE HELD THE FOURTH ANNUAL CELEBRATE THE GREAT AWARDS CEREMONY AND IT WAS IN THE BEAUTIFUL NEW HOME WITH THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION KNOWN AS THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION. WE CELEBRATE THE GREAT AWARS A
CHANCE TO SHINE THE SPOTLIGHT TO THOSE WHO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR OUR STUDENTS EVERYDAY AND WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS FOR PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR. THE AWARD WENT TO SHANTY KING A PRINCIPAL AT PINE GROVE. OUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL WAS FROM
PAHOKEE SEEP HIGH SCHOOL. AND OUR SCHOOL RELATED EMPLOYEE WAS YASMINE FROMMAL MAN DA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND WE HAVE A SHORT VIDEO THAT WILL GIVE YOU A REVIEW OF THE CEREMONY. [♪♪]
>> OF ALL OF THE ANNUAL CELEBRATE GREATS THIS IS UNIQUE. EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION IS SITTING IN THE CHAIRS. >> WE HAVE 16 FINAL LISTS ACROSS FOUR CATEGORIES AND WE WILL SELECT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR,
TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND SCHOOL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR. >> AND SAY TO ALL 16 NOMINEES AND THE FOUR RECIPIENTS YOU ARE THE VERY EMBODY. OF EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION. >> LET'S MAKE NOISE FOR JASMINE! >> YOU DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A
DIFFERENCE. YOU DO IT BECAUSE YOU LOVE IT. NOT TO BE PRAISED OR TO BE REWARDED. >> 2025 TEACHER OF THE YEAR, KIMBERLY ZUCKER. >> IT IS A PINCH ME MOMENT TRULY THAT I AM REPRESENTING ALL
TEACHERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY AND I CANNOT WAIT TO CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE EDUCATION. >> THE WINNER IS, GEE TAB TOW. >> IN MANY WAYS FOR THE STUDENTS
THE TEACHERS AND THE ENTIRE TEAM. IN 2025 PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR SHAUNTE. >> TO BE PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR, IT MEANS GREAT PRIDE AND NOT JUST WINNING BUT JUST WHAT IT MEANS FOR PINE GROVE FOR THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE FAMILIES. >> WE LOVE DOING THIS EVENT FOR ALL OF THESE AMAZING EDUCATORS WHO DEDICATED THEIR LIFE TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF PALM BEACH COUNTY AND IT IS AN HONOR FOR US TO BE A PART OF IT. >> Mike Burke: ALL RIGHT. I KNOW THE SCHOOL BOARD WAS THERE WITH ME TO BE PART OF THAT EVENT.
IT WAS AMAZING AND I THANK OUR EDUCATION FOUNDATION FOR PUTTING THAT TOGETHER AND HOSTING IF IN YOUR BEAUTIFUL NEW BUILDING AND JUST FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND I WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY OUR SCHOOLS WILL ENGAGE IN THE BLACK
LEADERS. PERFORMANCES, ARTISTIC DISPLAYS TO OFFER STUDENTS, FACULTY AND FAMILIES TIME TO LEARN AND REFLECT. BY RECOGNIZING BLACK AMERICANS CONTRIBUTIONS WE EMPOWER STUDENTS TO BECOME INFORMED COMPASSIONATE CITIZENS. I RECOGNIZE OUR EDUCATORS FOR THE DEDICATION AND THANK COMMUNITY PARTNER.
YOU WITH VISIT PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS.ORG/AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES TO FIND RESOURCES, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND OPPORTUNITIES AND INFORMATION. AND AT THIS POINT I WOULD LIKE TO TURN MY COMMENTS TO MEG BEGAN FAY THE LEGISLATIVE CONTINUES TO APPROACH WEAVER GOING TO HAVE
OUR LEGISLATIVE LIAISONS PROVIDE A BRIEF UPDATE WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND WE WILL START WITH MEGHAN FROM TALLAHASSEE. >> THANK YOU. CAN EVERYONE HEAR ME? GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT TO YOU TONIGHT
HERE FROM TALLAHASSEE. SINCE WE LAST SPOKE, IT'S BEEN AN INTERESTING TIME. THE LEGISLATURE CAME TOGETHER THEY DID END UP PASSING SENATE BILLS 24 AND 6C. THEY SENT THOSE TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE GOVERNOR DID SIGN THEM 2
AND 4 SICK WAS A RESOLUTION THAT DID NOT REQUIRE THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE. THESE WERE THE NEGOTIATED PIECES OF LEGISLATION TO DO SUPPORT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND TACKLING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT AS I MENTIONED LAST WEEK, WE'VE HAD THREE
SPECIAL SESSIONS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH OF JANUARY. AND SO IT'S BEEN AN ONGOING PROCESS BUT ONE THAT HAS COME IN FOR A LANDING. WITH ALL PARTIES COMING TO AN AGREEMENT ON A PIECE OF LEGISLATION. THIS WEEK SORT OF PICKED BACK UP
BUSINESS AS USUAL THIS IS THE LAST COMMITTEE WEEK BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF SESSION. AND SO IT'S SORT OF THIS WEEK FEELS VERY MUCH LIKE A RACE TO DO PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING AT THAT TIME THEY MEANT TO DO IN THE WEEKS THAT GOT EATEN UP BY SPECIAL SESSIONS. A LOT OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS,
HEARING FROM STATE AGENCIES, A LOT OF DEEP DIVES INTO BUDGETS, ADMINISTRATIVE VACANCIES, WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE STATE AGENCIES AND THEN WE DID SEE BILLS IN THE EDUCATION SPHERE AND OTHERS START TO GET HEARD BY COMMITTEES THIS WEEK. THIS IS THE FIRST WEEK WHICH IS
REALLY UNUSUAL THIS LATE IN THE INTERIM COMMITTEE WEEKS TO START HEARING LEGISLATION. I WILL NOTE PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT OR MOST NOTABLE BILL THAT DID GET A HEARING THIS WEEK, TO DATE IT'S ONLY WEDNESDAY, WAS HOUSE BILL 301, STUDENTS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT
BY REPRESENTATIVE MCFARLAND. THIS IS A BILL THAT IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR SEVERAL YEARS. IT WOULD RAISE THE CAPS FOR CASES IN WHICH POWERFULS BRING LAWSUITS -- PLAINTIFFS BRING LAWSUITS AGAINST LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND
STATE GOVERNMENTS INCLUDING A SCHOOL DISTRICT. SO POTENTIALLY IF THE BILL WERE TO PASS, IT WOULD HAVE A FISCAL IMPACT UPON THE DISTRICT AND I'M SURE MS. FREDERICK CAN GIVE YOU MORE DETAILS WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE. IT WOULD RAISE THE CAPS ON THE LIMITS FOR LAWSUITS. IT DID PASS OUT OF ITS HOUSE
COMMITTEE TODAY. ALTHOUGH IT DID TAKE THE FULL TWO HOURS. THERE WAS A QUITE A BIT OF DEBATE AND PUBLIC COMMENT. JUST TO NOTE THERE IS NO SENATE COMPANION AS OF TODAY. HOWEVER, I DO ANTICIPATE THERE WILL BE A SENATE COMPANION. AND I DO THINK THE BILL ALSO
MOVE THIS YEAR. THEY'VE MOVED THEY'VE GOTTEN FAR OVER THE PAST TWO OR THREE YEARS. AND I THINK THERE IS WIDESPREAD AGREEMENT THAT IT IS TIME TO LOOK AT THE CAPS ON THE LIMITS TO SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT CHANGED. AND I WANT TO SAY IT'S BEEN 20
YEARS. BUT THERE ARE DEFINITELY OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE BILL THAT ARE MORE CONTENTIOUS AND DEBATABLE. SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO MONITOR AND ENGAGE IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND MAKE SURE THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AWARE OF ANY IMPACTS THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE IF THAT BILL DOES LOOK LIKE IT'S GOING
TO PASS AND ANY IMPACT ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT GOING FORWARD FROM A FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE. ONE OTHER THING I WANT TO NOTE AND TO MY REMARKS WILL BE QUICK BECAUSE LIKE I'VE SAID IT'S ONLY WEDNESDAY AND I DO WANT TO NOTE THAT TODAY SENATOR SIMON DID
FILE SENATE BILL 166, WHICH IS TITLED ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY. IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THIS APPEARS TO BE SORT OF I WILL CALL IT DEREGULATION PART TWO. IF NOT CALLED DEREGULATION, BUT IT LOOKS TO BE A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS IN THE BILLS FROM
LAST YEAR THAT DID NOT PASS THAT ARE COMING BACK. LOTS OF PLACES WHERE THE SENATE IS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP PUBLIC SCHOOLS RUN MORE EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO LOOK AT SENATE BILL 166. IT DOES NOT HAVE A HOUSE
COMPANION AT THIS TIME BUT I'M SURE THAT WILL BE PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS GOING FORWARD. THE LAST THING I WOULD NOTE IS THAT TALKS ABOUT THE BUDGET SEEM TO BE GETTING VERY REAL HERE IN TALLAHASSEE. I MET WITH SENATE CHAIRMAN COOPER THIS WEEK.
THEY ARE LOOKING TO REALLY BUILD THEIR STARTING POINT BUDGETS FOR EACH CHAMBER BY WEEK THREE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION SO THAT WILL BE IT WILL BE HERE BEFORE WE KNOW IT END OF MARCH. AND BOTH CHAMBERS ARE LOOKING AT
ROLLING OUT BUDGETS THAT ARE LESS -- LOWER THAN THEY WERE LAST YEAR. SO THEY ARE LOOKING AT OUTLOOKS AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE LOOKING AT OUTLOOKS THAT DO SHOW BUDGET PROJECTED BUDGET SHORTFALLS IN THE OUTYEARS.
SO I DON'T THINK YOU'LL SEE ANY SORT OF LARGE SCALE BUDGET CUT BUT JUST, I WOULD SAY THAT WE WOULDN'T EXPECT TO SEE LARGE INCREASES EITHER. AND SO WITH THAT, THAT IS MY REPORT FOR TONIGHT. AND I CAN TAKE ANY QUESTIONS THAT ANYONE MIGHT HAVE BEFORE I
TURN IT OVER. >> THANK YOU MS. FAY. WE HAVE QUESTIONS SO WE'LL MOVE TO OUR FEDERAL LOBBYIST. >> THANK YOU GUYS. GOOD EVENING. SO I THINK IT'S THE NAVY SEALS WHO USE THE EXPRESSION THE ONLY
EASY DAY WAS YESTERDAY. AND HONESTLY, I THINK THAT COULD BE THE MOTTO FOR FEDERAL EDUCATION TODAY. THE ONLY EASY DAY WAS YESTERDAY. AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE STRUCTURE OF FEDERAL EDUCATION IS EXPERIENCING A SIGNIFICANT TRANSITION.
IT IS CHAOTIC AT THE MOMENT. WELL, LET ME JUST SAY IT'S CHAOTIC AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME IT'S NOT ALWAYS GOING TO BE THIS WAY. I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO PANIC I KNOW YOU ARE READING A LOT OF THINGS. LET ME COVER A FEW THINGS.
LAST MONTH TWO BILLS WERE FILEDDED IN JANUARY TO SHUT DOWN THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, HR369, AND HR899. ONE OF THOSE BILLS FOR INSTANCE HAS JUST ONE SENTENCE IN IT AND IT SAYS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL SHUT DOWN.
ON DECEMBER 31, 2026. SO BILLS SUCH AS THIS HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE PAST AND THEY WEREN'T FOR LACK A BETTER WORD TAKEN SERIOUSLY BECAUSE THEY NEVER SAW THE LIGHT OF DAY. THEY NEVER WENT TO A FLOOR VOTE. BUT WE NEED TO CONSIDER THESE
BILLS VERY SERIOUSLY RIGHT NOW. SO THAT IS HAPPENING. BUT FOR TONIGHT'S UPDATE, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT FEDERAL FUNDING. SO REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WHETHER THE PLANS ARE TO EVENTUALLY DISSOLVE IT OR
ABOLISH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE FUNDING IS STILL AN ISSUE THAT WE NEED TO BE LASER FOCUSED ON. BECAUSE IT BOILS DOWN TO BEING ABLE TO SUSTAIN OUR STUDENTS WITH THE HIGHEST QUALITY POSSIBLE OF EDUCATION AND OF SERVICES.
LET ME RECAP THE BUDGET. IF YOU RECALL LAST FALL IN SEPTEMBER, THE BUDGET THEY ISSUED A CONTINUING RESOLUTION AND PUSHED THE BUDGET OUT UNTIL DECEMBER 20TH. NOBODY WANTED TO DEAL WITH THE BUDGET. IT WAS AN ELECTION YEAR.
SO THEY PUSHED IT TO DECEMBER 20TH. DECEMBER 20TH CAME AND NEGOTIATIONS WERE FALLING APART ON THE BUDGET SO THEY PUSHED IT OUT AGAIN TO MARCH 14TH WHICH IS JUST A FEW WEEKS AWAY. EACH TIME THEY PASSED A CONTINUING RESOLUTION TO AVOID A
GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN. SO WHERE DO WE STAND NOW? THE HOUSE HAS DECIDED TO DRAFT WHAT THEY REFER TO AS ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL WHICH ENCOMPASSES ALL POLICY AREAS PLUS A TAX OVERHAUL. NOW, IN THE OTHER CHAMBER, THE
SENATE WANTS TO TAKE A TWO-TRACK APPROACH. THEY WANT A FRONT LOAD ENERGY DEFENSE AND BORDER SECURITY IN ONE BILL AND THEN DEAL WITH ALL THE REST OF THE BUDGET WHICH WOULD INCLUDE EDUCATION IN A SECOND BILL. WHETHER THEY HANDLE THIS WITH
ONE BILL OR TWO BILLS, THEY HAVE THREE WEEKS TO FIGURE THIS OUT. AND THEY WILL BE NEGOTIATING FOR THOSE THREE WEEKS. YOU WILL HEAR A LOT DURING THE NEXT THREE WEEKS. MEANWHILE, A WEEK AGO, YOU MAY HAVE HEARD AT THAT TIME THE U.S.
SENATE ISSUED THEIR BUDGET PLANS AND IN THAT THEY HAD CATEGORIES OF WHERE THEY MIGHT ADD MONEY AND WHERE THEY MIGHT DECREASE MONEY. SO THEY HAD UNDER THE SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE BUDGET A $1
BILLION REDUCTION WHICH MADE EVERYONE NERVOUS. BUT THE SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE IS HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR AND PENSION. SO WE DON'T KNOW WHAT DEPARTMENTS OR ENTITIES COMPRISE THAT $1 BILLION REDUCTION YET. THEY ARE MARKING THAT PILL UP
THIS WEEK AND NEXT WEEK BUT IT COULD BE SCATTERED IN THOSE AREAS OR IT COULD BE MAYBE FOCUSED IN THE HEALTH AREA. WE JUST DON'T KNOW. WE DON'T WANT TO PANIC. WHAT DO WE DO? HOPE FOR THE BEST. AND OBVIOUSLY PREPARE FOR THE
WORST. WE ARE BEING TOLD RIGHT NOW TO BEGIN TO PLAN FOR THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF SOME FEDERAL FUNDING. AND SOME SERVICES FOR K-12 EDUCATION. WE MAY EXPERIENCE THE LOSS OF RESEARCH SERVICES, SURVEYS AND
PERHAPS GRANTS FOR FEDERAL PROGRAMS. I WAS JUST ON A CALL TODAY WHERE YESTERDAY THIS HAPPENED $600 MILLION FOR A FEDERAL CONTRACT FOR TEACHER PREP WAS CANCELED
AND THAT DID IMPACT MIAMI, CHARLOTTE AND BOSTON THAT I KNOW OF FOR SURE. IT DID NOT IMPACT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. LET'S SEE. SO WE CAN ALSO PREPARE WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY
OF REDUCTIONS IN TITLE 1, TITLE 2, AND TITLE 3 AND I D.E.A. FUNDING AS WELL. WE HOPE THAT IS NOT THE CASE. WE ARE OBVIOUSLY CONTINUING TO LOBBY TO KEEP OUR BUDGET INTACT. WE HAVE SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE HELPING US QUITE A BIT.
SUCH AS THE COUNCIL OF GREAT CITIES SCHOOLS AND THE NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION JUST A NUMBER OF THEM ARE CIRCLING THE WAGONS IF YOU WILL. AND THEY ARE SUGGESTING ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS PREPARE TALKING POINTS ON WHERE OUR FEDERAL
FUNDING IS CURRENTLY BEING SPENT AND TO SHARE THOSE TALKING POINTS WITH ALL LAWMAKERS WITH BUSINESS PARTNERS AND WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS. YOU KNOW WE SHOULD BE ASKING QUESTIONS LIKE HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE SERVICED BY TITLE ONE, TITLE 2, TITLE 3 AND I D.E.A. DOLLARS.
HOW MANY STUDENT SERVICES ARE REIMBURSED BY MEDICAID COMPENSATION. HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE FOR CEP, THE COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PROVISION THAT HAS TO DO WITH SCHOOL MEALS. WHAT HAPPENS TO SPECIAL NEEDS
STUDENTS IF WE CAN NO LONGER PROVIDE ALL THE SERVICES WHICH ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION AND AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT. SO IN OTHER WORDS WE NEED TO ASK OURSELVES THE QUESTION THAT OUR LAWMAKERS ARE STARTING TO ASK US
ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS DISAPPEAR? OR ARE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED? WHAT ADVERSE IMPACT WILL THAT HAVE ON OUR STUDENTS. AND WHAT WILL THAT LOOK LIKE TO OUR COMMUNITY. SO I KNOW OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT IS
PUTTING THAT TOGETHER RIGHT NOW. THE COUNCIL OF GREAT CITY SCHOOLS HAS ALREADY PUT TOGETHER A TALKING POINT SHEET WHICH I'D BE HAPPY TO SHARE WITH ANY OF THE BOARD MEMBERS. SO I'D LIKE TO LEAVE YOU WITH A LITTLE BIT OF GOOD NEWS.
I DID SIT THROUGH THE CONFERMATION -- CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR THE FUTURE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION LINDA McMAHON. SHE MADE A LOT OF POSITIVE COMMENTS ABOUT PUBLIC SCHOOLS. AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEING THE BEDROCK OF OUR NATION. SO THAT WAS REALLY GOOD TO HEAR.
HOW STRONGLY SHE FEELS ABOUT PUBLIC SCHOOLS. AND THE OTHER POSITIVE NOTE IN THAT IS THAT SHE HAS AGREED TO SPEAK AT THE COUNCIL OF GREAT CITY SCHOOLS LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE WHICH IS COMING AT THE END OF MARCH IN WASHINGTON. AND SHE WILL BE SPEAKING AND
ANSWERING QUESTIONS. SO I WANTED TO LEAVE YOU ON THAT POSITIVE NOTE. WE HAVE TO LOOK TO MARCH 14TH TO SEE WHAT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN. SO STAY TUNED FOR THAT AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR THIS REPORT. THE ONLY EASY DAY WAS YESTERDAY.
>> Mike Burke: THANK YOU. AND WE'LL BE MONITORING THAT CLOSELY THE POTENTIAL BUDGET CUTS TO OUR ENTITLE GRANTS OR ELIMINATION COULD HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON THE BUDGET. IT IS EARLY IN THAT PROCESS BUT WE'LL WATCH IT CLOSELY AND CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE COUNCIL OF GREAT CITY SCHOOLS
WHO ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE OUR CHAIR IN MARCIA ANDREWS CHAIR OF THAT NATIONAL ORGANIZATION. AND THE LEGISLATIVE TEAM WILL BE WORKING ON THAT. THE LAST ANNOUNCEMENT IS IMPORTANT. I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE AND WISH A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MADAM CHAIR KAREN BRILL SHE CELEBRATED
HER BIRTHDAY EARLIER THIS MONTH. SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY. THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. >> Karen Brill: SO THAT WILL BRING US TO BOARD COMMENTS AND WE'LL START WITH VICE-CHAIR MARCIA ANDREWS. >> Marcia Andrews: HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHAIR BRILL.
I WANT TO SAY TO EAGLES LANDING MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR YOU ARE SO AWESOME YOU SANG SO BEAUTIFUL THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND STARTING US OFF TODAY. [APPLAUSE] YOU ARE AWESOME. HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH. AS I GO THROUGH SOME OF THE PLACES THAT I'VE BEEN OVER THE
LAST FEW WEEKS I WOULD HOPEFULLY SEE PICTURES UP THERE. BECAUSE WE'RE SHOUTING OUT. WE'RE SHOUTING OUT TO Dr. MONICA WALKER AND Dr. CATHERINE LOW. THEY ARE DOCTORS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. AFRICAN-AMERICAN DOCTORS. THE JEFFERSON MEDICAL SOCIETY IN PALM BEACH LAKES HIGH SCHOOL DID
A MURAL FOR THEM. AND WOW IT WAS SO AWESOME TO SEE THEM SO EXCITED. BUT THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE IN OUR COMMUNITIES OVER THE YEARS, Dr. MONICA WALKER IS A FAMILY PRACTICE DOCTOR. AND Dr. CATHERINE LOW IS THE OPHTHALMOLOGIST AND THEY ARE HEROS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND I WANTED TO SHOW THE HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY. WE WERE CELEBRATING 80 YEARS COMMEMORATING THE LIBERATION OF AUSCHWITZ AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ZEL DA IS UP ON THE SCREEN AND SHE IS AWESOME. SHE HELPS OUR CHILDREN LEARN
THAT WE NEVER CAN FORGET THE HOLOCAUST AND WE DON'T WANT TO EVER HAVE THAT TRAGEDY IN AMERICA OR IN THE WORLD AGAIN. WE LOVE YOU ZELDA. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. AND THEN I KNOW CAITLYN PANSE IS IN THE AUDIENCE TONIGHT WE ARE CELEBRATING HER HER BEAUTIFUL ARTWORK IS GOING TO HANG IN THE
FLORIDA CAPITOL. SHE IS SO AWESOME FROM CRESTWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL. AND -- [APPLAUSE] AND FLORIDA AT FAU HENDERSON SCHOOL WELLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL LATINOS IN ACTION YOU DANCE AND MAKE IT HAPPEN.
WE SAW YOU TALK ABOUT COACH AND CULTURE AND MAKE A DIFFERENT. AT FAU AT FLORIDA. AND THE COUNSELORS ALL OF US WERE THERE FOR THE BREAKFAST AND I SHOUT-OUT FOR GAIL THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TRUMPCARE OF THE YEAR FROM ELRIDGE GAIL AND
WESTERN PINES MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR LOWERY AND CYPRUS TRAILS COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR KAMIL SMITH. YOU TAKE CARE OUR KIDS EVERY SINGLE DAY BEING GREAT COUNSELORS WE LOVE YOU. AND, YES, WELLINGTON KIMBERLY
STALKER THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR FROM POLO PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL. YOU BROUGHT HER TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND GAVE HEROSES TO TELL HER SHE IS GREAT. WE KNOW THAT. ALL OF OUR TEACHERS ARE GREAT. BUT SHE IS REPRESENTING US IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. AT THE STATE LEVEL. YOU ARE A WINNER KIMBERLY WE
LOVE YOU. EMERALD COAL MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER DAY. IT WAS FABULOUS AND I SAW THE BEAUTIFUL DOGS AND I SAW ALL OF THE PEOPLE COMING TO OUR SCHOOL THE TEACH OUR CHILDREN ABOUT CAREERS AND WHERE THEY NEEDING IF IN THE NEXT LEVEL. JUNIOR ACHIEF. YOU CONTINUALLY DO IT.
SEE THAT BIG TEN THIS RACKET I WAS GOING TO HIT THE BALL BUT THEY SAID HOLD-UP IT'S ALL ABOUT TEACHING KIDS ABOUT TENNIS AND WELLINGTON AT THE EVENT. AND TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN, BRIDGE THE GAP, Mr. OSWALD I
SAW YOU RUNNING I WAS THERE TO GIVE YOU WATER AND REFRESHMENTS. YOU MADE IT. TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN SATURDAY ON THE BLUE HERON BRIDGE 5K YOU WERE THERE. THE STUDENTS HAD A LOVELY TIME AND IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL EVENT. AND BELLE GLADE ENRICHMENT
CENTER ON SUNDAY, WE BUILT ENRICHMENT IS IT ARE FOR AFTER SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO LEARN TO TAKE THEIR EDUCATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL AFTER SCHOOL. THE SOVEREIGN ORDER THANK YOU FOR RAISING FUNDS TO BUILD THAT NEW CENTER. PASTOR MORALES, TONY, YOU ALL
MADE IT HAPPEN IN THE CITY OF BELLE GLADE. AND LASTLY, WELLINGTON LANDINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL, PALM BEACH SUPPORT DAY RALLY. THE PB SUPPORT YOU DID IT. WE LOVE YOU ALL. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. Mr. FERGUSON. >> Edwin Ferguson: I KNOW YOU ARE WATCHING THIS AND I WANT TO
LET YOU KNOW I HAD A GOOD DAY TODAY AND I WILL HAVE A GOOD DAY TOMORROW AS WELL. LET WHOEVER KNOW WHO SAID THAT TODAY SAY GOOD DAY IF YOU MAKE IT SO. I HAVE A FEW THINGS I WANT TO RUN BY YOU ALL. THE FIRST THING IS A VIDEO CLIP
FROM A EVENT I WENT TO AT WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY ON FRIDAY CALLS BOOKS AND BROS TO TRY AND ENCOURAGE YOUNG STUDENTS TO READ. BUT OF COURSE I HAD TO MAKE IT MY OWN I TOOK TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ENTHUSIASTIC IN ANYTHING YOU DO.
THERE IS A CLIP HERE FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO IF I SAY BOO MIGHT BE TRAUMATIZED, I DID FEEL LIKE A HEAD COACH AT HALFTIME. YOU PROBABLY SEE A LITTLE BIT OF HOW I AM WHEN I'M OFF THE DAIS. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S MUCH OF A
DIFFERENCE. ROLL IT, GUYS. >> IT'S IMPORTANT TO READ WITH YOUR DADS, FRIENDS AND TEACHERS READ IS A PATHWAY TO SUCCESS. WHATEVER GOALS IN LIFE YOU WANT.
ALL RIGHT. SO DADS AND SO ANDS WHEN YOU HAVE TIME WHETHER IT'S FIVE MINUTES, 10 MINUTES, 15 MINUTES I WANT YOU TO BE ENTHUSIASTIC. >> ENTHUSIASTIC! >> [INAUDIBLE] FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. BE ENTHUSIASTIC. EVERY SINGLE DAY OF OUR LIFE
JUMP OUT OF THE BED. BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE DAY AGAIN TO BE ENTHUSIASTIC IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. >> Edwin Ferguson: AFTER THAT ATTEMPT TO BE ROCK ANY I HAD THE CHANCE TO GO TO AN A.I.
PRESENTATION AT THE COX CENTER. IT WAS PUT ON BY CONGRESSWOMAN FRANKLIN AND CONGRESSMAN LIU FROM CALIFORNIA AND THEY HAD INTERESTING POINTS FOR US TO THINK ABOUT MOVING FORWARD. THIRDLY I A CHANCE TO GO TO
Dr. GERALD BROOKE'S FUNERAL SERVICE WITH MY RIGHT HAND PERSON VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS AND SHE ALLOWED ME TO READ THE RESOLUTION AT THE FUNERAL. QUITE EASILY DONE WITH SOMETHING THAT I TOOK AWAY FROM Dr. BROOKS' HOME GOING SERVICE I WAS IMPRESSED BY HIM.
IN TERMS OF BEING QED IT WAS EASY FOR ME BECAUSE I LEFT THAT EVENT AND WENT TO AN EVENT IN RIVIERA BEACH CALLED FATHER, SON AND FAMILY BRUNCH. IT'S VENTS THEY WILL BE DOING TO HELP INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF FATHERLY INTERVENTION IN THE
LIVES OF THEIR CHILDREN. SOUNDS GOOD. I THINK WE'RE ENGAGED. I HAD SOMETHING TO SAY TO THE GROUP WHICH WAS NOT ALL THAT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I SAID TO THE STUDENTS AT WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY THE DAY BEFORE. GUYS GO AHEAD AND RUN THAT.
>> THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MOBILIZE. [INAUDIBLE] FOLKS WHAT WE DO HAVE [INAUDIBLE]
[INAUDIBLE] >> Edwin Ferguson: AND TO BE FAIR WE'RE DOING TRANSFORMATIVE THING IN PALM BEACH COUNTY BECAUSE OF BEING ENTHUSIASTIC IN EVERYTHING WE DO. LAST BUT NOT LEAST I WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT THE PROJECT UPLIFT SERVICE EVENT THAT IS TAKING PLACE SATURDAY. WE WILL BE AT THE WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN WEST PALM BEACH.
IT'S REALLY GROWN. IT'S BEYOND JUST BEING A COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENT. IT IS A MENTORSHIP. IT IS AN HOUR OR TWO OF POWER. I WAS GOING TO TRY AND IMITATE HARLOW BUT I COULDN'T GET MY VOICE IN THE RIGHT PITCH. IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO COME OUT AND HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN
YOUR COMMUNITY, SPEAK WITH LEADERS OF TODAY AND HOPEFULLY HELP DEVELOP LEADERS OF TOMORROW COME OUT WITH US. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH WE DO THIS EVERY MONTH AND NEXT WEEK WE WILL BE IN THE TOWN OF PAHOKEE AND THAT WILL BE ONE TO ATTEND.
THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR. >> Karen Brill: MS. BRANCH. >> >> Gloria Branch: I ATTENDED HIGH TECH MIDDLE SCHOOL PEP RALLY CELEBRATING THEIR SPORTS DANCE, DANCE TEAMS AND CHEERLEADERS AND COMPETITIONS WITH THE STUDENTS AGAINST THEIR TEACHERS AND BOY DO THEY HAVE SPIRIT. SEVENTH GRADERS WON THE SPIRIT
STICK LOTS OF POSITIVE ENERGY THANK YOU PRINCIPAL FOR HAVING ME. I ENJOYED MEETING THE EDUCATORS FROM THE COUNCIL OF GREAT CITY SCHOOLS EVENT WEATHER VICE ANDREWS IS CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE WOKE KA RA --
BOCA RATON HAD THE RIBBON CUTTING AT THE AIRPORT AND YOU MAY SEE OWLS AND LARGE TORTOISES. THANK YOU CLARA THE EXECUTIVE DIRECT FOR FOR ALL YOU DO WORKING WITH THE BEST BOCA HIGH SCHOOL AND AVIATION PROGRAM. I ATTENDED THE EVENT AT THE
EDUCATION FOUNDATION'S NEW BUILDING FOR THE AWARDS GIVEN OUT AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NOMINEES AND THE WINNERS. IT WAS A GREAT EVENT. I ALSO ATTENDED A SPANISH RIVIERA HIGH SCHOOL ACE DIPLOMA BREAKFAST A BRITISH ROYALTY THEME.
THERE WERE 309 ACE DIPLOMAS GIVEN OUT THE MOST AWARDED ACE DIPLOMAS IN THE DISTRICT. I'M PROUD OF THESE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AND STAFF AND THE GREAT PRINCIPAL. ALSO ATTENDED SOME PTSA AND STAT COMMITTEES.
HAD A GREAT TIME AT ADDISON MIER DURING LITERACY WEEK I HELPED IN THE LUNCH ROOM AND GOT TO READ TO ONE OF THE THIRD GRADE CLASSES. IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THE STUDENTS FROM WHEN I WAS A SUBSTITUTE. I ATTENDED A BLUE LAKE.
AND THEY HAD AN EVENT TEACHING KIND ANDS AND NO PLACE FOR HATE PROGRAM FOR K-5. BASKETBALL GYM DID HAVE SOME IMPRESSIVE BASKETBALL MOVES AND THE STUDENTS LOVED IT. WHISPERING PINES FOR THE 100TH DAY OF SCHOOL. THERE IS A PICTURE THE PRINCIPAL
WITH HER GRAY WIG ON. WHAT A GREAT IT'S FUN TO SEE THE KIDS DRESSUP FOR THAT AND WALK WITH THEIR CANES AND GRAY HAIR. HAMMOCK POINT VISITED WITH THE PRINCIPAL COOK AND DWYER AWARD NOMINEE TEACHER WHO IS AN EXCELLENT TEACHER.
HAD A GREAT TOUR WITH THE PRINCIPAL AT EAGLES LANDINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL WHEN I GOT MY OWN PERSONAL CONCERT FROM THE CHOIR THAT DAY. THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. GREAT JOB TODAY ALSO. HAD A GREAT MEETING WITH CHRISTINA THE RAISING READERS
CHAIR FOR THE JUNIOR LEAGUE IN BOCA RATON. I THANK HER AND THE JUNIOR LEAGUE WITH HELP WITH OUR TITLE ONE SKALS THEY ARE A GREAT COMMUNITY PARTNER AND A TOUR OF FLORENCE FULLER CENTER WHICH HAS PROGRAMS THAT TARGET CHILDREN SIX WEEKS OLD TO 22 YEARS OLD.
I AM A PAST BOARD MEMBER IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THE PROGRAMS THEY ARE DOING NOW FROM KINDERGARTEN READINESS, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND THE AFTER SCHOOL TEEN PROGRAM AND MENTORING THEY OFFER WRAP AROUND SERVICES THAT HELP BUILD STRONGER FAMILIES AND OFFER SO MANY WONDERFUL PROGRAMS.
SUMMER CAMP AND THEIR WELLNESS POLICY TEACHING KIDS AND FAMILY ABOUT EATING HEALTHY. THEY ARE LOOKING FOR MENTORS. AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE ONE OF OUR GREAT LONG TIME EDUCATORS AND CLOSE FAMILY FRIEND Mr. CLIFF DAR DEN WHO I MET WHEN HE
WAS VICE-PRESIDENT ON BOCA HIGH AND HE WENT ON TO BECOME A PRINCIPAL. MY DAD SPOKE AT HIS FUNERAL AND SHARED MANY STORIES AND WHEN HE AND MY DAD THEY PLAYING THE BLUE BROTHERS THE A PEP RALLY WHICH OF COURSE IS [AUDIO
INTERRUPTION] ALSO GOT TO MEET SOME OF OUR GREAT COMMUNITY PARTNERS JUNIOR LEAGUE OF PALM BEACH TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN. AND IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE SOME OF OUR DEDICATED TEACHERS AND STAFF AND ADMINISTRATORS IN OUR SCHOOLS THAT I DIDN'T MENTION TODAY.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> Karen Brill: MS. WHITFIELD. >> Erica Whitfield: I WILL HAVE A LONG LIST. I HAVE SOME PHOTOS THAT WILL SUPPORT WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. THE FIRST THING IS PROJECT ADAM. THIS IS A PROJECT FOR SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST DRILLS THAT I GOT
A CHANCE TO VISIT. IT IS SO COOL TO WATCH. I DOT TO SEE THE TEAM IN ACTION. THEY WERE INCREDIBLE RACING TO PRACTICE SAVING SOMEBODY'S LIFE IF THERE IS A CARDIAC INCIDENT THERE HAVE BEEN THE PRACTICES ALL OVER THE COUNTY. I UNDERSTAND THEY ARE GOING
REALLY WELL SO I FEEL SAFE KNOWING THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE HAVING THE SERVICE AVAILABLE FROM OBVIOUSLY OF OUR STAFF. THRILLED ABOUT THAT. THE SECOND PICTURE IS FROM OUR RECENT LEADERSHIP PALM BEACH COUNTY EDUCATION DAY. THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I JUST LOVE SO MUCH.
I'VE BEEN THE CHAIR ON THIS COMMITTEE ALONG WITH LISA WILLIAMS TAYLOR FROM CHILDREN SERVICES COUNCIL FOR SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS. IT'S MY LAST YEAR DOING IT. WE HAVE NEW LEADERSHIP COMING IN. BUT THAT IS PART OF THE TEAM THAT WAS AVAILABLE TO HELP US, Mr. BURKE ALWAYS COMES AND
SPEAKS AND IT WAS WONDERFUL IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE 55 LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY LEARN ABOUT EDUCATION AND WE COVERED A VARIETY OF TOPICS. IT WAS A WONDERFUL DAY AND GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE WHO MADE IT HAPPEN. FOR THE NEXT PICTURE YOU WILL SEE FAMILIAR FACES.
THIS IS JOAQUIN GARCIA HIGH SCHOOL EVERY YEAR MULTIPLE TIMES A YEAR WE DO AN ETHICAL GOVERNANCE DAY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LONG WITH JUDGE WHO IS AN INCREDIBLE PARTNER AND THIS WAS HER BRAINCHILD. WE TRY TO BRING IN AS MANY
ELECTED AND APPOINTED LEADERS AS WE CAN TO INTERACT WITH OUR STUDENTS. AND I'M WORKING MY WAY THROUGH EVERY HIGH SCHOOL IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. WE'VE DONE MORE THAN 15 AT THIS POINT. THIS IS YOU CAN SEE THE LEADERS IN THE FRONT. I WILL MENTION SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT CAME TO JUDGE
FEWERRER, SENATE SENATOR MACK BERNARD, APRAISER DOROTHY JACKS FROM THE DEFENDERS OFFICE, GENE MURRAY MILTON HERE. LIZ MARTIN FROM THE PALM BEACH COUNTY COMMISSION ON ETHICS. OUR CLERK OF THE COURT. MEGHAN YOUNG FROM PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE.
AND GENERAL COUNSEL SEAN BERNARD. JEAN FRANCIS, BRADLEY HARPER AND MARCIA ANDREWS THIS IS HER SCHOOL AND SHE CAME TO SPEAK TO OUR STUDENTS I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE PARTNERSHIP WITH Mr. OWE TEAR ROW WHO WAS MY DAUGHTER'S
MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AND I ADORE HIM. HAVING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO SHOW THE STUDENTS HOW TO BE TRANSPARENTLY IN GOVERNMENT IS A WONDERFUL THING. I ALSO HAVE A THANK A TEACHER EVENT. PLEASE PLAY IT. >>
[♪♪] HI I'M DOLORES IVY THE READING COACH AT PALM BEACH COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL. I WANT YOU TO HIGHLIGHT THAT. WE HAVE SEEN READING PROFICIENCY DOUBLE WE COULD SEE THE GAINS.
WHEN A CHILD KNOWS THAT THEY CAN READ, THEY NOW KNOW THAT I CAN DO ANYTHING. EACH ONE OF US HAVE A GIFT. THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT YOU TO DO. I LOVE TEACHING KIDS TO READ BECAUSE I LOVE THE EXCITEMENT ON THEIR FACES. AND I ALSO HAVE FOUND TO BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES. BUT IT TAKES THE BELIEF WITHIN
THEM TO KNOW YES, I CAN. THEY GOT IT. IT'S ALREADY THERE YOU HAVE TO BRING IT OUT IN THEM. IS THAT I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS COMING. BUT THEN WHEN I HEARD THE BAND... [♪♪] I WENT OH, MY GOD THIS IS NOT
WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS. >> CONGRATULATIONS. YOU ARE THIS WEEK'S TEACHER. WE LOVE MS. IVORY SHE HAS BEEN
INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING OUR STUDENTS MEET THE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS. >> WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOU AND THE YEARS YOU PUT INTO THIS SYSTEM AND OUR COMMUNITY. >> WHEN SOMEONE RECOGNIZED YOU, SOMEBODY ELSE NOW SEE WHAT YOU DO AS A TEACHER. >> LOVE YOU BABY. >> BUT MOST OF ALL THERE'S
STUDENTS DON'T STOP DOING THIS. SOMEBODY ELSE OUT THERE NEEDS TO FEEL WHAT I FELT TODAY. AND IT WILL NEVER GO AWAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU PALM BEACH COUNTY. >> THANK YOU FOR THE STREET SECONDS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> Karen Brill: Mr.. >> >> A TIME TO HONOR THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK LEADERS I CREATED A POSTER HIGHLIGHTING OUR LOCAL LEADERS AND PIONEERS ENSURING THEIR LEGACY ARE RECTIFIED
YEAR-ROUND WITH THE PALM BEACH COUNTY LIBRARIES THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN FEATURED ON THEIR WEBSITE AS WE CONTINUE ADDING MORE NAMES. I HAD THE POSTER AND IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE A COPY E-MAIL MY OFFICE. I ATTENDED AN INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY FORUM WHERE I PRESENTED ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUE
MARCIA ANDREWS. IT WAS A GREAT SEEING LEADERS FROM TEAM PALM BEACH AND OTHER COUNTIES COME TOGETHER TO EXCHANGE IDEAS AND LEARN MORE FROM EACH OTHER. I SPOKE ON THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS TO DRIVE MEANINGFUL CHANGE.
SHOUT-OUT TO DOUG FOR ORGANIZING A GREAT EVENT AND FOR HER SUPPORT. I HAD FUN VISITING A FEW OF MY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS PALM STRING, MEADOW PARK AND PALMETTO AND HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION FROM THE
PROGRAM AND REVISITED THE WELCOME CENTER. I COULD TALK FOR HOURS ABOUT EVERYTHING I LEARNED. TA THE CHALLENGES AND STRENGTHS AND THE RESILIENCE OF THESE PRINCIPALS AND THEIR STAFF. I'M PROUD TO REPRESENT DISTRICT 2 AND MY SCHOOLS. GASSER YEAHS FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.
I HAD A GREAT TIME AT STUFF THE BUS EVENT SUPPORTING THE ED FOUNDATION. THIS INITIATIVE HELPS ENSURE TEACHERS HAVE THE SUPPLIES THEY NEED SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO SPEND THEIR OWN MONEY AND I GOT TO MEET MS. BRILL'S MATTHEW HER SON
HE IS AMAZING. GREAT THANK YOU. AND IF YOU WANT TO DONATE KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT SHY ABOUT TAKING YOUR MONEY. I DIDN'T HAVE ANY SUPPLIES BUT HE TOOK A CHECK FROM ME. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.
CONGRESSWOMAN FRANKEL HOSTED A ROUNDTABLE. WE DISCUSSED A.I. WITH WITH LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS. I HAVE ALSO JOINED THE FSBAA COMMITTEE MEETING TO STAY ENGAGED IN A.I. ADVANCEMENTS THE THE STATE LEVEL.
AS THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER I WANT TO REASSURE OUR COMMUNITY WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF ALL OF OUR STUDENTS WE UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS SURROUNDING RECENT IMMIGRATION ISSUES AND WHILE WE MUST FOLLOW STATE AND FEDERAL GUIDELINES WE WILL DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO ENSURE THAT OUR
SCHOOLS REMAIN A SAFE AND WELCOMING PLACE FOR EVERY CHILD. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO REACH OUT TO MY OFFICE.
[SPEAKING SPANISH] LASTLY MY MOBILE OFFICE WILL BE
FEBRUARY 24TH AT GREEN ACRES FIRE RESCUE STATION ON JOG ROAD AND 10TH AVENUE. AND IN MARCH WE'RE DOING IT ON TUESDAY, MARCH 11TH AT THE VILLAGE OF PALM SPRING LIBRARY I'M THANKFUL TO THE CITY OF GREEN ACRES AND THE VILLAGE OF PALM SPRINGS FOR THEIR
ACCOMMODATION. WALK-INS ARE WELCOME. AND I THANK YOU FOR THEIR SPACE. THANKTHANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: YOU CAME IN UNDER THE TIME-FRAME THAT WILL BRING US TO Mr. LANE.
>> Matthew Lane: I WANT TO START BY SAYING HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR SPECIAL CHAIR, CHAIR BRILL. AND I THINK WE ALL GOT TO SEE WHAT AN EXCELLENT TEACHER BOARD MEMBER FERGUSON WAS WHEN HE TAUGHT. SUNCOAST MANY OF YOU DON'T KNOW
THAT HE WAS A TEACHER AT SUNCOAST ONE OF THE HIGHEST MOST HARD SUBJECT WAS CALCULUS. WE HAVE A SPECIAL PERSON YOU GOT TO SEE WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO HAVE HIM AS A TEACHER. OUR DISTRICT DOES MANY, MANY THINGS OVER THE COURSE OF A MONTH AND I WILL BRIEFLY
DESCRIBE A FEW OF THEM. AS YOU HEARD OUR ED FOUNDATION HAD A VERY, VERY SUCCESSFUL STUFF THE BUS CAMPAIGN. WHERE PEOPLE DONATED 12,000 DOLLARS OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR NEEDY CHILDREN. THE PALM BEACH LAKES HIGH SCHOOL BAND WAS THERE AND THEY WERE FANTASTIC.
AND CBS12 PROVIDED COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. WE HAD A THANK A TEACHER CELEBRATION. BONNIE BUTTERFIELD DESCRIBED AS THE HEART BEAT OF THE SCHOOL AT DUNCAN MIDDLE SCHOOL, ORANGE BOWL COMMITTEE OPENED A NEW LIBRARY AT JERRY THOMAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
AND I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE JUNIOR LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE. AND I POINTED OUT TO THEM THAT FLORIDA IS 46TH IN THE NATION IN PER STUDENT SPENDING. WE'RE FOURTH FROM THE LAST IN
THE COUNTRY. 46TH. AND I ENCOURAGED THEM WHEN THEY GO TO TALLAHASSEE, TO MENTION THAT TO THE LEGISLATORS. AND FINALLY THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS ATTENDED A CAREER DAY AT THE CONVENTION CENTER AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT THANK YOU CHAIR. >> Karen Brill: BRILL THANK YOU.
SO SOME OF US DON'T TAKE PHOTOS VERY OFTEN. SO WE TRY TO HIDE ALTHOUGH SHE DID CATCH ME AND MY SON WHEN WE WENT TO STUFF THE BUS WITH A BOX OF SUPPLIES. I WILL LET YOU ALL BREATHE RELIEF BECAUSE I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU EVERYPLACE I'VE BEEN
EXCEPT TO TELL YOU WHEN PEOPLE SEE ME SAY ARE YOU LOSING WEIGHT? AND MY RESPONSE IS YOUR SCHOOL BOARD NEVER SWEEPS AND YOU HEARD THAT. THIS IS THE MOST INVOLVED SCHOOL BOARD I'VE SEEN. I NEED TO SHARE SOMETHING WITH THE BOARD THIS MORNING WHEN I WAS DOING MY MONTHLY SPEECH AT
COBRA, THE COALITION OF WEST BOYNTON RESIDENTIAL ASSOCIATIONS THEY TOLD ME THAT WHEN THEY ARE UP AT PALM BEACH COUNTY DAY, THEY ARE GOING TO BE LOBBYING FOR THE BILL TO BE PASSED TO END THE EARLY START TIMES. SO THEY ARE ONBOARD WITH US. AND COBRA HAS A LOT OF CLOUT IN
TALLAHASSEE. THEY WANTED ME TO KNOW IT'S ONE OF THEIR TOP PRIORITIES. THANK YOU COBRA. AND SO I DO WHAT I WILL HIGHLIGHT TONIGHT IS THE MOST RECENT THANK A TEACHER AT HIDDEN OAKS K-8 SCHOOL. ALICIA CARP THE ARTS TEACHER WAS
NO, NOMINATED BY HER STUDENTS WHICH MAKES IT SPECIAL. STUDENT AVA. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MS. HARP AND HCA FLORIDA HEALTHCARE FOR YOUR CONTINUAL SUPPORT OF OUR TEACHERS. IF YOU WOULD PLEASE RUN THE VIDEO SO I CAN SHARE THAT.
[♪♪] IS IT NECESSARILY A FACTUAL CONCLUSION? I'M ALESHA HARP AND I AM AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHER AT HIDDEN OAKS K-8 SCHOOL. IT'S STILL WRITTEN AS A
NARRATIVE STYLE AT THE CORE OF TEACHING TO ME IS THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT I DO BUILD WITHMY STUDENTS. THEY HAVE TO KNOW THAT I CARE ABOUT WHO THEY ARE WHERE THEY COME FROM AND WHAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER. >> WE HAVE BEEN STUDYING ARGUMENTTATION.
>> I WANT THEM TO KNOW THEY ARE CAPABLE AND OPEN UP NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO THINK DEEPLY ABOUT WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORLD. >> YOU ARE THIS WEEK'S PALM BEACH COUNTY THANK A TEACHER. >> OH, MY GOODNESS. [APPLAUSE]
>> IT IS A TRUE GENUINE LOVE FOR TEAMING. >> MS. HARP HAS BEEN THERE FOR ME AND THE WAY SHE TEACHES SHE CAN TEACH WHERE YOU WILL UNDERSTAND IT AND ALWAYS WILL BE THERE FOR YOU. >> TEACHERS LIKE YOU THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE GOING FORWARD FOR OUR STUDENTS FOR THE REMAINDER OF
THEIR LIVES. >> WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE YOU AND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AND ALL THAT YOU GIVE. >> THANK YOU SWEETHEART. >> IT'S PERFECT IT'S HAPPENING AROUND VALENTINE'S DAY. JUST FEELING THE LOVE, COMPASSION AND KINDNESS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> >> Karen Brill: SO I JUST WANT TO CLOSE BY SAYING THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR ADMINISTRATORS WHO HAVE BEEN WELCOMING TO OUR BOARD MEMBERS. THEY KNOW THAT WE ARE ALL HERE TO SUPPORT YOU AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO AND YOUR STUDENTS AND I'VE SEEN A COMPLETE CHANGE IN THE YEARS I'VE BEEN ON THE
BOARD PEOPLE ARE NOT NERVOUS WHEN WE COME IN ANYMORE. THEY KNOW WE'RE PARTNERS IN THE EDUCATION OF THE STUDENTS AND SUPPORTING THEIR STAFF. SO WITH THAT, AT EVERY REGULAR BOARD MEETING WE DO HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES WHO WE LOST. AND SO TONIGHT, WE ARE GOING TO
REMEMBER MAORI LLAMAS. MANAGER OF SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE WHO PASSED AWAY DECEMBER 17TH, 2024. TOSHIMI REAGAN GEORGIA OF SUPPORT SERVICES SHE PASSED AWAY
DECEMBER 9TH, 2024. AND DONALD JOHNSON A TEACHER ESENEH AT BELGRADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHO PASSED AWAY NOVEMBER 25TH, 2024. ASK EVERYONE FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE, PLEASE.
THANK YOU. SO WITH THAT Mr. SUPERINTENDENT, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO REGC3. >> Mike Burke: I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE $15,000 DONATION FOR LAKE WORTH HIGH SCHOOL TO BE USED FOR AFTER
SCHOOL AND SUMMER TUTORING. >> Karen Brill: MOTION AND SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. I INVITE THE MEMBERS OF THE CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH WITH THE BOARD. BOARD MEMBERS REMAIN ON THE FLOOR AFTERWARDS AS MS. NNEKA
NNOLIM FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT WILL JOIN US FOR THE FEBRUARY BOARD RECOGNITIONS. COME ON DOWN. AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY PLEASE
COME ON UP.
GOOD EVENING CHAIR BRILL, VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS AND BOARD MEMBERS SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND STAFF AND COMMUNITY. WE HAVE FIVE RECOGNITIONS ON THE AGENDA. GOOD EVENING CHAIR BRILL, VICE CHAIR ANDREWS, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY. THIS EVENING WE HAVE FIVE
RECOGNITIONS ON THE AGENDA. WESTWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WE BEGIN WITH A RECOGNITION FOR JANICE SAVIN-WILLIAMS, SENIOR PARTNER AT SIEBERT WILLIAMS SHANK AND COMPANY. MRS. SAVIN-WILLIAMS HAS CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN $20,000 TO WESTWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND HAS MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY. THE DONATION HAS HELPED ENHANCE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, SUPPORT STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND FIELD TRIPS, AND CREATE A BETTER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE SCHOOL'S STUDENTS. MRS. SAVIN-WILLIAMS HAS ALSO GIVEN BACK TO SCHOOL FAMILIES
AND STAFF BY PROVIDING LUNCHES AND HOLIDAY MEALS. LAST MONTH, THE SCHOOL WAS GIFTED NEARLY 500 BOOKS FROM SIEBERT WILLIAMS SHANK TO KICK OFF CELEBRATE LITERACY WEEK. THANK YOU TO MRS. SAVIN-WILLIAMS AND SIEBERT WILLIAMS SHANK FOR YOUR GENEROSITY TO WESTWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THE DISTRICT. WE ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE
PRINCIPAL AT WESTWARD ELEMENTARY, MR. BOBBIE BROOKS. LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE] CRESTWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT WINS DISTRICT ART IN THE CAPITOL CONTEST NEXT WE ARE RECOGNIZING CAITLYN PANSE, AN 8TH GRADE STUDENT AT CRESTWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL. SHE WON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ART IN THE CAPITOL COMPETITION WITH HER ACRYLIC PAINTING ENTITLED "THY FLOWER" WHICH YOU CAN SEE DISPLAYED ON THE SCREENS. THE ART IN THE CAPITOL COMPETITION IS A STATEWIDE VISUAL ARTS
CONTEST THAT ALLOWS EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT IN FLORIDA TO HOLD AN ANNUAL ART COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES SIX THROUGH EIGHT. THE WINNING SELECTION OF STUDENT ARTWORK IN EACH DISTRICT IS THEN GIVEN TO THE LEGISLATOR OF THE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT IN WHICH THE STUDENT LIVES.
BEGINNING NEXT MONTH, CAITLYN'S WINNING ARTWORK WILL BE DISPLAYED IN THE FLORIDA CAPITOL IN TALLAHASSEE FOR DISTRICT 94 REPRESENTATIVE MEG WEINBERGER. CONGRATULATIONS TO CAITLYN PANSE FOR WINNING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ART IN THE CAPITOL COMPETITION. AND WE ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE HER ART TEACHER, MS. TRISH DUEBBER, AND CRESTWOOD MIDDLE'S PRINCIPAL, DR. STEPHANIE NANCE. LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF
APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
NEXT WE ARE RECOGNIZING MONTANA LEE, A K-5 MATHEMATICS RESOURCE TEACHER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SECONDARY EDUCATION. SHE RECEIVED THE PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHING. MS. LEE WAS SELECTED AS THE FLORIDA FINALIST FOR K-5 MATHEMATICS OUT OF HUNDREDS OF TEACHERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE. SHE THEN WENT ON TO EARN THIS NATIONAL PRIZE.
MS. LEE BECAME A MATH TEACHER BECAUSE SHE WANTED TO CREATE A CLASSROOM WHERE STUDENTS FELT CAPABLE, CURIOUS, AND CONFIDENT IN THEIR MATHEMATICAL THINKING. WHERE THEY COULD SEE MATH NOT AS SOMETHING TO FEAR, BUT AS SOMETHING THEY COULD TRULY UNDERSTAND AND EVEN ENJOY. SHE SAYS THAT WHEN STUDENTS LEAVE HER CLASSROOM, SHE WANTS
THEM TO REMEMBER HER AS A TEACHER WHO BELIEVED IN THEM AND MADE THEM FEEL VALUED AND SUPPORTED. SHE WANTS THEM TO LOOK BACK AND REMEMBER A CLASSROOM WHERE MISTAKES WERE SEEN AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING AND WHERE CURIOSITY WAS ENCOURAGED. MOST IMPORTANTLY, SHE WANTS HER STUDENTS TO REMEMBER THAT SHE CARED ABOUT THEM, NOT JUST AS
STUDENTS, BUT AS INDIVIDUALS, AND THAT SHE ALWAYS SAW THEIR POTENTIAL, EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T YET SEE IT IN THEMSELVES. CONGRATULATIONS TO MONTANA LEE FOR RECEIVING THE PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHING.
[APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE] NEXT WE ARE RECOGNIZING THE CORPORATE GENEROSITY AND ENGAGEMENT OF DISTRICT BUSINESS PARTNER, FLORIDA BLUE (BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD OF SOUTH FLORIDA). THE COMPANY AND THEIR EMPLOYEES HAVE A HEART FOR WELLNESS AND GIVING BACK TO OUR SCHOOLS AND HAVE MADE AN IMPACT IN A NUMBER OF WAYS. FLORIDA BLUE HAS ENGAGED WITH
MULTIPLE SCHOOLS INCLUDING: GREENACRES ELEMENTARY, NORTHBORO ELEMENTARY, MELALEUCA ELEMENTARY, BAK MIDDLE, TRADEWINDS MIDDLE, CRESTWOOD MIDDLE, LAKE WORTH MIDDLE, AND OTHERS, THROUGH THEIR RESPECTIVE FENCE BANNER SIGN PROGRAMS. LATE LAST YEAR THE COMPANY ALSO SPONSORED THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT'S ANNUAL HOMECOMING HARVEST LUNCHEON FOR
APPROXIMATELY 140 PARTICIPANTS. AND JUST PRIOR TO THE WINTER HOLIDAYS LAST YEAR, THEY CO-SPONSORED A TRIP WITH THE MIAMI MARLINS FOUNDATION FOR 50 STUDENTS FROM PLUMOSA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS TO LOAN DEPOT PARK IN MIAMI WHERE THE STUDENTS ENJOYED ARTS AND CRAFTS AND A VARIETY OF INTERACTIVE OPPORTUNITIES. PERHAPS MOST NOTABLY IS THEIR
RECENT SPONSORSHIP OF ATHENA AND LEO, THE DISTRICT'S NEWEST ADDITIONS TO THE THERAPY DOGS UNIT. THE ANIMALS ARE ALREADY MAKING AN IMPACT AMONG STUDENTS AND STAFF AT THEIR HOME SCHOOLS OF WESTWARD ELEMENTARY AND SEMINOLE RIDGE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL. AT $10,000 EACH, THIS SPONSORSHIP WAS NO SMALL ENDEAVOR.
BUT THIS BUSINESS PARTNER BELIEVES THE COST IS A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT TO SUPPORT THE EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING OF OUR STUDENTS, AND IN MANY CASES, OUR TEACHERS AND OTHER STAFF AS WELL. THE DISTRICT IS GRATEFUL TO BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF SOUTH FLORIDA FOR THEIR GENEROSITY AND SUPPORT. FROM BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF
SOUTH FLORIDA, WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE: DAVID WAGNER ┘ MARKET PRESIDENT FOR SOUTH FLORIDA. JUAN AWAD ┘ MARKET LEADER FOR PALM BEACH AND TREASURE COAST. GEORGE EPPL ┘ LOCAL PRESENCE EXECUTIVE. JORGE MARTINEZ ┘ SENIOR REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS LEAD. PLEASE WELCOME MR. DAVID WAGNER WHO WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW
WORDS. [APPLAUSE] >> WOW THIS IS THE FIRST BOARD IMMEDIATING THAT I'VE BEEN ON AND TRULY AMAZING IN YOUR EFFORTS JUST AMAZING. WE ARE SO HONEST HORRED TO
PARTER IN WITH PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD THE WORK YOU DO IS SELF HE HAVE DENT. I WILL TELL YOU A BREACH STORY. THERE IS A SEASON AND A TURN AND WHAT YOU PUT IN IS WHAT YOU GET OUT. AND YOU RECOGNIZING THE TEACHERS. SETTING THE FRAMEWORK FOR OUR
STUDENTS. LAST MONTH, I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL. I'M 60. A LOCAL HOSPITAL AND MANY OF THE CAREGIVERS WERE TUTS THAT I COACHED THAT I MENTORED AND MY NURSE WENT TO SCHOOL WITH MY CHILDREN. AND YOU KNOW THEY GET OLDER AND ONE DAY IT'S ONE OF US BEING
PULLED OUT OF A CAR INTO AN AMBULANCE. WHAT YOU ARE PUTTING IN YOU WILL TRULY GET OUT NOT ONLY FOR YOU BUT FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE ETD THICKS AND THE STRUCTURE AND THE GOODWILL YOU PUT IN WE GET BACK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND WHAT YOU ARE DOING. I REPRESENT FLORIDA BLUE I AM A
LOCAL GUY, LOCAL KID. AND I'LL TELL YOU FLORIDA BLUE HAS BEEN SERVING FLORIDA FOR 80 YEARS. WE'RE HEADQUARTERED IN FLAP FLORIDA OUT OF THE 21 MILLION FLORIDIANS WE INSURE ONE-THIRD OF THE STATE. VERY PROUD OF THAT AND VERY HONORED TO BE HERE PARTNERING
WITH YOU. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU MR. WAGNER. AND WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE THE THERAPY DOGS HERE THIS EVENING, PLEASE WELCOME: SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICE SERGEANT SCOTT BRESALIER WITH K-9 JAMIE. SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICE OFFICER
CHAD AUBREY WITH K-9 ATHENA. SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICE OFFICER MICHELLE WILBURN WITH K-9 LEO. LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE] AND FINALLY THIS EVENING, WITH FEBRUARY BEING CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH, WE
ARE PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION STUDENTS OF THE YEAR FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, AND JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICER'S PROGRAMS. STUDENTS ARE SELECTED BY THEIR SCHOOL AND TEACHERS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMMUNITY SERVICE, BEING IN A CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
PROGRAM FOR CONSECUTIVE YEARS, HAVING AT LEAST A 3.0 GPA, AS WELL AS OVERALL GREAT BEHAVIOR, CHARACTER, AND LEADERSHIP. ALL OF OUR CTE STUDENTS TONIGHT REPRESENT THE SUCCESS OF THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND ACADEMIES THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.
FIRST WE ARE RECOGNIZING THE 2025 MIDDLE SCHOOL CTE STUDENTS OF THE YEAR. CAN EVERYONE PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL EACH STUDENT'S NAME HAS BEEN READ. TO THE STUDENTS, PLEASE COME FORWARD AS I CALL YOUR NAME. CONGRATULATIONS TO: AURORA ASHCRAFT ┘ JUPITER ANA MARIA BEJARANO ┘ LAKE WORTH
SAYI BODI ┘ WELLINGTON LANDINGS SAVANNAH BOUCHARD ┘ CARVER KALIYAH BROWN ┘ EMERALD COVE TIAH CLARKE ┘ JEAGA AMELIA HALLENBECK ┘ INDEPENDENCE CALEB KALIPERSAD ┘ WOODLANDS ELI KUJALA ┘ CHRISTA MCAULIFFE JOANNA LENEUS ┘ LANTANA COMMUNITY
ZYNAH MOHAMED ┘ POLO PARK TOM NGUYEN ┘ JOHN F. KENNEDY TAOYANG PAN ┘ BOCA RATON COMMUNITY KALEY PHAM ┘ WATSON B. DUNCAN OZELL OSCAR PRIETO ┘ CONGRESS ZOE VOLKOVICH ┘ VERDE K-8 LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE] NEXT, WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE 2025 HIGH SCHOOL CTE STUDENTS OF THE YEAR. EVERYONE, PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL EACH NAME HAS BEEN READ. TO THE STUDENTS, PLEASE COME FORWARD AS I CALL YOUR NAME. CONGRATULATIONS TO: JOSHUA ALPER ┘ OLYMPIC HEIGHTS ZACHARY BRAGA ┘ PALM BEACH GARDENS
ELIANA COHN ┘ JUPITER ADDISON DOHERTY ┘ WEST BOCA RATON ANSA ELVARISTE ┘ ROYAL PALM BEACH GENESIS ESCOBAR ┘ SANTALUCES SENIAH FRANCOIS ┘ ATLANTIC STEFANY FRANCISCO ┘ INLET GROVE KEVIN GONZALEZ ┘ SEMINOLE RIDGE.
ANAYA JOHN ┘ PALM BEACH CENTRAL HANNAH KEMOS ┘ BOCA RATON JAMESON LOPER ┘ BOYNTON BEACH COMMUNITY SHERLYN LOPEZ ┘ GLADES CENTRAL LUCAS LORUSSO ┘ WELLINGTON MELANY HERNANDEZ MENDEZ ┘ JOHN I. LEONARD JULIAN MCKOY ┘ PALM BEACH LAKES STACEY ROSIER ┘ DR. JOAQUÍN
GARCÍA CHRISTOPHER RUIZ ┘ FOREST HILL. LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE] FINALLY, WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE 2025 JROTC CADETS OF THE YEAR FROM OUR HIGH SCHOOL JROTC PROGRAMS. PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL EACH NAME HAS BEEN READ. TO THE JROTC STUDENTS, PLEASE COME FORWARD AS I CALL YOUR
NAME. CONGRATULATIONS TO: BIENAISE ASCHMY ┘ ATLANTIC. SORIAH RODRIGUEZ CISNEROS ┘ SANTALUCES BIANKA GONZALEZ GARCIA ┘ LAKE WORTH. GABRIELLA GONZALEZ ┘ BOCA RATON. JANGELIQUE HERNANDEZ ┘ FOREST HILL TY LAMBERT ┘ JUPITER JAYLA POLISENA ┘ SEMINOLE RIDGE
VICTORIA REBOLLEDO ┘ OLYMPIC HEIGHTS JOEL ROLDAN ┘ PALM BEACH GARDENS. ISABELLA ROSARIO ┘ BOYNTON BEACH. LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE] BOARD CHAIR BRILL, VICE CHAIR ANDREWS, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, STAFF, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, THIS CONCLUDES THE RECOGNITIONS FOR FEBRUARY. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR
ATTENTION THIS EVENING. BRILL BLIL OKAY THAT IS GOING TO
BRING US TO OUR STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT. ISABELLA MIRISOLA. >> GOOD EVENING SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, CHAIRWOMAN BRILL, VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND ESTEEMED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE PALM BEACH HUNGER INITIATIVE.
OUR GOOGLE FORM REGARDING STUDENT HUNGER HAS RECEIVED 14654 RESPONSES. AS PART OF OUR EFFORTS TO EN CAMPAIGNING WITH OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND BOTH PRINCIPALS MEETINGS ALONGSIDE FORMER COUNTY PRESIDENT.
THESE MEETINGS WERE EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL IN NOT ONLY INCREASING AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PARTICIPATING IN THE GOOGLE FORM BUT ENCOURAGING PRINCIPALS TO HAVE PARTICIPATION IN PROMOTING OUR INITIATIVE. WITH THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR APPROACHING, OUR STUDENT GOVERNMENTS ARE BUSIER THAN EVER.
THEY ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO PREPARE FOR END OF THE YEAR ACTIVITIES INCLUDING ELECTIONS AND THE UPCOMING BANQUETS. ADDITIONALLY WE WILL BE HEADING TO ATTEND THE STATE CONVENTION TOMORROW AND FRIDAY UNTIL SUNDAY NIGHT WHERE WE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH STUDENT LEADERS AND LEARN FROM THEIR EXPERIENCE FROM ALL OVER
THE STATE OF FLORIDA. AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PALM BEACH HUNGER INITIATIVE WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO ENSURING EVERY STUDENT HAS A VOICE. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY AND LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING OUR PROGRESS WITH YOU IN THE COMING WEEKS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
THAT IS NOW GOING TO BRING US TO OUR COMMITTEE REPORTS. THE ACADEMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE THE CHAIR LAURA FELLMAN IS NOT GOING TO BE HERE TONIGHT. SHE WILL BE SENDING US HER REPORT. THE AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT IS ATTACHED. THE CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT REVIEW COMMITTEE IS ATTACHED.
THEIR REPORT IS ATTACHED. THE DISTRICT DIVERSITY AND EQUITY COMMITTEE HAS NO REPORT. GENERAL COUNSEL DO YOU HAVE A REPORT? >> NO REPORT, THANK YOU. >> AND INSPECTOR GENERAL DO YOU HAVE A REPORT? >> NO REPORT. >> >> Karen Brill: THAT IS GOING TO BRING US TO OUR ELECTED
OFFICIALS AND DELEGATINGS. WE WILL START WITH JAMES, PRESIDENT AND C.E.O. OF THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION. JAMES GAVRILOS. >> I WANT TO THANK BOARD MEMBERS
VIRGINIA ABOUT YOUR KIND WORD VIRGINIA SAVIETTO YOUR KIND WORDS. SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, CHAIRWOMAN BRILL AND MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL BOARD I WAS STRUCK WE NNEKA NNOLIM WAS INTRODUCING THE FLORIDA BLUE CREW WHO SUPPORT THE ED FOUNDATION AND THE TERM
THEY USED WITH THE DONATION OF THE THERAPY DOGS WAS AN INVEST MANY. AND THAT IS WHAT OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS SEE THEIR ROLE IN EDUCATION IT IS AN INVESTMENT AND WHAT IS THE GROSS MARGIN? THERE IS SUPERINTENDENT BURKE YOU PROBABLY KNOW IN YOUR ACCOUNTING DAYS.
THIS PERCENTAGE AND FORMULA THE BOTTOM LINE QUESTION IS ARE WE GETTING A RETURN? AND TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT I SAY WE COMPLETEDDED OUR BUILDING WE HAD THE RIB DON CUTTING. WHAT IS THAT ABOUT? WE'VE INVESTED $13.7 MILLION IN
A BUILDING. >> IT IS A TOOL. A TOOL TO HELP US CARRY OUT OUR MISSION. THAT IS ALL IT IS. AND SO ARE WE GETTING A RETURN ON THAT INVESTMENT? ERICA YOU BROUGHT UP THE LEADERSHIP OF PALM BEACH COUNTY VISIT. WE HAD 55 COMMUNITY LEADERS AT OUR BUILDING FOR A DAY. SUPERINTENDENT BURKE YOU
INSPIRED THEM TO THINK ABOUT THEIR ROLE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT BUILDING IS PAYING A DIVIDEND. MANY OF YOU MENTIONED STUFF THE BUS. CHAIRWOMAN BRILL WE CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR BEING PRESENT. VIRGINIA YOU CAME BY AND MATT YOU WERE A PART OF THAT DAY WE
CANNOT THANK CBS12 FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP PAYING DIVIDENDS. YOUR PARTNER OF MULTICULTURAL WILL BE HOLDING A MEETING THE OUR FACILITY WHERE PRINCIPALS WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO DISCUSS DIGEST, AND GROW THOSE PROGRAMS.
SO GREAT. I WANT TO FOCUS TONIGHT ON ONE. TYPICALLY CHAIRWOMAN BRILL I GET UP AND TALK ABOUT THE MASSIVE NUMBERS THAT THE ED FOUNDATION DEALS WITH 130,000 KIDS AND 1.8 MILLION IN RED APPLE SUPPLIES BUT IT BOILS DOWN TO THE
CREATIVE TEACHERS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. I WOULD SAY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA OUR GOAL IS TO USE OUR BUILDING TO REPLICATE THEM. ONE OF OUR GO TEACH GRANTS TOTALING 190,000. ONE OF THEM WENT TO ALLEN AGAIN HART AT ROLLING HILLS ELEMENTARY.
WHEN WE SEE A GRANT WITH HIS NAME ON IT WE APPROVE T HE IS CREATIVE THIS IS ONE A YEAR AGO TEACHING GEOMETRY AND MATH HE HAD HIS STUDENTS BUILD A MINIATURE GOLF COURSE AND WE BAPTIZED IT AND WE PLAYED A
ROUND OF GOLF AND YOU SKUNKED ME GOOD. AGAIN HART WANDED TO TEACH NUTRITION AND BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY HE HAD HIS KIDS CREATE A GARDEN GROWING VEGETABLES AND HERBS AND PLANTS THEY CAN USE FOR FOOD. HE WANTED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE
OF FOOD INSECURITY. YOUNG PEOPLE ARE USING THAT GARDEN AND MOVING IT IN A FARM TO TABLE EVENT. THIS KIND OF CREATIVITY CANNOT BE BOUGHT. IT CAN'T BE CREATED. BUT IT CAN BE IDENTIFIED AND REPLICATED. AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO DO IN THAT BUILDING.
IT IS AN INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE GROSS MARGIN IS GOING TO BE SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, BUT WHEN WE BRING HIM INTO OUR ROOM AND BRING YOUR BEST TEACHERS TO THE MULTIPURPOSE ROOMS AND BRING 40 AND 50 TEACHERS TO LEARN FROM THEM TO BRING ALLEN IN AND 30
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND SAY TEACH THEM TO DO WHAT YOU ARE DOING. REPLICATE OUR FINEST AND BEST THAT IS WHEN YOU WILL SEE THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT. SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD THAT YOUNG PEOPLE AT ROLLING HILLS ELEMENTARY AND Mr. BURKE Mr. GEN HART INVITED US TO A
MEAL THAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GROW, HARVEST, PREPARE TO SHOW HOW THEY ARE USING THEIR MATH AND SCIENCE SKILLS TO BRING SOMETHING FROM FARM TO TABLE YOU ARE INVITED TO BE THEIR GUESTS TO SEE THE BEST THAT PALM BEACH COUNTY HAS TO OFFER. THAT BUILDING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IS A TOOL.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THE ALLEN'S OF OUR DISTRICT, MULTIPLY THEM, REPLICATE THEM, INVEST IN THEM, SUPPORT THEM AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE HUNDREDS IN THIS DISTRICT MAKING SURE THE NEXT GENERATION IS WELL-TRAINED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVESTMENT IN OUR WORK WE HOPE YOU ARE SEEING
A GROSS MARGIN RETURN ON INVESTMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> ERICA VICE-PRESIDENT JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF PALM BEACH AND THE TREASURE COAST. >> GOOD EVENING CHAIRWOMAN BRILL, VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS AND SUPERINTENDENT BURKE I'M VP OF EDUCATION WITH JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF PALM BEACHES AND
TREASURE ACOAST. JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER THE FUTURE AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO THAT? WE INSPIRE AND PREPARE YOUNG PEOPLE TO SUCCEED BY TEACHING FINANCIAL LITERACY, WORK READINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. WE DO THAT THROUGH HANDS ON REAL WORLD EXPERIENCES EMPTY POWERING STUDENTS FROM KINDERGARTEN ALL
THE WAY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL WITH SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE TO OWN THEIR OWN FUTURE. WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES, EDUCATORS AND OVER 1500 ANNUAL VOLUNTEERS, WE ARE WORKING TO HELP BUILD A STRONGER COMMUNITY BY EQUIPPING THE NEXT GENERATION WITH THE TOOLS THEY
NEED TO THRIVE IN AN EVERCHANGING ECONOMY. TOGETHER WE ARE SHAPING TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY. AND IT IS A GREAT DAY. SO SOME OF THOSE WAYS WE'RE MAKING THAT HAPPEN ONE IS OUR CONTINUED JA HIGH SCHOOL CAREER EXPLORATION FAIRS IN PARTNERSHIP
WITH PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE IT IS SUPPORTED BY THE STYLES NICKELSON FOUNDATION IT ENGAGED JUNIORS AND SEEN SENIORS THROUGHOUT PALM BEACH COUNTY. WE HAVE COMPLETED 14 FAIRS TO DATE WITH OUR 15TH AND FINAL ONE HAPPENING THIS FRIDAY. REALLY EXCITED THIS PROVIDES
STUDENTS VALUABLE EXPOSURE TO DIVERSE PATHWAYS AND INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS. ANOTHER WAY THAT WE WORK TO DO THAT IS THROUGH OUR JA INSPIRED MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER FAIR CAN NEVER START THEM TOO YOUNG. THIS MONTH WE HOSTED THEM AT PALM SPRING AND EMERALD COVE
MIDDLE SCHOOL. STUDENTS ENGAGE WITH BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS. THEY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY WITH HANDS ON EXPOSURE TO DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES. TO HELP STUDENTS MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS. WE ARE LOOKING TO MAKE THAT SPARK HAPPEN WITH STUDENTS SO THEY CAN PURSUE IT IN THEIR FUTURE AND WE HAD A SPECIAL
VISIT AS YOU SAW, FROM MARCIA ANDREWS THAT EMERALD COVE. THIS WEEK, WE HAVE OUR BLACK HISTORY CAREER SPEAKER EVENS TAKING PLACE. ONE HIGHLIGHT IS TO YOU ON TOMORROWRY WITH Dr. RAMSEY WHO SHARED HIS INSIGHTS IN THE MEDICAL FIELD.
FOR CULINARY ARTS WE HAD A LOCAL CAKE ARTIST SHE IS A FOOD NETWORK STAR. AND SHE CAME OUT TO THE SCHOOL TO TALK ABOUT ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND HER BUSINESS. IN THE AREA OF WEALTH MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE WE HAVE DOMINIC
RICKETTS HE OWNS KINGDOM WEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PROVIDED GUIDANCE AND FINANCIAL LITERACY AND THE POSHES IMPORTANCE OF WORK ETHIC THAT WE ARE DELIVERING TO STUDENTS AT LIBERTY PARK. AND THEN IN THE ERA OF
MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKING AND DEVELOPMENT. TOMORROW WE WILL BE AT NEW HORIZONS ELEMENTARY AND SEEN HIS ENERGY AS HE MOTIVATES STUDENTS. ADDITIONALLY WE HAVE HAD JA HIGH SCHOOL HEROS AND COLLEGE CHAMPIONS CONTINUE. TODAY STUDENT GOVERNMENT
STUDENTS FROM JOHN I. LEONARD WENT TOUT TO GREEN ACRES ELEMENTARY TO TEACH KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE ABOUT FINANCIAL LITERACY. YOU CANNOT START TOO YOUNG. WE HAVE KAISER UNIVERSITY AND PALM BEACH ATLANTIC STUDENTS STARTING JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILY
PROGRAMS WITH STUDENTS AT PALM BEACH PUBLIC AND ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY. YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE MANY WONDERFUL THINGS. LOOKING AHEAD WE ARE CONTINUING OUR COMMITMENT TO EMPOWERING THE STUDENTS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. AND BY DOING THAT WE ARE SHAPING TOMORROW'S LEADERS BY PROVIDING
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND INSPIRATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE AND COMMUNITY. THANK YOU, BOARD. >> Karen Brill: SYLVIA HALL PTA AND PTSA PRESIDENT.
>> HI, GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. I WOULD LIKE TO START -- PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. >> SORRY. SYLVIA HALL. PALM BEACH COUNTY PTA PRESIDENT. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU VERY
MUCH DEMOCRAT EVERYONE. AND I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH OUR MISSION. AND BECAUSE THIS IS THE WAY WE START OUR PTA MEETINGS. OUR MEETING IS TO MAKE EVERY CHILD POTENTIAL A REALITY BY ENGAGING AND EMPOWERING FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO ADVOCATE FOR
ALL CHILDREN. WE HAD OUR REFLECTIONS OUR PROGRAM CELEBRATION LAST THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH AND WE WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE ALL THE STUDENTS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM. THE THREE TOP CATEGORIES WERE
SENT TO FLORIDA PTA AND HOPEFULLY SOME OR MOST OF THEM WILL GO TO NATIONAL PTA FOR THE AND BE CHOSEN AS WINNERS. I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THIS
PAST MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH, WAS PTA FOUNDERS DAY. AND EXAMPLE TO PTA ADVOCACY AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL THROUGH THE YEARS, INCLUDES UNIVERSAL KINDERGARTEN, HOT LUNCHES AND SEATBELTS. AT THE STATE LEVEL WE HAVE
SUPPORTED NEWBORN SCREENING, DAILY AND A BAN ON TEXTING WHILE DRIVING AMONG OTHER THINGS. I LIKE TO REMIND PEOPLE AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WATCHING THIS, WHAT PTA DOES AND WHAT WE HAVE
DONE FOR OVER 100 YEARS. ALSO TALKING ABOUT THE ADVOCACY NATIONAL PTA WILL BE HELD THIS YEAR MARCH 4-6. AND AND IT WILL BE TAKING PLACE
IN PERSON IN TALLAHASSEE MARCH 9-11. WHERE PTA MEMBERS FROM ALL OVER FLORIDA WILL BE ADVOCATING FOR OUR CHILDREN. YOU KNOW, IN TALLAHASSEE. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU A
NATIONAL PTA PRECISION STATEMENT ON FAMILY SEPARATIONS. NATIONAL PTA BELIEVES ALL CHILDREN RESIDING IN THE UNITED STATES REGARDLESS OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS HAVE THE RIGHT OF ACCESS TO A QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION. ADEQUATE FOOD AND SHELTER AND
BASIC HEALTHCARE SERVICES. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROMOTING THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF ALL CHILDREN REGARDLESS OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS AS WELL AS PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM HARMFUL SEPARATION FROM THEIR PARENTS OR FAMILY MEMBERS.
NATIONAL PTA IS URGING POLICYMAKERS TO WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS IN A FAIR AND APPROPRIATE AND EQUITABLE WAY TO PROVIDE REAL SOLUTIONS THAT BENEFIT OUR NATION'S DIVERSE FAMILIES. IN CONGRESS AND THE ADMINISTRATION TO WORK IN A
BIPARTISAN MANNER TO ENACT IMMIGRATION REFORM, CHAMPIONING NATIONAL POLICIES AND FUNDING THE ENSURE ALL CHILDREN CAN REACH THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL. I WOULD LIKE TO PASS THIS IS THE PRECISION STATEMENT CAN WE PASS THIS AROUND?
CAN WE DO THAT? THANK YOU. AND THAT WILL BE ALL FOR THIS MONTH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. MAPLE MILTON VICE-PRESIDENT OF
THE HISPANIC EDUCATION COALITION. IS SHE HERE? OKAY. CRAIG JENKINS BOARD CHAIR FOR UNITED WAY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. >> GOOD EVENING.
I'M HERE JOINED WITH SETH BERNSTEIN. >> Karen Brill: STATE YOUR NAME. >> I'M CRAIG JENKINS I'M WITH Dr. SETH BERN 15 AND MADISON ANDREWS FROM UNITED WAY. SO I'M HERE TONIGHT TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF UNITED WAY AND THE CAMPAIGN YOU HAVE COMING UP AT
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. I AM A HEALTHCARE EXECUTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND THE CURRENT BOARD CHAIR FOR UNITED WAY. I'VE BEEN INVOLVED FOR OVER 30 YEARS. AND WE FOUND THAT THIS YEAR'S PERFORMANCE REPORT AUDIT SHOWS THAT 49% OF STUDENTS ARE FACING
FINANCIAL HARDSHIP WITHIN THE DISTRICT. AND WE ARE ONE OF THE AGENCIES THAT HELPS OUT IN MANY OF THOSE WAYS THAT THE STUDENTS ARE FACING. SO OUR MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY HAS ACCESS TO A QUALITY EDUCATION, A PLACE TO LIVE,
FINANCIAL STABILITY, GOOD MEDICAL CARE ENOUGH TO EAT, AND WE'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 1929. WE WERE FOUNDED AS PART OF A REACTION TO A STORM A HURRICANE. AND WE FACED A LOT OF CHALLENGES IN THIS COUNTY. AND SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN STORMS.
BUT OTHERS HAVE BEEN HOUSING. THEY HAVE BEEN FOOD. THEY HAVE BEEN EDUCATION. AND WHAT WE DO ABOUT IT IS WE RAISE FUNDS AND WE INVEST THOSE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. AND WE FIND THE RIGHT CHARITIES AND WE FOLLOW-UP WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE HAVING THE OUTCOMES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
IN THIS COUNTY. AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS HAVING A FUNDRAISING. SO IT'S CALLED EMPLOYEE ONE GIVING. SO EMPLOYEE ONE GIVING STARTED EARLIER THIS WEEK AND GOES THROUGH MARCH.
AND THROUGH IT, THERE ARE FUNDS RAISED AND THEY GO TO EVERY CORNER OF THIS COUNTY TO HELP THE CHILDREN AND THE FAMILIES THAT ARE IN THIS COUNTY. AND WE'VE PARTNERED WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR OVER 25 YEARS. THERE IS A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN NEAR AND DEAR TO YOUR HEART THAT WE FUND. OF WE FUND OVER 100 INITIATIVES
IN THE COUNTY AND THROUGH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PARTNERSHIP WE'VE BEEN THE BIRTH TO 22 INITIATIVES THE TASK FORCE ON BRACK STUDENT EXCELLENCE, THE SCHOOL HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, WELLNESS PROMOTION ON FOOD, WE RUN TAX CAMPAIGN. THERE IS A LOT OF INITIATIVES AROUND THE COUNTIES AND WE'RE
TRYING TO FOCUS ON THE ONES THAT WILL MAKE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE TO THE STUDENTS AND THE FAMILIES. SO WE URGE YOU TO SUPPORT IT AS YOU ALWAYS HAVE. AND WE'VE HAD A REALLY BROAD SUPPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT BURQAS WELL AS THE ENTIRE SCHOOL
DISTRICT BOARD. AND WE HAVE CAMPAIGN COORDINATORS. THERE IS A LOT OF GIVING AND EMPLOYEE BASE. AND WE APPRECIATE THE TIME AND EFFORT THAT YOU GIVE TO MAKING THIS CAMPAIGN ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ONES WE HAVE FOR OUR AGENCY. AND THE CHARITIES THAT WE FUND
ARE INCREDIBLY APPRECIATIVE OF THE EFFORTS THAT YOU'VE DONE. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. SO THAT'S GOING TO BRING US NOW TO OUR AGENDA ITEMS SPEAKERS. ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL BOARD I WELCOME ANY PUBLIC SPEAKERS WHO ARE JOINING US TODAY.
OUR POLICY PROVIDES 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. A REMINDER, AGENDA SPEAKERS MUST COMMENTS MUST RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THE AGENDA
ITEM WHICH THE SPEAKER HAS REQUESTED TO ADDRESS. ADDITIONALLY, 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 DO NOT
RELATE TO THE TOPIC THAT THE SPEAKER INDICATED ARE ARE NOT EDUCATIONALLY RELEVANT, AS REQUIRED FOR NON-AGENDA TOPICS OR WHOSE 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. WITH SCHOOL BOARD POLICY THE MICROPHONE WILL BE TURNED OFF WHEN THE TIME LIMIT HAS BEEN REACHED. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. SO TONIGHT, WE DO HAVE ONE AGENDA ITEM SPEAKER, DONALD
PIERSON. >> GOOD EVENING BOARD DONALD PIERSON. PALM BEACH COUNTY 42 YEARS. I WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT THE DATA AGAIN THAT'S THE SEPARATION OF
EMPLOYMENT. BECAUSE WHEN I HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE THEY ASK ME WHAT DOES IT MEAN? I GO, WELL, YOU CAN READ IT BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT REALLY MEANS AND IT'S LIKE THIS THERE'S ONLY TWO PEOPLE THAT LEFT THIS COUNTY BECAUSE THEY WERE
DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR JOB. ONLY THREE OF THEM LEFT BECAUSE DISSATISFIED WITH THE SUPERVISOR WHICH I'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN MY OTHER COMMENTS. SO WHAT I'M ASKING AND LIKE I'VE ASKED BEFORE IS THIS SHOULDN'T
BE SO VAGUE. BECAUSE THERE'S 59 OTHER RESIGNATIONS. IS THAT BECAUSE SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN LIKE ON YOUR WEBSITE WITH THE INVESTIGATION A TEACHER SAYS MAYBE THEY SHOULD
INVESTIGATE THE BULLYING OF AP'S AND PRINCIPALS ON THE STAFF. THAT IS WHY WE LEAVE. I FOUND MORE THAN ONE OF THOSE. BUT, AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE INFORMATION IS ACCURATE. BECAUSE IT'S PUBLIC INFORMATION. AND WE HAVE 333 TEMPORARY JOBS
ENDED WITH THE SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS, HOW MANY OF THOSE ARE TEACHERS THAT WEREN'T GIVEN MAYBE HELP? THE THING THAT BOTHERS ME THE MOST IS YOU KNOW, THE RESIGNATIONS IN LIEU OF
INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION. IS THAT AN AP A PRINCIPAL SAYING LOOK IF YOU DON'T RESIGN WE'RE GOING TO FIRE YOU. INSTEAD OF SAYING HOW CAN WE HELP YOU? I MEAN, THE WHOLE MEETING TONIGHT WAS ABOUT ADDING VALUE TO PEOPLE WHICH IS GREAT.
BUT WE'VE GOT TO BE HONEST. THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE LEAVING, SEPARATING FROM THE EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE THERE ARE PLAYERS THAT ARE NOT DOING WHAT THEY SHOULD DO FOR OUR MISSION
STATEMENT FOR OUR TEACHERS AND THAT JUST IT'S BOTHERSOME. I JUST WANT TO SAY I GREW UP WHERE MY MOM TOLD ME ONE MAN CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF THEY ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING. I'M TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
BY JUST EXPOSING SOME THINGS. AND I WOULD, AGAIN, I HAVE NOT BEEN NASTY ABOUT ANYTHING, 43 YEARS. I'VE BEEN DOING WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO. BUT I COULD BE ON ONE OF THESE LISTS ACCORDING TO ONE OF MY
SUPERVISORS BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THEM I AM A BEGINNING TEACHER. SO I JUST WOULD LIKE THE DATA TO BE A LITTLE MORE TRANSPARENT. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. BOARD MEMBERS THAT WILL BRING US TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA. I WILL TAKE A MOTION NOW TO
APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION BY MS. BRANCH AND SECONDED BY MASSACHUSETTS MS. WHITFIELD. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY UNFINISHED BUSINESS THAT WILL BRING US NOW TO NEW BUSINESS. AND I WILL START WITH BRD3, THE
INSPECTOR GENERAL ANNUAL EVALUATION. I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD ACCEPT AND APPROVE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S EVALUATION. THE MOTION BY VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS. SECOND BY Mr. LANE. Mr. FERGUSON? >> Edwin Ferguson: MADAM CHAIR, SO I'M LOOKING AT THIS
EVALUATION. AND MS. MICHAEL IS EXCEPTION EVERYBODY GAVE ME A 5.0 AND I THINK YOU DID A GREAT JOB I WANT TO SPEAK TO THIS MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO USE A SCALE OF 1-3, 3 BEING NEUTRAL IF I HAVE NOT
WITNESSED WORKS BY THE IG IN THOSE AREAS. SO THAT'S WHAT I DID. SO MAYBE NEXT YEAR WE CAN TIGHTEN UP THE, I GUESS THE SCORING. BECAUSE THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT CAME OUT TO ME THAT SAID WHAT I JUST SAID AND IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN
I LOOKED AT THE EVALUATION IT SAID 1-5. AND THREW ME OFF. BUT THIS ACTUALLY IS AN ISSUE I'VE SEEN WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GENERAL COUNSEL AND THE SUPERINTENDENT. SOME OF THE THINGS AND PROBABLY MORE SO IN THE IG'S BECAUSE THE
SHEER VOLUME OF POTENTIAL CASES THAT YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH. TECHNICALLY WE REALLY DON'T HOW CAN WE SPEAK TO THAT? WE ARE NOT INSIDE THE OFFICE. I'M WONDERING IF A FEW OF THE CATEGORIES IF MAYBE THOSE MIGHT BE REMOVED IN FUTURE YEARS.
BECAUSE HONESTLY WE REALLY DON'T AND FRANKLY CAN'T NOTE IF EVERY SINGLE THING THAT COMES ACROSS THE DESK OR THE HOTLINE, IS ACTUALLY BEING REASONABLY TAKEN CARE OF REVIEWED BY THE IG. OBVIOUSLY WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT THE THINGS THAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED
TO PRESENT TO US IN TERMS OF REPORTS YOU ARE ALWAYS SPOT ON WITH THAT. SO IT'S JUST MORE SO ABOUT THE PROCESS THAN ANYTHING. AND I PROBABLY DIDN'T NEED TO SAY THIS BECAUSE I THINK YOU ARE ACES THAT IS WHY MINE IS 46, 50,
WE DON'T HAVE TO BE THAT KUMBAYA. BUT YOU ARE EXCELLENT IN YOUR ROLE AS IG. KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING. >> Karen Brill: I WILL JUST SAY THAT I DID SPEAK TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL ABOUT THE WAY WE RECEIVED THE BACKUP INFORMATION BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF BACK UP IN THE PAST WE'VE
HAD A LOT OF PRINTED MATERIAL. I FOUND THAT HARD TO GO THROUGH THE LINKS. A LOT OF LINKS WOULD ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS BUT I DO BELIEVE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL AND SHE CAN COMMENT IF SHE WANTS WILL TAKE THE COMMENTS. WHENEVER WE DOING THE EVALUATIONS SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE
WHO WE ARE EVALUATING. BECAUSE WE HAVE TWEAKED THEM OVER THE YEARS. I MEAN IN THE PAST WE HAD SOME THAT HAD RANGES. IT WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE. BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF BACK UP. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GO THROUGH THE BACKUP THIS YEAR. VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS? >> Marcia Andrews: I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE INSPECTOR
GENERAL FOR JUST HER WONDERFUL WORK. WE ALL HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. I DO TALK TO MY REPRESENTATIVE. I LOOK AT WHAT THEY HAVE ACTUALLY DONE AND EVALUATING THE INSPECTOR GENERAL. BECAUSE THEY ARE ACTUALLY MEETING PERIODICALLY, LOOKING AT
ALL THE DOCUMENTS AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS. AND WE DO GET A CHANCE TO MEET WITH HER. SHE IS ON MY CALENDAR TO MEET ALL THE TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES AS IT RELATES TO WHAT SHE DOES WITHIN THEIR DEPARTMENT. SHE'S NOW A VETERAN THE SHE HAS BEEN HERE FOR SOME YEARS.
Mr. FERGUSON YOU'VE BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE BUT WE'VE LEARNED TO GROW WITH HER AND SHE PUT NEW INITIATIVES WITHIN HER OFFICE THAT REALLY HELPS US TO BE REALLY CLEAN AND RESPECTED AS IT RELATES TO THOSE FUNCTIONS IN HER OFFICE.
SO I'M QUITE PLEASED WITH HER WORK. AND I SPEAK TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE ALL THE TIME AS WELL AS THE INSPECTOR GENERAL AND I WROTE SOME DETAILED COMMENTS ON THINGS THAT I TRULY THINK SHE DOES THAT ARE AMAZING THAT HAS PUT PALM BEACH COUNTY IN ANOTHER
WAY TO A HIGHER LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: FOR THE PUBLIC THAT IS LISTENING WE HAVE RATED OUR INSPECTOR GENERAL AS EXCELLENT. WHICH IS A TOP RATING. AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROFESSIONALISM, FOR YOUR INDEPENDENCE, FOR STAYING STRONG
WHEN PEOPLE ARE PUSHING BACK BECAUSE THAT IS A THANKLESS JOB. BACK IN THE DAY, IT'S ONE OF THE MOST HATED POSITIONS IN THE DISTRICT. BECAUSE YOU LIFT UP THE CORNERS OF THE RUGS AND YOU LOOK UNDERNEATH EVERYTHING. CONGRATULATIONS ON AN EXCELLENT EVALUATION.
WE NOW HAVE TO VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARES ARE UNANIMOUSLY. CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. [APPLAUSE] SO THAT BRINGS US Mr. SUPERINTENDENT TO COM6. >> Mike Burke: WOULD IT BE OKAY
IF I DID A QUICK CONGRATULATIONS TO MS. MICHAEL ON YOUR STELLAR EVALUATION. THE INSPECTOR GENERAL CAN BE AN INTIMIDATING FIGURE AND SHE IS OUR PARTNER IN THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT ON TEAM PALM BEACH TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING RIGHT BY OUR STUDENTS. CONGRATULATIONS.
THAT WILL TAKE US TO KOM6. AND I RECOMMEND THE BOARD PROCLAIM FEBRUARY 2025 AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH. NOOTION MOTION AND SECONDED. Mr. FERGUSON YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ THE PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH, WE CELEBRATE THE RICHLY TEXTURED HISTORY AND CULTURE OF AFRICAN DIASPORIC PEOPLE, AND; WHEREAS, BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATES THE VALUABLE HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS COUNTRY, AND; WHEREAS, BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS ALSO A TIME TO EDUCATE EVERYONE ABOUT HOW BLACK MEN AND WOMEN CONTRIBUTED
TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION AND TO RAISE GENERAL AWARENESS ABOUT THE UNIQUE EXPERIENCES BLACK PEOPLE HAVE FACED HISTORICALLY AND IN THE PRESENT, AND; WHEREAS, BLACK HISTORY MONTH GREW OUT OF “NEGRO HISTORY WEE”" WHICH WAS FOUNDED BY HISTORIAN CARTER G. WOODSON IN 1926. RECOGNITION WAS EXPANDED BY CONGRESS AND APPROVED BY
PRESIDENT GERALD FORD IN 1976, WHO DESIGNATED THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH, AND; WHEREAS, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY WILL EMBRACE, CELEBRATE, AND HONOR OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR UNIQUE CULTURAL HISTORIES AND ENSURE THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO CREATING INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS WHERE ALL STUDENTS CAN SEE THEMSELVES AND EACH OTHER IN A
POSITIVE LIGHT. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT AND SCHOOL BOARD OF PALM BEACH COUNTY DO HEREBY PROCLAIM FEBRUARY 2025 AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH. DONE THIS NINETEENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE, IN WEST PALM
WHEREAS, DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH, WE CELEBRATE THE RICHLY TEXTURED HISTORY >> Karen Brill: ALL IN FAVOR. OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> Mike Burke: I RECOMMEND THE BOARD PROCLAIM FEBRUARY 2025 AS CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH.
>> Karen Brill: MOTION BY MS. WHITFIELD. Mr. FERGUSON. FEBRUARY 2025. WHEREAS FEBRUARY FIRST-28, 2025 HAS BEEN DESIGNATED CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH BY THE ASSOCIATION FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
AND WHEREAS CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION OFFERS STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN THE ACADEMIC, TECHNICAL AND EMPLOYEABILITY SKILLS NECESSARY FOR TRUE CAREER READINESS. AND WHEREAS CAREERINGS IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS PARTICIPATE IN MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES THAT IMPROVE THE
CALL OF THEIR EDUCATION AND INCREASE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND ACHIEVE MANY AND WHEREAS CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH CAREER EXPLORATION OPPORTUNITIES EARLIER IN THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. WHICH ENABLES THEM TO MAKE INFORMED AND BENEFICIAL DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR ACADEMIC
COURSE WORK AND THE PURSUIT OF TAB LISHED PROGRAMS OF STUDIES AND LEADERS FROM BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY NATIONWIDE REPORT INCREASING CHALLENGES RELATED TO THE SKILLS GAP AND CONNECTING QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS WITH AVAILABLE CAREERS IN CRITICAL
AND GROWING CTE RELATED FIELDS INCLUDING HEALTHCARE, ENERGY, ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND WHEREAS CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PREPARES STUDENTS FOR THESE AND OTHER CAREERS BY OFFERING INTEGRATED PROGRAMS OF STUDY THAT LINK SECONDARY AND
POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION AND LEAD TO THE ATTAINMENT OF INDUSTRY RECOGNIZE THE CREDENTIALS. AND WHEREAS ENSURING EMPLOYERS HAVE ACCESS TO A QUALIFIED WORKFORCE IS ENSURING PRODUCTIVITY AMONG THE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS CONTINUED AMERICAN ECONOMIC GROWTH AND GLOBAL
COMPETITIVENESS. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT AND SCHOOL BOARD OF PALM BEACH COUNTY DO HEREBY PROCLAIM FEBRUARY, 2025 AS CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH. AND BE IT YOUR FER RESOLVED THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT AND SCHOOL
BOARD URGE ALL CITIZENS TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY AND TO SUPPOSE AND PARTICIPATE IN THESE PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE THEIR INDIVIDUAL SKILLS AND PRODUCTIVITY. DONE THIS 19TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025 IN WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA.
SIGNED BY BOARD CHAIR KAREN BRILL AND SUPERINTENDENT MICHAEL BURKE. >> Karen Brill: ALL IN FAVOR. OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> Mike Burke: I RECOMMEND THE BOARD PROCLAIM FEBRUARY 3-7 AS NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK.
>> Karen Brill: MOTION BY VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS AND SECONDED BY VIRGINIA SAVIETTO. ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> I RECOMMEND THE SCHOOL BOARD AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL COUNSEL TO DISMISS THE REQUEST OF THE HEARING ON BEHALF OF THE SCHOOL
BOARD AND SIGN THE FINAL ORDER OF DISMISSAL. >> Karen Brill: MOTION BY MS. WHITFIELD AND SECONDED BY VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS. ALL IN FAVOR. ALL OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> Mike Burke: APPROVE THE PERSONNEL ADDENDUM AS SUBMITTED. >> MOTION BY MS. WHITFIELD AND
SECONDED BY VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS. ALL IN FAVOR, ALL OPPOSED, MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THAT WILL BRING US TO OUR NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS I APOLOGIZE FOR NAMES I MIGHT MISS PRONOUNCE I WILL READ TWO NAMES AT A TIME.
CARLESIMO HAM METHOD FOLLOWED BY JILL COLEMAN. COME TO THE MICROPHONE AND STATE YOUR NAMES. >> CARL MOHAMMED. I THANK Mr. LANE FOR TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE TIME TO COME TO THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY.
AND WE ARE REALLY DO APPRECIATE THAT. YOU JOINED THE OTHER FOUR THAT HAVE COME TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE STILL HAVE THREE BOARD MEMBERS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH. AND ONE OF THE MAJOR THINGS THAT IS UNDERSTOOD IS THAT WHEN WE BRING YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY IT IS
A COMMUNITY MEETING IT IS NOT A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. AND MANY TIMES WHEN WE HAVE SCHOOL WORD MEETINGS IT DICTATES THAT THE WE RECEIVE WHEN OUR CHILDREN COME THROUGH THE FACILITIES. WHEN YOU COME TO THE COMMUNITY IF YOU WAS AROUND WHEN WE FIRST STARTED THE RELATIONSHIP IT WAS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT AND THE COMMUNITY AND WE HAD DIFFERENT COMMITTEES WHERE WE WORKED TOGETHER AND WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE REAL SYSTEMIC MOVES. AND WITH WE NOW UNDERSTAND AT LEAST I PUT MYSELF IN THE BLACK HISTORY MOMENT, I STILL BELIEVE I AM THE LONGEST VOLUNTEER IN
THE HISTORY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. AS IT RELATES TO TRYING TO ASSIST AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE BOTTOM RAIL SINCE THE TIME I'VE BEEN TRYING TO ASSIST IN ACTIVITY. AND WE'VE LOST THE IDEA OF THE SUPERINTENDENT TASK FORCE. AND SINCE THIS IS BLACK HISTORY
MONTH, WE HAVE HOPES THAT POSSIBLY WE MIGHT BE GETTING RECEIPT AS IT RELATES TO HOW WE ARE INFUSING THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CURRICULUM INTO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I UNDERSTAND YOU HAD A MEETING ABOUT THIS. BUT WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEXITIES THAT ARE INVOLVED
IN IT AND WE'VE SEEN OVER THE YEARS THAT THOSE THAT YOU HAVE DEPLOYED INSIDE THAT KIND OF REALITY DON'T HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING WHAT TO DO. SO WE'RE TRYING TO ASSIST YOU AS A COMMUNITY. BECAUSE AT SOME JUNCTION OUR DEVELOP MANY WE WILL HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD AND STOP SAYING
BEAUTIFUL THINGS THAT DON'T HAVE ANY SUBSTANCE TO IT. I DON'T LIKE TO COME AND BE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE BUT SOMEONE HAS TO BECAUSE OUR CHILDREN STILL CAN'T READ. WE HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM INSIDE THE BLACK COMMUNITY AND I DON'T SEE HOW PEOPLE CAN GO TO MARS
AND OUTERSPACE BUT YOU CAN'T TEACH A CHILD HOW TO READ AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE ALL NEED TO CONSIDER AND I WISH YOU WOULD DO IT DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH OUR CHILDREN ARE BEING LEFT BEHIND. AND WE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE IF WE ARE NOT RELYING ON YOU TO DO EVERYTHING BUT WE NEED THAT
PARTNERSHIP SINCE YOU HAVE THEM 8 TO SIX HOURS A DAY. WE NEED TO PARTNERSHIP FER PARTER IN WITH PEOPLE THAT UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR PROBLEM IS BECAUSE WE DON'T -- I DON'T KNOW AND IF YOU DO HAVE GROUPS THAT ARE REALLY MAKING REAL GAINS, WE WOULD LIKE TO
KNOW WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING. WE CAN'T KEEP CONTINUING TO OPERATE IN SILOS WHERE WE GET DIFFERENT REPORTS BUT WE DON'T GET A GENERAL IDEA. THE COMMUNITIES INVITE THE BOARD MEMBERS AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH. WE HAVE A LITTLE THING COMING
UP. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: JILL COLEMAN FOLLOWED BY FELL LEASE FELICE. >> I AM AN ORGANIZATION CALLED MOTHERS AGAINST MEDIA ADDICTION
AND I REPRESENT 500 PARENTS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT GETTING PHONES OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS. YOU'VE SEEN ME BEFORE. WE KNOW DEPRESSION IS UP ANXIETY IS UP SUICIDE IS UP. OUTCOMES FOR EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES ARE WAY DOWN TEACHER RETENTION IS WAY DOWN.
PHONES ARE A HUGE PROBLEM. WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. ME AS A PARENT AND MANY OTHER PARENTS CHOOSE NOT TO GIVE OUR CHILDREN PHONES. I DON'T ALLOW THEM ACCESS TO THE INTERNET I HAVE AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD AND A 10-YEAR-OLD. WHAT DO I DO WHEN THEY WALK INTO
SCHOOL AND EVERY OTHER KID HAS ONE? IN OUR COUNTY, MY CHILD CAN'T GO INTO A STORE AND BUY A PLAYBOY BUT THEY CAN WALK THROUGH THE SCHOOL DOORS FIND A KID WITH A SMARTPHONE AND SORRY TO BE GRAPHIC THEY CAN WATCH
PORNOGRAPHIC GANG BANGS DURING SCHOOL. THIS HAS TO STOP. MY CHILD CAN GO INTO A STORE AND TRY TO BUY ALCOHOL, BUT THEY CAN GO TO SCHOOL, BORROW A FRIEND'S PHONE AND SETUP A SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT AND BE CONNECTED WITH DRUG DEALERS WHO ARE TRYING TO
SELL THEM EXPAND IN ACCORDANCE. IT IS A DANGER TO OUR CHILDREN. I WANT TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT A BOY NAMED CHANCE. FROM LONG ISLAND. JUST LET YOU UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THE COMPANIES ARE DOING. HE AT 16 YEARS OLD WALKED IN
FRONT OF A TRAIN AND KILLED HIMSELF. THIS BOY LIKE MANY TWEENS AND TEENS HAS HIGHS AND LOWS. IF YOU THINK ABOUT ONE OF THE WORST MEMORIES WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD AND HOW HORRIBLE AND YOUR WORLD WAS BLOWING UP HOW DEPRESSED YOU COULD HAVE BEEN.
THE CHILDREN WHEN ON-LINE AND DEPRESSED THE TECH COMPANIES RIGHT HAND'S GIVING THEM AN 800 NUMBER FOR A SUICIDE HOTLINE THEY ARE NOT SPENDING THEM INSPIRATIONAL VIDEOS THEY SENT THIS BOY PRO SUICIDE CONTENT. THEY THEY KNEW WHERE HE WAS HE
WAS CLOSE TO A TRAIN AND SENT HIM HOW TO KILL YOURSELF WITH A TRAIN. THIS IS WHAT IS IN OUR KID'S POCKETS. IT DOES NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE IN OUR SCHOOLS. I BEG OF YOU I KNOW IT IS A HASSLE AND THE PARENTS ARE A BIG HASSLE BUT PLEASE IT'S SO MUCH
DANGER. AND I WANTED TO THEN NOW TAKE A STEP BACK AND LET YOU KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION AND HOW WE CAN HELP. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR A YEAR NOW WITH MANY PARENTS AND IN DIFFERENT SKALS TRYING TO EDUCATE PARENTS ABOUT THE HARMS FOR KIDS ON-LINE. WE ARE WILLING TO COME TO ANY
PALM BEACH COUNTY FOR FREE FOR AN HOUR IF YOU WANT TO BRING IN PARENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS, WE'LL TALK ABOUT WHAT THE HARMS ARE WHAT WE CAN DO AS A COMMUNITY WHAT RESOURCES ARE OUT THERE. AND ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP US AS A COMMUNITY HELP KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFER.
I WILL SEND AN E-MAIL WITH ALL OF OUR DETAILS IF YOU WANT TO REACH OUT HAVE ANYONE REACH OUT TO US. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. >> HI MEMBERS OF THE BOARD I'M THE FOSTER HOME RECRUITERS AND
LICENSER FOR CAYUGA CENTERS. WE ARE A FOSTER CARE PROVIDER. I'M HERE TO TALK TO MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND TEACHERS, AS WE HAVE A VERY GREAT NEED FOR FOSTER PARENTS ALL OVER THE STATE OF FLORIDA. DURING 2020 WE LOST A LOT OF FOSTER HOMES AND IT'S GONE
DOWNHILL SINCE THEN. WE HAVE 20,000 FOSTER CHILDREN AS OF LAST YEAR THAT IS IN FOSTER CARE MANY OF WHOM ARE IN SHELTERS AND GROUP HOMES. WE APPEAL TO EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS BECAUSE WE FIND THAT THOSE ARE CAREGIVERS BY NATURE ANYWAY AND THEY ARE PRONE TO BNG FOSTER PARENTS.
THERE IS MYTHS OUT THERE ABOUT BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT. FOSTER PARENTS ARE VERY NEEDED IN THE COMMUNITY. THEY ARE VERY VALUED BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT IS NOT AS HARD AS YOU WOULD THINK.
IF YOU CAN BE SINGLE YOU CAN BE MARRIED YOU CAN LIVE IN AN APARTMENT YOU CAN LIVE IN A HOUSE YOU CAN LIVE IN AN RV. AS LONG AS YOU PROVIDE A STABLE AND LOVING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CONCERN THAT IS ALL WE'RE LOOKING FOR. I'VE BEEN DOING THIS I HATE TO DATE MYSELF FOR 20 YEARS AND
I'VE SEEN OVER THE YEARS HOW WE'VE LOST MORE AND MORE HOMES ALL OVER THE STATE AND WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET SOME OF THOSE BACK. I DO EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY IN PALM BEACH AND BROWARD AND I MADE A LOT OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE. THEY HAVE THEIR HESITATIONS. AND I ALWAYS SAY COME TO ME AND
LET ME TALK TO YOU ABOUT IT. I WOULD LOVE TO COME INTO THE SCHOOLS. AND JOIN THE LUNCH AND LEARN WITH THE BOARD MEMBERS AND TALK ABOUT FOSTER CARE. BECAUSE MY ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO SEE THAT EVERY CHILD HAS A HOME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. Dr. TONYA SMALL FOLLOWED BY
DONALD PIERSON. >> GOOD EVENING, BOARD I'M Dr. TONYA SMALL FROM A STRONGER FOUNDATION IN ROYAL PALM BEACH. WHEN I THINK ABOUT EDUCATION, I THINK ABOUT IT AS A PROCESS OF DEVELOPING THE FOUNDATION FOR LIFELONG EXPERIENCES. WHETHER A CHILD WILL THRIVE OR
BARELY SURVIVE. AND WHEN I COME HERE I HAVE THIS BITTERSWEET GOING ON WHEN I SEE ALL CELEBRATION. ALL THE CHILDREN THAT COME HERE AND GET REWARRED AND THAT IS GREAT. WHAT BREAKS MY HEART I KNOW THAT IS ONE OR 2% OF WHAT OUR COMMUNITY CHILDREN. AND I KNOW THERE IS 98% RIGHT
NOW THAT'S NOT ACHIEVING AND NOT BEING PREPARED FOR LIFELONG SUCCESS. AND I ALSO WHEN I LOOK AT THEM CELEBRATE THE CHILDREN, I SEE THAT THEY HAVE THE SKILL. SO THEY HAVE THE EDUCATION BUT I WONDER DO THEY HAVE THE MINDSET. A LOT OF PEOPLE SOMETIMES THEY ARE HOMELESS AND YOU SEE THEM ON
THE STREET DOESN'T MEAN THEY ARE NOT EDUCATED. AND SOMETIMES YOU HAVE SOMEONE WITH MINDSET AND THEY ARE NOT EDUCATED. IT'S BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND YOU KNOW, I LOOKED AT A SCHOOL IN WELLINGTON AND NEARLY 50% OF THOSE BLACK CHILDREN ARE SCORING
A LEVEL ONE. AND WHEN ARE WE GOING TO CATCH THEM? WHEN ARE WE GOING TO REALLY PUT OUT THE NET? AND I LOVE TO CELEBRATE THE HIGH ACHIEVERS. BUT I WANT TO CELEBRATE MORE HIGH ACHIEVERS. I WANT AT LEAST 80% OF OUR
CHILDREN TO RECEIVE THE ACCUMULATIONS THAT THE KIDS RECEIVED TONIGHT INSTEAD OF JUST ONE OR 2%. I MEAN YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND K-12 THERE IS LIFE AND A LOT OF THESE CHILDREN LIKE CHANCE THAT STOOD IN FRONT OF THE TRAIN WHY DID HE DO THAT?
HE WAS BROKEN. HE WAS UNFULFILLED. HE DIDN'T HAVE MEANING. WHY? NOBODY TAUGHT HIM WHEN HE WAS YOUNG. THAT YOU WERE BORN ON PURPOSE TO FULFILL A PURPOSE. AND WHAT I'M ASKING THE DISTRICT TO DO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE.
LISTEN TO THE VOICES THE MAN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAN THAT JUST LEFT HERE, I RAN OUT AND SPOKE TO HIM AND WE HAVE THE SAME MISSION, PLEASE HARK KEN TO US WE CELEBRATE THOSE THAT ARE DOING WELL. AROUND THE WORLD WE HAVE THE 2% THAT IS DOING GREAT. THEN WE HAVE THE 98% THAT IS NOT
DOING GREAT. BUT EVERY SINGLE CHILD DESERVES TO ALIGN WITH THEIR GOD GIVEN PURPOSE SO THAT THEY CAN AVOID ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION THAT COMES ALONG WITH NOT ALIGNING WITH YOUR GREATEST VERSION. AND THAT'S ALL I WANT. WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT PROGRAMS
OUT THERE. A STRONGER FOUNDATION HOW WE CAN HELP WE CAN SUPPLEMENT. WE DON'T WANT TO BECOME A REGULAR SCHOOL BECAUSE WE HAVE A GREAT DISTRICT WE HAVE GREAT TEACHERS AND EXCELLENT CURRICULUM. BUT WHAT IS MISSING IS THAT YOU NEED A LITTLE SUPPLEMENT YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TAKE THE
CHILDREN AND HELP THEM TO READ THE BEST STANDARDS RECOMMENDED BOOKS THAT TEACHERS JUST DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO DO. I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TONIGHT. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. DONALD PIERSON FOLLOWED BY JAMIE
ACOUZU. >> DON PIERSON. IT'S AGAIN TIMELY. IT'S CAREER TECH MONTH. I JUST WANT TO SHOW YOU BEFORE I START, I JUST WANT TO SAY I FOR MY MOM WHAT SHE HAS TAUGHT ME SHE IS BEDRIDDEN AND WATCHING I
WANT TO SAY I LOVE YOU MOM. THIS REPRESENTS ALL THE TIMECARDS OF THE OJT PROGRAM THAT IS IT IN OUR SCHOOL THAT IS SUCCESS. THAT IS BEING CANCELED AND I THINK THERE IS AND I WILL TELL
YOU WHY IT'S BEEN CANCELED. IT'S NOT ANYWHERE ELSE. ALL THE KIDS WHO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO WORK, AND LEARN ABOUT Mr. BURKE WHEN I TOLD YOU THE FINANCIAL THING THAT I SENT YOU A COUPLE YEARS AGO, WE GO OVER THAT. AND KIDS ARE SAYING HEY I'M
GOING TO WORK AND I'M SAVING AS MUCH AS I CAN AS EARLY AS I CAN. THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THIS REPRESENTS ALL THE VALUATIONS I GO OUT AND DO. WHY ARE THEY CANCELING IT? I WILL BE BLUNT THE KIDS ARE
COLLATERAL DAMAGE BECAUSE THE TARGET IS AT ME. ALL THE THINGS THIS AP BACKED BY THE PRINCIPAL HAVE DONE TO ME HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE RESULT THEY WANTED SO THEY SAID WE'LL CANCEL THE PROGRAM. WE'LL PUT YOU BACK IN 9TH GRADE. FINE EXCEPT NOW THEY ARE
COLLATERAL DAMAGE. AND TO BACK THAT UP OUR WRESTLING TEAM WE DON'T HAVE ONE THIS YEAR AND WE'VE HAD A GREAT WRESTLING TEAM. THE SAME AP IN CHARGE OF THAT LET THAT PROGRAM DIE TO WHERE OUR STUDENTS TWO ARE IN MY CLASS
HAVE TO GO TO GARCIA TO WRESTLE. BECAUSE WE KNOW THE CONTRACT SAYS IF THERE IS A STAFF MEMBER AT THE SCHOOL THAT IS QUALIFIED AND WILLING TO DO THAT, AND I'VE BEEN IN WRESTLING 50 YEARS.
I'M STILL AN OFFICIAL AND THEY WON'T LET ME THEY DON'T LIKE YOU YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DO IT THEY WOULD RATHER DIE. WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THOSE AP'S IT NEVER GETS TO YOU BECAUSE THERE'S TOO MANY LAYERS.
BUT WHAT I HAVE IS A WHITE PAPER THAT HAS MANY THINGS THAT THESE PEOPLE I'LL SAY IT THE AP'S AND WHY ARE THEY MAD AT ME? BECAUSE I ASK THEM QUESTIONS AND SAY I DON'T THINK YOU ARE DOING THIS ISN'T THE RIGHT THING.
LIKE SENDING AN E-MAIL OUT TO OUR TEACHERS THAT SAYS HEY, IF YOU ARE NOT HERE AT 7:20 YOU NEED TO CONTACT ME. OUR CONTRACT SAYS WE ARE NOT TIMED BY HOURS AND MINUTES. AND I SAY THAT TO HIM AND I BECOME A TARGET. WHEN I ASK WILLIE WILLIAMS FOR
PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST, I HAVE NEVER BEEN STONEWALLED SO BAD. THREE MONTHS I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR SOMETHING FROM MY SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE INFORMATION THEY DON'T WANT OUT. BUT I ALREADY HAVE IT. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
JAMIE, FOLLOWED BY ARIANNA SILVA. >> GOOD EVENING TO THE CHAIR VICE-CHAIR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS SUPERINTENDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, MY NAME IS JAMIE AND I AM THE PROUD DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS FOR OUR LOCAL NONPROFIT
PATH TO COLLEGE. MANY OF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH OUR ORGANIZATION AS WE SERVE STUDENTS IN LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT PALM BEACH COUNTY WITH THE GOAL OF GETTING THEM INTO THE BEST COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES DEBT FREE. I'M VERY EXCITED TO SHARE WITH
YOU IN THE EIGHT YEARS SINCE OUR INCEPTION WE HAVE GRADUATED 116 STUDENTS FROM PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS. WITH 100% GRADUATION RATE. 60% OF THOSE STUDENTS GOING TO TOP TIER UNIVERSITIES LIKE STANFORD, HARVARD, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.
AND OUR FLAGSHIP FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM IS A THREE-YEAR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. THAT SERVES APPROXIMATELY 100 STUDENTS EACH YEAR. IN ADDITION TO THE LIGHT TOUCH COLLEGE AND CAREER SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE TO APPROXIMATELY A THOUSAND STUDENTS ANNUALLY IN
PALM BEACH COUNTY. INCLUDING A 10-WEEK PROGRAM THAT WE ARE RUNNING AT BOYNTON BEACH HIGH SCHOOL. TO DATE OUR ORGANIZATION HAS PROVIDED OVER 175,000 DOLLARS OF FREE COLLEGE CAREER ADVISING AND
SAT PREP IN THE COMMUNITY. AND I KNOW MANY OF YOU ARE ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH OUR ORGANIZATION, SO I REALLY COME HERE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT. AND ALSO TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK TO MOVE THE NEEDLE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY TO GET OUR STUDENTS NOT JUST TO
GRADUATION, BUT TO BE COLLEGE AND CAREER READY WITH A POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION PLAN. SO I'D LIKE TO INVITE EACH OF YOU TO JOIN US AS WE ARE GOING TO BE OPENING THE CATAPULT YOUTH MENTORING COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER IN LAKE WORTH BEACH LATER
THIS FALL. I'D LOVE FOR EACH OF YOU TO TAKE A TOUR OF THE FACILITY AND SEE THE WORK THAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER IN COLLABORATION. ADDITIONALLY, I WANT TO INFORM YOU ALL ABOUT OUR SIGNATURE EVENT WE HAVE COMING UP. OUR SIGNATURE EVENT COMING UP, OUR ANNUAL
EDUCATION FEST. EACH YEAR WE CROWN AN EDUCATION CHAMPION. I'M VERY EXCITED TO RECEIVE NOMINATIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY AND OUR BOARD MEMBERS LAST YEAR WENT TO PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS VERY OWN Mr. BRIAN KNOWLES. SO WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE NOMINATIONS FROM THE BOARD THIS
YEAR. ADDITIONALLY I HAVE COLLATERAL THAT WOULD I LIKE TO PROVIDE TO YOU ALL, HOPEFULLY YOU ALL CAN TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND BE INSPIRED AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO GET OUR STUDENTS READY FOR POST SECONDARY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> Chair: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. MY NAME IS ARIANNA KASS NOVA SILVA. I ATTEND Dr. JOAQUIN GARCIA HIGH SCHOOL AND SERVE AS PRESIDENT OF THE TEENS IN ACTION. I WOULD LIKE TO START BY
THANKING THE SCHOOL BOARD AND ENTIRE DISTRICT FOR THE BIG ROLE YOU HAVE PLAYED IN THE LIVES OF MYSELF AND MANY STUDENTS. YOUR SUPPORT HAS IMPACTED OUR EDUCATION AND GROWTH. AS TECHNOLOGY BECOMES A BIGGER PART OF OUR LIVES, IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP OUR STUDENTS SAFE ONLINE N. CLASSROOMS TODAY WE USE TECHNOLOGY ALL THE TIME
FROM INTERACTIVE LESSONS TO ONLINE RESOURCES. OUR STUDENTS ARE ALWAYS USING DIGITAL PLATFORMS BUT WITH THIS INCREASED TECH USE WE MUST PROTECT OUR STUDENTS. AND TEACH THEM ABOUT POTENTIAL ONLINE RISK.
BY RAISING AWARENESS AND FOCUSING ON PREVENTION WE CAN HEM OUR STUDENTS RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND TO ONLINE THREATS SUCH AS CYBER BULLYING, IDENTITY THEFT AND INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT. I HAVE HAD SUCH LESSONS ON
SAFETY BUT IT WAS NEVER FOCUSING ON-- IT WAS BRIEF, FOCUSING ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND NEVER DURING CONSECUTIVE YEARS. I PROPOSE A DIGITAL SAFETY PRESENTATION FOR STUDENTS AT KEY
TIMES OF THE YEAR TO INFORM THEM ABOUT POTENTIAL RISK AND HOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES WE CAN TAKE INSPIRATION FROM PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE WITH REGULAR MESSAGES SENT TO STUDENTS VIA
EMAIL AS WELL AS ON THE WEBSITE. WE CREATE A SAFER AND MORIVE DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS OUR GOAL IS TO HELP THEM MAKE SMARTER DECISIONS AND CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY AND RESPECT ONLINE.
I URGE THE SCHOOL BOARD TO CONSIDER IMPLEMENTING THIS DIGITAL SAFETY INITIATIVE AND TO PRIORITIZE THE PROTECTION OF OUR STUDENTS IN THIS TECHNOLOGY TAL AGE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION I BO LIKE TO THANK THE ETHICS IN GOVERNMENT.
IT WAS TRULY A VITAL EVENT THAT HELPED ME THINK ABOUT MY ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND INSPIRED ME TO COME HERE AND TALK ABOUT WHAT QI DO TO HELP MY COMMUNITY. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
GRANT STRONG FOLLOWED BY ADRIAN SMITH. >> GOOD EVENING BOARD MEMBERS,
SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND BOARD CHAIR. >> Chair Brill: PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. >> ANISHA GRANT STRONG FROM DEL WAY. RACISM AFFECTS MENTAL HEALTH ON BLACK CHILDREN ON MULTIPLE LEVELS. IT'S THE FACT THAT PEOPLE MAKE
ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT BLACK KIDS, BASED PURELY ON THEIR STEREOTYPES BECAUSE KIDS ARE BEING TAUGHT BY PEOPLE WHO DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THEM. THESE STEREOTYPES MANIFEST THEMSELVES IN OVERLY PUNITIVE DISCIPLINARY PRACTICES. SCHOOLS SHOULD BE A SAFE PLACE
FOR KIDS. BUT SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND TRAUMATIC STRESS IN BLACK STUDENTS ARE OFTEN VIEWED BY ADULTS AS DISOWE BEAD YEPT, ANGER OR INSUBORDINATION. ARE THE BLACK KIDS WE ARE
TEACHING THREATENING OR IS IT THAT THE TEACHERS LACK A CERTAIN LEVEL OF AWARENESS THAT FOCUS MORE ON WHAT BEHAVIORS THE BLACK STUDENTS ARE DEMONSTRATING AND LESS ON WHY THIS BEHAVIOR IS BEING DEMONSTRATED. START, SCHOOLS WHOSE DEMOGRAPHIC
MAKEUP CONSIST OF PREDOMINANTLY BLACK KIDS EMPLOY MORE POLICE AND SECURITY ON THESE CAMPUSES THAN MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. SCHOOL POLICING HAS BECOME A MAJOR FEEDER OF THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE. IS A REGULAR POLICE PRESENCE IN
SCHOOLS INCOMPATIBLE WITH RACIAL EQUITY AND IF SO, DOES SACRIFICING RACIAL EQUITY IMPROVE SCHOOL SAFETY? AFRICAN-AMERICANS ARE PROTESTING AND MARCHING TO DEMAND POLICE REFORM. THE CASCADE OF MURDERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT TOOK
THE LIVES OF GEORGE EMPLOYED, BREONNA TAYLOR, CORNELIUS FRED RICKS AND OTHERS ARE BEING USED TO QUOTE UNQUOTE ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR BLACK CHILDREN. THE ACT OF POLICING GIVES THE RULE OF POWER WHICH CONTRIBUTES TO INEQUITIES THAT BLACK CIVILIANS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE
HARMED BY AND WHITE CIVILIANS MORE LIKELY TO BEN FI. OVERALL BLACK MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO ATTEND A SCHOOL WITH MORE SECURITY STAFF THAN MENTAL HEALTH PERSONNEL. PERHAPS IF SCHOOL DISTRICTS STOPPED FOCUSING ON WHAT OUR CHILDREN ARE DOING AND WHY THEY'RE DOING IT, WE CAN FOCUS
ON MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, AND INSECURITY FOR BLACK PREDOMINANTLY BLACK SCHOOLS. THANK YOU. >> AND OUR FINAL SPEAKER TONIGHT IS Mr. ADRIAN SMITH. >> HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY.
ADRIAN SMITH, NEW CHAPTER EDUCATION I ON LIKE TO START BY SAYING TRUMP WON AND ALSO THAT MEANS THERE IS AN EARTHQUAKE OF SEVERITY THAT IS GOING TO BE COMING AND EDUCATION AND REFORM
CHANGES UPGRADES. I WOULD LIKE TO BACK UP THE SPEAKER ON THE SUBJECT OF KELL PHONES WE NEED TO WAKE UP FROM THE DEAD ON THIS. TO SAY WELCOME ALL THOSE WHO ARE
HERE TO LEARN, THE CELL PHONES, THE BUCK STOPS HERE. YOU LEAVE IT OUT. WE NEED TO GET COURAGE TOGETHER AND MAKING THOSE STATEMENTS YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AFRAID OF THE LAWS OF THE STATE. YOU CAN WORK AROUND THAT YOU
HAVE PEOPLE SMART ENOUGH IN THE LEGAL WORLD TO DEAL WITH THAT. IT'S NOT AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. I'M ALSO HERE TO ADDRESS THE FACT THAT MY STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE LGBTQ STANCE THAT THE
SCHOOL HAS HAD AND INVITING THEM AND HAVING THIS EXPERIMENTATION WITH CHILDREN TO INVITE THEM INTO THIS CONCEPT OF INVITING THEM INTO THE CONCEPT OF
TRANSGENDERRISM, THE GENDER BRED EDUCATIONAL BOOKS THAT YOU HAD IN THE SCHOOL CAMPUS IN THE CLASSROOMS, TEACHING THE CHILDREN HOW THEY CAN DECIDE WHAT THEIR TRANSGENDER REALLY IS.
I HAVE NEWS FOR YOU. ONE THING WE'VE GOT A NEW PRESIDENT SITTING IN THE WHITE HOUSE RIGHT NOW AND I KNOW ONE NEW YORKER, OKAY, SITTING IN THE WHITE HOUSE RIGHT NOW AND I THE TELL YOU WHAT HE WOULD SAY ABOUT
INVITING AND EXPERIMENTING WITH HAVING TRANSGENDERRISM TROOD TO CHILDREN IN CLASSROOMS AND IN THE SCHOOL. DO YOU KNOW WHAT HE WOULD SAY? I CAN TELL YOU WHAT HE WOULD SAY. DO YOU KNOW? DO YOU KNOW WHAT HE WOULD SAY? GET OUT OF HERE!
GET OUT OF HERE GET OUT OF HERE. IS WHAT HE WOULD SAY. OKAY. WE NEED TO WAKE UP AND PUT THE JUNK IN THE GASH GARBAGE AND START TREATING CHILDREN RESPECTABLY.
LET'S TALK ABOUT HAVING ETHICS IN OUR SCHOOLS. HOW ABOUT VIRGINITY AND SUPPORTING ABSTINENCE IN SEX, BLACK HISTORY MONTH I CAN TELL WHAT YOU KING KICK SAID.
HE ENDORSED PUBLICLY THE CATHOLIC VIEW OF HOMOSEXUALITY. YOU CAN LOOK IT UP. >> BOARD MEMBERS, THAT BRINGS US TO THE END OF OUR AGENDA. I'LL TAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR?
, ALL OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.