SECTION 14 REGARDING VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CONDITIONS. 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. BRILL JOINING US IS MICHAEL BURKE, DOWN SETTLE SHAWN BERNARD, ELLERY WEISS, AND BOARD CLERK TONI SINCLAIR. SENIOR STAFF MEMBERS WILL JOIN US PERIODICALLY AS DIRECTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT. TONIGHT, THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
WILL BE PERFORMED BY NATIONAL ANTHEM WILL BE PERFORMED BY THE BELLA VOCE ARMONIA CHOIR FROM WEST BOCA RATON COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL. WOULD EVERYONE PLEASE STAND FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
♪O SAY CAN YOU SEE BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT♪ ♪WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED AT THE TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING♪ ♪WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT
STARS THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT♪ ♪O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED, WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING♪
♪AND THE ROCKET'S RED GLARE, THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR♪ ♪GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE♪
♪O SAY DOES THAT STAR-SPANGLED BANNER YET WAVE♪ ♪O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE AND
THE HOME OF THE BRAVE ♪. [APPLAUSE]
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
VIEWERS AND LISTENERS CAN ACCESS THE MEETING BY WATCHING ON COMCAST CHANNELS 234 AND 235, U VERSE CHANNEL 99 OR USING THE YouTube LINK. IN THE EVENT THE LINK IS
INTERRUPTED, SWITCH OVER TO THE TV CHANNELS ALL BOARD MEETINGS ARE RECORDED IN THEIR ENTIRETY AND POSTED ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WEBSITE WITHIN 24 HOURS. BOARD MEMBERS WE HAVE SIX SETS OF MINUTES FOR APPROVAL. I WILL TAKE A MOTION?
MOTION BY MS. BRANCH AND SECONDED BY MS. WHITFIELD. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. I HAVE AN ITEM TO ADD FOR GOOD CAUSE.
THE ITEM IS P3, PERSONNEL ADDENDUM, GOOD CAUSE EXISTS SO EMPLOYEES CAN BEGIN IN THEIR POSITIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT DO YOU HAVE ITEMS TO WITHDRAW.
>> Mike Burke: NO, MADAM CHAIR PRIL BRILL BOARD MEMBERS I TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR ALL OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. DO WE HAVE ANY DISCLOSURES AND ABSTENTIONS? MS. WHITFIELD? >> Erica Whitfield: THANK YOU,
VERY MUCH. FOR OPS2, I AM GOING TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM IT FOR THE REASON THAT I COULD BE A NERD TO THE SPECIAL GAIN OR LOSS OF MY RELATIVE, MY CHILD. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT, THAT
BRINGS US TO SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS. >> Mike Burke: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH VICE-CHAIR MATTHEW LANE AND HIS FAMILY FOLLOWING THE PASS OF HIS WIFE. SUSAN WAS A CONSENT SUPPORT FOR HER FAMILY AND WE RECOGNIZE THE
PERSONAL LOSS THIS REPRESENTS FOR Mr. LANE, HIS SON STEVEN AND ALL WHO KNEW HER. MRS. LANE WAS A RETIRED TEACHER AND ABSOLUTELY A JOY TO BE AROUND AND WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT EDUCATION AND I SUSPECT HER PASSION WAS CONTAGIOUS FOR
VICE-CHAIR LANE AND HAD A LOT TO DO WITH SERVING ON THE DAIS TODAY. SHE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL OF US. WE HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO MEET SUSAN AND TO BE A VARIOUS FUNCTIONS TOGETHER OVER THE PAST YEAR. AGAIN YOU COULD NOT FIND A
SWEETER NICER LADY. AND SHE WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE SHE PAID ATTENTION TO ALL OF THE BOARD MEETINGS. AND SHE WAS ROOTING POUR ALL OF US AND IT WAS NICE TO HAVE THAT SUPPORT. SHE WILL BE SORELY MISSED AND MAY HER MEMORY BE A BLESSING. I WOULD LIKE EVERYONE TO JOIN ME
IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE. >> THANK YOU. JANUARY IS ALSO SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH. SO IT IS A CHANCE FOR ME TO SHOW MY APPRECIATION FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD.
I'VE SAID THIS NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT ME AND THE ENTIRE TEAM ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE A SCHOOL BOARD THAT IS PART OF OUR TEAM. WHEN WE SAY TEAM PALM BEACH IT'S ALL OF US AND THEY ARE SUPPORTIVE AND WE ARE ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND MOVE THIS
DISTRICT FORWARD BECAUSE THE BOARD MAKES EVERY DECISION BASED ON THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR STUDENTS AND WE HAVE THAT COLLECTIVE VALUE AND YOUR LEADERSHIP IS WORKING. WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO CELEBRATE MAINTAINING OUR A RATING. WE WERE ONE OF 13 OF THE 67 DISTRICTS IN FLORIDA TO BE
RECOGNIZED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AS A HIGH PERFORMING DISTRICT AND ALL OF THAT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR LEADERSHIP ON THE BOARD. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ONE MORE THING TO BRAG ABOUT UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP AS WE APPRECIATE YOU IN THIS MONTH OF JANUARY THE GRADUATION RATES OF
2025 CAME OUT FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND OUR GRADUATION RATES CONTINUE TO GROW. AND WE CONTINUE TO BE A LEADER IN THIS AREA ACROSS FLORIDA. SO OUR OVERALL GRADUATION RATE WHEN YOU INCLUDE DISTRICT AND CHARTER SCHOOLS IS 93.5%.
THAT IS UP FROM 92.1 IN 2024. AND THEN IF YOU LOOK AT OUR DISTRICT OPERATED HIGH SCHOOLS OUR GRADUATION RATE REACHED 96.7% UP FROM 95.9%. THAT IS STRONG GROWTH YEAR-OVER-YEAR. AND THAT IS REALLY I WANT TO
THANK MANY MEMBERS OF TEAM PALM BEACH I WILL START WITH OUR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS. THOSE ADMINISTRATORS THEIR SUPPORT STAFF, THEIR TEACHERS BECAUSE HIGH SCHOOLS DO AN AMAZING JOB OF WELCOMING STUDENTS IN AS FRESHMEN AND TRACKING THEIR PROGRESS AND SUPPORTING THEM TO GET THEM TO GRADUATION.
AND THEN A LARGER THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE TEAM PALM BEACH BECAUSE IT STARTS AS EARLY AS PRESCHOOL, KINDERGARTEN, AND EVERY MEMBER TEAM PALM BEACH CONTRIBUTES TO THAT ULTIMATE SUCCESS OF GRADUATION. AND BEFORE WE KNOW IT WE WILL BE GRADUATING THE CLASS OF 2026 IN MAY.
MADAM CHAIR THAT CONCLUDES MY MOMENTS. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: WE ARE GOING TO GO TO MS. SAVIETTO WHO IS REMOTELY ON-LINE WITH US. >> YES, THANK YOU. HELLO EVERYONE. AS WE BEGIN WITH THE YEAR, I
WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT WITH GRATITUDE AND RESPECT OF MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WE HAVE LOST. FIRST, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE GRACE GARRISON WHO SERVED THIS DISTRICT IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS. SHE WAS DEEPLY RESPECTED AND
LOVED AND I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SEEING HER REGULARLY AT THE WHERE SHE REPRESENTED THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH. WE MOURN THE PASSING OF FLORENCE MAYFIELD A LONGTIME LABOR LEADER AND ADVOCATE FOR WORKING FAMILIES.
I EXTEND MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY, HER FAMILY, FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES AND ALL OF THOSE WHO WORKED ALONGSIDE THEM OVER THE YEARS.
THIS IS MORE DIFFICULT. LASTLY, I WANT TO SPEAK TO MY COLLEAGUE. VICE-CHAIR MATTHEW LANE. I FEEL ALTHOUGH I CANNOT SEE YOU I'M TRULY SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF
YOUR WIFE, SUSAN. THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING US IN THE CELEBRATION OF HER LIFE AND WORDS SHARED BY YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS WERE DEEPLY INSPIRING AND THE REFLECTIONS BY YOUR RABBI WHY ENLIGHTENING. HELPING ALL OF US BETTER
UNDERSTAND WHO SUSAN WAS AND THE VALUES SHE LIVED BY. SHE WAS CLEARLY A WOMAN OF STRENGTH, LOVE AND PURPOSE. AS YOU SAID, SUSAN WAS AN [INAUDIBLE] A WOMAN OF VALOR. KNOW HOW DEEPLY RESPECTED SHE IS
AND HOW MUCH YOU AND YOUR FRIEND ARE IN MY AND LUCA'S PRAYERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> Karen Brill: MS. WHITFIELD. >> Erica Whitfield: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COUPLE THINGS I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT TODAY. THE FIRST IS A BIT OF A PERSONAL
PRIVILEGE. I HAVE BEEN WORKING EVERY YEAR FOR 10 CAREERS AT LEAST 11, AT THE SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR TO HANDOUT MEDALS TO OUR STUDENTS AND THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME I GOT TO HAND ONE TO MY DAUGHTER.
AND I HAVE A VIDEO. GO, LAURA GO! >> NICE JOB! >> OH, MY GOODNESS!
>> YOU DID IT. >> SO THAT WAS MY HUSBAND VIDEOING THAT AND WHAT IS FUNNY TO ME I DID NOT NOTICE IT WAS MS. BISHOP THAT POINTED HER OUT TO ME I WAS LIKE WHAT? BUT I WANT TO THANK ERIC FOR
COORDINATING THE PE DEPARTMENT AND THE COACH FOR CONVINCING MY FIVE-YEAR-OLD SHE COULD RUN THAT WAS AMAZING FROM HER SCHOOL AND EVERYONE WHO COMES OUT IT IS AN INCREDIBLE EVENT TO START OFF THE FAIR AND I THANK THE FAIR AS WELL FOR ALLOWING ALL THE STUDENTS TO GET INTO THE FAIR THAT DAY.
THEY HAVE GREAT ATTENDANCE FROM THE RUN. THE CHILDREN GET TO RUN THROUGH THE FAIR AND AT THE END THEY GET TO SPEND THE DAY AT THE FAIR. THE SECOND THING WAS MLK AND I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND A BREAKFAST AT THE CONVENTION CENTER THIS IS
A COUPLE PICTURES FROM THERE. A WONDERFUL WAY TO SPEND THE MORNING AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE SUCH AN IMPORTANT MOMENT IN THIS TIME. SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE. AND TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE A GREAT LEADER THAT WE LOST MANY YEARS AGO.
AND FINALLY, I DON'T HAVE PHOTOS BECAUSE I WAS BUSY BUT I THANK EVERYONE WHO HELPED COORDINATE PALM BEACH DAYS IN TALLAHASSEE WHERE I GOT MY COLD FROM. BUT IT WAS WONDERFUL TO BE UP THERE TO MEET WITH SO MANY OF OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS AND TO BE
ABLE TO SPEND TIME WITH MY COLLEAGUES UP THERE WAS WONDERFUL. SO I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO GO THERE AND I WANT TO JUST THANK EVERYONE WHO PUT TOGETHER ALL THE MEETINGS. HOPEFULLY WE BROUGHT FORWARD SOME GOOD ASKS FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CONTINUING THE WORK
IN TALLAHASSEE ESPECIALLY Dr. MORGAN FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK CORD THEYING THAT. IT'S NOT EASY TO WRANGLE ALL OF US SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> Karen Brill: MS. BRANCH. >> Gloria Branch: WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE BY THE CHOIR.
THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL. I ECHO Mr. BURKE'S REMARKS ABOUT SUSAN SHE WAS A DELIGHT TO BE AROUND, SWEET CARING LADY AND ALWAYS CHEERING ON OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT. AND TELL NORA I LOVE HER CAPE. MS. WHITFIELD.
AND I ECHO MRS. WHITFIELD'S THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PALM BEACH DAYS AND ALL THE WORK THAT Dr. MORGAN AND HER TEAM SCHEDULING EVERYTHING FOR US. I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: MS. ANDREWS. >> Marcia Andrews: I DO LOVE WEST BOCA CHOIR YOU ARE WONDERFUL.
BEFORE I SAY ANYTHING Mr. LANE, WE LOVED SUSAN. AND WE'RE PRAYING EVERYDAY. WE'VE HAD A TREMENDOUS SORROW OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS, CHRIS GARRISON OUR OWN CHRIS GARRISON IN THE BUILDING THE MEMORIAL WE
HAD FOR HER WAS WONDERFUL. Mr. ALFONSO, MAYFIELD WHO WAS THE PRESIDENT OF SEIU WE LOVED YOU YOU MEANT SO MUCH TO ME AND ALL OF US. AND I KNOW YOU WILL HAVE YOUR FUNERAL SATURDAY AND WE'RE
PRAYING FOR THE FAMILY AND ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES FROM SEIU WILL BE THERE LOVING YOU. AND LASTLY BENJAMIN FORD ONE OF OUR TEACHERS A DWYER AWARD WINNER PASSED AWAY DURING THE HOLIDAYS. I HAD TO TAKE A MOMENT TO STOP
AND SAY A PRAYER AND SYMPATHY FOR THE FAMILIES BECAUSE IT IS ALL ABOUT OUR PEOPLE AND WE'VE HAD DEVASTATING EVENTS TO LOSE SO MANY GREAT PEOPLE. SO Mr. LANE WE LOVE YOU AND WE'RE MISSING SUSAN AND WE'RE MISSING THE OTHERS AND WE WILL
CONTINUE TO PAY HOMAGE AND BE THANKFUL. I WANT TO GO THROUGH A LIST OF THINGS AND I WILL GO QUICKLY BECAUSE I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW WE HAVE HE ABEEN BUSY BUT I WANTED TO PAY HOMAGE TO OUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE LEFT US. ROYAL PALM BEACH HIGH SCHOOL
LATINOS IN ACTION WE ARE AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND LATINOS IN ACTION YOU CONTINUE TO DO GREAT WORK AND HELPING OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS YOU ARE FROM ROYAL PALM BEACH HIGH SCHOOL LATINOS IN ACTION. Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
CONTEST THESE YOUNG PEOPLE SPEAK AND THEY LEARN ABOUT Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND THEY KNOW THE LESSONS AND WHEN THEY SPEAK, THE TRUTH ABOUT Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. IT'S WONDERFUL. AND THAT ROSENWALD CONTEST IS RENOWNED.
WE WERE ALL OUT AT FIESTA DEPABLO A LOT OF US WERE THR IT WAS COLD THAT DAY BUT WE CAME OUT TO CELEBRATE CULTURE MANY YOU CAN SEE US HAVING A GOOD TIME. Mr. BURKE AND ALL OF US WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME.
AT PALM BEACH COUNTY DAY WE WERE FIGHTING FOR FINANCE AND SAFETY FOR THE BEST LEGISLATION TO COME OUT OF TALLAHASSEE FOR OUR CHILDREN. AND Mr. BURKE WE LOVE YOU FOR STANDING STRONG AND MEETING WITH THE LEGISLATORS AND THE BOARD MEMBERS THERE.
SAYING HURRAH AND THANKING OUR DELEGATION FOR THE WORK THEY DO AND MEETING THE REST OF THEM TO TELL THEM WE NEED MORE FUNDING FOR SAFETY, CURRICULUM AND A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING BECAUSE WE FOR THERE IS A NEED. AND I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH EMMANUEL PERRY FROM PALM
BEACH COUNTY WITH THE HBCU BATTLE OF THE BANDS AND THIS IS A BIG DEAL COMING TO PALM BEACH COUNTY. WE HAD A COLLEGE AND CAREER FAIR DAY AT PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE. THIS PAST FRIDAY, WHERE ABOUT 50 ADMISSIONS WERE GIVEN BY HBCU
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. WE SENT 300 STUDENTS FROM THE GLADES THANK YOU Mr. PERRY AND THANK YOU FLORIDA CRYSTALS AND THANK YOU MS. MOORE AND EVERYBODY WHO MADE IT HAPPEN FOR THE STUDENTS IN THE GLADES TO GET A CHANCE TO GO TO THE CAREER DAY AND GET OFFERS TO BE ABLE TO
GO TO COLLEGE. AND, YES, ROYAL PALM BEACH HIGH SCHOOL YOU WERE THERE I SAW YOU. IT WAS ALMOST 2,000 CHILDREN AT PALM BEACH LAKES HIGH SCHOOL. AND YES, THE BIG DAY WAS SATURDAY AT FAU WHERE THEY HAD THE BATTLE OF THE BANDS. IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THAT YOU
GOT TO GO SEE IT IT IS AMAZING. AND WE HAD ALL OF OUR CHILDREN FROM ALL OVER PALM BEACH COUNTY, BROWARD, MIAMI-DADE AND EVERYWHERE ELSE LOOKING AND BEING ABLE TO PLAY IN THE BAND MEANING THAT MUSIC AND ARTS MEAN EVERYTHING AND I WOULD LIKE TIME
TO CONTINUE THIS IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO STOP TO SAY A PRIVILEGE TO OUR PEOPLE THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND SO WE HAD A RECEPTION FOR THE NATIONAL BATTLE OF THE BANDS AND Mr. FERGUSON YOU WERE WITH ME AT THE HISTORIC SUNSET LOUNGE. IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS IN
THE HEART OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY IN WEST PALM BEACH WHERE ELLA FITZGERALD AND MAJOR SINGERS AND ARTISTS CAME TO PLAY DURING TIMES OF SEGREGATION IT WAS AT THE AND IS SET LOUNGE IN RECOGNITION OF THE HBCU'S BATTLE
OF THE BAND MUSIC MEANS EVERYTHING. THANK YOU MARIA BISHOP FOR HELPING MAKE THIS A SUCCESS. AND YES, THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PARADE, Mr. BURKE YOU WERE THERE AGAIN THIS YEAR IN THE GLADES REASON I HAPPEN TO BE THE MARSHALL IT WAS A LOVELY TIME.
WE JUST REALLY, REALLY IT WAS COLD BUT WE LOOKED GOOD AND WE WERE THERE PRAISING Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BECAUSE WE HAVE TO LIVE THE LEGEND OF SERVICE AND DEDICATION. AND ON JUST YESTERDAY, HCA FLORIDA PALMS WEST HOSPITAL IN
OUR COMMUNITY CELEBRATED 40 YEARS. YOU CAN REMEMBER WHEN IT WAS. 40 YEARS IF YOU WERE BORN. 40 YEARS. PALMS WEST HOSPITAL CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY. THANK YOU. WRIL BRILL Mr. FERGUSON.
>> Edwin Ferguson: I WANT TO SPEAK TO SUSAN LANE. MATT I'VE HAD A FEW CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU SINCE THAT TIME AND I ECHO THE SENTIMENTS OF MY COLLEAGUES AND THE CHAIR WILL SAY THE SAME THING. SHE WAS A GIANT OF A PERSON. SMALL IN STATURE AND MADE ME
THINKING OF A SAYING BY A COACH OF MINE HE HAD A PLACARD IN THE LOCKER ROOM THAT SAYS IT'S NOT THE SIZE OF THE DOG IN THE FIGHT BUT THE SIZE OF THE FIGHT IN THE DOG. AND SHE WAS AN ADVOCATE FOR EDUCATION, FOR PEACE, FOR LOVE. I THINK A LOT OF --
I SPOKE TO YOU ABOUT THE FACT WHEN I WAS AT THE FUNERAL SERVICE AND YOUR SON GAVE THE LAST WORDS ABOUT SUSAN HIS MOTHER, IT MADE ME THINK ABOUT A SIMILAR TIME WHEN MY MOM DIED AROUND THE AGE OF 25 OR 26. I WAS NOT A POISED AND I SAW
WHERE HE WAS STRUGGLING TO SAME TIME CONSTRAIN HIS LOVE AND KIND OF CONTROL THE LOSS HE WAS FEELING AND GIVE US A WORD. AND I JUST LOOKED WOW YOU AND SUSAN HAVE DONE AN AMAZING JOB WITH THAT YOUNG MAN I -- I
SALUTE YOU IN THAT REGARD AS WELL. I SALUTE YOU TO YOUR STEEL THIS IS THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE AND YOU SHARED HER WITH US THROUGH YOUR SERVICE ON THIS BOARD AND I THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND OBVIOUSLY ANYTHING THAT YOU NEED I WILL SAY IT AGAIN I'M HERE FOR YOU. WE ARE A TEAM AND I CONSIDER YOU
TO BE A FRIEND. BLESS YOU AND I WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY NOTHING BUT THE BEST IN THAT REGARD. SCHOOL DISTRICT RELATED MATTERS, PROJECT UPLIFT WAS LAST SATURDAY. WE HAD ABOUT 27 STUDENTS WHO ATTENDED. I CAME LATE SO I WAS TRYING TO
GET OUT THERE I WAS ON MY MLK THING LET'S CLEAN UP THIS IS A SMALL PORTION OF THE GROUP THAT WAS THERE BUT WE PICKED UP 850 POUNDS. IN TERMS OF VOLUNTEER GROUPS THIS IS THE PREMIER GROUP IN THE COUNTY. WE ARE COMING UP ON THREE TONS
OF GARBAGE BEING REMOVED SINCE JULY OF LAST YEAR. THREE TONS. NA THE IS LIKE 6,000 POUNDS. I DON'T HAVE THE NUMBER OF TERMS OF VOLUNTEERS BUT WE ARE IN THE HUNDREDS COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS THOUSANDS WE ARE HELPING CHILDREN GET CLOSE TO GRADUATION.
IT'S ABOUT DEVELOPING FUTURE LEADERS. IT'S ABOUT DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS. THEY SAY YOUR NET WORTH IS EQUAL TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE IN YOUR SOCIAL CIRCLE WE ARE HELPING CHILDREN FROM ACROSS THE COUNTY MEET OTHER CHILDREN AND OTHER ADULTS TO HELP THEM ON
THEIR PATH THIS IS AN AMAZING THING. OUR NEXT CLEAN UP NEW BETHEL IN WEST PALM BEACH ON FEBRUARY 21. ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN COMING OUT, PLEASE REACH OUT TO ME. VIA E-MAIL OR THE PHONE NUMBER
THAT IS SHOWN ON THE SLIDE. TURNING TO TOWN HALL AS I LOVE A GOOD TOWN HALL MY FIRST TOWN HALL I THINK IS THE FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND. I CANNOT RECALL AND I COULD BE WRONG BUT I DO NOT RECALL HAVING A TOWN HALL THAT STUDENT LED.
WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING A TOWN HALL IN LAKE WORTH IN COLLABORATION WITH PRISM AND WE WILL HAVE MARGINALIZED STUDENT GROUPS, LATINOS IN ACTION, THE BLACK STUDENT UNION, THE LGBTQ+ AND THE JEWISH STUDENT UNION AND
TELL US THEIR TRUTH WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR AND WHAT ISSUES THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH AND HELP THEM COME TO SOLUTIONS. I DON'T THINK IT'S EVER BEEN DONE AND I'M HONORED IN PARTICIPATING. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PARTICULARLY THE STUDENTS AND YOU WILL NEED TO STEP INTO OUR
SHOES. IF YOU HAVE TIME, EVERYONE SAYS THEY ARE BUSY, PLEASE COME OUT ALL ARE WELCOME AND I HOPE ALL ATTEND. I WANT TO SPEAK TO BROTHER BENJAMIN FORD HE WAS MY FRATERNITY BROTHER IN THE GREATEST FRATERNITY IN THE WORLD.
DON'T HURT YOURSELF BACK THERE. BUT HE PASSED SUDDENLY BACK IN DECEMBER ON THE WAY TO THE FUNERAL OF OUR FRATERNITY BROTHER'S GRANDFATHER HE WAS A TUS KEY AIRMAN. HE LEAVES A WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN. IF I CAN SAY --
IF I CAN SUMMARIZE WHO HE WAS IN ONE WORD HE WAS EXCELLENT. EXCELLENT AT EVERYTHING HE DID. YOU CANNOT FIND A PERSON WHO CAN SAY ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT HIM. HE WAS A DWYER AWARD WINNER, A FATHER AND HIS CHILDREN MISS HIM
AND WE MISS HIM AS WELL WE AS MEN MISS HIM. I KNOW WE WILL HAVE A RESOLUTION AT A FUTURE TIME TO MORE FULLY EXPRESS OUR LOVE. AND RESPECT FOR THAT MAN. BUT REST WELL WE'LL SEE YOU SOON ENOUGH. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I WANT
TO SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE GREATEST SON IN THE WORLD, WHICH IS MY SON XAVIER HE TURNED 10 YESTERDAY. JUST SO HAPPY TO BE HIS DAD. AND I WILL TURN TO MY FRIEND KEITH OSWALD, THOSE BILLS WENT
DOWN IN MEMORABLE FASHION AS I KNOW THEY WOULD AND I THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME TO DRIVE THE TEARS BEFORE I LET THEM LOOSE. KEITH, CHECK'S IN THE MAIL KEEP UP THE BAD WORK. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. >> Karen Brill: VICE-CHAIR.
>> Matthew Lane: LANE SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, MS. SAVIETTO, BRANCH, ANDREWS, MERGE SON, WHITFIELD, SUSAN LOVED YOU. WE WATCHED EVERYONE OF OUR BOARD MEET MOOINGS AND WE -- MEETINGS AND WE SPENT TIME
TOGETHER AND SHE TRULY LOVED EACH ONE OF YOU. FOR THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AS YOU HEARD, MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE SUSAN DIED ON JANUARY 11TH. AND WAS BURIED ON JANUARY 15TH. WE WERE MARRIED ALMOST 30 YEARS.
AND WE WERE TOGETHER AM 32. SUSAN WAS BEAUTIFUL SHE WAS INTELLIGENT, AND MOST OF ALL SHE WAS KIND. SHE WAS THE MOST GIVING PERSON THAT I'VE EVER KNOWN. KING SOLOMON COINED THE TERM IN
THE BOOK OF PROVE ESHES AND THAT WAS SUSAN SHE WAS A WOMAN OF VALOR. AND I WANT TO TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK MY SCHOOL DISTRICT FAMILY FOR YOUR SUPPORT DURING THIS MOST DIFFICULT TIME. YOU TOOK CARE OF MY SON STEVEN
AND ME, AND SURROUNDED US WITH YOUR LOVE. AND I WANT EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT THIS DISTRICT IS TRULY BLESSED. IT'S RUN BY A GROUP OF VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE. AND OUR STUDENTS COULD NOT BE IN BETTER HANDS.
MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU. IN MY PRAYER, IS I CONTINUE TO BE A PART OF YOUR FAMILY AS YOU HAVE NOW BECOME PART OF MINE. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WILL SAY DITTO TO WHAT EVERYBODY SAID AND TO Mr.
LANE, YOU KNOW HOW SPECIAL YOU AND SUSAN WERE AND ARE TO ME AND TO MY FAMILY. AND YOU ARE NOW PART OF OUR FAMILY. OUR SCHOOL BOARD FAMILY AND WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU. AND WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT.
AND SO I JUST WANT TO TAKE US IN A LITTLE DIFFERENT DIRECTION TO SHARE A BILL THAT ORIGINATED ON THIS DAIS WHEN WE MET SENATE BILL 556 AND HOUSE BILL 453, WAS SPONSORED ON THE SENATE SIDE BY
LORI BERMAN, AND ON THE HOUSE SIDE BY REPRESENTATIVE PEGGY SIDE MAN. IT'S MOVING QUICKLY AND GETTING SUPPORT AND MAKING A LOT OF PEOPLE HAPPY. AND WHAT THOSE BILLS DO IS THEY IF THIS GETS ENACTED INTO LAW WILL ALLOW STUDENTS WHO
PARTICIPATE IN SPECIAL OLYMPICS FOR TWO YEARS, TO BE ABLE TO FULFILL THEIR HIGH SCHOOL PE REQUIREMENT. AND SO IT IS A FEEL GOOD NONPARTISAN BILL THAT ORIGINATED RIGHT HERE IN THIS ROOM. I JUST WANT TO SHARE THAT NEWS WITH EVERYBODY. THAT WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
FOR THE STUDENTS STATE-WIDE AND I THINK THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT. SO WITH THAT EVERY MONTH AT OUR REGULAR MEETING WE DO REMEMBER OUR EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY. AS YOU HEARD TODAY WE DID HAVE A CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR KRISTEN
GARRISON. SHE WAS A DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND PLANNING AND SHE PASSED AWAY ON DECEMBER 31, 2025. MONICA MONTALVO WAS A CUSTODIAN
AT POLO PARK MIDDLE PASSED AWAY ON NOVEMBER 6TH, 2025. GABLE LOPEZ WAS A SECONDARY TECHNICIAN AT PALM BEACH GARDENS HIGH SCHOOL WHO PASSED AWAY ON NOVEMBER 12, 2025.
AND RICHARD SHOCKAA TEACHER OF SECONDARY SOCIAL SCIENCE AT JUPITER HIGH PASSED WAY ON NOVEMBER 24, 2025. SO NOW I ASK FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
THANK YOU. THAT'S NOW GOING TO BRING US TO PRESENTATIONS. NOW, MS. NNEKA NNOLIM FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT JOINS US FOR THE DECEMBER BOARD RECOGNITIONS. GOOD EVENING, AND WOULD ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS GO DOWN OFF THE
DAIS. GOOD EVENING CHAIR BRILL, VICE CHAIR LANE, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY. THIS EVENING WE HAVE SIX RECOGNITIONS ON THE AGENDA. WE BEGIN WITH A RECOGNITION FOR RYAN SCOTT, THE PRINCIPAL AT
MARSH POINTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. HE RECEIVED THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION FOR MEDIA IN EDUCATION (FAME) ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL ADVOCACY AWARD. BEFORE MR. SCOTT COMES FORWARD, WE'D LIKE TO SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT THE AWARD AND HIS PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY. THE AWARD RECOGNIZES ONE
PRINCIPAL IN THE STATE EACH YEAR WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED SUPPORT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXEMPLARY SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA PROGRAMS, AND EXEMPLIFIES WHAT IS MEANS TO BE AN EXCEPTIONAL LEADER WHO SUPPORTS THE CENTRAL ROLE OF THE MEDIA CENTER IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, SCHOOL CULTURE AND LIFELONG LEARNING. MR. SCOTT HAS WORKED IN THE DISTRICT FOR 20 YEARS.
HE SAYS THAT RECEIVING THIS AWARD IS TRULY HUMBLING BECAUSE IT RECOGNIZES THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT HAPPENS WHEN A SCHOOL COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER TO SUPPORT ITS LIBRARY. IT'S A REMINDER OF WHY HE IS SO PASSIONATE ABOUT MAKING SURE HIS STUDENTS HAVE A WELCOMING SPACE
TO EXPLORE, READ, AND LEARN HOW TO NAVIGATE THE WORLD. EVERY TEACHER FEELS VALUED AND THE COMMUNITY FEELS INSPIRED AND GROW AND WORK TOGETHER THIS INCLUDES THE MEDIA SPECIALIST. CONGRATULATIONS TO Mr. RYAN SCOTT FOR RECEIVING THE
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL ADVOCACY AWARD FROM THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION FOR MEDIA IN EDUCATION. LET'S GIVE HIM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
NEXT WE ARE RECOGNIZING THE 2026 SUNSHINE STATE SCHOLARS. THESE STUDENTS WERE SELECTED AS SCHOLARS BASED ON THEIR ACADEMIC AND EXTRACURRICULAR HISTORY, THEIR DESIRE TO ATTEND A FLORIDA COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY, AND THE RESULTS OF AN ESSAY OR VIDEO SUBMISSION RELATED TO THEIR FUTURE PLANS, ACADEMIC PASSION, CHALLENGES AND OTHER
STEM-RELATED ACTIVITIES / COMPETITIONS. OUR DISTRICT SCHOLARS WILL BE INVITED TO A STATE RECOGNITION CEREMONY THIS MARCH IN ORLANDO WHERE THEY WILL BE HONORED FOR THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH RECRUITERS FROM FLORIDA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING
11TH GRADE STUDENTS FOR BEING NAMED 2026 DISTRICT SUNSHINE STATE SCHOLARS. PLEASE COME FORWARD AS I CALL YOUR NAME: WILLIAM BALTAZAR ┘ PAHOKEE MIDDLE-SENIOR HIGH AUDREY DELLAVECCHIA ┘ WELLINGTON COMMUNITY HIGH RISHI IYER ┘ DREYFOOS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2026
DISTRICT ALTERNATE: CARLOS MENDIETA GALINDO ┘ JOHN I. LEONARD HIGH AND WE ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE, FROM THE DISTRICT: JON PAUL ESTUPINAN ┘ SECONDARY MATHEMATICS PROGRAM PLANNER. JENNIFER DAVIS ┘ SECONDARY SCIENCE PROGRAM PLANNER. ROBIN O'BRIEN ┘ MANAGER, SECONDARY MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE,
STEM, SOCIAL STUDIES, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND PROJECT-BASED LEARNING LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE] NEXT WE ARE RECOGNIZING WILLIAM T. DWYER HIGH SCHOOL BOYS GOLF TEAM STATE CHAMPS. THE TEAM WON THE 2025 FLORIDA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL'S BOYS GOLF PROGRAM. THE TEAM DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL SKILL, FOCUS, AND
SPORTSMANSHIP THROUGHOUT THE SEASON, CULMINATING IN THIS STATE-LEVEL VICTORY. AT THIS TIME LET'S WELCOME MR. ERIC FASON, HEAD COACH AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ALONG WITH THE GOLF TEAM MEMBERS HERE THIS EVENING. AND WE ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE MR. COREY BROOKS, THE PRINCIPAL AT DWYER HIGH. LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF
APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE] I'M SORRY I COULDN'T HELP MYSELF. WE RECEIVED AN AT LARGE BID TO REPRESENT THE STATED OF FLORIDA AND PALM BEACH COUNTY FOR THE NATIONAL GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP AT
PINEHURST THIS SUMMER. SO I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE THAT OUT. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU, GUYS. >> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE A RECOGNITION THAT IS TIMELY FOR JANUARY, WHICH IS NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH. WE ARE HONORING THE TAKE STOCK
IN CHILDREN MENTORS WHO WORK WITH DISTRICT STUDENTS. WE CELEBRATE THEM FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO THE STUDENTS AND THEIR ONGOING COMMITMENT TO MEETING WITH THEIR MENTEES TO OFFER SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND THOUGHTFUL GUIDANCE. THROUGH THEIR CONSISTENCY AND CARE, THEY BUILD MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS THAT HELPED
STUDENTS FEEL SEEN, SUPPORTED, AND EMPOWERED. THE MENTORS SUPPORT THEIR MENTEES, HELPING THEM NAVIGATE THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY, AND GIVING THEM HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. WE WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN ORGANIZATION FOR THEIR SUPPORT: NANCY STELLWAY ┘ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DANIELLE OLDHAM ┘ DIRECTOR OF
PROGRAM SERVICES ELISSA SOREL ┘ MENTOR MANAGER ANNIE MCGRATH ┘ MENTOR COORDINATOR THANK YOU TO THE MENTORS FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION. YOUR EFFORTS TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS, AND WE APPRECIATE THE TIME AND COMMITMENT YOU HAVE GIVEN. TO THE MENTORS THAT ARE HERE,
PLEASE COME FORWARD AT THIS TIME, ALONG WITH EVERYONE HERE FROM THE TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN ORGANIZATION. LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE] NEXT WE ARE RECOGNIZING THE STUDENT, STAFF, AND SCHOOL WINNERS OF THE FY26 RECYCLE RIGHT MANIA CONTEST. THE CONTEST IS SPONSORED BY KEEP
PALM BEACH COUNTY BEAUTIFUL AND THE SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DISTRICT'S ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSERVATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT. RECYCLEMANIA PARTICIPANTS WERE TASKED WITH COLLECTING AND RECYCLING AS MANY BOTTLES AND CANS AS POSSIBLE DURING THEIR FOOTBALL HOME GAMES.
THERE WAS RECORD PARTICIPATION WITH SCHOOLS RECYCLING MORE THAN 700 POUNDS AT 13 FOOTBALL HOME GAMES. THE AVERAGE WASTE DIVERSION RATE FOR THE TOP RECYCLERS WAS A RECORD 62%. THAT MEANS MORE THAN HALF OF ALL WASTE GENERATED WAS REDIRECTED FROM THE WASTE STREAM AND INSTEAD CONVERTED INTO REUSABLE MATERIAL.
THE SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY SPONSORED BONUSES FOR THE LEAD STUDENTS, STAFF, AND CUSTODIAL TEAM MEMBERS WHO WENT THE EXTRA MILE TO ENSURE THAT RECYCLING WAS A SUCCESS ON GAME NIGHT. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUAL WINNERS WHO EACH RECEIVED A PRIZE. PLEASE COME FORWARD AS I CALL YOUR NAME. STUDENT RECYCLING CHAMPION:
PRESTON BELLOWS ┘ PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH STAFF RECYCLING CHAMPIONS: CHRISTINA MULHERN ┘ PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH. AMANDA LONGO NAVARRO ┘ JOHN I. LEONARD HIGH AUTUMN RAMSEY ┘ SUNCOAST COMMUNITY HIGH LORIN WEST ┘ JOHN I. LEONARD HIGH AND THE CUSTODIAL RECYCLING CHAMPIONS: OSMEL RODRIGUEZ CASAS ┘ SUNCOAST HIGH
REYNALDO VECINO-RIBON ┘ PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE] KEEP PALM BEACH COUNTY BEAUTIFUL SPONSORED AWARDS FOR THE TOP THREE SCHOOLS WHO RECYCLED THE MOST AT THEIR FOOTBALL HOME GAMES AND THE TOP THREE SCHOOLS WHO DIVERTED THE MOST WASTE AT THEIR FOOTBALL HOME GAMES. PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH EARNED $1,500 AND FIRST PLACE FOR
RECYCLING 555 POUNDS AND A WASTE DIVERSION RATE OF 91%. JOHN I. LEONARD HIGH SCHOOL EARNED $1,000 AND SECOND PLACE FOR RECYCLING NEARLY 90 POUNDS AND A WASTE DIVERSION RATE OF 62%. SUNCOAST COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL EARNED $500 AND THIRD PLACE FOR RECYCLING NEARLY 60 POUNDS WITH
A WASTE DIVERSION RATE OF 34%. CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE THREE SCHOOLS FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS. PLEASE COME FORWARD AS I CALL YOUR NAME, AND ANY ADDITIONAL STAFF OR STUDENTS CAN ALSO COME FORWARD WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE SCHOOLS. CAN EVERYONE PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL EACH SCHOOL HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED: FROM PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH LET'S WELCOME:
REGGIE MYERS ┘ PRINCIPAL CHRISTINA MULHERN ┘ TEACHER. PRESTON BELLOWS ┘ STUDENT FROM JOHN I. LEONARD HIGH, PLEASE WELCOME: DR. JESUS ARMAS ┘ PRINCIPAL MELISSA ARCOS ┘ ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AMANDA LONGO NAVARRO ┘ TEACHER LORIN WEST ┘ TEACHER AND FROM SUNCOAST HIGH, LET'S WELCOME: KATHRYN KOERNER ┘ PRINCIPAL
BRANDON HAWKINS ┘ ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AUTUMN RAMSEY ┘ TEACHER OSMEL RODRIGUEZ CASAS ┘ CUSTODIAL FOREPERSON WE ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE FROM SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY: PATTI HAMMOND ┘ EVENTS COORDINATOR LINDA MORENO ┘ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CATHRYN SPRAGUE ┘ EDUCATION & OUTREACH SUPERVISOR JESSICA WHITCOMB-REIN ┘ RECYCLING, EDUCATION & MARKETING MANAGER LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] AND FINALLY THIS EVENING WE ARE RECOGNIZING THE RAM REGIMENT
BAND FROM PALM BEACH LAKES COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL. THE BAND WERE INVITED AND PERFORMED OVERSEAS IN THE NEW YEAR'S DAY 2026 PARADE IN LONDON. THE RAM REGIMENT BAND IS ONE OF THE MOST HIGH-ENERGY PERFORMING BANDS IN SOUTH FLORIDA. THEY ARE SUPERIOR RATED BY THE
FLORIDA BANDMASTERS ASSOCIATION SINCE 2019 AND ALSO FOUR-TIME STATE CHAMPION FOR THE FMBC TRADITIONAL BAND CATEGORY. THE BAND'S TRIP WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY GENEROUS DONATIONS FROM LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS. FROM THE ECONOMIC COUNCIL OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, THANK YOU TO:
MICHELE JACOBS ┘ PRESIDENT AND CEO CARLY CAHUR ┘ PROGRAM MANAGER FROM THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR PALM BEACH AND MARTIN COUNTIES, THANK YOU TO: DR. DANITA DEHANEY ┘ PRESIDENT & CEO
AND FROM THE RELATED ROSS FOUNDATION, THANK YOU TO: JEREMY MORSE ┘ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RAM REGIMENT BAND FROM PALM BEACH LAKES HIGH SCHOOL FOR DEMONSTRATING THEIR EXCEPTIONAL SKILL AND TALENT ON A WORLD STAGE. LET'S WELCOME THE SCHOOL'S PRINCIPAL, MS. ROSALIND GRAY MCCRAY, THE BAND DIRECTOR MR.
JOSHUA VELEZ, AND THE STUDENT MEMBERS OF THE BAND. LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
BOARD CHAIR BRILL, VICE CHAIR LANE, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, STAFF, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, THIS CONCLUDES THE RECOGNITIONS FOR JANUARY. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR
ATTENTION THIS EVENING. >> Karen Brill: BOARD MEMBERS THAT WILL BRING US TO THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT,
ELLERY WEISS IS OUR STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT. MS. WEISS. >> THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, CHAIRWOMAN BRILL, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE DISTRICT 5 RALLY IS HELD AT PALM BEACH GARDENS HIGH SCHOOL
ON JANUARY 31 WHERE STUDENTS ARE WORKING TO PREPARE THE PROJECT OF THE YEAR TO BE GRADED AND PLACED. STUDENTS WILL BE RUN FOR POSITIONS ON THE DISTRICT BOARD THROUGH SKITS AND SPEECHES IT IS A LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE PART OF THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF STATE
COUNCILS IN WHICH STUDENTS ACROSS PALM BEACH COUNTY MARTIN COUNTY, ST. LUCIE COUNTY, AND GLADES COUNTY WILL LEARN ABOUT PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES HEAR FROM GUEST SPEAKERS ATTEND WORKSHOPS AND NETWORK WITH LEADERS. THE STATE CONFERENCE IS HELD AT
Dr. JOAQUIN GARCIA ON FEBRUARY 20-22 WHERE IT WILL BE PLACED ON SCHOOL SIZE. IT OFFERS A GREATER OPPORTUNITY FOR THE D5 CALORIE. THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS WILL ATTEND FROM ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE ARE SO PROUD AND HAPPY TO BE WELCOMING SO MANY PEERS INTO
PALM BEACH COUNTY THIS YEAR TO GET TO KNOW OUR STUDENTS AND OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY. ON A SEPARATE NOTE, THE JUPITER HIGH SCHOOL DANCE TEAM PLACED REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR HIP-HOP AND THIRD LAST WEEKEND AND ON THEIR WAY TO NATIONALS IN FEBRUARY WHERE THEY WILL COMPETE WITH TEAMS ACROSS THE UNITED
STATES. THE JUPITER HIGH SCHOOL CHEER TEAM PLACED SECOND AT REGIONALS. AND I WISH THE BEST OF LUCK WHO WILL BE COMPETING AT STATES TOMORROW. IN REGARDS TO THE FIGHTING HUNGER ONE BITE AT A TIME
INITIATIVE WE ARE LOOKING TO CONTINUE THE PROGRESS AND ANTICIPATING OUR NEXT STEPS WHICH I WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE AT THE NEXT MEETING. I REMIND ALL PALM BEACH SCHOOLS TO FILL OUT THE UPDATES FORM POSTED ON THE PBC, SA INSTAGRAM
AND IT WILL BE OPEN ALL YEAR THIS FORM ALLOWS ME TO RECEIVE NEWS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND INFORMATION SCHOOLS WOULD LIKE ME TO SHARE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU VICE-CHAIRMAN LANE ALTHOUGH I'VE
NEVER MET MS. SUSAN I CAN TELL SHE BROUGHT JOY INTO THE LIVES OF MANY. >> Karen Brill: IT WILL BRING US TO OUR COMMITTEE REPORTS WE DON'T HAVE AN ACADEMIC ADVISORY REPORT THE AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT IS ATTACHED TO THE COMPUTER TO YOUR AGENDA. CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT REVIEW
COMMITTEE WE DO NOT HAVE A REPORT. THERE IS NO DISTRICT DIVERSITY AND EQUITY COMMITTEE REPORT. GENERAL COUNSEL DO YOU HAVE A REPORT FOR US? >> NO REPORT, THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: INSPECTOR GENERAL DO YOU HAVE A REPORT FOR US. >> NO, REPORT. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. OKAY.
I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPORT IS ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA. THAT'S NOW GOING TO BRING US TO OUR SPEAKERS. THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND DELEGATES. WE'LL START WITH JAMES GAVRILOS PRESIDENT AND C.E.O. OF THE
EDUCATION FOUNDATION. >> GOOD EVENING SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, BOARD CHAIR BRILL, VICE-CHAIR LANE MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD. I DON'T WANT TO ECHO WHAT HAS BEEN SAID I DRAW YOUR ATTENTION
TO THE REALITY OF PASSING OF THE CHRIS GARRISON AND SUSAN LANE REMINDS US WHAT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT PEOPLE AND THE IMPACT WE LEAVE IN THEIR LIVES AND I CONNECT THAT Mr. LANE WITH THINGS YOU AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT. A YEAR AGO, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, WE CUT THE RIBBON ON A
NEW BUILDING IT WAS JANUARY 16TH SO IT'S JUST ALMOST A YEAR. WHEN WE BEGAN THAT JOURNEY, YOUNG SONG AND ASSOCIATES OUR ARCHITECT GAVE US THAT MANTRA WHICH I HAVE BEEN SHARING FOR FOUR YEARS. THE BUILDING IS NOTHING MORE THAN A TOOL. IT IS A TOOL TO HELP US CARRY
OUT OUR MISSION. PEOPLE LIKE SUSAN LANE AND CHRIS GARRISON REMIND US OUR MISSION IS THE KIDS OUR MISSION IS THE TEACHERS, OUR MISSION IS THE EDUCATION IN PALM BEACH COUNTY AND IT AIN'T ABOUT A BUILDING IT'S ABOUT WHAT WE DO WITH THE BUILDING. SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, CHAIR
BRILL I SHARE WITH YOU THINGS WE'VE DONE THIS LAST YEAR. WE HAD ON THE RED APPLE SUPPLY 56 BACKPACK DROPS THE WELCOME STUDENT AND DIFFERENT GROUPS ASKED US WE DROPPED OFF 56 TIMES
TOTALING 329670. WE HAD TEACHER SHOPS TOTALING. FOR A TOTAL SINCE WE OPENED OUR BUILDING WE HAVE DISTRIBUTED
1,425,562.66 WORTH OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES. OVER 5516 TEACHERS HAVE AVAILED THEMSELVES OF THESE TEACHER SHOPS AFFECTS LIVES OF 79,000 STUDENTS. OVER AND ABOVE THAT WE HAVE HOSTED 100 SCHOOL DISTRICT DEPARTMENT MEETINGS AT OUR CENTER, RETREATS SEMINARS,
TRAINING SESSIONS SOMETIMES I WALK INTO WORK AND THEY ARE WORKING ON A GAME AND JUMPING ON THE TABLES AND WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON HERE? IT'S ONE OF THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OVER 100 SCHOOL DISTRICT DEPARTMENTS HELD THEIR MEETINGS THERE. ON THE PROGRAM SIDE OF THE HOUSE WE'RE USING THIS BUILDING TO
CATAPULT AND LAUNCH NEW PROGRAMS. WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE A FINANCE ACADEMY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM OUR LOCAL PARTNER IS BANK OF AMERICA. WE'VE PUT TOGETHER A $50,000 GRANT TO ESTABLISH A FINANCE
ACADEMY THERE. WHY IS THIS CRITICAL? I THINK THIS ONE PROGRAM DEMONSTRATES THE POWER AND THE WORK OF THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION UNITING EDUCATION AND BUSINESS. WE TALKED TO KELLEY SMALL OF THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND WE KNOW ABOUT WALL STREET SOUTH WE NEED TRAINED FINANCE PEOPLE,
TRAINED ECONOMISTS PEOPLE SKILLED IN THESE AREAS WHO CAN GO INTO THOSE JOBS NOW WITH THE PARTNERSHIP WITH BANK OF AMERICA WE ARE PLANTING THIS FINANCE ACADEMY. THEY WILL DO THE PREP WORK AND LAUNCHING THE YEAR AFTER WE ARE REACHING DOWN INTO THE MIDDLE
SCHOOLS THAT FEED INTO TO MAKE SURE THE KIDS ARE PREPARED. THE FOUNDATION IS UNITING THE COMMUNITY FOR THE KIDS AND THE TEACHERS. AND SPEAKING OF THOSE EMPLOYEES YOU HAVE SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, THE TEACHERS AND THE PRINCIPALS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES, A
FINAL REMINDER NEXT THURSDAY NIGHT WE WILL CELEBRATE THE GREAT AT OUR CENTER. IT'S NOT ABOUT THE BRICKS AND MORTAR IT'S WHAT WE DO WITH IT. JOIN US TO CELEBRATE THE GREAT WHERE WE WILL HONOR THE PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR, THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR, THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEE OF YEAR AT 6:00 P.M. NEXT THURSDAY. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN IT'S ABOUT THE KIDS. IT'S ABOUT THE IMPACT WE LEAVE IT'S NOT ABOUT THE BUILDING. THAT BUILDING IS A TOOL TO HELP US TOUCH THE LIFE OF ONE MORE CHILD AND HELP ONE MORE TEACHER CARRY OUT THIS INCREDIBLE WORK
YOU ARE LEADING SUPERINTENDENT BURKE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. GORDON LONGHOFER CTA PRESIDENT. >> GOOD EVENING, CHAIR BRILL,
VICE-CHAIR LANE, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD I'M GORDON LONGHOFER. PRESIDENT OF THE CLASSROOM TEACHERS ASSOCIATION. MATT, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU THIS LAST WEEK IN YOUR LOSS. DIDN'T KNOW NEARLY AS MUCH ABOUT SUSAN AS MANY OF THOSE PRESENT
TONIGHT DID BUT I KNOW WHAT YOU TOLD ME ABOUT HER AND THE BRIGHT LIGHT IN YOUR EYES. AGAIN MY SINCEREST TO YOU AT THIS TIME. I KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU TRAVELED TO TALLAHASSEE THIS WEEK FOR THE OPENING OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND I DO HOPE YOUR
CONVERSATIONS WERE PRODUCTIVE. WE'VE SPOKEN OFTEN ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE FUNDING PUBLIC EDUCATION IN FLORIDA. 44TH IN PER PUPIL FUNDING 50TH IN AVERAGE TEACHER SALARY BOTH ARE ATROCIOUS STATISTICS FOR A
STATE THAT WOULD RANK 15TH AMONGST THE WORLD'S ECONOMIES. OUR STATE IS THE FOURTH LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE UNITED STATES. I JUST HAVE TO SAY WITH RESPECT TO THAT, TEACHERS IN FLORIDA DESERVE MORE. I'M CONFIDENT WE CAN ALL AGREE
ON THESE POINTS. BUT LET'S REMEMBER AT THAT TIME PALM BEACH COUNTY IS AN A RATED SCHOOL SYSTEM AND HAS BEEN FOR SEVERAL YEARS THAT IT'S ALSO RECEIVED THE STATE'S DESIGNATION AS A HIGH PERFORMING DISTRICT. THESE HONORS ARE BASED ON STUDENT PERFORMANCE CULTIVATED
BY OUTSTANDING TEACHERS WORKING PASSIONATELY WITH THEIR STUDENTS EVERYDAY. THAT BEING SAID, WE ARE FACED WITH A CERTAIN FACT: BLAMING TALLAHASSEE WILL NOT GET THE JOB DONE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. WE CANNOT COUNT ON THEM.
WE MUST LOOK TO OURSELVES. IN THESE TOUGH TIMES WE HAVE TO DO JUST THAT AND WE HAVE TO LOOK AT ALL AND I DO MEAN ALL OF OUR RESOURCES AND PRIORITIES AND AFTER THAT, ANSWER SOME TOUGH QUESTIONS. WHAT DO WE DO? WHAT APPROACH DO WE TAKE WHEN
STARVED FOR FUNDING BY THE STATE? HOW DO WE KEEP THE EFFECTIVE TEACHERS THAT PAVED THE WAY FOR THESE AWARDS? WE HAVE TO REWARD THEM. WE HAVE TO REWARD THEM WITH THE ABILITY TO LIVE OR IN THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE TO PAY THEIR BILLS, TO SEE THE DOCTOR,
WHEN THEY GET SICK OR LOVED ONE IS SICK AND ENABLE THEM TO TAKE A VACATION. THESE ARE SIMPLE ASKS. WHEN SUPPORTED TEACHERS WILL CONTINUE TO STRETCH THEMSELVES ON BEHALF OF THEIR STUDENTS AND THE FAMILIES THAT THEY SERVE. IT'S TIME TO AUTHENTICALLY AND I
MEAN AUTHENTICALLY PRIORITIZE EXPENSES INCLUDING TEACHER PAY AND BENEFITS JUST AS IF THEY WERE UTILITIES, TRANSPORTATION AND SUPPLIES. RAISES THAT DON'T LET TEACHERS MEET THEIR FIXED EXPENSES AT HOME ARE NOT RAISES.
THEY ARE PAY CUTS. AND WHEN PEOPLE CAN'T LIVE WHERE THEY WORK, THEY WILL MOVE TO WHERE THEY ARE ABLE TO LIVE AND WORK. DIG DEEP. WORK HARD. AND CONSIDER ALL POSSIBILITIES INCLUDING RESERVE ACCOUNTS WITH
FUNDS FAR ABOVE THOSE MANDATED BY THE STATE. TEACHERS HAVE EARNED AND DESERVE THAT FOR WHICH THEY HAVE ASKED AND IT'S TIME THEY RECEIVED IT. THE SOLUTION IS AS SIMPLE AS PAY THEM AND THEY WILL COME. PAY THEM AND THEY WILL STAY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. ERIKA HEN VICE-PRESIDENT JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE PALM BEACHES AND TREASURER COAST. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M VICE-PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF
THE PALM BEACHES AND TREASURE COAST. OUR FAMILY WOULD LIKE TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES TO VICE-CHAIR LANE AND YOUR FAMILY DURING THIS TIME. FOR OUR JANUARY UPDATES WE WELCOME Dr. MORGAN TO THE BOARD AND LOOK FOR HER
LEADERSHIP IN ADVANCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT. WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON. JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT IS WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE CACTI OF THE PALM BEACHES TO ADVANCE PLANNING FOR INSPIRE FOR NEXT YEAR WE ARE FOCUSING ON
EVENT DESIGN, LOGISTICS AND ENHANCING THE EXPERIENCE FOR ALL STUDENTS THROUGH THE HIGH QUALITY CAREER EXPLORATION EXPERIENCE. EARLIER THIS MONTH, I WAS AT SUNCOAST HIGH SCHOOL WE HOSTED A VERY LARGE JA CAREER EXPLORATION FAIR. STUDENTS EXPLORED CAREER
PATHWAYS AND PARTICIPATED IN THOSE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS THROUGH EN DWAJ. WITH STEM AND PARTNERS LOCKHEED MARTIN, LOGGERHEAD, MARINE TIME CENTER AND MORE. ACROSS PALM BEACH COUNTY STUDENTS ARE SPENDING THIS PO STEPPING INTO REAL WORLD CAREER
CONVERSATIONS THROUGH MORE OF THESE JA HIGH SCHOOL CAREER EXPLORATION FAIRS. THIS FRIDAY I'M HEADED TO SEMINOLE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL WHERE WE ARE HOSTING A CAREER FAIR. WE HAVE MORE THAN 54 BUSINESS PARTNERS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPANNING
ENGINEERING, SKILLED TRADES, PUBLIC SAFETY, HIGHER EDUCATION, FINANCIAL SERVICES AND HOSPITALITY PROVIDING STUDENTS BROAD EXPOSURE TO LOCAL CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. LATER THIS MONTH WE'RE HEADED BACK OUT TO GLADES CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL FOR A HIRING FAIR WE ARE HOPING TO GET MANY OF THOSE STUDENTS HIRED THROUGH THIS
EXPERIENCE. WE ARE CONNECTING SENIORS WITH EMPLOYERS, APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS, POST-SECONDARY PARTNERS OFFERING IMMEDIATE WORKFORCE AND TRAINING PATHWAYS. THIS SHREWDS GLADES EYE CARE, NATIONAL UTILITY CONTRACTS ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA, SOUTH
FLORIDA OPERATING ENGINEER APRENTISS TRAINING PROGRAM AND MANY MORE. JANUARY IS A BUSY MONTH WE ARE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME AT OUR HIGH SCHOOLS ALSO THROUGH OUR JA HIGH SCHOOL HEROS PROGRAM. THIS IS A LEADERSHIP PROGRAM WHERE WE GO OUT AND WE TRAIN OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO TEACH
OUR JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAMS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. THIS STRENGTHENS THEIR LEADERSHIP, COMMUNICATION AND PRESENTATION SKILLS WHILE SERVING AS MENTORS AND ROLE MODELS. JA HIGH SCHOOL HERO STUDENTS FROM JUPITER HIGH SCHOOL'S FLORIDA FUTURE EDUCATORS OF AMERICA OUR FUTURE TEACHERS WILL BE HEADED OUT TO JUPITER
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON FRIDAY APPLYING INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES IN CLASSROOMS WHILE INSPIRING YOUNGER STUDENTS ON THE LIFE SKILLS SUCH A FINANCIAL LITERACY, CAREER READINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. GOVERNMENT LEADERS FROM PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL WILL SERVE AS HIGH SCHOOL HEROS AS
THEY CONTINUE THIS LEADERSHIP PIPELINE THIS MONTH BY TEACHING PROGRAMS AT EVERGLADES ELEMENTARY. WE WANT TO THANK THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD FOR YOUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO OUR MISSION TO HELP STUDENTS DISCOVER PURPOSE, BUILD PREPAREDNESS AND EXPAND THEIR POSSIBILITIES.
YOUR INVESTMENT BRINGS REAL WORLD LEARNING EXPERIENCES ACROSS THE DISTRICT. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. SYLVIA HALL PTA, PTSA PRESIDENT.
>> HI. GOOD EVENING. I WOULD LIKE TO BEFORE I START I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS BOARD MEMBER MATTHEW LANE, MY CONDOLENCES. AND NOT JUST PROFESSIONALLY BUT THE PTA FAMILY I NEVER MET YOUR
WIFE BUT SHE SOUNDED LIKE A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL PERSON. I WILL START I'M GETTING EMOTIONAL.
THE PTA MISSION IS TO MAKE EVERY CHILD'S POTENTIAL A REALITY. BY ENGAGING AND EMPOWERING FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO ADVOCATE FOR ALL CHILDREN. WE HAVE HAD A VERY BUSY
BEGINNING OF THE YEAR THE TOP THREE WINNERS OF REFLECTIONS OUR PROGRAM WERE SENT FOR THE PTA SO THEY WILL CONTINUE THE NEXT JUDGING. OUR REFLECTION CEREMONY WILL BE THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26 AND WE ARE
FINALIZING THE VENUE. I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND THE SCHOLARSHIPS FROM FLORIDA PTA FOR THE PTA SCHOLARSHIP FOR GRADUATING STUDENTS, THE APPLICATION FOR THE PTA THE DEADLINE IS MARCH SECOND, 2026
IF ANY STUDENT IN THE COUNTY DOESN'T HAVE A PTA THEY CAN JOIN THE SUNSHINE PTA, THE STATE-WIDE PTA. AND ALSO PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOLARSHIPS THAT ARE OPEN RIGHT NOW AND THE DEADLINE IS MARCH 31
OF 2026. AND WE ARE PREPARING TO THE NEXT WEEK WE ARE GOING TO BE GOING TO TALLAHASSEE TO THE FLORIDA PTA. FLORIDA PTA HAS DONE DIFFERENT WORKSHOPS ON ISSUES FROM THE
COLLOCATION AND SCHOLAR OF HOPES AND THE VOUCHERS THAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK. AND I WILL SAY ABOUT THAT SOMETHING THAT MANY PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS THE VOUCHERS AND HOW THAT HAS
IMPACTED STAFFING AND THE STUDENT SERVICES. IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL. I JUST WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS BECAUSE I KNOW MY TIME IS RUNNING OUT. OVER 50 STUDENTS THAT SUPPOSEDLY
EARNED VOUCHERS BUT THE STATE CANNOT LOCATE THEM. THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF WASTE IN THIS PROGRAM AND WE NEED TO REIN ON THAT BECAUSE THAT CANNOT BE. THAT CANNOT BE. YESTERDAY WE HAVE OUR SECOND
MEETING AND WE HAD TO THANK YOU WENDY, THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS FOR BEING OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER SHE PROVIDED AN OVERVIEW WHAT HER OFFICE DOES AND THE MANY PROGRAMS THAT THEY OFFER, INCLUDING DEVELOP TRACKS AND
ADULT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM IS A COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP THAT SUPPORTS 501C 3 ORGANIZATIONS OR INSTITUTIONS. AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MANY IF A STUDENT HIGH SCHOOL HIGH
SCHOOL ARE PREREGISTERED TO VOTE THEY CAN WORK THE POLLS AND IT CAN BE A GOOD WAY FOR THEM TO GET TO KNOW HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS. BUT ALSO, THEY GET PAID, THEY GET COMMUNITY HOURS, AND THEY ARE IN A CLUB THEY CAN RAISE MONEY FOR THEIR CLUB.
SOMETHING I DIDN'T KNOW. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MANY HIGH SCHOOLS CAN DO TO RAISE MONEY FOR THEIR CLUBS. I WOULD LIKE TO MY TIME IS RUNNING OUT. HOLD ON.
PLEASE JOIN THE VOICE IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON AND TAKE ACTION ON BEHALF OF YOUR CHILDREN. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. BOARD MEMBERS THAT WILL BRING US TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
MOTION BY MS. -- SORRY. SORRY ABOUT THAT. I REALIZED THAT JUST TOLD WE HAVE AN AGENDA SPEAKER. SO NOW I'M GOING TO START US OFF BY SAYING ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL BOARD THOUGH I DID NOT REALIZE YOU WERE HERE, WE'D
WELCOME ANY PUBLIC SPEAKERS WHO ARE JOINING US TODAY. THE BOARD RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANT RIGHT OF THE PUBLIC TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS. HOWEVER OUR POLICY PROVIDES WE DO NOT ENGAGE OR RESPOND TO OUR SPEAKERS. WE DO MAKE NOTE OF YOUR ISSUES AND WE WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH THE
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION REGARDING THEM. AGENDA SPEAKERS' COMMENTS MUST RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THE AGENDA ITEM WHICH THE SPEAKER REQUESTED TO ADDRESS. 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 THE SPEAKER INDICATED OR ARE NOT EDUCATIONALLY RELEVANT AS REQUIRED FOR NON-AGENDA TOPICS INCLUDING THE MENTION OF A
PERSON'S CANDIDACY FOR ELECTED OFFICE OR WHOSE COMMENTS DISRUPT OR INTERFERE WITH THE MEETING MAYBE SUBJECT TO HAVING THE MICROPHONE TURNED OFF, FORFEITING THE RIGHT TO SPEAK AT THE MEETING OR AFTER WARNINGS REMOVAL FROM THE MEETING. WE ASK THAT ALL PARTICIPANTS
ENGAGE IN RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE MAINTAINING CIVILITY AND DEQUORUM. YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD. THE MICROPHONE WILL BE TURNED OFF WHEN THE TIME LIMIT HAS BEEN REACHED. WHEN YOU SPEAK STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND WE THANK YOU
FOR JOINING US THAT WILL BRING US TO Mr. PHILLIP FORD. Mr. FORD, ARE YOU HERE? SO I GUESS I WASN'T WRONG AFTER
ALL. SO THAT IS NOW GOING TO BRING US TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. AND ASKING FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE. I GOT MS. ANDREWS MAKING THE MOTION AND MS. BRANCH SECONDING IT. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
WE DO NOT HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS SO THAT IS NOW GOING TO BRING US TO NEW BUSINESS Mr. SUPERINTENDENT. >> Mike Burke: YES CO4. THIS IS A THERE IS NO RECOMMENDATION HERE. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING ITEM
FOR K-12 FINE ARTS FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND WORLD LANGUAGES INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS INTRODUCED FOR ADOPTION AND PUTTING IT ON THE RECORD THIS EVENING. I CAN MOVE TO P3. OUR PERSONNEL ADDENDUM I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE
PERSONNEL -- I NEED TO REFRESH HERE.
ONE MOMENT, PLEASE. NEXT UP IS OPS2. I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE NOTICE OF RECOMMENDATION FOR TERMINATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT OF MICHAEL CO-FIELD EFFECTIVE FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2026 SUBJECT
ONLY TO APPEAL RIGHTS UNDER 120.569 FLORIDA STATUTE AND SECTION 125.4 FLORIDA STATUTE AND THE CLASSROOM TEACHERS ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT ARTICLE 7, SECTION C. >> Karen Brill: MOTION BY MS. BRANCH AND SECONDED BY VICE-CHAIR LANE.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 6-0. >> Mike Burke: I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE PERSONNEL ADDENDUM AS SUBMITTED. >> Karen Brill: MOTION BY MS.
ANDREWS SECOND BY MS. WHITFIELD. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR ALL OPPOSED THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. AND OUR NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS YOU HEARD ME EXPLAIN HOW WE OPERATE KNOW THAT YOU NEED TO STATE YOUR NAME PLEASE BEFORE YOU START TO SPEAK AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
I WILL CALL YOU UP TWO AT A TIME SO YOU CAN BE READY. WE'LL START WITH CARLESIMO HAM METHOD FOLLOWED BY JUAN PAGAN. >> FIRST, I SAY FROM THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY Mr.
LANE, ALL OF OUR LOVE AND RESPECT GOES TOWARD YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS IN OUR COMMUNITY. I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCOUNTABILITY GIVEN TO THE FLORIDA STATUTE 1003.42H WHERE IN WE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OUR COMMUNITY. NO LONGER DO WE HAVE THAT KIND OF COHESIVENESS AMONGST US FOR WHATEVER THE REASONS MIGHT BE. AND WE HAVE OUR COMMUNITY OUR CHILDREN AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN HAVE BEEN ABANDONED BY THE CLASSROOM TEACHERS
ASSOCIATION, THE PASTORS IN OUR COMMUNITY, THE CHURCHES IN OUR COMMUNITY, ELECTED OFFICIALS, THE N.A.A.C.P., THE URBAN LEAGUE, MASONS AND OUR LINKS AND OTHERS AND PARTICULARLY OUR DIVINE 9.
THE PEOPLE WITH THE MUSEUM AND THE VARIOUS CITIES THAT ARE LOCATED OUT OF THE 39 INSIDE OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. AND THE COUNTY AND MANY OF THE COLLEGES HERE. WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY KIND OF
ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE FLORIDA STATUTE AND I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN GET YOU TO BE MORE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THE STATUTES AS OPPOSED TO THE ONES YOU FOCUS YOUR ENERGY ON. AND WE UNDERSTAND THE FACT WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH A DIFFERENT METHODOLOGY AND STRATEGY INSIDE
OF OUR COMMUNITY TO TRY TO GET RESOURCES TO DO THINGS INSIDE OUR COMMUNITY. ONE OF THE REASONS WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE CLASSROOM TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, IS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY STAFF DEVELOPMENT. WE USED TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM WHEN Mr. COX AND OTHERS USED TO BE THE HEAD OF
THE CLASSROOM TEACHERS ASSOCIATION BUT WE LOST THAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP. AND I'M HOPING THAT AFTER WE CAN BUILD CAPACITY IN OUR COMMUNITY WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO JOIN BACK IN WITH THE CLASSROOM TEACHERS HOPEFULLY THEY MIGHT BE ADVANCED TO THE POINT TO HAVE RESPECT FOR
AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN. AND THERE IS A TREMENDOUS NEED FOR US TO DO THINGS FOR OURSELF THAT IS WHY WE NEED YOU Mr. LANE AND THE REST OF YOUR BOARD MEMBERS BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO COME UP WITH RESOURCES IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE LOOKED AT COCONUT PALM PLAZA GAUFF AND DERRICK HARPER AND ALL
OF THE FOOTBALL PLAYERS OUT OF THE GLADES AREA. AND EVEN TIGER WOODS AND OTHERS AND WE NEED A VOICE TO SHARE WITH THEM THE IDEA THIS LAW FLORIDA STATUTE IS A REAL FLORIDA LAW AND IT NEEDS TO BE FULFILLED AND WE HAVE THE ABILITY INSIDE THE COMMUNITY TO
MAKE IT A REALITY BECAUSE WHEN WE TALK TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WE ARE NOT GETTING THAT LOVE AND RESPECT WE NEED. AND AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING READY TO CLOSE-OUT THE YEAR THE WAY WE HAVE BEEN CLOSING OUT SINCE THE LAW WAS PASSED IN 94 I'M HOPING THAT WILL CHANGE AND Mr. LANE
THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO PUT INSIDE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA A COMPONENT TO ASSIST AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN WE NEED YOUR HELP. AND WE KNOW THE TIME YOU ARE IN WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP AND WE RESPECT YOU. AND HOPEFULLY -- >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
Mr. PAGAN HE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY ANTONIO LADRES. >> ON BEHALF OF THE FLORIDA HIP AMERICAN CHAMBER AND FEE TESS RS TA PUEBLO, Mr. LANE, I GIVE OUR CONDOLENCES WE ARE WITH YOU
WE UNDERSTAND. BUT ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE 17 YEARS CELEBRATING THIS EVENT IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. IT IS THE BIGGEST MULTICULTURAL EVENT THAT WE HAD IN THIS COUNTY. REPRESENTATION OF 22 COUNTRIES. ACROSS THE CARRIBBEAN, ACROSS
LATIN AMERICA AND SPAIN AND OF COURSE, FLORIDA, TOO. SO THE WHOLE THING IS ABOUT HOW CAN WE DO IT? THIS TIME WE HAVE THANK YOU SCHOOL DISTRICT THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE. OUT OF THE 22 SCHOOLS WE WANTED TO BE THERE ONLY 19 WERE ABLE TO BE.
IT WAS GREAT. THE EVENT WE HAVE TO CHANGE IT FROM THE PREVIOUS PART THAT WE HAD IT. BECAUSE WE OUTGROW THE PARK. AT THE END OF THE DAY WE HAVE CLOSE TO 12,000 PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP TO THE DAY FROM 11:00
A.M.-10:00 P.M. THE WHOLE THING IS A FAMILY EVENT IT IS A LOCATION ABOUT HOW DO WE WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. THANK YOU Mr. BURKE FOR BEING THERE, MS. BRILL AND MARCIA ANDREWS THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE IT WAS A GREAT EVENT AND I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SEEING MOST
OF YOU IN TALLAHASSEE PALM BEACH COUNTY DAYS. SO, AGAIN WE CONTINUE TOGETHER EDUCATION, AND THAT IS WHAT WE WANT. THANK YOU, HAVE A GOOD EVENING. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. Mr. LADORES. >> FORMER TEACHERS PALM BEACH
COUNTY THIS IS MY 45TH YEAR FULL-TIME, PART-TIME IN PALM BEACH COUNTY CAN I PASS THIS TO THE BOARD?
CONGRATULATIONS WE HAVE THE NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDENTS WHO EXCEL TOP TWO IN THE DISTRICT REGION OR STATE FILING FOR THE NATIONALS. WE HAVE A YOUNG MAN OSCAR WILLIAMS CHESS PLAYER FROM I BELIEVE HE IS JUPITER HIGH
SCHOOL FRESHMAN. WITH OVER 2300 READY WHO REPRESENTS PALM BEACH COUNTY. BUT WE USED TO HAVE MORE WE USED TO HAVE PALM BEACH COUNTY SUNCOAST, NORTH ELEMENTARY, I'VE BEEN AROUND FOR 45 YEARS.
SO THE NUMBER DWINDLING DOWN FROM THE CHESS PARTICIPATION. SECOND, THE COMMUNICATION HAVE GREAT COMMUNICATION WITH KELLEY BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH. THE CHESS SPONSORS THERE ARE 34 THEY ARE NOT REALLY PRODUCING,
THEY ARE NOT SENDING STUDENTS TO THE TOURNAMENTS. EVERY YEAR I DO FIVE OR SIX TOURNAMENTS WHY WE CANNOT DO ONE WITH THE SCHOOL THAT I MOSTLY WORK RIGHT NOW WHY WE CANNOT DO ONE AT GRADES AND MAYBE ONE IN SOUTH END BOCA, ONE IN RIVIERA
BEACH. THE NUMBERS ARE WE LOW 100 CHESS PLAYERS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. USED TO BE 300, 400. THE PRINCIPAL AT SOUTH OLIVE, APPROACHED ME AND I STARTED THE CHESS PROGRAM THERE AND
PART-TIME WITH PALM BEACH COUNTY. AND VERY DYNAMIC PRINCIPALS. GREAT FOR SOUTH OLIVE. WE HAVE 28 STUDENTS IN ONE SCHOOL, 26 STUDENTS IN THE OTHER SCHOOL. LASTLY, I WAS AWARDED A PROGRAM THAT IS WHY I HAVE THE
NEWSPAPER, GRANTS SORRY A GRANT FROM [INAUDIBLE] TO BRING TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATE, PROMOTE GIRLS AGES 5-11 AT CHESS. USUALLY -- NOT USUALLY LAST YEAR'S WAS 12%
IN NATIONAL. AND ONLY 8% OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. OVER 25%. SO THE GRANTS FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY IS FOR THIS YEAR. MAYBE WE CAN CONTINUE NEXT YEAR.
YOU KNOW MY NUMBER. AND MY 561 [INAUDIBLE] MARCIA ANDREWS LOVE TO COME TO GLADES. AGAIN I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE.
I'M ORGANIZING THE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT SATURDAY AT THE GREEN SCHOOL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. SO FOLLOWING WILL BE JAKE WOLF. >> GOOD EVENING I'M LAURA STEMLY AN ELL TEACHERS IN THIS DISTRICT.
Mr. LANE, I WANT TO EXTEND MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES MY HEART AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. IN LIGHT OF FLORIDA'S RAPID TRANSITIONS IN EDUCATION, I'M ASKING EVERYONE HERE TO REFLECT ON THESE CHANGES AND SEE HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO SHOW OUR
COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND EDUCATORS REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL PRESSURES COMING FROM THE STATE AND BEYOND. THREE MAJOR CONCERNS. THE EXPANSION OF VOUCHER PROGRAMS WITH QUESTIONABLE FINANCIAL INTEGRITY DIVERTS MONEY AWAY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
WHILE OUR SCHOOLS FACE GREATER SCRUTINY, DECLINING TRUST AND THREATS OF CLOSURES. PUBLIC DOLLARS SHOULD STRENGTHEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS NOT UNDERMINE THEM. HOW IS OUR DISTRICT FIGHTING TO
KEEP PUBLIC DOLLARS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS? THERE'S BEEN A TROUBLING INCREASE IN RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL IDEOLOGY IN STATE COMMUNICATIONS. TEACHERS ARE THREATENED FOR EXPRESSING OPINIONS OR QUOTING PUBLIC FIGURES OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL. SCRIPTURE HAS APPEARED IN
OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM OUR COMMISSIONER SOMEONE WITH NO PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND IN EDUCATION. THIS RAISES SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE AND EDUCATOR SAFETY. WHAT PROTECTIONS GIFT FOR EDUCATORS FACING IDEOLOGICAL THREATS AND HOW DO WE PROTECT
OUR CONSTITUTIONAL SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE? RECENTLY OUR COMMISSIONER CELEBRATED THE FLORIDA WAS RANKED NUMBER ONE IN EDUCATION FREEDOM BASED ON RANKINGS FROM POLITICAL THINK TANKS NOT ON ACADEMIC STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT OR
EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES. WHEN DID POLITICALLY MOTIVATED ORGANIZATIONS BECOME THE MEASURE OF QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION? WHERE IS THE STATE'S ACCOUNTABILITY IN ACTUALLY SHOWING THESE THINGS? WHAT ARE WE DOING TO ENSURE TRUE
ACADEMIC FIDELITY RATHER THAN WINNING A POPULARITY CONTEST. THIS IS NOT ABOUT PARTISAN POLITICS. IT'S ABOUT THE ROLE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. I KNOW EACH OF US SIGNED UP TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY CONTINUOUSLY ADVOCATING FOR OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. I URGE EVERY PERSON HERE,
ESPECIALLY OUR BOARD MEMBERS TO SPEAK PUBLICLY, ADVOCATE AND STAND FIRMLY FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION. OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE DEPENDING ON US. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. JAKE WOLF FOLLOWED BY TERRENCE
HART. Mr. WOLF IF YOU ARE HERE? TERRENCE HART AND SHERI PERIL WITS. IF YOU ARE HERE PLEASE COME UP.
IN ANY ORDER. >> GOOD EVENING BOARD. I'M SHERI PERIL WITS I AM A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER MY CONDOLENCES TO BOARD MEMBER
Mr. LANE. SINCE WE ARE AT AN IMPASSE OVER 1% IN A RAISE GIVEN TO YOUR TEACHERS I DECIDED TO EDUCATE MYSELF ABOUT THE MEANING OF 1%. ACCORDING TO GOOGLE 1% IS THE VERY UNDERLINED RICHEST SEGMENT OF A POPULATION CONSISTING OF
THOSE WHO BELONG TO THE TOP INCOME OR WEALTH THAT IS NOT US. IN TERMS OF 1%. THEN I DECIDED TO ASK CHATGPT. WHY A TEACHER SHOULD GET MORE THAN A 1% RAISE. HERE IT IS. A TEACHER SHOULD GET MORE THAN
1% RAISE BECAUSE THE 1% INCREASE OFTEN FAILS TO KEEP UP WITH THE REALITIES OF THE JOB AND THE VALUE TEACHERS PROVIDE TO SOCIETY. FIRST, INFLATION AND COST OF LIVING RISE FASTER THAN 1%. WHEN PRICES FOR HOUSING, FOOD, HEALTHCARE AND TRANSPORTATION
INCREASED BY 3-5% A YEAR, TAKE A 5% RAZOR HIGHER, HOPEFULLY HIGHER. A 1% RAISE IS A PAY CUT. AS PRESIDENT GORDON LONGHOFER HAS SAID. REDUCING TEACHERS' REAL PURCHASING POWER BY CONTINUED
WORK AND EXPERIENCE. SECOND TEACHERS' RESPONSIBILITIES EXPANDED BEYOND CLASSROOM INSTRUCTIONION. MANY MANAGE LARGER CLASSES, AND SPECIAL EDUCATION AND ACCOMMODATIONS TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION AND STUDENTS NEEDS.
THESE ADDED DUTIES DEMAND MORE TIME AND SKILL AND EMOTIONAL LABOR WHICH SHOULD BE REFLECTED IN COMPENSATION. THIRD, COMPETITIVE PAY IS ESSENTIAL FOR RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT. LOW RAISES PUSH TEACHERS OUT OF THE PROFESSION, REPLACING
TEACHERS IS COSTLY FOR DISTRICTS AND DISRUPTIVE FOR STUDENTS. FAIR RAISES MAINTAIN STABILITY AND QUALITY EDUCATION. FOURTH TEACHERS IMPACT STUDENTS' SUCCESS AND THE ECONOMY. STRONG EDUCATION SYSTEMS LEAD TO A BETTER PREPARED WORKFORCE, LOWER CRIME RATES AND LONG-TERM ECONOMIC GROWTH.
INVESTING IN TEACHERS IS NOT JUST A COST. IT IS A HIGH RETURN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE. FINALLY, A PROFESSIONAL RESPECT MATTERS. A RAISE THAT MEANINGFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES TEACHERS' EXPERTISE DEDICATION AND IMPACT SIGNALS THEIR WORK IS VALUED ANYTHING
LESS RISKS UNDERMINING MORALE. A RAISE GREATER THAN 1% IS NOT EXCESSIVE IT IS A REASONABLE RESPONSE TO ECONOMIC REALITIES INCREASED DEMANDS AND THE ROLE TEACHERS PLAY IN SOCIETY. SO EVEN CHATGPT AGREES THAT WE SHOULD GET MORE THAN 1%.
SO TODAY, I PUT ON TWO BAND-AIDS GAVE THREE SNACKS, WIPED FOUR NOSES AND WOKE UP STUDENTS FROM A NAP AND GAVE TREASURE BOX FOR THREE STUDENTS, PARTICIPATED IN A PTA VIDEO ALL WHILE MAKING SURE I STAYED ON SCHEDULE THAT
IS WORTH MORE THAN 1%. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. DONALD PIERSON FOLLOWED BY SURE MAIN POSTAL. CHAR MAIN POSTAL.
>> GOOD EVENING DON PIERSON, PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLTEACHER. CHAIRMAN BRILL, VICE-CHAIRMAN LANE, I'VE NEVER MET YOU PERSONALLY BUT -- PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. >> I THOUGHT I DID.
DON PIERSON I'M SO SORRY BUT FOR THE LOVE AND RESPECT THAT I SEE EVERYBODY GIVING YOU, YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, ARE HELD TO HIGH REGARD AND MY CONDOLENCES. I WAS AT THE IN TALLAHASSEE WITH
A LOT OF THE BOARD MEMBERS AND I GO THERE ALL THE TIME BUT THE FIRST TIME THAT I'VE BEEN THERE WITH BOARD MEMBERS AND STUFF. AND I GOT TO SAY, I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS ON THIS FORUM, THE WORK YOU DO THERE NEEDS TO BE TOLD.
AND IT WAS A PLEASURE BEING THERE. AND LEARNING ABOUT THESE EDUCATION BILLS AND KNOWING THAT YOU DO FIGHT FOR US. AND THERE'S TWO BILLS THAT HAVE THE MOST THERE'S TWO BILLS THAT THE ARE REALLY SIGNIFICANT.
SENATE BILL 1272 THAT TALKS ABOUT SALARY. AND RAISES AND WANTING TO RAISE IT $65,000. IT ADDRESSES COMPRESSION AND REMEMBER IN THE PAST, THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT BRINGING STEP
BASED INCENTIVES BASIN CREASES BACK BECAUSE THOSE DID WORK. AND THAT BILL IS SUPPORTED BY TEACHERS AND UNIONS. BUT THE OTHER BILL SENATE BILL 320, THE PRIMARY FOCUS ON THAT
IS RETENTION. AND THAT'S WHAT THE TEACHERS NEED TO KNOW THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE SUPPORTING THIS THAT EXPANDS THE MULTIYEAR
CONTRACTS, TALKS ABOUT IMPROVING CERTIFICATION AND THAT WOULD ADD SOME VALIDITY TO STAYING. IT'S NOT JUST PAY. IT'S ABOUT STAYING IN THE PROFESSION YOU ARE IN.
AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT WE -- I GOT TO SEE THAT WITH THE MEMBERS ACTUALLY FIGHTING FOR THAT. HERE IS THE PARADOX. FLORIDA'S ONE OF THE BEST STATES AT STARTING SALARIES BUT REMAINS
THE WORST IN STAYING IN ONE. TEACHERS STAYING. BECAUSE OF THE HIGH SALARY START, BUT THE LOW AVERAGE PAY THAT'S WHAT SENATE BILL 320
SHOULD BE ACTUALLY ADDRESSING. AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT THE BOARD IS UP THERE FIGHTING FOR US ON THAT FRONT. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. AFTER MS. POSTAL IT WILL BE
Dr. IAN HENRY. >> GOOD EVENING, CHAIR BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT, AND MEMBERS OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY COMMUNITY AND EVERYONE ELSE IN YOUR PLACES. CHARMAINE POSTAL A MOM OF FOUR IN DISTRICT FIVE, FLORIDA PTA EDUCATION BOARD CHAIR, AND
ADVOCACY CHAIR HERE FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY. Mr. LANE, MY CONDOLENCES TO YOUR WIFE. AND TO MS. GARRISON, THE FIRST PERSON IN THIS DISTRICT WHO ACTUALLY BROUGHT ME AND TALKED TO ME ABOUT THE PROCESS OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND I ASKED
HER QUESTIONS AND SHE MADE ME COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO BE AN ADVOCATE AND TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF OUR CHILDREN. SO SHE WILL BE TERRIBLY MISSED THAT IS MY PERSON THAT I CAN CALL AND I USED TO CALL ON ANYTHING OR FOR ANYTHING SO, TO THE GARRISON FAMILY, MY HEART IS
WITH YOU ALL. TONIGHT I'M SPEAKING ON MY ROLE AS A PARENT AND ON THE ROLE OF PARENT AND PARENT ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP WHICH MATTERS MORE THAN EVER WE ARE IN A CLIMATE WHERE PEOPLE ARE
AVOIDING POLICY CONVERSATIONS, POLITICS BUT EVERYTHING AROUND US IS POLITICS OUR CHILDREN, WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IN OUR SCHOOLS AND IN OUR COMMUNITIES? I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE REALITIES THAT ONE I DON'T WANT
TO CRITICIZE BUT I WANT TO BE HONEST AND ABOUT THE MOMENT WE ARE IN. PALM BEACH COUNTY DOES NOT OPERATE IN ISOLATION. DECISIONS MADE AT THE STATE LEVEL DIRECTLY AFFECT OUR CLASSROOMS AND ISSUES LIKE COLLOCATION, AND OTHER LEGISLATIVE CHANGES CAN IMPACT CAMPUS CULTURE.
WHEN PARENTS ARE ONLY ENGAGED IN MOMENTS OF FRUSTRATION, TRUST ERODES, MISINFORMATION GROWS. THIS IS WHY OUR VOICE MATTERS. VOICES ON THE GROUND AND VOICES IN TALLAHASSEE. NOT POLITICAL VOICES BUT INFORMED STUDENT CENTERED VOICES
THAT UNDERSTAND HOW SYSTEMS WORK AND HOW DECISIONS AFFECT OUR CHILDREN. I'M ASKING THE BOARD BEFORE MY TIME RUNS OUT FOR TWO THINGS. FIRST I'M CALLING ON PARENTS. PARENTS STAY ENGAGED WHEN ISSUES FEEL COMPLEX AND UNCOMFORTABLE.
TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT REAFFIRM PARENT ENGAGEMENT AS A PRIORITY BY CREATING SAFE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TO LEARN, ASK QUESTIONS AND BE HEARD. THERE IS A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT IS COMING DOWN IN TALLAHASSEE AND ONE OF THE PRIMARY ONES IS
SB318 THE SCHOLARSHIP BILL. I WANT TO JUST LEAVE MY 30 SECONDS WITH A PIECE OF THE PRESS RELEASE FROM FLORIDA PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION. THE AUDIT CITED IN SB318 DOCUMENTED SYSTEMIC BREAKDOWNS HOW VOUCHERS' FUNDS WERE
ADMINISTERED IT INCLUDED FROZEN ACCOUNTEDS FOR STUDENTS DELAYED PAYMENTS THAT REQUIRED SCHOOLS TO BORROW MONEY TO REMAIN OPERATIONAL. THEY ARE NOT ACCOUNTINGER ROSSES ON A -- ERRORS ON A SPREAD SHEET.
>> Karen Brill: OUR FINAL SPEAKER WILL BE DAVIS MORRIS CLAMAN. >> CONDOLENCES Mr. LANE. I'M Dr. IAN HENRY. ON NOVEMBER 19TH, 2025 TEACHERS FROM ACROSS THIS DISTRICT CAME
HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS AND A RAISE. WE RALLIED AND WERE FEATURED ON NEWS OUTLETS ME INCLUDED BECAUSE WE NEEDED TO BE HEARD. DURING THE BOARD MEETING THAT NIGHT SEVERAL TEACHERS STOOD IN THIS ROOM AND EXPRESSED HOW THEIR LIVES HAVE BEEN IMPACTED
BECAUSE OF LOW WAGES AND INFLATION. TEACHERS TOLD PERSONAL STORIES LIKE BEING FORCED TO RENT OUT THEIR HOMES TO LIVE IN MANY RAOS IN SOMEONE ELSE'S HOUSE BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT MAKING ENOUGH MONEY AS A TEACHER. TEACHER AFTER TEACHER EXPRESSED HOW THEIR BILLS WERE NOT COVERED
BY THEIR SALARY. BUT THE SENTIMENT WAS THAT THEY DO THE JOB BECAUSE THEY LOVE CHILDREN. I'M NOT HERE TO DOSH 8 FOR MORE MONEY. I'M HERE AS A TEACHER THAT IS DISAPPOINTED HOW WE'RE BEING TREATED. DURING THOSE NEGOTIATION
MEETINGS THE PEOPLE THE DISTRICT CHOSE TO REPRESENT THEIR SIDE TOLD TEACHERS ACROSS THIS COUNTY THAT WE WEREN'T GETTING ANYTHING THAT WE WERE REQUESTING. NOT EVEN THE ITEMS THAT COST NOTHING TO THE DISTRICT. THOSE REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT
EARNING SIX FIGURES WELL OVER $100,000 WERE TELLING TEACHERS WE WEREN'T WORTH ANYTHING. IT WAS LITERALLY A CASE OF THE HAVE'S VERSUS THE HAVE NOT'S. I SENT OUT A SURVEY ON MY OWN TIME TO GATHER DATA WITH THEIR
CIRCUMSTANCES RIGHT NOW. 40% RESPONDENTS HAVE BEEN TEACHING 1-10 YEARS. 68 WORK MUST WORK A SECOND JOB TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR INCOME. 46% EARNED BETWEEN 50-60,000.
AND 35% LIVE WITH ROOMMATES OR ARE RENTING A ROOM IN SOMEONE'S HOUSE OR APARTMENT. WHAT DO I WANT? I WANT THIS BOARD TO REALIZE THAT SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS ARE MADE UP OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. I WANT THE DISTRICT TO DO BETTER IN BUDGETING FOR TEACHERS.
DURING NEGOTIATIONS WE SAW HOW MUCH IS ALLOCATED TO OTHER CATEGORIES. WHY IS THE LARGEST EMPLOYEE GROUP WORTH PENNYS IN COMPARISON? I HOPE I PERSUADE YOU TO THINK WITH TEACHERS AS FEBRUARY 13TH APPROACHES. REMEMBER, EVERY TIME YOU VISIT A
CLASSROOM, AND THE TEACHER SMILES FOR A PHOTO-OP WITH YOU, BEHIND THAT SMILE IS A HUMAN BEING SILENTLY STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET. WHILE DOING THEIR BEST TO SERVE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE STUDENTS ACROSS OUR DISTRICT. THANK YOU.
>> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. DAVID MORRIS CLAMAN. >> I'M SORRY FOR YOU LOSS. BOARD MEMBERS I'M DAVID CLAMAN I AM A FORMER SCIENCE TEACHER WITH
CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE ACROSS K-12 GRADE LEVELS A GEORGIA TECH GRADUATE STUDENT AND A FOUNDER OF LIFE LABS PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION. MY WORK FOCUSES ON COMMUNITY DESIGN AND SAFETY ENGINEER WHAT I CALL BEING AN ENGINEER WORKING
AT EDUCATION, ETHICS AND ENGINEERED SYSTEMS I'M HERE TONIGHT WITH WHAT I BELIEVE IS A UNUSUAL SITUATION THAT WARRANTS YOUR CONSIDERATION. I'M REQUESTING THAT THE BOARD GRANT ME AN EXTENDED PRESENTATION SLOT PERHAPS D5 OR
2D AT AN UPCOMING MEETING OR SCHEDULE A WORKSHOP SECTION WHERE I CAN PRESENT A PORTFOLIO OF PROPOSALS. I LIFTED OUT THE PROPOSALS I WANTED TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT THE NUMBER OF COMMENTS I WANTED TO MAKE AND THE LIST CAME TO D6,
16, DISTINCT TOPICS PREPARED EACH MERITS YOUR ATTENTION AND NONE OF WHICH TO MY KNOWLEDGE ANYONE IS BRINGING BEFORE YOU. THESE TOPICS SPAN HARM REDUCTION IN YOUTH SPORTS THE BRAIN DAMAGE EVIDENCE ON TACKLE FOOTBALL AND YELLOW CARDING OUT HEADING IN
SOCCER UNDER THE DOCTRINE OF JUVENILE CHRONIC TRAUMATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY STAGE ONE DIAGNOSEABLE WITH A HELMET. EVIDENCE-BASED ALTERNATIVES TO DRUG RESISTANCE EDUCATION,
CURRICULUM FRAMEWORKS FOR CONSENT EDUCATION ALIGNED WITH EMERGING TECHNOLOGY AND ENABLED BY EMERGING TECHNOLOGY. YOUTH CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND READINESS BY THE AGE OF D4, 14. OR 13, D3. AND SYSTEMIC APPROACHES TO
VIOLENCE PREVENTION THAT DRAW FROM RELIABILITY ENGINEERING RATHER THAN SECURITY THEATER. EACH OF THESE IS INDEPENDENTLY RESEARCHED AND SEVERAL CONNECTED THAT I'VE DONE. THREE MINUTES PER TOPIC OVER MULTIPLE MEETINGS WOULD TAKE A
YEAR-AND-A-HALF AND A [INAUDIBLE] MY EXPERIENCE TEACHING STUDENTS DURING MY TIME AS A TEACHER. I UNDERSTAND YOU RECEIVE MANY PUBLIC COMMENTS REACTIVE TO IMMEDIATE CONTROVERSIES I'M OFFERING SYSTEMIC PROPOSALS DEVELOPED WITH ENGINEERING RIGOR
ON TOPICS WHERE PALM BEACH COUNTY COULD LEAD. I'M HERE TO CONTRIBUTE LABOR THAT I BELIEVE HAS VALUE INFORMED BY YEARS IN THE CLASSROOM AND VALIDATED BY WORK THAT I'VE DONE OVER THIS PAST YEAR. GRANTING THIS REQUEST COSTS YOU ONE AGENDA SLOT AND DECLINING
MEANS IT'S PIECEMEAL OVER A YEAR-AND-A-HALF. I'M ASKING YOU TO TREAT AN UNUSUAL SITUATION WITH AN UNUSUAL ACCOMMODATION I WILL BE HAPPY TO MEET WITH MY DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE BRANCH OR SPEAK
TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OR THE CHAIR OR VICE-CHAIR. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. BOARD MEMBERS THAT IS GOING TO CONCLUDE OUR NON-AGENDA TOPIC SPEAKERS AND IT BRINGS US TO OUR DISCUSSION ITEM WHICH IS THE DISCUSSION ITEM ON GENERAL COUNSEL'S CONTRACT.
UNDER THE CONSENT AGENDA, WE APPROVED THE REVISED EVALUATION FOR GENERAL COUNSEL SO WE NOW NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRATION. GENERAL COUNSEL'S CONTRACT IS SET TO EXPIRE ON JUNE 30TH AND NOW WE HAVE THE NEW EVALUATION
INSTRUMENT IN PLACE IT IS A LOGICAL TIME TO GET THE BALL ROLLING ON THE CONTRACT ITSELF. IN ORDER TO GIVE THE GENERAL COUNSEL'S CONTRACT THE PROPER ATTENTION, WE NEED TO HAVE A NEW AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED AND VOTED ON BEFORE THE JUNE 30TH DEADLINE
IT IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE DATE OF THE EXPIRATION OF THE CONTRACT BUT WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT. AS YOU KNOW BEGINNING IN MAY WE ARE BUSY WITH GRADUATIONS AND WINDING DOWN THE SCHOOL YEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST WE BEGIN THE PROCESS OF WORKING ON GENERAL COUNSEL'S CONTRACT NOW WE WILL BE DOING HER EVALUATION
AND BRING IT BACK FOR A VOTE IN MARCH OR APRIL AS THIS IS FOR DISCUSSION ONLY WE DON'T NEED A VOTE I NEED YOUR CONSENSUS THAT WE START WORKING ON THIS SO WHEN WE HIT THAT END OF THE YEAR, BUSY TIME, WE WILL ALREADY HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE.
SO I JUST WANT TO SEE A NOD OF HEADS WOULD BE FINE. TEACH LOOKS LIKE EVERYBODY AGREES. SO NOW THE OTHER PART OF THIS IS THAT IN THE PAST THE CHAIR OR THE VICE-CHAIR NEGOTIATED THE CONTRACTS FOR OUR DIRECT REPORTS. AND SO I'D LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT VICE-CHAIR LANE WORK WITH
GENERAL COUNSEL ON THE TERMS OF HER CONTRACT RENEWAL. SO DO YOU ALL AGREE? I SEE A MAJORITY OF HEADS NODDING. OKAY. SO Mr. LANE WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO DO THAT? >> YES, I WOULD. >> Karen Brill: SO THAT WAS MY DISCUSSION. I THINK IT WILL PUT US IN A
PLACE WHERE WE CAN TRULY GIVE THE GENERAL COUNSEL'S CONTRACT AND HER EVALUATION OUR ATTENTION AND NOT BE RUSHED WITH THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR STUFF. THANK YOU AND WITH THAT I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MOTION BY MS. BRANCH AND SECOND
BY MS. WHITFIELD. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. SAFE TRAVELS HOME, EVERYBODY.