>> Karen Brill: GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. I NOW CALL THE REGULAR SCHOOL BRD MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:00 P.M. 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. JOINING US IS MICHAEL BURKE, INSPECTOR GENERAL THERESA MICHAELS, STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE ELLERY WEISS.
SENIOR STAFF MEMBERS WILL JOIN US AS DIRECTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT. TONIGHT THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WILL BE PERFORMED BY THE JUPITER HIGH SCHOOL SPECTRUM CHOIR. 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]
>> THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL. 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.
>> Karen Brill: VIEWERS AND LISTENERS CAN ACCESS THE MEETING BY WATCHING ON COMCAST 234, 235, U VERSE CHANNEL 99 OR USING THE LINK ON OUR WEBPAGE. IN THE EVENT THAT THE LINK IS INTERRUPTED FOR TECHNICAL
REASONS SWITCH OVER TO THE TV CHANNELS. ALL BOARD MEETINGS ARE RECORDED AND POSTED ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE WITHIN 24 HOURS. BOARD MEMBERS WE HAVE SIX SETS OF MINUTES ON THE AGENDA FOR APPROVAL. MOTION BY VICE-CHAIR LANE AND
SECONDED BY MS. BRANCH. ANY DISCUSSION? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. I HAVE AN ITEM TO ADD FOR GOOD CAUSE, PTP2 PERSONAL ADDENDUM THAT EMPLOYEES CAN BEGIN IN THEIR NEW POSITIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Mr. SUPERINTENDENT DO YOU HAVE ITEMS TO WITHDRAW. >> Mike Burke: NO. >> Karen Brill: SEEING NONE I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION BY MS. ANDREWS AND SECONDED BY MS. BRANCH. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR OPPOSED MOTION
CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. BOARD MEMBERS ANY DISCLOSURES AND ABSTENTIONS. THAT WILL BRING US TO SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT. >> Mike Burke: I HAVE SEVERAL COMMENTS TONIGHT. FIRST I CONGRATULATE WE HAD EIGHT STUDENT TEAM AS WARDED MORE THAN $60,000 FOR THE
PHILANTHROPY TO LAUNCH THEIR COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES. THEY PITCHED IDEAS TO LOCAL INVESTORS AND WILL RECEIVE MENTORSHIP FROM FILL LAND THOUGH PIVOTS TO BRING THEIR BUSINESSES TO LIFE. SPANISH RIVER, DREYFOOS, PALM
BEACH LAKES AND SUNCOAST HIGH SCHOOL WHO WERE ABLE TO SECURE FUNDING FOR THESE PROJECTS. THAT WAS INCREDIBLE AND WE RECENTLY CELEBRATED THE MODERATION AT RISE ACADEMY AND OPENED 15 TECHNOLOGY ENRICHED CLASSROOMS, A NEW MEDIA CENTER
AND A CAFETERIA AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW FACILITY. AND THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE BY THE PRINCIPAL AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEE THE STUDENTS CONTINUE TO RISE. AND IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR IN AWARDS SEASON AND WE HAVE THE 42nd DWYER AWARDS COMING UP
SOON AND THERE IS 28 FINALISTS OF THOSE 28, 26 ARE TEAM PALM BEACH TEACHERS. SO THAT EVENT WILL BE ON MAY 4. AND I KNOW WE WILL BE THERE TO CHEER ON OUR TEACHERS. WE ARE ENTERING MONDAY OUR CONTROLLED OPEN ENROLLMENT
WINDOW. THIS IS FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR AND THAT FAMILIES ARE INTERESTED IN POSSIBLY SELECTING THEIR SCHOOL THROUGH CONTROLLED OPEN ENROLLMENT THEY HAD CAN BEGIN THAT PROCESS AND APPLICATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED ON-LINE THROUGH MY PV CHOICE.COM
ON OUR WEBSITE. WE ARE ALSO OPENING UP OUR KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION AND WELCOMING THE CLASS OF 2039. THAT NUMBER GETS BIGGER AND BIGGER. IT'S NOT MAKING ME FEEL YOUNGER BUT THE CLASS OF 39 WILL BE JOINING US IN THE FALL FIVE
YEARS OLD ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER FIRST. FAMILIES WILL BE OUT THERE, PLEASE START GETTING REGISTERED AND JOINING US WE WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO PALM BEACH COUNTY AND YOU CAN GET THE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE. PALM BEACH SCHOOLS/KINDERGARTEN.
WE HAVE A LOT OF RECOGNITIONS A LOT GOING ON IN APRIL. IT IS FLORIDA SCHOOL VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH, AUTISM AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE MONTH AND LIBRARY MONTH AND WE RECOGNIZED NATIONAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL WEEK. OUR VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE MORE
SUPPORT WE HAVE MORE VOLUNTEERS THAN EMPLOYEES AND WE WILL BE RECOGNIZING THEM FRIDAY. APRIL IS NATIONAL AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH TO CELEBRATE OUR TALENTS OF OUR STUDENTS ON THE SPECTRUM AND I THANK OUR ES
TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF FOR EMPOWERING OUR STUDENTS WITH AUTISM. ALSO MEDIA CENTER APPRECIATION TIME. THEY ARE THE HUB OF OUR SCHOOLS AND LAST WEEK JAMIE WYATT ATTENDED THE CELEBRATION OF MEDIA SPECIALISTS WE THANK THEM FOR ALL THEY DO TO MAKE OUR
SCHOOLS SUCCESSFUL AND HAPPY SCHOOL LIBRARY MONTH. LASTLY, IT'S ALSO NATIONAL AP WEEK. WE CELEBRATE NATIONAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS WEEK AND THEY MANAGE DAILY OPERATIONS, STUDENT DISCIPLINE AND SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND PRINCIPALS THANK
YOU FOR MAINTAINING THE HIGH STANDARDS IN OUR A RATED SCHOOL DISTRICT. THAT CONCLUDES MY COMMENTS. >> Karen Brill: MS. SAVIETTO? >> Virginia Savietto: SO I'M PROUD TO BE PART OF LATIN
QUARTER WEST PALM BEACH AND THE WORK WE CONTINUE TO DO THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU TO FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT FOR HELPING MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO DELIVER LAPTOPS. ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY MATTERS AND WHEN STUDENTS HAVE THE TOOLS THEY NEED NEED THEY ARE BETTER
PREPARED TO LEARN, GROW AND SUCCEED. THIS IS THE KIND OF WORK THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME SUPPORTING STUDENTS AND HELPING FAMILIES AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AND OF COURSE, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ALONE. THANK YOU TO MY FELLOW LATIN
QUARTER BOARD MEMBERS. AND EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE THIS HAPPEN. I HAD A GREAT TIME AT WYNNEBROOK ELEMENTARY'S THEATER PRODUCTION OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
THE TALENT WAS INCREDIBLE AND YOU COULD SEE THE HARD WORK AND CONFIDENCE OF EVERY STUDENT. BIG, BIG SHOUT-OUT TO TEACHER SHERI HALL AND THEN THE STAFF FOR MAKING IT ALL COME TOGETHER SO BEAUTIFULLY.
BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO STEVE SYLVESTER AS CITY COMMISSIONER IN WEST PALM BEACH OUR DISTRICT OVERLAPS AND WE SHARE FOUR SCHOOLS. I LOOK FORWARD WORKING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. WHEN WE STAY CONNECTED AND WORK TOGETHER WE CREATE REAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR KIDS AND
STRONGER COMMUNITIES FOR EVERYONE. SO I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY WELLNESS LUNCHEON. WHAT WE SAW NOT AN EVENT IT WAS LEADERSHIP IN ACTION BRINGING JOHN GORDON A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, SECURING THE CONVENTION
CENTER AND DELIVERING THAT LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE DOWN TO EVERY DETAIL IN THE ROOM INCLUDING THE GORGEOUS FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS AND WITHOUT COSTING THE DISTRICT A PENNY SPEAKS CONTROL VOLUMES. WE HAD A BEAUTIFUL PERFORMANCE
FROM STUDENTS FROM DREYFOOS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS. WHO DID A MARVELOUS JOB. WE WERE PROUD TO HAVE COUNTY COMMISSIONER GREGG WEISS PRESENT A PROCLAMATION OF RECOGNIZING 20 YEARS OF IMPACT. IT AFFIRMS THAT WELLNESS IS
FOUNDATIONAL, IT DRIVES STUDENTS SUCCESS, STRENGTHENS OUR TEACHERS AND SUSTAINS OUR STAFF SO THEY CAN KEEP SHOWING UP EVERYDAY. AND THAT LEVEL OF WORRYING DOES NOT HAPPEN IN ISOLATION. THANK YOU TO UNITED WAY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, UNITED HEALTHCARE,
ONE BLOOD AND ALL THE PARTNERS TO CONTINUE TO STAND WITH US. THIS MESSAGE IS FOR PAULA AND ALLISON. PAULA, WHAT YOU HAVE BUILT HAS DEPTH, CONSISTENCY AND IMPACT. YOU HAVE CREATED SOMETHING THAT SUPPORTS PEOPLE AT EVERY LEVEL
OF THIS DISTRICT AND IT SHOWS. ALLISON, YOUR LEADERSHIP SETS STANDARDS AND MADE THIS POSSIBLE. YOU HAVE CREATED THE CONDITIONS WHERE STRONG WORK WITH GROW AND WHERE PEOPLE ARE EMPOWERED TO LEAD. THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN LEADERSHIP RELATIONSHIPS AND PURPOSE ALIGN.
AND THANK YOU, AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS AND I KNOW Mr. BURKE, I LEFT THAT PIECE OUT BUT HE GOT A RECOGNITION AT THAT LUNCHEON IT WAS SPECIAL. SO THANK YOU AGAIN. CONGRATULATIONS ON 20 YEARS OF IMPACT WHAT YOU HAVE BUILT MATTERS AND IS MAKING A
DIFFERENT EVERY SINGLE DAY. GRACIAS THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: WE WILL PAUSE AND GO BACK TO THE SUPERINTENDENT BECAUSE THE CHAIR OF THE STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS HERE. >> Mike Burke: WE WELCOME THE
CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE Mr. FRANCISCO SANDOVAL FROM Dr. JOAQUIN GARCIA HIGH SCHOOL. HE HAS THE LATEST REPORT AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR GRADUATION IN A FEW WEEKS.
>> HELLO I'M FRANCISCO SANDOVAL A GRADUATING SENIOR. AND THE 2025-2026 CHAIRPERSON OF THE SUPERINTENDENT STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE I WILL ATTEND THE SANTA FE COLLEGE. AFTER GRADUATION ON MAY 14,
2026. THIS REPORT SUMMARIZES KEY DISCUSSIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS ON FEBRUARY 16TH AND APRIL 6. ON FEBRUARY 16TH WE REVIEWED THE ANNUAL REPORT AND CATALOG. THE COMMITTEE SUGGESTED THESE
PUBLICATIONS ALONG WITH THE SCHOOL COMPASS MUST BETTER REFLECT STUDENT VOICES HIGHLIGHT STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES AND SHOWCASE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS TO FAMILIES. A SPECIFIC PROPOSAL WAS MADE TO CREATE A FLORIDA VERSION OF THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOLS COMPASS AS A RESOURCE.
ADDITIONALLY MEMBERS NOTED POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDING INCREASED STUDENT DIVERSITY THROUGH NEW CLUBS. ON APRIL 6, THE DISCUSSION FOCUSED ON IMPROVING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENTS.
HIGHLIGHTING TRUST AS A KEY DRIVER. FEEDBACK INDICATED A SIGNIFICANT DISCONNECT AS STUDENTS OFTEN DO NOT KNOW WHO THE ADVOCATES ARE ON CAMPUS. THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED INCREASING SUICIDE PREVENTION VISIBILITY THROUGH SCHOOL ID'S AND POSTERS. THE PRESENTATION ALSO ADDRESSED
THE MERGING ISSUE OF YOUTH GAMBLING NOTING THAT EARLY EXPOSURE TO BOOKS AND INFLUENCERS CAN LEAD TO ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS, CREDIT CARD DEBT AND INTEREST IN SPORTS BETTING. WE REVIEWED THE SEQ DATA ON PEER
RESPECT. STUDENTS EMPHASIZED THAT TEACHERS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN INFLUENCING STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND HELPING PEERS BUILT POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS. I THANK Mr. BURKE, THE SCHOOL BOARD, Mr. OSWALD AND MS. SIMMONS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
THE STUDENT COMMITTEE HAS BEEN A VITAL AVENUE TO ELEVATE VOICES OVER PALM BEACH COUNTY. OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, I WISH YOU THE BEST AND I THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. MS. WHITFIELD. >> Erica Whitfield: JUST TO TRY TO RESPECT EVERYONE'S TIME I
WILL HOLD MY COMMENTS UNTIL NEXT WEEK. >> Karen Brill: MS. BRANCH? MS. ANDREWS. >> Marcia Andrews: I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE MY COMMENTS TONIGHT. I STARTED MY DAY AT EVERGLADES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WITH THANK A TEACHER.
IT WAS WEEK 25 GOING INTO THE SCHOOLS AND SEEING THE TEACHERS MAKES ME SO HAPPY. AND TO BE THERE FOR THANK A TEACHER WITH MS. KERRY, IT WAS AWESOME. SHE IS A SECOND GRADE TEACHER SHE WAS NOMINATED BY SEVEN
SPONSORS, PARENTS, FROM HER COMMUNITY ALL THE CHILDREN WERE SO EXCITED. AND SHE RECEIVED $500 FROM HCA PALMS WEST, AND FLOWERS AND IT'S GREAT. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS IN THE SCHOOL CENTER WITH OUR TEACHERS AND I SEE YOU TONIGHT.
AND WE RECOGNIZE YOU BUT WE RECOGNIZE THANK A TEACHER. THIS MORNING AT 8:30 AT EVERGLADES AND IT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. AS YOU LOOK AT OUR PICTURES, THEY TELL YOU A THOUSAND WORDS. WE WERE AT CRESTWOOD MIDDLE
SCHOOL FOR MULTICULTURAL CELEBRATION CAY. IT IS ALWAYS A BIG DEAL I'M DRESSED IN MY CULTURE AND THE STUDENTS TALKED ABOUT ALL OF THEIR CULTURES AND THEY WERE CELEBRATED ALL THROUGH THE DAY. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL TIME AT CRESTWOOD.
YOU DO A GREAT JOB THE TEACHERS YOU ALL PLAY A PART IN THIS CELEBRATING OF OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR CULTURES. AS WE MOVE FARTHER ALONG WITH MY PICTURE I WAS AT PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL WITH Dr. JOHNSON AND THE CHOICE PROGRAM.
THEY HAVE STARTED A HEALTH PROGRAM. WHEN WE THINK ABOUT GETTING OUR STUDENTS READY TO BE DOCTORS AND NURSES AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, IT REALLY STARTS AT PALM BEACH CENTRAL AND IT STARTS WITH OUR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. WE WERE THERE IT WAS GREAT AND I WAS IN THE CLASSROOM AND IT MADE
A DIFFERENCE FOR ME TO LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONS. AND AS I MOVE ON, I WAS OUT WITH THE DEPUTY. DEPUTY JAMIE WYATT, THE DEPUTY OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY.
WE RODE TOGETHER AND JAMIE IS A GREAT DRIVER WE DROVE ALL THROUGH THE GLADES. WE STARTED OUT WITH GLADES CENTRAL. YOU SEE THEM ON THE SCREEN THERE. WE WALKED THE CAMPUS. SHE CAN WALK AND SHE KNOWS OUR SCHOOLS AND SHE SEES OUR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS LEARNING
MAKING THIS AN A RATED DISTRICT. THANK YOU JAMIE FOR ALL YOU DO. AND WE WENT OVER TO PAHOKEE HIGH SCHOOL THEY HAVE AN AVIATION PROGRAM THERE. AND I'M LOOKING AT THE NEW BASEBALL FIELD AT PAHOKEE. WE DID IT, Mr. SANCHEZ IT'S
OPEN AND RUNNING AND THE KIDS ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT PLAYING BALL ON THE FIELD. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT AVIATION PROGRAM AT PAHOKEE IT'S OUTSTANDING. I WAS FLYING THE PLANE Mr. LANE YOU ALL SEE ME THERE AND THE DEPUTY ON THE SIDE.
WE HAD A GREAT TIME VISITING THE SCHOOLS. AND THEN AS YOU CAN SEE, OUR NEXT SLIDES TELL YOU WE ARE ALL MOVING ABOUT WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. AND YOU HEARD US TALK ABOUT THE WELLNESS PROGRAM. PAULA AND ALL OF US AND SCHOOL
FOOD SERVICE, YOU ALL DID A GREAT JOB. WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME. HAVING A GREAT TIME AT THE WELLNESS PROMOTIONAL CEREMONY. AND YES, WE WERE THERE AT THE LOVE OF LITERACY LUNCHEON IT'S
ABOUT OUR CHILDREN BEING ABLE TO READ. TEACHERS YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE. READING AND WORKING TOGETHER AND THE LOVE OF LITERACY LUNCHEON EVERY YEAR EMPHASISES HOW EMPHASIZES HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR OUR KIDS TO KNOW BOOKS AND READ AND LEARN.
THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: Mr. FERGUSON. >> Edwin Ferguson: WELCOME BACK. IT SEEMS LIKE WE'VE BEEN GONE FOR A LONGTIME AND I'M READY TO GET BACK TO WORK. A COUPLE OF THINGS BEFORE WE LAUNCH INTO TODAY'S MEETING ON
THE 27TH OF MARCH THE WEIGHTLIFTING COACH INVITED ME TO ADDRESS THE WEIGHTLIFTING TEAM BEFORE THEY HAD A TOURNAMENT. MY SPEECH FOCUSED TO MAXIMIZE THEIR TIME IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE. DO THEIR BEST AND FORGET THE
REST. TO ENJOY THEIR TIME AND ALWAYS COMPETE, COMPETE, COMPETE. AFTER MY BRIEF SPEECH, I SPOTTED SOME OF THE TEAMS AS THEY WORKED ON THEIR BENCH PRESS AS EVIDENCED BY MY DRESS I HAD NO PLANS ON LIFTING WEIGHTS.
SO I DID WARM-UP AND I PROCEEDED TO LIFT WHAT I CONSIDERED TO BE SOME LIGHTEST OF WEIGHTS. Mr. SANCHEZ I SEE YOU BACK THERE WORKING ON YOUR ARM CURLS YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN PROUD OF ME. ON MARCH 28, THE FRATERNITY AND THE CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH WE
HELD OUR PROJECT UPLIFT EVENT. WE HAD A SMALLER THAN USUAL CROWD, I THINK THE SPRING BREAK AFFECTED TURNOUT BUT WE WERE ABLE TO REMOVE 600 POUNDS OF TRASH FROM THE AREA THAT WILL NOT POSE A DANGER IN REGARDS TO
BROKEN GLASS AND METAL. AND ALSO LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF PLASTIC THAT GETS BLOWN INTO THE DRAINS WHICH AFFECTS OUR WATER SUPPLY. THIS MONTH WE WILL BE AT BLUM PARK IN WEST PALM BEACH. WE ARE SO CLOSE TO REACHING OUR
GOAL TO REMOVE 10,000 POUNDS OF TRASH BEFORE THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING, PLEASE REACH OUT TO ME AT PROJECT UPLIFT AT GMAIL OR CALL ME 561-840-1846.
ON APRIL 10 I HAD STARTED AT ROOSEVELT MIDDLE SCHOOL TO ATTEND THE FPL MAKEOVER GRANT REVEAL AND RIBBON CUTTING. I ADDRESSED THE AUDIENCE AND SHARED HOW THE NEW STEM CLASSROOM WILL ENHANCE THE STUDENTS AT ROOSEVELT MIDDLE
SCHOOL. LATER THAT DAY AND I ATTENDED THE VICTORY LAP TO CELEBRATE THE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP. IN RECOGNITION OF THE EXCELLENT JOB THEE YUCK MEN DID BRINGING BACK THE --
THESE YOUNG MEN DID BRINGING BACK THE CHIP. THE WEATHER WAS PERFECT. THE STUDENT BODY'S PROUD FOR THE TEAM WAS PALPABLE AND THEY WILL BRING BACK ANOTHER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP NEXT YEAR I NEED AN AMEN FROM THE COACHES ON THAT
ONE. I KNOW YOU CAN GIVE ME AN AMEN FOR THAT. PLAGUES [APPLAUSE] AND COMMEND THE JFK MARCHING BAND PARTICIPATING IN THE EVENT AND DID A GREAT JOB.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST I THANK MAYOR LAWSON FOR PUTTING THE VICTORY LAP TOGETHER AND THE STAFF FOR SHOWING SO MUCH LOVE TO THE STUDENT BODY LAST WEEK. LIKE I SAID AT THE VICTORY LAP I EXPECT TO DO ANOTHER LAP NEXT YEAR AND IN THE SAME TIME AND
SAME PLACE COACH. I WILL KEEP PRESSURING YOU. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR THE FOOD PANTRY AT 1144 WEST 6TH STREET IN RIVIERA BEACH. FOOD IS PROVIDED TO PERSONS EVERY THURSDAY FROM 1-4:00 P.M. STUDENTS, SCHOOL YEAR IS
WRAPPING UP IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF COMMUNITY SERVICE I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PARTICIPATE BECAUSE THERE ARE TENS TO HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITY HOURS OF SERVICE HOURS THAT YOU CAN COLLECT OVER THE SUMMERTIME BY ENGAGING IN THIS ENDEAVOR. ANYONE WHO HAS QUESTIONS ABOUT
THE FOOD PANTRY, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THEM. AND LASTLY, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE LIFE WELL LIVED MY ALUMNI SHE PASSED AWAY LATE LAST WEEK. MANY OF YOU KNEW HER AND I'M
SURE YOU WOULD AGREE SHE WAS A RADIANT BEING AND GIVING PERSON, WICKEDLY SMART AND AN ADVOCATE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. SHE WAS THE DEFINITION OF THE SALT OF THE EARTH. EVER SINCE I MET HER IN HIGH SCHOOL I'VE LOVED THE DUTY OF
HER SPIRIT AND I APPRECIATED THE EASE WHICH SHE PROJECTED ON TO OTHERS GOING THROUGH HER OWN CHALLENGES. SHE MADE A POINT TO LET YOU KNOW WHATEVER YOU WERE GOING THROUGH EVERYTHING WAS GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT AND SHE WAS HERE FOR YOU. YOU WILL BE MISSED BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN.
THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: VICE-CHAIR. >> Matthew Lane: LANE I WELCOME ALL OF OUR TEACHERS WITH A SPECIAL WELCOME. [APPLAUSE] A SPECIAL WELCOME TO MY FAMILY IN DISTRICT ONE THE NORTH
COUNTY. AS EVERYONE KNOWS CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT TO ME AND THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD HELD AN EXCELLENT CAREER SHOWCASE FOR OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE BDB IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING BUSINESSES AND JOBS INTO PALM BEACH COUNTY.
AND ITS PRESIDENT IS A FORCE OF NATURE. IN ACCOMPLISHING THIS. THE PICTURE YOU WILL SEE BOARD MEMBER SAVIETTO, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, PRESIDENT KELLEY SMALLRIDGE AND ME. AND IF THAT EVENING SUPERINTENDENT BURKE GAVE AN EXCELLENT PRESENTATION AT THE
CAREER SHOWCASE. I ALWAYS LEARN SOMETHING NEW AND INSPIRATIONAL WHEN OUR SUPERINTENDENT SPEAKS. ON MARCH 30, I SPOKE TO THE NORTH COUNTY NEIGHBORHOOD COALITION ABOUT THE POSHES OF PASSING THE REFERENDUM THIS NOVEMBER.
ON MARCH 30, WPBF-TV AWARDED ELIZABETH SCHMIDT THE TEACHERS OF THE MONTH AWARD SHE TEACHES SECOND GRADE ATAL MAN DA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND HER STUDENTS DRIVETH HER CLASSROOM. I WOULD LIKE TO END BY HIGHLIGHTING TWO OF MY SCHOOLS
IN NORTH COUNTY. HAL WATKINS MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ARRIVE BEHIND IN READING AND MATH AND THE DOCTOR AND HIS DEDICATED TEAM HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY AND REMARKABLY IMPROVED THE STUDENTS' PERFORMANCE IN READING, MATH,
SCIENCE AND CIVICS. I CANNOT EXPRESS HOW PROUD I AM OF THESE TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS FOR THE DEDICATION TO THIS VERY HARD WORK. AND GROVE PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, PRINCIPAL MITCHELL AND HER TEACHERS ARE DOING OUTSTANDING WORK. BECAUSE OF THEIR DEDICATION,
ENROLLMENT HAS NOT ONLY REMAINED STEADY IT'S INCREASED WHICH IS A TESTAMENT TO THE QUALITY OF THEIR EFFORTS. PRINCIPAL MITCHELL HAS ONLY ONE REQUEST... AND THAT IS THAT HER TEACHERS BE ALLOWED TO STAY. LIKE ALL OF OUR TEACHERS THESE TEACHERS INSPIRE THEIR STUDENTS
TO BE CURIOUS AND TO LOVE LEARNING AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT FOR APRIL OF 2026. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. BOARD MEMBERS AND ALSO TO THE COMMUNITY TO EVERYBODY HERE, JUST WANT TO POINT OUT SOMETHING THAT IS ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA TONIGHT.
THERE IS ITEM PIR2, IS AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PARTICULAR, SPECIFICALLY WEST BOYNTON MIDDLE SCHOOL. THIS IS A LONGTIME COMING IN THE WESTERN BOYNTON BEACH AREA. AND THE PARK THE CANYON DISTRICT
PARK IS A 53-ACRE RECREATIONAL SPACE LOCATED DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE SCHOOL. AND SO WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE COUNTY IS GOING TO BE ALLOWED TO USE OUR SCHOOL FACILITIES SUCH AS THE OUTDOOR TENNIS COURTS,
OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS, MULTIPURPOSE NATURAL GRASS FIELD AND TRACK AND RESTROOMS AND PARKING AREA WHICH IS ALSO GOING TO SERVE OUR SENIOR COMMUNITIES IF THEY WANT TO COME OUT AND PLAY BASKETBALL AND USE THE FIELDS BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO BE ALLOWING THE COUNTY TO USE OUR BASEBALL FIELDS.
SO THIS IS AGAIN, ONE OF THOSE INSTANCES WHERE WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE COUNTY WERE ABLE TO SHARE FACILITIES AND GIVE DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR CHILDREN AND FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE YOUNG
CHILDREN IT IS WORTH THE TRIP TO GO DOWN TO THAT PARK TO SEE THE PLAYGROUND. IT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL MY GRANDCHILDREN COME TO VISIT YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE IT. COME DOWN AND VISIT WEST BOYNTON BEACH. WE DO REMEMBER OUR EMPLOYEES WHO
PASSED AWAY. SO I AM GOING TO BE ASKING FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR COURTNEY LABELLE WHO WAS A TEACHER OF MATH, GRADES 9-12 AT SPANISH RIVER HIGH SCHOOL. WHO PASSED AWAY FEBRUARY 24,
2026. AND MIGUEL GONZALES A CUSTODIAN WHO PASSED AWAY ON FEBRUARY 19, 2026. I WILL ASK FOR A MOMENT OF
SILENCE. THANK YOU. SO BOARD MEMBERS THAT IS NOW GOING TO BRING US TO OUR PRESENTATIONS. AND NOW, MS. NNEKA NNOLIM FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO JOIN US FOR THE APRIL RECOGNITIONS.
GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS PLEASE COME DOWN FOR PHOTOS.
GOOD EVENING CHAIR BRILL, VICE CHAIR LANE, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY. THIS EVENING WE HAVE TWO RECOGNITIONS ON THE AGENDA. WE BEGIN WITH A RECOGNITION FOR FIVE DISTRICT SENIORS WHO EACH RECEIVED 2-YEAR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGH AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY AND FLORIDA PREPAID COLLEGE SAVINGS PLAN. THE SCHOLARSHIP COVERS TUITION AND LOCAL FEES FOR 60 LOWER-DIVISION SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS AT ANY OF FLORIDA'S 28 STATE COLLEGES. THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE USED AT A STATE UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE NATIONWIDE. CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE
TALENTED SENIORS FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND FOR RECEIVING FLORIDA PREPAID SCHOLARSHIPS. PLEASE COME FORWARD AS I CALL YOUR NAME: MARILUS ANTONIO ┘ RIVIERA BEACH PREPARATORY & ACHIEVEMENT ACADEMY ERIEAL BECKFORD ┘ PAHOKEE
MIDDLE-SENIOR HIGH. ESMERALDA CAMPOS-BARAHONA ┘ PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH. KAELYN COSTA ┘ PALM BEACH LAKES COMMUNITY HIGH. TALIA TELFER ┘ ROYAL PALM BEACH COMMUNITY HIGH AND WE ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PRINCIPALS OF EACH SCHOOL: MARK SIMMONDS ┘ RIVIERA BEACH PREP. DWAYNE DENNARD ┘ PAHOKEE
MIDDLE-SENIOR HIGH REGGIE MYERS ┘ PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH ROSALIND GRAY MCCRAY ┘ PALM BEACH LAKES HIGH DR. SHAKEICA ROBINSON ┘ ROYAL PALM BEACH HIGH LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] AND LASTLY THIS EVENING, WE ARE RECOGNIZING THE BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM FROM SUNCOAST COMMUNITY
HIGH SCHOOL. [APPLAUSE] THE TEAM WON THE FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP LAST MONTH, WITH AN 85-62 VICTORY.
IT WAS A DOMINANT PERFORMANCE FROM START TO FINISH AS THE CHARGERS HAD 20 STEALS BY HALFTIME, FORCING 26 TURNOVERS OVERALL, AND RACKING UP 34 POINTS OFF THOSE TURNOVERS. THIS IS THEIR FIRST STATE TITLE SINCE 1990, SUCCESSFULLY CAPPING OFF A SEASON WHERE THEY HAD A
25-5 RECORD. AT THIS TIME LET'S WELCOME MR. JASON POWELL, HEAD COACH AND TEACHER ALONG WITH THE BASKETBALL TEAM MEMBERS HERE THIS EVENING.
AND WE ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE MS. KATHRYN KOERNER, THE PRINCIPAL AT SUNCOAST. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEAM ON THEIR STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, AND LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE] BOARD CHAIR BRILL, VICE CHAIR LANE, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, STAFF, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, THIS CONCLUDES THE RECOGNITIONS FOR APRIL.
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR ATTENTION THIS EVENING.
BRILL WRIL THAT IS NOW GOING TO BRING US TO OUR STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT. MS. ELLERY WEISS. >> THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, CHAIRWOMAN BRILL, VICE-CHAIRMAN LANE AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. ON MARCH 26, 2026, THE PALM
BEACH COUNTY HELD ITS BANQUET WHICH STUDENT GOVERNMENT FROM ACROSS OUR COUNTY ATTENDED AND ELECTED THE COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS. THE NEWLY ELECTED COUNTY PRESIDENT IS NOT AUDIENCE WITH US TODAY. SHE IS TESSA SHORE FROM PARK
VISTA HIGH SCHOOL AND I'M EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE SHE WILL CONTINUE THE FIGHTING HUNGER INITIATIVE I'M LOOKING HER THRIVE. ON THURSDAY APRIL 2, FORMER COUNTY PRESIDENTS ATTENDED THE SUPERINTENDENT LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
ALONGSIDE THE SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE TEAM AND THE NO KID HUNGRY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION TO PRESENT THE BUN WYETH BITE AT A TIME TROPHIES. I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE DAWN HIGH-TECH MIDDLE SCHOOL
AGAIN FOR THEIR HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE HELPING REDUCE HUNGER IN PALM BEACH COUNTY I THANK THE STUDENTS WHO FILLED OUT THE SURVEY. FINALLY I'M HAPPY TO SHARE THAT AFTER MY DUTIES AS PRESIDENT
COME TO AN END I WILL BE CONTINUING TO WORK WITH THE FIGHTING HUNGER INITIATIVE INTO THE PERCEIVED FUTURE. SCHOOLS ARE PREPARING STUDENTS FOR TESTING SEASON AND HELPING GET THEM THROUGH THE DIFFICULT TIME. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND COUNSELORS ARE OPENING DOORS FOR
STUDENTS TO DISCUSS THEIR WORRIES. COUNSELORS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF MEETING WITH STUDENTS TO DISCUSS CLASS SCHEDULES FOR NEXT YEAR AND CREDITS FOR GRADUATION. SOME SCHOOLS HELD COLLEGE APPLICATION CRASH COURSES TO ENSURE STUDENTS HAVE THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE COLLEGE PROCESS.
I REMIND ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS CONTINUE FILLING OUT THE UPDATES FORM POSTED ON THE INSTAGRAM IT WILL BE OPEN ALL YEAR AND IS ABLE TO BE FILLED OUT MULTIPLE TIMES IT ALLOWS ME TO RECEIVE NEWS AND INFORMATION SCHOOLS WOULD LIKE ME TO SHARE
ABOUT THEIR STUDENTS AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> Karen Brill: THAT WILL BRING US TO OUR COMMITTEE REPORTS WE DO NOT HAVE AN ACADEMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT NOR AN AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT. THE CONSTRUCTION REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT IS A. TAED TO YOUR AGENDA.
WE DO HAVE OUR CHAIR OF THE DISTRICT DIVERSITY AND EQUITY COMMITTEE CHARMAINE POSTAL HERE TO GIVE A REPORT. MS. POSTAL? >> SO GOOD EVENING. HAPPY VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE EVERY AGENCY AND ORGANIZATION THAT HAS A REPRESENTATIVE THAT COMES EVERY MONTH TO VOLUNTEER ON BEHALF OF OUR CHILDREN, OUR TEACHERS, OUR PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY. THE COMMITTEE MET ON MARCH 26, 2026, IN A HYBRID FASHION IN THE
BOARDROOM. WE RECEIVED AN UPDATE ON AN INITIATIVE FOCUSED ON STUDENT HEALTH AND SAFETY THROUGH EKG SCREENINGS PARTICULARLY FOR STUDENT ATHLETES AS REQUIRED BY LAW. IF YOU ARE NOT AWARE THAT ALL INCOMING NINTH GRADERS OR NEW
ATHLETES MUST HAVE AN EKG SCREENING WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE DISTRICT TO HAVING SOME OF THE FREE SCREENINGS AVAILABLE AS EARLY AS MARCH 26, I BELIEVE THAT IS THE DATE WE HAD THE LAST ONE AT PARK VISTA HIGH SCHOOL THERE'S TWO FREE SCREENINGS,
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE SCREENINGS BECAUSE THEY ARE FREE AND THEY ARE NECESSARY. AN UPDATE WAS PRESENTED ON THE STUDENT VOICE CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTED BY A STUDENT KEYNOTE SPEAKER REINFORCING THE DISTRICT'S ELEVATING THE VOICES
AND LEADERSHIP. SOME OF THE OUTCOMES WAS INCREASED STUDENT ENGAGEMENT IN DISTRICT LEVEL INITIATIVES, OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIVERSE STUDENT REPRESENTDATION, STRENGTHEN SENSE OF BELONGING AND COMMUNITY. Dr. BECK FORWARD PRESENTED
UPDATES ON XELLO A COLLEGE PLATFORM DESIGNED TO SUPPORT PERSONALIZED STUDENT PLANNING. SOME OF THE KEY FEATURES OF THE IT AS WELL AS IMPACTS WERE CAREER EXPLORATION REALTIME DATA
FOR EDUCATORS TO MONITOR PROGRESS, IDENTIFICATION OF STUDENTS NEEDING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT, PROMOTE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO COLLEGE AND CAREER PLANNING RESOURCES, CLOSE OPPORTUNITY GAPS IN POST-SECONDARY READINESS AND EMPOWER STUDENTS TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THEIR FUTURE.
SOME OF THE COMMITTEE FEEDBACKS AND RECOMMENDATION INCLUDED INCREASING PARENT AND GUARDIAN ACCESS TO THE PLATFORM TO SUPPORT FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND ASSURING ACCESSIBILITY FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING NEEDS AND ALSO PROVIDING TARGETED SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH LIMITED
EXPOSURE TO CAREER PATHWAYS. ADDITIONALLY CONTINUING TO EVALUATE DATA TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS ANY EQUITY GAPS WE MAY SEE. BUT THE DISTRICT AND THE STAFF ALONG WITH CHIEF OF STUDENT
WELLNESS, KEITH OSWALD, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS PRESENTATION WAS BROUGHT TO US BACK IN MARCH. XELLO AND SOME OF THE COMMITTEEMEMBERS HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE XELLO Dr. BECK FORD DID
A PHENOMENAL PRESENTATION TO EDUCATE PARENTS AND WE ARE HOPING IN THE FALL WE WILL BRING THAT PRESENTATION INTO THE COMMUNITY SO THAT THE PARENTS DO KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM BECAUSE CURRENTLY WE DO NOT HAVE A PATHWAY LIKE SIS GATEWAY TO GET INTO THE SYSTEM.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE CONTINUOUS PROGRESS OF XELLO AND THE MACHINE THAT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT ALL PARENTS ALL EDUCATORS AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY COULD UTILIZE ESPECIALLY OUR AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS. THANK YOU THAT IS OUR REPORT.
THE NEXT DDEC MEETING IS APRIL 24 HERE AGAIN IN THE BOARDROOM IN A HYBRID FASHION. THANK YOU AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. GENERAL COUNSEL DO YOU HAVE A REPORT TONIGHT? >> ACTUALLY I DO. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
GOOD EVENING. AS MY REPORT FOR THIS EVENING AND AS WE APPROACH THE MAY 6 HEARING REGARDING THE IMPASSE BETWEEN THE DISTRICT AND THE CTA, I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT DURING MY REPORT THIS EVENING TO CLARIFY FOR THE BOARD AS WELL AS FOR OUR VIEWING PUBLIC.
THE BOARD'S LEGAL ROLE DURING THIS PROCESS, PARTICULARLY THE PROCEDURAL POSTURE THAT THE BOARD IS IN. UNDER FLORIDA LAW 447.403 FLORIDA STATUTE WHEN A LABOR IMPASSE REACHES THE BOARD FOR RESOLUTION, THE BOARD NO LONGER
ACTS IN THE TYPICAL POLICY MAKING CAPACITY. INSTEAD, THE BOARD IS SITTING IN A QUASI JUDICIAL CAPACITY EFFECTIVELY ACTING AS JUDGES OF THE LABOR DISPUTE. THIS MEANS THAT THE BOARD IS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN STRICT
NEUTRALITY UNTIL THE CONCLUSION OF THE IMPACT HEARING. JUST AS A JUDGE CANNOT MEET PRIVATELY WITH ONE SIDE OF THE LAWSUIT, BOARD MEMBERS ARE LEGALLY PROHIBITED FROM DISCUSSING THE MERITS OF THE IMPACT WHILE THE -- IMPASSE WHILE THE MATTER IS PENDING BEFORE THEM.
WE CALL THIS THE CONE OF SILENCE. THIS MEANS THEY CANNOT DISCUSS THE DETAILS, FACTS OR MERITS OF THE IMPASSE WITH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, OR LABOR REPRESENTATIVES OUTSIDE OF THE FORMAL HEARING. THEY SHOULD REMAIN INSULATED
FROM THE OUTSIDE INFLUENCE. THIS ENSURES THAT NO PARTY IS GIVEN AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE AND THE BOARD'S FINAL DECISION REMAINS IMPARTIAL. THE BOARD'S DECISION ALSO MUST BE BASED ON THE OFFICIAL RECORD AND THE PRESENTATIONS AT THE HEARING.
ENGAGING IN PUBLIC DEBATE, BEFOREHAND COULD INTRODUCE OUTSIDE INFORMATION THAT IS NOT PART OF THE OFFICIAL RECORD. THIS COULD COMPROMISE THE FAIRNESS OF THE ENTIRE PROCEEDING AND ULTIMATELY THE VALIDITY OF THE BOARD'S DECISION. WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE ISSUES INVOLVED IN A LABOR IMPASSE ARE
SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC INTEREST. HOWEVER, TO MAINTAIN THE FAIRNESS OF THE OUTCOME AND TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROCEEDINGS, BOARD MEMBERS MUST NOT ENGAGE IN PUBLIC OR PRIVATE DISCUSSIONS REGARDING THESE MATTERS. THESE MEASURES GUARANTEE A FAIR,
UNBIASED AND LAWFUL RESOLUTION FOR THE DISTRICT AND EMPLOYEES. THE BOARD APPRECIATES EVERYONE'S COOPERATION AND YOUR RESPECT FOR THESE LEGAL PROTOCOLS AND THEREFORE WELCOMES ALL OF THE COMMENTS TODAY BUT SHALL STILL REMAIN SILENT ON THE ISSUES AT
THIS TIME. AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. INSPECTOR GENERAL DO YOU HAVE A REPORT FOR US? >> NO REPORT. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU THAT WILL BRING US TO OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND DELEGATES JAMES GAVRILOS PRESIDENT AND C.E.O. OF THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD THREE UPDATES FROM THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. AS WE HEAD INTO THE FINAL QUARTER OF THE YEAR. FIRST IS AS WE APPROACH APRIL 24, THE ANNUAL FOR OUR SCHOOLS
GOLF CLASSIC. KATHY MALONE CANNOT BE WITH US BUT WE HONOR THE MEMORY OF BILL MALONE WHO SERVED THIS DISTRICT WITH DIGNITY. SUPERINTENDENT BURKE I'M PROUD TO TELL YOU THAT 90 CORPORATIONS HAVE SPONSORED FOR PURCHASED WE
HAVE 350 GOLFERS SET TO TEE OFF. 90 CORPORATIONS ARE SPONSORING THAT EVENT AS WE DO WITH OUR EVENTS WE WANT TO MAKE IT A SCHOOL DISTRICT EVENT. THE DWYER HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF TEAM WILL BE
THERE BEING PRESENT HOPEFULLY GIVING US MUCH-NEEDED LESSONS. THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WILL BE SUNG BY A PALM BEACH COUNTY STUDENT. AGAIN IT WILL BE A DAY TO CELEBRATE NOT JUST THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF OUR DISTRICT, BUT SUPERINTENDENT BURKE YOU AND THE WORK THAT YOU DO. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING
EVERYBODY ON APRIL 24. TEACHERS OUR GO TEACH GRANT APPLICATION WILL OPEN UP APRIL 30. WE AWARDED 88 GRANTS TOTALING OVER $200,000. CHAIR YOU REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE AWARDING 40,000 TO 20.
WE AWARDED 200,000. TEACHERS ON APRIL 30, HELP US BE HAPPY AND WE'RE HAPPIEST WHEN WE ARE GIVING YOU MONEY TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAMS YOU ARE CREATING THE PORTAL WILL OPEN UP ON APRIL 30TH. THE FINAL THING IS SOMETHING SPECIAL HAPPENING ON FRIDAY.
WE TALK A LOT ABOUT THE PROGRAMS THAT THIS DISTRICT RUNS AND SUPERINTENDENT BURKE YOU AND YOUR TEAM COINED THAT PHRASE IT IS YOUR BEST CHOICE AND IT IS. ON ALL SIDES OF THE SPECTRUM THE ACADEMIC AND EMOTIONAL SPECTRUM THERE ARE PROGRAMS TOUCHING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN THROUGH A
GRANT FROM THE ABLE TRUST. AN AMAZING PROGRAM HAS GROWN-UP AT PALM BEACH LAKES WITH 30 SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS. THESE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN PUT THROUGH A NUMBER OF FIELD TRIPS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS, TO GIVE THEM SOME LIFE SKILLS THESE ARE
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO WILL BE GRADUATING SOON. MANY OF THEM IF THEY WERE ABLE TO GET A JOB DON'T KNOW HOW TO RIDE A BUS OR GET A BUS PASS THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET A PHYSICAL. THROUGH THE GRANT THEY HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH THE PROGRAM FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS GETTING THE
LIFE SKILLS, LOOKING AT THE TRADE SKILLS THEY CAN GO INTO AFTER GRADUATION THIS MAY OR NEXT MAY. IT'S CULL MAIN NATURING FRIDAY, AND I'M SHARING THIS TO THE WHOLE BOARD BUT THIS IS AN ISSUE YOU HAVE BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR YEARS AND I BELIEVE IT IS THE
ISSUE THAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE SCHOOL BOARD YEARS AGO. FRIDAY 30 OF THE ESE STUDENTS WILL BE THERE FOR A PAID INTERNSHIP THEY ARE COMING TO WORK. THREE WORK TEAMS AND WE WILL ROTATE THEM AROUND TO GET A
VARIETY OF JOBS ON THE RETAIL SIDE AND THE WAREHOUSE SIDE, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY IT IS A CHANCE FOR US TO REACH INTO THE LIVES OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO LORD KNOWS FACED ENOUGH CHALLENGES TO GIVE THEM MUCH-NEEDED SKILLS ON A PAID INTERNSHIP.
CHAIR BRILL YOU ARE GRACIOUS IN YOUR DESIRE TO BE WITH US FRIDAY, 10:00 AS WE WELCOME THE AMAZING PEOPLE FROM PALM BEACH
LAKES HIGH SCHOOL. BECAUSE ULTIMATELY YOU ARE THEIR BEST CHOICE. SEE YOU FRIDAY MONEY AT 10:00 A.M. AT OUR SUPPLY STORE.
>> GORDON LONGHOFER CTA PRESIDENT. >> Karen Brill: OKAY. HOLD ON ONE MINUTE.
THERE IS A LOT OF YOU THAT WANT TO SPEAK AND WE WANT TO HEAR FROM ALL OF YOU. YOU CAN APPLAUD BUT KEEP IT SHORTER BECAUSE YOU WILL BE HERE UNTIL MIDNIGHT. GORDON GO AHEAD. >> IF I CAN GET A QUICK HOUSEKEEPING NOTE I KNOW PEOPLE
IN THE OVERFLOW ROOM IN THE CAFETERIA WHEN IT COMES TIME TO CALL THEM YOU NEED TO CALL THEM TWICE. GOOD EVENING CHAIR BRILL, AND SUPERINTENDENT BURKE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND GUESTS I'M GORDON LONGHOFER PRESIDENT OF THE CLASSROOM TEACHERS ASSOCIATION. TONIGHT I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THE
RECOMMENDED DECISION ENTERED BY THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE THE UNBIASED PARTY IN THE PROCESS A 3.5% RAISE FOR TEACHERS IN THE 2026 SCHOOL YEAR. WHY THIS PACKAGE AT THIS TIME? LET'S REVIEW SOME FACTS.
PALM BEACH COUNTY IS AN A RATED SCHOOL DISTRICT AGAIN. WE ARE DESIGNATED AS A HIGH ACADEMIC PERFORMING DISTRICT AGAIN. WE HAVE 44 SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE. TEACHERS ARE THE ONLY EMPLOYEE GROUP WHO SINGULAR TASK IS
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT UPON WHICH THE DISTRICT'S ACCOLADES DEPEND. TEACHERS ARE THE ONLY EMPLOYEE GROUP WHOSE PAY IS DEPENDENT UPON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT. THERE IS A NEGATIVE GAP OF 7% BETWEEN TEACHER PAY RAISES AND
THE RISING CONSUMER PRICE INDEX IN PALM BEACH COUNTY OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS. PALM BEACH COUNTY'S AVERAGE TEACHER SALARY REGARDLESS OF HOW WE CALCULATE IT FALLS THE A MINIMUM $5,000 BELOW THE U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
AVERAGE OF 74,000 AND IF CALCULATED DIFFERENTLY IT'S FURTHER DOWN. THE COST OF LIVING INDEX FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY IS 35-70% HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE COST OF LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES. HOUSING IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST DRIVER OF THESE COSTS.
AND A FIRST YEAR TEACHER MAKING $53,000 A YEAR, MUST SPEND HALF OF THEIR GROSS SALARY ON RENT ALONE FOR AN AVERAGE ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT IN THE COUNTY. THE NEUTRAL SPECIAL MAGISTRATE
SAID THE DISTRICT NEEDS TO RAISE SALARY TO KEEP THE STRUCTURE AT PACE WITH INFLATION AND CLOSE THE 7% GAP BETWEEN SALARY INCREASES AND THE CPI OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS ENDING IN AUGUST OF 2025. HE ALSO STATED AN INCREASE TO
BASE SALARY OF 3.5% WOULD COVER INFLATION OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND BEGIN TO CLOSE THE GAP FROM THE PREVIOUS FOUR YEARS. THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE SAID 3% OF THE RECOMMENDED 3.5% INCREASE HAS BEEN FUNDED FOR THIS YEAR. SO THE REMAINING COST WOULD ONLY
BE $5 MILLION IN 26. FURTHER HE STATED THE RECURRING COSTS OF $20 MILLION COULD BE COVERED IN THE NORMAL BUDGETING PROCESS. AND FINALLY HE SAID THE RECOMMENDED 3.5% INCREASE SHOULD BE TO BASE SALARIES BECAUSE
BONUS PAYMENTS DO NOT ASSIST IN KEEPING THE TEACHERS' PAY STRUCTURE AT PACE WITH INFLATION. [APPLAUSE] NONE OF THESE FACTS ARE IN DISPUTE. INCLUDED ARE ALSO SOME CONCLUSIONS REACHED BY THE
SPECIAL MAGISTRATE ON THE EVIDENCE ALONE. WHEN I READ AND CONSIDERED WHAT HE HAD WRITTEN, I QUICKLY INFORMED THE SUPERINTENDENT THAT CTA HAD ACCEPTED THAT RECOMMENDATION. SADLY WE WERE NOTIFIED OF A REJECTION BY THE DISTRICT ON
GOOD FRIDAY. I'M SURE YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW THAT MADE A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS FEEL. IF WE WANT GREAT SCHOOLS WE MUST HAVE GREAT TEACHERS AND THEY MUST BE ABLE TO KEEP PACE WITH INFLATION. LOOKING AT WHAT REMAINS AHEAD OF
US MY THOUGHTS ABOUT OUR TEACHERS AND PERSEVERANCE THROUGH THE PROCESS YET I BELIEVE THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEED THIS PROCESS UP HERE. IF IT WERE UP TO ME I WOULD ASK THE SUPERINTENDENT TO RECONSIDER THE REJECTION OF THE SPECIAL
MAGISTRATE'S RECOMMENDED ORDER AND ACCEPT IT, RATHER THAN PUT IT FORWARD TO YOU RECOMMENDING ADOPTION ALLOWING BOTH SIDES TO MOVE QUICKLY. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
ANDREW SPAR IS GOING TO BE NEXT. ANDREW SPAR IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. KNOWN AS FEA. Mr. SPAR. >> GOOD EVENING THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS AND THANK YOU SUPERINTENDENT AND THANK YOU
TO MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE INCLUDING CTA PRESIDENT GORDON LONGHOFER. FEA SECRETARY TREASURER AND ALL OF THE TEACHERS WHO ARE HERE TODAY. I AM AN ELEMENTARY MUSIC TEACHER.
I AM FORTUNATE TO BE SERVING AS PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. THERE IS A QUOTE BY NELSON MANDELA WHICH OFTEN GUIDES ME. EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO
CHANGE THE WORLD. I BELIEVE IN THAT QUOTE WITH ALL MY HEART AND I WOULD IMAGINE MOST OF YOU IF NOT ALL OF YOU FEEL THE SAME WAY. BUT CLEARLY IN OUR STATE AND IN OUR COUNTRY, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DON'T.
I OFTEN WONDER WHEN DID WE, THE TEACHERS, BECOME THE ENEMY? ALL WE DO IS CARE, INSPIRE, AND EDUCATE EVERY CHILD THAT WALKS INTO OUR SCHOOLS, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY COME FROM.
NOW, IT'S EASY AND CORRECT TO BLAME TALLAHASSEE, THEY SURE DO DESERVE IT FOR ALL THEY HAVE DONE TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. BUT THAT MEANS WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COUNT ON YOU MORE.
PEOPLE INCLUDING TEACHERS ARE STRUGGLING EVERYDAY. EVERYONE JUST WANTS TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO COMFORTABLY PAY THEIR BILLS AND GO ON VACATION ONCE IN A WHILE. THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO GO TO THE DOCTOR AND GET GREAT CARE THAT THEY CAN AFFORD.
THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN GET THE EDUCATION THEY DESERVE AND THAT OUR CONSTITUTION IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA KEY MANNEDS. I'M OVER GUIDED AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO BE GUIDE BY FOUR WORDS.
DIGNITY, FAIRNESS, HONESTY, AND RESPECT. HOW IS IT RESPECTFUL TO HOLD A BOARD MEETING ON IMPASSE DURING TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK IN WHICH YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO VOTE AGAINST TEACHERS? WHERE IS THE DIGNITY WHEN THE
HEARING IS SCHEDULED AT 2:00 P.M.? A TIME THAT TEACHERS CAN'T EVEN ATTEND. BECAUSE THEY ARE BACK IN THE SCHOOLS DOING THE GREAT WORK WE EXPECT THEM TO DO EVERYDAY, IGNITING THE MINDS OF THE FUTURE OF THE STATE AND THIS COMMUNITY.
BY THE WAY, THAT'S WHY THEY ARE HERE TONIGHT. HOW IS IT FAIR THAT PRESENTATIONS ARE INTENTIONALLY LIMITED TO 30 MINUTES, KEEPING THE WHOLE PICTURE FROM BEING PRESENTED. HOW ARE YOU BEING HONEST WHEN
ALL OF THESE ACTIONS POINT TO A PREDETERMINED DECISION TO VOTE AGAINST TEACHERS. DISTRICTS THAT INVEST IN TEACHERS KEEP THEM.
AND THOSE TEACHERS BUILD STRONGER SCHOOLS, STRONGER COMMUNITIES, AND STRONGER ECONOMIES. DISTRICTS THAT INVEST IN TEACHERS KEEP THEM. IF WE WANT A STRONG PALM BEACH AND A STRONGER FLORIDA, THEN WE
HAVE TO INVEST IN THE PEOPLE WHO BUILD OUR WORKFORCE AND OUR FUTURE OUR EDUCATORS. I WANT TO CALL ON YOU, RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE WHEN YOU CALL ON TEACHERS, THEY ANSWER EVERYDAY. NOW IT'S YOUR TURN.
MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. STRENGTHEN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. ADDRESS THE TEACHER SHORTAGE AND ACCEPT THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE'S RULING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. ERIKA HEN, VICE-PRESIDENT OF JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE PALM
BEACHES AND TREASURE COAST. >> GOOD EVENING CHAIRWOMAN BRILL, VICE-CHAIR LANE BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENT BURKE I'M VICE-PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION AT JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT. MARCH WAS A STRONG AND IMPACTFUL MONTH WITH APRIL ALREADY UNDERWAY. MORE THAN 61,000 STUDENTS HAVE
BEEN SERVED WITH THE SUPPORT OF 1300 VOLUNTEERS HELPING BRING OUR PROGRAMS TO LIFE. WE SAW INCREDIBLE ENGAGEMENT THROUGH OUR FAIRS BRINGING TOGETHER STUDENTS EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS ACROSS PALM BEACH COUNTY.
FRONTIER, BEN KNOW FARMS AND GREEN ACRES ELEMENTARY CONNECTED STUDENTS TO REAL WORLD CAREERS IN HEALTHCARE, PUBLIC SERVICES, BUSINESSES AND MANY, MANY MORE. WE ARE ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL FOR OUR MANY, MANY VOLUNTEERS WHO COME OUT TIME AND TIME AGAIN. INCLUDING JOEY LENS WHO IS A
FORMER GREEN ACRES STUDENT. HE CAME BACK TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE HE WAS A STUDENT AND HE SAID RETURNING TO GREEN ACRES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AFTER 36 YEARS FOR CAREER DAY FLOODED ME WITH NOSTALGIA. THE CREEKRY HALLWAYS AND THE SCHOOL TRANSFORMED.
I DID REFLECTING AFTER THE EVENT HOW FAR I'VE COME IN MY LIFE AND HOW PALM BEACH COUNTY HAS CHANGED. I'M HAPPY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH YOUNG MINDS. OUR CAREER SPEAKER SERIES CONTINUES TO INSPIRE STUDENTS THROUGH POWERFUL STORIES. WE HEAR TIME AND TIME AGAIN HOW
STUDENTS WANT TO BE PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES WE BROUGHT THE ATHLETE TO THE CLASSROOM. WE HAD FORMER NBA PLAYER GARY FORBES WHO SHARED HIS JOURNEY OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP, PERSEVERANCE AND SUCCESS AND STUDENTS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET AN AUTOGRAPH. THEY WERE EXCITED.
THROUGH OUR JA HIGH SCHOOL HEROS PROGRAM THIS MAKES A STRONG IMPACT WITH OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS STEPPING IN, INTO LEADERSHIP ROLES AS TEACHERS FOR A DAY AND DELIVERING JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT LESSONS IN OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. GLADES CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL PARTNERED
RECENTLY GLADES CENTRAL PARTNERED. AND PINE VISTA WENT OUT AND THEY WENT DOWN THE ROAD TO WELLINGTON ELEMENTARY AND OUR STUDENT GOVERNMENT STUDENTS FROM JOHN I LEONARD HIGH SCHOOL WERE AT CHULY LAKE ELEMENTARY. WE INVITE TO YOU SEE THESE STUDENTS BRINGING ENGAGE MANY,
STUDENT LED LEARNING TO LIFE. TODAY WE WERE AT JUPITER HIGH SCHOOL AND WE HAVE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO BOARD MEMBER LANE FOR COMING OUT. WE HAD MORE THAN 40 BUSINESSES COME OUT TO SPEAK TO STUDENTS ABOUT POSSIBILITIES. AND OVER 60 VOLUNTEERS. THEY LEARNED VALUABLE
OPPORTUNITIES, EXPLORED CAREERS, ASKED QUESTIONS AND BEGAN BUILDING CONNECTIONS FOR THEIR FUTURE. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT J.A. BIZ TOWN, BIZ TOWN IS BACK, FOLKS, IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD. WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT OUR PLAN TO ELEMENTARY
PRINCIPALS AND THIS IS FOR THE FY'27 PILOT IMPLEMENTATION AND WE HAVE SEEN SIGNIFICANT INTEREST IN THESE PROGRAMS AND ARE EXCITED TO CONTINUE MOVING THIS FORWARD. WE ARE ACTIVELY PREPARING FOR NEXT YEAR ALREADY. WE HAVE AN EVENT COMING UP AS WELL.
I GUESS IT'S THE TIME OF YEAR FOR GOLF. PLAY FOR J.A. MAY 1 WHICH BENEFITS THE STUDENTS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. WE ARE PLANNING FOR J.A. INSPIRE FOR FY'27. WE HAVE OUR FALL DATES CONFIRMED WE HAVE OUR KICKOFF PLAN. WE INVITE YOU ALL TO COME. THIS IS A CACTI BALL PARK OF THE
PALM BEACHES ON AUGUST 28 FROM 8 TO SO. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS IMPORTANT WORK THAT WE ARE DOING, EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES AND CONNECTING STUDENTS TO THEIR FUTURE IN MEANINGFUL AND LASTING WAYS. THANK YOU.
>> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. P.T.A. PRESIDENT. >> HI, GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. WOULD I LIKE TO START WITH THE MISSION OF THE P.T.A.MENT OUR
MISSION IS TO MAKE EVERY CHILD'S POTENTIAL A REALITY BY ENGAGING AND EMPOWERING FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO ADVOCATE FOR ALL CHILDREN. AN UPDATE ON THE REFLECTIONS PROGRAM. SOON WE WILL KNOW WHICH PARTICIPANTS FROM OUR COUNTY WON
THE STATE P.T.A. AND WHICH ONES ARE MOVING UP TO THE NATIONAL P.T.A. CONTEST. THE SCHOLARSHIP REMINDERS. THREE GRADUATING STUDENTS FROM THE COUNTY WILL RECEIVE THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOLARSHIP.
ELECTIONS: WE ARE HAVING THIS YEAR OUR PALM BEACH P.T.A. BOARD IS GOING TO BE HAVING ELECTIONS 7:30 TODAY SO I HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, GET OUT OF HERE AS SOON AS I'M DONE WITH MY REMARKS. MANY LOCAL UNITS ARE HAVING THEIR ELECTIONS AS WELL.
WE HAVE THE LOCAL UNITS YEAR-END CELEBRATION. NO ONE KNOWS WHO IS GOING TO WIN THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES UNTIL MAY 7 AT THE Dr. ANDREA CIVIC CENTER FORMERLY KNOWN AS SOUTH COUNTY CIVIC CENTER.
ADVOCACY. THIS IS NEVER ENDS. THIS IS WHERE WE DO AS P.T.A. AND I WOULD LIKE TO PREMIND EVERYBODY WHAT P.T.A., WHAT WE ARE. WE ARE A NON-PARTISAN, NON-SECTARIAN AND NON-COMMERCIAL
ORGANIZATION AS A 501(c)3 NPO PROFIT WE CANNOT ENDORSE CANDIDATES, CONTRIBUTE TO POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS OR ALIGN WITH POLITICAL PARTIES. SO WE MAY LOBBY ON LEGISLATION AFFECTING CHILDREN. THAT'S WHAT WE DO. IT FOCUSES ON CHILDREN ADVOCACY,
SCHOOL SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WELCOMING DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES. HOWEVER, MANY LOCAL UNITS HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO US ASKING IF WE HAVE A POSITION STATEMENT ON THE NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON TODAY. AND THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE TOLD THEM. NATIONAL P.T.A. HAS LONG
STANDING POSITIONS THAT WE ADVOCATE FOR HIGH QUALITY EDUCATORS IN EVERY CLASSROOM. WE SUPPORT ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND WE HAVEN'T DONE THIS FOR A LONG TIME. WE HAVE TO ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION WHEN WE GO TO TOLL
HAS. WE HAVE-- TALLAHASSEE. WE HAVE TO BE STRONG WHEN YOU GO THERE, NOT JUST ASK. WE RECOGNIZE THAT TEACHERS, SCHOOLTEACHERS NEED COMPETITIVE SALARIES AND WE NEED HELP RECRUITING THEM AND ALSO TO STAY
AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. WHEN IT SHEPS THE TEACHERS AND HELPS THE STUDENTS. SO THIS IS WHAT WE SUPPORT AS P.T.A. WE SUPPORT HIGHLY, YOU KNOW, EDUCATORS THAT CAN MAKE AN IMPACT ON OUR CHILDREN.
AND EVEN EDUCATORS THAT LIVE IN BECAUSE THEY CANNOT LIVE IN THE STATE. LET'S RECOGNIZE THE AFFORDABILITY IN OUR COUNTY. PEOPLE ARE LEAVING. WE ALL NEED, NOT JUST TEACHERS. DRIVERS OF THE SCHOOL BUSES, ALL
OF US NEED, LIVABLE DECENT LIVING WAGES IN GENERAL. AND THAT IS MY PERSONAL OPINION ON THAT BUT WE ALL NEED THAT TO SURVIVE AND TO PAY THE HIGH BILLS THAT WE ARE PAYING. THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
BOARD MEMBERS. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY AGENDA TOPIC SPEAKERS TONIGHT SO THAT'S GOING TO BRING US TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. I'LL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
MOTION BY Ms. WHITFIELD CANS SECOND BY Ms. WHITT. CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE DON'T HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS SO THAT BRINGS US TO NEW BUSINESS. THE FIRST NEW BUSINESS ITEM IS BRD-1 I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE SCHOOL BOARD
REPRESENTATIVE AND ALTERNATE FOR THE FLORIDA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION SCRACT ADVOCACY COMMITTEE. THERE IS A MOTION BUT WE NEED TO
APPROVE IT AND HAVE DISCUSSION. SO IT'S VIRTUAL.
I WILL DEFINITELY BE YOUR ALTERNATE. SO NOW I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE MS. SAVIETTO AS THE SCHOOL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE FLORIDA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION ADVOCACY COMMITTEE. AND Ms. BRILL TO BE THE ALTERNATE.
MOTION BY VICE CHAIR LANE, SECOND BY MS. ANDREWS. ANY DISCUSSION ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THAT BRINGS US, Mr. SUPERINTENDENT TO P-2. >> Supt.Burke: I MOVE THE BOARD APPROVE THE PERSONNEL ADDENDUM AS SUBMITTED. >> Chair Brill: I MISSED SOMETHING.
I DON'T SEE IT HERE. >> Edward Ferguson: I WANT TO BRIEFLY SAY SOMETHING. >> Chair Brill: ABSOLUTELY. >> Edward Ferguson: BEFORE YOU VOTED UNANIMOUSLY, I THINK SHE HAS DONE AN EXCEPTIONAL DONE IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND HAS GREAT PROMISE IN TERMS OF ADVOCATING FOR US SO KEEP UP THE
GREAT WORK. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. SO NOW Mr. SUPERINTENDENT, WE ARE AT P2. >> Supt.Burke: I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE PERSONNEL ADDENDUM AS SUBMITTED. >> Chair Brill: MOTION BY Ms. WHITFIELD SECOND BY Ms. BRANCH. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
SO THAT IS NOW GOING TO BRING US TO OUR NON-AGENDA TOPIC SPEAKERS. ON BEHALF OF THE-- SEE, I HAVE SOME IMPORTANT WORDS TO READ. ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL BOARD, WOULD I LIKE TO 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 THAT WE DO NOT RESPOND TO OR ENGAGE WITH OUR SPEAKER. WE DO MAKE NOTE OF YOUR ISSUES AND WE FOLLOW UP WITH THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION REGARDING THEM. AS A REMINDER,ALL NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS COMMENTS MUST RELATE TO
THE TOPIC THEY IDENTIFIED OR EDUCATIONALLY RELEVANT TOPICS OR THE OPERATIONS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. PURSUANT TO SCHOOL BOARD POLICY, SPEAKERS WHOSE COMMENTS DO NOT RELATE TO THE TOPIC THAT THE SPEAKER INDICATED OR ARE NOT OTHERWISE EDUCATIONALLY
RELEVANT, AS REQUIRED FOR NON-AGENDA TOPICS, INCLUDING THE MENTION OF ANY PERSON'S CANDIDACY FOR ELECTED OFFICE OR WHOSE COMMENTS DISRUPT OR INTERFERE WITH THE ORDER OF THE MEETING MAY BE SUBJECT TO HAVING THE MICROPHONE TURNED OFF, FORFEITING THE RIGHT TO SPEAK AT
THE REMAINDER OF TODAY'S MEETING OR AFTER WARNINGS REMOVE FROM THE MEETING. WE ASK EVERYONE ENGAGE IN RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE MAINTAINING CIVILITY AND DECORUM. IT IS HARD TO HEAR THE SPEAKERS ON THE DAIS WHEN THE AUDIENCE SPONSDZ. WE WELCOME ALL CONTINUES SO PLEASE ALLOW US TO HEAR
EVERYBODY. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD IN ACCORDANCE WITH SCHOOL BOARD POLICY. THE MICROPHONE WILL BE TURNED OFF WHEN THE LIMIT TIME HAS BEEN REACHED. WHEN YOU SPEAK, PLEASE STATE YOUR FULL NAME FOR THE RECORD, I WILL CALL EVERYBODY TWO AT A TIME. PLEASE IF YOU ARE IN THE CAFETERIA AND YOU HEAR YOUR NAME
CALLED, COME OVER TO THE BOARD ROOM. I WILL CIRCLE BACK. I WILL MAKE SURE I CIRCLE BACK A COUPLE TIMES BECAUSE WE DO WANT ON TO HEAR FROM EVERYBODY. I WAS JUST TOLD THERE IS A MICROPHONE SET UP AND WE WILL SEE THEM ON THE SCREEN. SO WE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE
EVERYBODY IN THE OVERFLOW ROOM. SHADES OF THE REMEMBERING OF COVID. I'M SORRY TO SAY. BUT, AGAIN, WHEN YOU SPEAK, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND AGAIN ALL OF US THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT. I WILL TRY ALSO NOT TO MISPRONOUNCE ANY NAMES, I'LL DO
THE BEST I CAN. SO WE ARE GOING TO START WITH VERONICA SHIED AND CARL MOHAMMED. SO COME ON UP TO THE MICROPHONES. >> CARL MOHAMMED. I WANTED TO START TONIGHT, YOU
KNOW, IT'S VERY HEART BREAKING TO SIT IN A MEETING WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT EVERY OTHER SUBCULTURE BEING MENTIONED EXCEPT THE AFRICAN-AMERICANS. AND I'M TALKING ABOUT FLORIDA STATUTE 1,003.42H WITH ALL OF THE TEACHERS THAT WE HAVE IN THIS AUDIENCE, NONE OF THEM
APPEAR TO BE PROFICIENT IN HELPING YOU AS IT RELATES TO THE FLORIDA STATUTE WHICH IS ONE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO COVER ALL DISCIPLINES AND ALL GRADE LEVELS AND WE DON'T SEEM TO HAVE THAT KIND OF LEADERSHIP COMING FROM OUR CLASSROOM TEACHERS ASSOCIATION. AND I SAY THAT WITH SERIOUS INTENT BECAUSE WE HAVE A MAJOR
PROBLEM INSIDE OUR BLACK COMMUNITY BECAUSE IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT NONE OF YOUR TEACHERS ARE QUALIFIED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN. AND WHEN I SAY SUCH A THING, I EVEN TAKE AN OPEN CHALLENGE TO ANY OF YOUR TEACHERS THAT YOU HAVE EMPLOYED TO SEE IF THEY REALLY ARE QUALIFIED AS IT
RELATES TO THE ACTIVITY OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN. BUT WHAT I WANTED TO REFIND-- REMIND YOU OF TONIGHT, WE UNDERSTAND THE FLORIDA STATUTE HASN'T BEEN MENTIONED BUT OTHER STATUTES HAVE BEEN MENTIONED BUT WE ARE PLANNING ON MOTHER'S DAY TO HAVE A COMMUNITY MEETING
WHERE WE PLAN TO INFORM OUR COMMUNITY AS IT RELATES TO THE REAL REALITY OF THE FLORIDA STATUTE AND HOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE INSTITUTED INSIDE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA NOT JUST HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. ALL 67 COUNTIES AND IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE ALL OVER THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND WE DON'T
SEEM TO HAVE THAT KIND OF ATTENTION TO ADDRESSING OF THOSE PROBLEMS. SO I WANTED TO INVITE ALL OF YOU BOARD MEMBERS, IF YOU COULD COME , IF YOU CAN SEND SOMEONE FROM YOUR DISTRICT THAT MIGHT BE OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN ILK, TO COME
OUT ON MOTHER'S DAY FROM 5 TO 7 AT INLET GROVE HIGH SCHOOL AND WE ARE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING THE VERY IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OUR CHILDREN. AND WE ARE NOT PICKING UP PAPER. WE ARE NOT DOING THOSE LITTLE TRIVIAL THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE DOING AND INVITING US TO ENGAGE IN.
IT WAS THE SAME FOR ME. WE JUST PASSED EASTER AND IN MY CITY, WE BROUGHT A SPIDERMAN, A RABBIT AND CINDERELLA AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE TIME FOR THE RESURRECTION OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE SPIRIT OF LOVE THAT WE DON'T SEEM TO BE SHARING WITH
AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN. AND I'M HOPING IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE THAT POSSIBLY WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO HAVE A MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE BECAUSE I SEE HOW IT MAKES EVERYBODY DISCOMFORT WHEN WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THE REALITY OF OUR OWN EXISTENCE.
AND I STILL SAY TO ANYONE THAT IS DOING IT INTELLECTUALLY, LET'S HAVE AN INTELLECTUAL DEBATE IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE QUALIFIED TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN. WOULD I LOVE TO SEE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AND I'M SURE EVERYBODY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA NEEDS THAT SAME KIND OF EXAMPLE SO THAT WE POSSIBLY
MIGHT BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS THAT AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN NEED INSIDE OF THEIR EDUCATION EXPERIENCE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> Clerk: THANK YOU. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. >> HELLO, VERONICA SHIED AND I'M
HERE FROM JUPITER HIGH SCHOOL. I'M A MEMBER OF THE JUPITER ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND FIELD STUDY ACADEMY HERE AS PART OF THE STUDENT CLIMATE COALITION. I AM HERE TO ADDRESS A PROBLEM I'M OBSERVE ADD ROUND MY SCHOOL. NOT ONLY THE LACK OF GREEN SPACES BUT THE LACK OF NATIVE PLANTS.
THE FEW PATCHES OF GREEN AT MY SCHOOL ARE COMPOSED OF PLAIN GRASS ALSO KNOWN AS ECOLOGICAL DEAD ZONES. WHY THEY PROVIDE ALMOST NO FOOD FOR THE VITAL POLLINATORS AND LEAVES CHEMICALS FROM THE FERTILIZER IN THE GROUND.
ACCORDING TO THE POLLINATOR PARTNERSHIP, ONE OUT OF THREE BITES OF FOOD CAN BE CREDITED TO POLLINATORS HARD WORK. DESPITE THIS WE SEEM TO BE RACING TO TAKE AWAY THE FEEDING AND NESTING GROUNDS. CURRENTLY I SEE BEES FLYING AROUND THE TRASHCANS RELYING ON
ARTIFICIAL SYRUP INSTEAD OF NATURAL POLLEN. NOT ONLY DOES PLANTING NATIVE PROVIDE CRUCIAL HABITATS BUT CAN SAVE TIME AND MONEY. THESE AREAS IN OUR SCHOOL USE UP EXTREPPE QUANTITIES OF WATER AND TAKE UP TIME WITH MOWING. NATIVE PLANTS CAN CHANGE THIS.
IN FACT ACCORDING TO THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE, MAINTENANCE COSTS WILL BE REDUCED BY 60 TO 80% WHEN NATIVES ARE USED. IN ORDER TO COMBAT THIS OVERLOOKED ISSUE, IMPLEMENTING THE PLANTING OF NATIVES CAN START SMALL. WORKING WITH STAFF AND CLUBS SUCH AS THE GREEN TEAM AND
AGRICULTURAL ACADEMY AT MY SCHOOL, WE CAN START BY ADDING PLANTS TO SOIL PATCHES AND REPLACE GRASS WITH NATIVE PLANTS. SEEDS CAN BE USED AND SIMPLY SPRINKLE ADD ROUND AND ALLOWED TO GROW. GREEN SPACES ARE ALSO IMPORTANT FOR MENTAL HEALTH. SMALL AREAS OF PLANTS REAP
BENEFITS SUCH AS LOWERING STRESS AND INCREASING CALMNESS. IN FACT ONE STUDY DONE IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL SHOWED A VIEW OF GREEN SPACES LED TO THE DECREASE OF MISBEHAVIOR AND ABSENCES. GREEN SCHOOLS ARE LINKED TO HIGHER TEST SCORES. FURTHER INVOLVING STUDENTS IN THE PLANTING PROCESS CAN GIVE
THEM A SENSE OF SATISFACTION AND INVOLVEMENT. IF COMMUNITY SERVICER HOURS WERE PROVIDED DOING THIS WORK, I BELIEVE THIS PROJECT WOULD BE EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL. WE NEED TO DO OUR PART IN KEEPING OUR EARTH HEALTHY AND ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION, 70% OF LANDSCAPING NEEDS TO BE NATIVE
IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN LOCAL WILDLIFE. ONCE PLANTED THEY REQUIRE LITTLE TO NO MAINTENANCE, NO FERTILIZER, NO MOWING AND ALMOST NO WATER. BECAUSE THEY'RE COMPLETELY SUITED FOR THE SANDY AND HOT ENVIRONMENT THAT WE CALL HOME. ALL IN ALL, DURING THESE CRITICAL TIMES, STANDING WATER
AND SAFE HAVENS FOR BUTTERFLIES AND BEES IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE. TAKING STEPS TO HEAL OUR LAND, INSPIRE NATIVE SCHOOLS TO DO SUCH AND FURTHER OUR PROCESS TO BEENING MORE SUSTAINABLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU.
DANIEL BYRD AND SUE LOYZEL. IF EITHER OF YOU ARE HERE OR IF YOU ARE IN THE OVERFLOW ROOM,
PLEASE GO UP TO THE MICROPHONE. DAN BYRD C.E.O. OF SPEAK LIFE AND END BULLYING. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING
ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE OUR PORTION AND THE IMPACT WE HAVING WITH FLORIDA IN HOPES OF FORMING A PARTNERSHIP HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS OUR ORGANIZATION HAS LED BULLYING AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION EFFORTS NATIONWIDE. WE HAVE CREATED ENVIRONMENTS WHERE STUDENTS FEEL SAFE TO ENGAGE IN REAL CONVERSATIONS
ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, BULLYING AND SUICIDE IDEATION. TO DATE WE HAVE REACHED NEARLY HALF A MILLION STUDENTS IN OVER 400 SCHOOLS ACROSS 31 STATES WITH A CURRENT FOCUS ON SOUTH FLORIDA'S SECONDARY SCHOOLS. NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED FILMS SPEAK LIFE END BULLYING OPENS OUR
ASSEMBLIES FOLLOWED BY A LIVE STUDENT Q&A. THE FILM HELPS STUDENTS FEEL SEEN AND NOT ALONE. AND THE Q&A PROVIDES A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS CAN SPEAK HONESTLY AND WHERE TRUSTED ADULTS CAN RESPOND IN REAL TIME. I WANT TO BRIEFLY SHARE WHAT
THIS PROGRAM IS ALREADY DOING IN OTHER FLORIDA DISTRICTS IN BROWARD AND MARTIN COUNTIES WE HAVE IMPACTED MORE THAN 60,000 STUDENTS OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS. DURING A RECENT Q&A, A NINTH GRADE STUDENT STOOD BEFORE 150 OF HER PEERS AND BRAVELY SHARED SHE HAD BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THOUGHTS OF ENDING HER LIFE AND
PLANNED TO ACT ON THOSE THOUGHTS THAT VERY WEEKEND. SHE SAID THE FILM CAUSED HER TO PAUSE LONG ENOUGH TO BREATHE, LONG ENOUGH TO REFLECT AND LONG ENOUGH TO REALIZE THAT THERE WERE THINGS SHE STILL WANTED TO LIVE FOR. SCHOOL STAFF WERE ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY INTERVENE AND
CONNECT HER TO CARE. WHAT THIS IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE. ONE OF THE PRINCIPALS WAS STANDING NEXT TO MY COLLEAGUES AND AUDIBLY GASPED. SHE SAID I HAD NO IDEA. MANY OF OUR STUDENTS ARE STRUGGLING THE MOST ARE DOING SO QUIETLY. AND IF WE ARE NOT INTENTIONALLY CREATING SAFE SPACES FOR THESE
CONVERSATIONS, THOSE ARE THE STUDENTS WHO FLY UNDER THE RADAR. THOSE ARE THE STUDENTS WE LOSE. IN EVERY SCHOOL WE SERVE, THAT SAFE SPACE IS CREATED IN JUST 60 MINUTES. OUR LESSON PLAN LIBRARY HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND MEETS THE STOT'S FIVE-HOUR
REQUIREMENTS FOR RESILIENCY INSTRUCTION. SPEAK LIFE AT HOME IS OUR DIGITAL RESOURCE FOR PARENTS AND IT EQUIPS THEM WITH PRACTICAL TOOLS TO CONTINUE THE LIFE SAVING CONVERSATIONS IN THEIR OWN LIVING ROOMS. WE ARE SEEING MEASURABLE BEHAVIORAL IMPACT THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH FLORIDA
ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY. THE STUDIES THAT THEY HAVE DONE WITH US SHOWS THAT 86% OF STUDENTS REPORT A WILLINGNESS TO MAKE POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL CHANGE. WE WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN A PILOT IN A FEW PALM BEACH SECONDARY SCHOOLS. AND IN FACT, WE BELIEVE SO STRONGLY IN THE IMPACT OF THIS
PROGRAM THAT WE'RE COMMITTED TO SECURING THE FUNDING OURSELVES SO IT WILL BE NO COST TO THE DISTRICT. IT WILL BE AN HONOR TO MEET INDIVIDUALLY WITH MEMBERS OF THE BOARD TO TALK ABOUT SPEAK LIFE END BULLYING AND THE GOALS FOR THIS DISTRICT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE STUDENTS THAT YOU SERVE. >> Chair Brill: RABBI STEVEN MOSS AND ADRIAN PEW.
I WILL ALSO CALL JULIA MATHEWS. >> HI, I'M ADRIAN PEW. I'M THE MOTHER OF THREE CHILDREN IN THE DISTRICT THAT HAVE A COMBINATION OF GIFTEDNESS, ADHD,
SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER AND PANDA. I'M HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE AFTER MORE THAN FOUR YEARS OF ADVOCATING FOR MY CHILDREN, ASKING FOR 504 PLANS TO BE IMPLEMENTED, OR FOR IEP EVALUATIONS, THE RESPONSE FEELS ADVERSARIAL INSTEAD OF
SUPPORTIVE. AND I NO LONGER FEEL THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTS AND THE DISTRICT IS TRULY COLLABORATIVE. NOT EVERY CHILD FITS NEATLY INTO A BOX BUT IT SEEMS PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE SET UP INTO TWO
BOXES TYPICAL OR NON-TYPICAL. NPO TYPICAL CAN MEAN A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS. GIFTED AUTISTIC ADHD LEARNING DISABILITY, VISUALLY OR HEARING IMPAIRED. SOME HAVE EXCEPTIONALITY AT THE SAME TIME AND WE HAVE THE HIGH
FUNCTIONERS, MYSELF INCLUDED THAT ARE OVER FUNCTIONING TO A POINT OF BURNOUT MOST DAYS. THESE ARE REAL STUDENTS WITH REAL NEEDS AND TOO MANY OF THEM ARE FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS. I'M TALKING ABOUT MY KIDS NOW THEY TEST WELL, THEY SPEAK WELL,
APPEAR TO BE COPING MOST OF THE TIME UNTIL THEY'RE NOT. BUT ACHIEVING ON PAPER IS NOT THE SAME AS THRIVING IN SCHOOL. THEY'RE MASKING, OVER COMPENSATING, WORKING FAR HARDER THAN THEY SHOULD HAVE TO TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE DAY. COME HOME EXHAUSTED FRUSTRATED AND DYSREGULATED AND FAMILIES
ARE LEFT CARRYING THE WEIGHT OF WHAT THE SCHOOL DAY TOOK OUT OF THEM THESE KIDS NEED ACCOMMODATIONS TOO. SO THE DISTRICT CREATE PLANS, CHECK THE COMPLIANCE BOXES, BUT EVEN WHEN A CHILD DOES GET A 504 PLAN OR IEP, THIS THE DOES NOT
MEAN SUPPORT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN THE CLASSROOM. ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS NO ONE WANTS TO SAY OUT LOUD. TEACHERS ARE BEING ASKED TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE. THEY'RE MANAGING LARGE CLASSROOMS, BEHAVIOR, INSTRUCTION TESTING, GROWING
NUMBER OF ACCOMMODATIONS. I CAN'T KEEP UP WAS MY THREE CHILDREN AND ALL THEIR NEEDS EVERY DAY. I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW A TEACHER DOES THAT FOR 26 KIDS A TIME AND SOMETIMES SEVEN OR EIGHT CLASSES A DA DAY. NOT FEASIBLE IF THERE'S FUNDING
FOR THESE KIDS IN NEED OF SERVICES WHY ARE WE ASKING THE UNDER PAID TEACHERS TO DO THE WORK. I THINK A LOT OF THE FUNDS THAT ARE MEANT FOR THESE STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ARE BEING SPENT ON THE ATTORNEYS THAT THE DISTRICT HIRES TO FIGHT THE PARENTS ON THE ACCOMMODATIONS
AND I DON'T WANT MY TAXPAYER DOLLARS SPENT THAT WAY ANYMORE. THAT'S WHY MANY FAMILIES ARE LEAVING FOR MICROSCHOOLS, CHARTER SCHOOLS, AND ALTERNATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AND I'M NOW ONE OF THOSE PARENTS THAT'S ASKING WHETHER I NEED TO REMOVE MY CHILDREN, TOO. SO, PAY OUR TEACHERS MORE AND
YOUR ATTORNEYS LESS. >> Clerk: SOS >> Chair: , OKAY, FOR THE FOLKS MAT ARE HERE IN THE AUDIENCE, BEFORE WE START WITH OUR NEXT SPEAKER, I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU ARE SPEAKING OR APPLAUDING, WE CAN'T HEAR UP HERE WHAT THEY'RE SAYING SO IF
YOU WANT US-- YOU NEED TO BE RESPECTFUL WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE ENTHUSIASTIC. WE APPRECIATE THAT. BUT JUST AS A COURTESY TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SPEAKING, PLEASE LET US HEAR THEM. AND SO NOW YOU CAN BEGIN. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS JULIE MATHEWS.
AS WAS MENTIONED IT'S NATIONAL SCHOOL LIBRARIES MONTH. SCHOOL LIBRARIANS PLAY AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ROLE IN OUR DISTRICT AND IN THE LIVES OF OUR CHILDREN. BECAUSE OF THIS, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT LEADERSHIP HOLDS THEM TO HIGH STANDARDS. I'M HERE TONIGHT TO BRING ATTENTION TO ISSUES GOING ON PARTICULARLY WITH THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LIBRARIANS THAT THE
COMMUNITY AND THE BOARD MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF. AN AUDIT PERFORMED FOUND A TOTAL OF 48 UNIQUE TITLES AVAILABLE IN AT LEAST ONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LIBRARY THAT EXPLICITLY PROMOTE THE AFFIRMING VIEW OF GENDER IDENTITY. I FOUND EXACTLY ZERO BOOKS
PROMOTING THE OPPOSING OR CRITICAL VIEW THESE IRRESPONSIBLY MANUFACTURE THE ILLUSION OF CONSENSUS ON THIS ISSUE. POLL DATA SHOWS THE POPULATION IN THIS COUNTRY WHO OPPOSE GENDER IDENTITY AFFIRMING BELIEFS IS LARGE IN NUMBER AND
NOTHING RESEMBLING CONSENSUS ON THIS ISSUE. THIS IS NOT ONLY UNETHICAL BUT A DIRECT VIOLATION OF POLICY. POLICY 8.12 STATES "THE LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER SHALL PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF MATERIALS ON ALL LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY WITH
DIVERSITY OF APPEAL AND WITH THE REPRESENTATION OF DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW" THIS SAME POLICY ENDORSES THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION BILL OF RIGHTS. ARTICLE 2 OF THIS DOCUMENT EXPLICITLY MANDATES THAT "LIBRARIES SHOULD PROVIDE MATERIALS AND INFORMATION PRESENTING ALL POINTS OF VIEW ON
CURRENT AND HISTORICAL ISSUES." HOW ARE THE RESIDENTS OF THIS COUNTY SUPPOSED TO TRUST THE BOARD TO FOLLOW THE POLICIES IF THE EMPLOYEES FEEL COMFORTABLE SELECTIVELY FOLLOWING POLICY. I CALL ON YOU MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD TO ENSURE OUR SCHOOL LIBRARIANS COMPLY WITH POLICY BY PURCHASING A VARIETY
OF BOOKS EXPLICITLY PROMOTING THE CRITICAL VIEW OF GENDER IDENTITY. THAT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT. MUCH OF THIS PROBLEM STEMS FROM PARTISANSHIP THAT IS INFECTED THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION MANY OF THE LARGE PUBLISHING HOUSES. IF IT CAN'T BE DONE, TOM OTHER ETHICAL COURSE OF ACTION WOULD BE TO REMOVE THE BOOKS
EXPLICITLY PROMOTING GENDER AFFIRMING BELIEFS. PARENTS CAN TEACH THEIR VIEWS ON GENDER IDENTITY THEMSELVES. THERE ARE PLENTY OF TENSE ISSUES ABORTION, GAY RIGHTS AND POLICIES NOT REPRESENTED IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LIBRARY CATALOGS AT ALL. REGARDLESS OF VIEWPOINT.
THE FULL AUDIT CAN BE FOUND ON THE CHAPTER PORTAL PAGE. WE ALSO HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL WHERE YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND OTHER ISSUES FACING PUBLIC EDUCATION EDUCATION AND PARENTAL RIGHTS AND PLEASE REWARD THESE PROFESSIONALS BY MEETING HIGH STANDS ARDZ BY GIVING THEM FAIR
PAY. >> Chair Brill: HELENA MUNOZ AND KARENA SAFARONA.
PLEASE COME UP. >> GOOD EVENING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS. MY NAME IS Mrs. MUNOZ, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT. I AM A PALM BEACH COUNTY RESIDENT, E.S.E. PARENT AND ADVOCATE. I ALSO HELP CHAMPION WITH A
STATEWIDE COALITION OF PARENTS HOUSE BILL 615, THE IEP BILL, WHICH PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IN THE FLORIDA HOUSE AND WAS FILED BY LOCAL STATE REPRESENTATIVE TINRIDGE AND CO-SPONSORED BY GEARWIG, LOPEZ, VALDEZ AND
OTHERS. I'M HERE TO RAISE A CALL FOR CLEAR ACTIONABLE SOLUTIONS THAT STRENGTHEN THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN DISTRICTS AND OUR FAMILIES. IN OUR DISTRICT FAMILIES ARE EXPERIENCING IEPS NOT BEING IMPLEMENTED, A LACK OF COMMUNICATION ABOUT SERVICES, ACCOMMODATIONS AND CONCERNS NOT
BEING ADDRESSED. THESE ARE NOT ISOLATED ISSUES. THE POINT THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE IS THAT STRONGER FOR-PROFIT NEEDS TO BE MADE, CLEARER POLICIES AND GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY. UNDER THE FEDERAL INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT
IEPS MUST BE IMPLEMENTED AS WRITTEN. THE SERVICES AND ACCOMMODATIONS ARE NOT OPTIONAL AND PARENTS AR I LEGAL MEMBER OF THE IEP TEAM. THAT MEANS THEY MUST BE INFORMED, INCLUDED, RESPECTED AT EVERY STEP. I ALSO WANT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF TRUST.
PARENTS SHOULD NEVER FEEL THAT ADVOCATING FOR THEIR CHILD COULD RESULT IN RETALIATION AGAINST THEIR ESE STUDENT. A HEALTHY PARENT-DISTRICT RELATIONSHIP DEPENDS ON FAMILIES FEELING SAFE HEARD AND RESPECTED. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DISTRICT'S IEP PARENT
ORIENTATION WORKSHOP AS A POSITIVE STEP FORWARD. HOWEVER, THIS IDEA FUNDING TRAINING WAS OFFERED ONLY TO A SMALL GROUP OF PARENTS. IT WAS NOT PUBLICLY SHARED AND WAS HELD DURING THE DAY FROM 9 A.M. TO 11 A.M. LIMITING ACCESS FOR WORKING PARENTS.
AS A RESULT, ONLY NINE PARENTS ATTENDED THIS SESSION THAT HAD ROOM FOR 20. I AM RESPECTFULLY ASKING THE BOARD TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS. FIRST ESTABLISH IEP PARENT ORIENTATIONS AS A DISTRICT POLICY ENSURING THAT ALL E.S.E. PARENTS HAVE FULL ACCESS TO
TRAINING ON THE IEP PROCESS. SECOND REQUIRE THAT ALL IEP PARENTS, TRAINING, ZOOM WORKSHOPS AND RESOURCES FUNDED THROUGH IDEA ARE PUBLICLY SHARED AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY ESE FAMILY. THIRD, ENSURE THAT THE DISTRICT
WEBSITE CLEARLY OUTLINES IEP SERVICES, STUDENT RIGHTS, PARENTAL RIGHTS, SO FAMILIES ARE INFORMED. THESE ARE ACCEPTABLE STEPS UNDER THE FEDERAL IDEA LAW THAT WILL IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY, STRENGTHEN COMPLIANCE AND REBUILD TRUST. MY GOAL IS PARTNERSHIP.
WHEN THE DISTRICT AND FAMILIES WORK TOGETHER WITH CLARITY AND MUTUAL RESPECT, ESE STUDENTS
SUCCEED.
IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND EXPAND ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION IN WAYS WE COULD NOT HAVE IMAGINED EVEN A FEW YEARS AGO. USED WISELY, A.I. CAN BE A POWERFUL EDUCATIONAL TOOL, BUT WITH THAT OPPORTUNITY COMES SERIOUS RESPONSIBILITY.
WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN WHAT HAPPENS WHEN TECHNOLOGY OUT PACES GUARD RAILS. SMART PHONES AND SOCIAL MEDIA WERE INTRODUCED WITH FULL UNDERSTANDING THEIR LONG-TERM IMPACT ON CHILDREN. TODAY WE SEE RISE IN ANXIETY,
DEPRESSION AND ADDICTION. WITH A.I., THE STAKES ARE EVEN HIGHER. THIS IS WHY I'M ASKING YOU TO ADOPT OUR A.I. PROCLAMATION. THIS PROCLAMATION DOES NOT REJECT INNOVATION. IT EMBRACES IT WITH BOUNDARIES
IT AFFIRMS THAT PARENTS HAVE THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO DIRECT THE EDUCATION. IT ENSURES TRANSPARENCY ABOUT WHAT DATA IS COLLECTED AND HOW ALGORITHMS ARE USED. IT PROTECTS STUDENT DATA FROM
COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION AND FILING. IT REQUIRES MEANINGFUL PARENTAL CONSENT AND OVERSIGHT MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT MAKES CLEAR THAT A.I. MUST REMAIN A TOOL TO SUPPORT LEARNING AND THAT THE KEYS OF THE A.I. TOOL BOX BELONG
TO THE PARENTS. NO ALGORITHM SHOULD REPLACE A TEACHER'S JUDGMENT. NO PLATFORM SHOULD SHAPE A CHILD'S WORLD VIEW. NO A.I. SYSTEM SHOULD CONDUCT OR MONITOR OUR SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING OR PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO STUDENTS.
AND NO A.I. TOOL SHOULD OPERATE WITHOUT CLEAR SAFEGUARDS AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THIS IS ABOUT THE BALANCE OF INNOVATION WITH RESPONSIBILITY, PROGRESS WITH PROTECTION. BY ADOPTING THIS PROCLAMATION,
YOU ARE SENDING A CLEAR MESSAGE TECHNOLOGY WILL SERVE FAMILIES IN THIS DISTRICT, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. YOU ARE AFFIRMING THE TRANSPARENCY STUDENTS SAFETY AND PARENTAL RIGHTS ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE. OUR CHILDREN DESERVE OPPORTUNITY
CHED THEY ALSO DESERVE PROTECTION. A.I. CAN HELP WITH EDUCATION BUT ONLY IF WE PUT PROPER BOUNDARIES IN PLACE NOW. I RESPECTFULLY URGE YOU TO ADOPT THIS PROCLAMATION AND LEAD WITH CLARITY, COURAGE AND COMMITMENT TO THE FAMILIES YOU SERVE.
THANK YOU ALL. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. RANDY SOLOMON, DWIGHT WALTON.
ALSO AMANDA BLOM BERG. JUST TAKE YOUR TIME. >> GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS AMANDA BLOM BERG. I'M HERE AS LUKE'S PARENT. UNDER IDEA THIS PROCESS IS MEANT
TO BE COLLABORATIVE. I ENTERED IT FULLY TRUSTING THE PEOPLE AT THE IEP TABLE. I DO NOT BLAME TEACHERS. THEY NEED TO BE PAID MORE. THEY ARE SUPPORTING OUR CHILDREN DAY IN AND DAY OUT. MY CONCERNS WITH LEADERSHIP IN THE LACK OF TRAINING AND RESOURCES AND APPROPRIATE STRUCTURES TO ENSURE STUDENTS
RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THEY ACTUALLY NEED. MY SON IS VISION IMPAIRED. BLIND AT BIRDS WITH CATARACTS AND HE IS ALSO A CANCER SURVIVOR WHO UNDER WENT CHEMOTHERAPY. HE REQUIRES THOUGHTFUL INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT ACROSS MULTIPLE SETTINGS. OVER TIME HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH
AUTISM, ADHD DYSLEXIA DYSGRAPHIA AND DISCAL CLAY. HE WAS IDENTIFIED BUT NOT APPROPRIATELY SUPPORTED. THIS IS NOT ABOUT WHETHER AN IEP WAS IN PLACE. IT WAS WHETHER THE SUPPORTS, INSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENT WERE
ACTUALLY APPROPRIATE AND EFFECTIVE. FROM THE AGE OF 3 AND SECOND GRADE WE KEPT ENT COUNTERING ISSUES WE WERE DENIED ONE ON ONE SUPPORT AND OTHER CRITICAL SUPPORTS HE NEEDED.
I AND HIS TEACHERS EXPRESSED HE DID NOT BELONG IN AN A.S.D. CLASSROOM BUT THERE WAS NO OTHER CLASSROOM OFFERED. INSTEAD THAT WAS THE ONLY CONSISTENT PLACEMENT. THAT PLACEMENT DID NOT MEET HIS NEEDS, ESCALATED HIS BEHAVIORS AND DID NOT SUPPORT MEANINGFUL
LEARNING. IN ADDITION, DESPITE STRONG SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE BASED RESEARCH ON HOW CHILDREN LEARN TO READ, THE DISTRICT DID NOT PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE SUPPORTS IX INCLUDING MULTISENSORY AND MULTIMODAL INSTRUCTION THAT MY SON NEEDED TO ACCESS READING. OVER 40% OF STUDENTS IN PALM
BEACH COUNTY ARE NOT READING ON GRADE LEVEL. NOT JUST MY CHILD. THIS REFLECTS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE THAT COULD BE IMPROVED WITH THE RIGHT PROGRAMS AND INSTRUCTION. AND THE IMPACT OF DELAY IS SIGNIFICANT. IT CAN TAKE UP TO FOUR TIMES AS LONG TO CATCH A CHILD UP ONCE
THEY FALL BEHIND. MY SON WAS STILL IN PRE-K LEVEL IN FIRST GRADE AND ONLY BEGAN MAKING MEANINGFUL PROGRESS WHEN WE PLACED HIM IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL SPECIALIZING IN DYSLEXIA. HE HAS BEEN IN THAT PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR TWO YEARS AND ABOUT TO ENTER FOURTH GRADE. IDENTIFICATION ALONE IS NOT
ENOUGH CHILDREN NEED ACCESS TO SUPPORTS IN THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT ULTIMATELY, THE LACK OF APPROPRIATE SUPPORT AND PLACEMENT LED TO US REMOVE LUKE US FROM THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. THIS WAS NOT A DECISION MADE LIGHTLY, IT WAS THE RESULTED OF A LOSS OF TRUST IN A SYSTEM THAT
IDENTIFIED HIS NEEDS BUT COULD NOT MEET THEM. THIS MONDAY I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DISTRICT ASKING TO REENROLL MY SON ALONG WITH MESSAGES AND SURVEYS OVER THE PAST TO YEARS ASKING WHY I WITHDREW HIM. SINCE THAT'S CALL I FELT BEST TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION WAS TO TELL
THE DISTRICT DIRECTLY HERE IN PERSON. >> Clerk: THANK YOU SARI SHINER,
JACQUELINE MAJOR. TONIGHT'S LESSON WILL BE IN THE I DO, WE DO, YOU DO FORMAT. I AM THE COLLECTIVE WE, SHOW UP BEFORE SUNRISE WITH COFFEE IN HAND CARRYING THE WEIGHT OF YOUNG LIVES AND FUTURE.
YOU SHOW UP TO MEETINGS WITH AGENDAS AND SPREAD SHEETS. WE BUY SUPPLIES OUT OF OUR OWN POCKETS. YOU APPROVE BUDGETS THAT NEVER SEEM TO STRETCH FAR ENOUGH TO REACH THE CLASSROOM. WE DO IEPS TUTOR, COACH, GRADE PAPERS AND ENDLESS TRAINING AS AT INCONVENIENCE CONVENIENT
TIMES AND YOU CELEBRATE OUR A PLUS RANKING AS IF YOU CAUSED IT. IT'S AN A PLUS DISTRICT BECAUSE OF WHAT I AND WE DO. WE DO THE HEAVY LIFTING EVERY DAY IN EVERY CLASSROOM WITH EVERY STUDENT BUT YOU CLAIM A 3.5% IS UNREASONABLE. LET ME BE CLEAR. THIS IS NOT ABOUT LUXURY.
IT'S ABOUT SURVIVAL. FOR TOO LONG STAFF COMPENSATION HAS BEEN PRESENTED AS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. ED EDUCATORS ARE NOT LINE ITEMS ON A SPREAD SHEET MY DEARS. WE ARE INVALUABLE AND SO MANY NEED ADDITIONAL JOBS, NOT FOR EXTRA SPENDING MONEY BLOT TO PAY RENT, COVER GROCERIES AND KEEP
THE LIGHTS O. WE STRETCH EVERY DOLLAR WHILE YOU HOARD TAXPAYER FUNDS. THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE APPROVED FUNDS THAT ARE THERE AND RECOMMENDED 3.5% RAISE. IT'S NOT A WINDFALL. IT'S NOT A BONUS. IT'S A MODEST STEP TOWARDS A LIVING WAGE. WE PROVED IT BUT HERE WE ARE STILL ASKING.
WELL, IF YOU TRULY BELIEVE 3.5 RAISE IS SOMETHING TO BE GRATEFUL FOR, I INVITE YOU AND I ENTHUSIASTICALLY IMPLORE YOU TRY LIVING ON A STARTING TEACHER'S SALARY WITHOUT THE PERKS, THE STIPENDS, THE LAYERS OF FINANCIAL COMTORT THAT CUSHION YOUR DECISIONS.
I DARE SAY YOU WOULD BE HORRIFIED TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU WOULD BE FORCED TO GIVE UP AND CUT OUT. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. THE MONEY IS THERE. THE POLITICAL WILL IS NOT. LET'S BE HONEST ABOUT THE DISPARITY IN THE ROOM. YOU PROUDLY PREACH FISCAL RESTRAINT FROM A POSITION OF COMFORT BRINGING HOME POSH SIX
FIGURE SALARIES. YOU NAVIGATE A WORLD OF FINANCIAL SECURITY WHERE A CAREY PAIR OR RISING UTILITY BILLS OR AN UNEXPECTED ILLNESS IS A NUISANCE, NOT A CRISIS. MEANWHILE, WE TEACHERS SKIP MEALS, TAKE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT JOBS AND STRUGGLE TO AFFORD LIVING IN THE VERY ZIP
CODES WHERE WE TEACH. IT'S A HOLLOW GESTURE TO PRAISE OUR PASSION WHEN THAT PASSION SUBSIDIZES YOUR REFUSAL TO PAY A FAIR WAGE. THIS IS NOT A BUDGET DECISION. IT'S A VALUES DECISION. SO I LEAVE YOU WITH THIS. WHAT I DO. WHAT WE DO. GIVES YOU THE A PLUS DISTRICT
YOU CELEBRATE. RIGHT NOW THE BOARD IS HERE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE VOTERS. THE MAY 6 OUTCOME JUST MIGHT DETERMINE WHAT I DO AND WHAT WE DO IN THE VOTING BOOTHS AND THAT COULD ACTUALLY AFFECT WHAT YOU WILL NOT DO ANY LONGER, LIKE THE
MAGISTRATE SAID, WE EARNED THAT 3.5%. HAVE A LOVELY EVENING. [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. MICHELLE BUCKLE AND JULIAN RODRIGUEZ. IF YOU DON'T HEAR YOUR NAME, YOU
ARE NOT GOING TO GET TO SPEAK. OKAY? AGAIN, MICHELLE BUCKLE AND JULIAN RODRIGUEZ. IF EITHER OF YOU ARE HERE, PLEASE SPEAK. I SEE SOMEONE UP AT THE MICROPHONE. I GUESS SHE IS NOT GOING TO SPEAK. OKAY, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. >> GOOD EVENING.
MY NAME IS JILLIAN RODRIGUEZ. I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY THANKING MY HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER MY HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH TEACHER THE LATE Dr. COSLOW WHO INSPIRED ME TO SPEAK WHEN I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER. I HAVE BEEN A TEACHER IN PALM BEACH COUNTY FOR 23 YEARS.
WHEN I STARTED MY CAREER, I HAD THE PROMISE OF SALARY STEPS KNOW I KNEW WHAT I WAS GETTING NICE INTO WHEN I DECIDED TO CAN HEED INDICATE MY LIFE TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE. I SEE THE STEPS VANISH INTO A
SEA OF UNCERTAINTY. EACH YEAR THE DISTRICT AND CTA NEGOTIATE CONTRACTS AND EACH YEAR IT SEEMS TEACHERS WORK FURTHER AND FURTHER INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR WITHOUT AN AGREEMENT THERE WAS A MARKED DIFFERENCE THIS YEAR. THE NEGOTIATIONS WERE SEEMINGLY ONE SIDED WITH THE DISTRICT REFUSING TO BUDGE FROM THEIR
PROPOSAL. THERE WAS NOT MUCH NEGOTIATIONS HAPPENING FROM THE DISTRICT AND HERE WE ARE IN APRIL WITH NO AGREEMENT. PALM BEACH COUNTY IS AN EXPENSIVE PLACE TO LIVE, YOU ALL KNOW THAT. WE AS A DISTRICT CANNOT WATCH OUR TEACHERS STRUGGLE THE WAY WE ARE WITHOUT DOING EVERYTHING WE
CAN TO MAKE SURE SALARIES KEEP UP WITH THE COST OF LIVING. ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING HOW MUCH WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE A RATING WE HAVE ENJOYED SO MANY YEARS. A SALARY INCREASE OF 1.5% IS NOT ENOUGH THE DISTRICT PROPOSAL ADDED A BONUS AS IT USUALLY
DOES. BONUSES DO NOT MAKE UP FOR A FAIR SALARY INCREASE. NEAR NON-REOCCURRING. THEY DON'T COUNT TOWARD OUR RETIREMENT. THEY'RE TAXED AT A MUCH HIGHER RATE THAN AN INCREASE IN SALARY, AND FRANKLY, THEY'RE INSULTING.
THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS WAGING A WAR ON TEACHERS AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AS A WHOLE. YES, OUR POLITICIANS ARE PULLING MONEY FROM DISTRICTS IN MANY WAYS, BUT WE CANNOT BECOME COMPLACE AENT IN THAT. WE CANNOT USE THAT AS AN EXCUSE
TO NOT PAY TEACHERS A WANK THAT WILL KEEP A ROOF OVER OUR HEADS AND FOOD ON THE TABLE. THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER ISSUE FOR ANOTHER DAY BUT YOU AS THE BOARD, HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THE STATE OF FLORIDA THAT WE ARE INVALUABLE AND THE DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY WILL NOT ALLOW OUR TEACHERS TO
SINK ANY FURTHER. WE CANNOT. AND SHOULD NOT STRIVE TO CATCH OF WAVE WHILE STANDING ON THE BACKS OF DRAWNING TEACHER I WILL NEVER SAY ONE SIDE IS 100% RIGHT
OR WRONG WHICH IS WHY A NON-BIASED MAGISTRATE WAS CALLED IN AND AFTER REVIEWING ALL OF THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED TO HIM, HE DETERMINED NOT NOT ONLY DO PALM BEACH COUNTY TEACHERS DESERVE MORE FOR WHAT THE DISTRICT OFFERS BUT THAT IT IS WITHIN THE MEANS OF THE DISTRICT
TO DO SO WE ARE ASKING YOU TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE AND APPROVE THE 3.5% RAISE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. IT SIMPLY ALLOWS TEACHERS TO
BREAK EVEN. IT DOES NOT ENABLE US TO SAVE MORE, PURCHASE HOPES OR ACHIEVE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL GOALS YET HERE WE ARE FIGHTING FOR IT ANYWAY BECAUSE IN CONTRAST, THE DISTRICT'S PROPOSED 1.5% RAISE EFFECTIVELY REDUCES OUR PURCHASING POWER. THAT'S WHAT MAKES THIS SO
FRUSTRATING. WE ARE SIMPLY ASKING TO KEEP PACE WITH THE RISING COST OF LIVING AND THERE IS A CLEAR AND REASONABLE PATH TO DO SO, YET WE ARE CONTINUALLY TOLD THAT IT'S NOT POSSIBLE. THE DISTRICT HAS REPEATEDLY CITED THAT THE DECLINE OF 7,000
STUDENTS HAS CREATED A 66 MILLION-DOLLAR DEFICIT. WHILE THAT'S TRUE, I WANT TO POINT OUT THERE IS A SOLUTION THAT BENEFITS EVERYONE. THE DISTRICT IS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN 3% OF THEIR TOTAL REVENUE IN RESERVES. CURRENTLY THE RESERVE IS ROUGHLY 14%, WHICH AMOUNTS TO
$450 MILLION. IF THE 66 MILLION WERE ALLOCATED TO COVER THE SHORTFALL, THE RESERVE WOULD STILL BE AT 348 MILLION OR 12% WHICH IS FOUR TIMES THE REQUIRED AMOUNT. THE FUNDS ARE THERE. THE DECISION ULTIMATELY REFLECTS THE DISTRICT'S PRIORITIES.
ONE EXAMPLE OF THESE PRIORITIES IS THE 10.4 MILLION THAT WAS SPENT ON INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY THIS YEAR. EVERY STUDENT ALREADY HAD A CHROMEBOOK AND YET ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS RECEIVED BRAND NEW DEVICES THIS YEAR EVEN THOUGH THE PREVIOUS ONES WERE FULLY FUNCTIONAL. MILLIONS OF DOLLARS COULD HAVE
GONE DIRECTLY TO TEACHERS INSTEAD OF BEING SPENT ON UPGRADES THAT ARE UNNECESSARY AND DON'T DIRECTLY IMPACT LEARNING OUTCOMES. I FEEL SO FORTUNATE TO WORK AT A SCHOOL WHERE I FEEL VALUED BY MY COLLEAGUES, WHO ARE HERE, BY MY
SCHOOL LEADERS, BY MY STUDENTS AND MY COMMUNITY. BUT WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE DISTRICT, I DON'T FEEL THAT SAME VALUE. I FEEL LIKE MY 13 YEARS OF DEDICATION AND EFFORT MEAN NOTHING. I FEEL EXPENDABLE AND SO DO MY COLLEAGUES. IF YOU CAME TO MY SCHOOL, YOU
WOULD SEE THE MOST COMMITTED, TALENTED AND INCREDIBLE TEACHERS AND WE ARE WORTH MORE. THE LAST TIME I SPOKE, I ENDED WITH A QUOTE FROM SUPERINTENDENT BURKE THAT CONTINUES TO RESONATE WITH ME. HE SAID WE ALL KNOW THAT THE GREATEST MOST IMPORTANT VARIABLE
IN THE CLASSROOM IS THE TEACHER. THAT'S WHAT HAS THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON STUDENTS' SUCCESS. SO I ASK YOU, BOARD MEMBERS, TO FIND A WAY TO TRULY SUPPORT YOUR TEACHERS. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT INVESTING IN TEACHERS IS AN INVESTMENT IN
STUDENT LEARNING AND THE FUTURE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. I UNDERSTAND SAVING FOR A RAINY DAY, BUT IT'S POURING NOW AND IT'S TIME TO ACT. THANK YOU. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. LAURA STEMAL AND ERIC HOLLANDER.
PLEASE COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE. >> GOOD EVENING, I AM ERIC HOLLANDER, RISE ACADEMY.
I SPENT THE PAST FEW WEEKS TRYING TO DECIDE IF I WANTED TO SPEAK AT THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. SHOULD I SPEAK TONIGHT WHAT I KEPT TELLING MYSELF. WITH ONLY THREE MINUTES CANS IT'S REALLY HARD TO PONDER WHAT YOU WOULD WRITE AND SAY IN THAT TIMEFRAME SO I THOUGHT ABOUT THE END FIRST. WHICH IS A TOOL I TEACH MY
STUDENTS CHIT COMES TO WRITING. KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO FINISH BEFORE YOU BEGIN. DESTINATION WE ARE ALL TRYING TO REACH TONIGHT IS SIMPLE. RESPECT, TRANSPARENCY, AND A LIVABLE WAGE. FOR MONTHS, WE HAVE SHOWN UP, WE HAVE POURED OUR HEARTS INTO OUR
CLASSROOMS, OUR STUDENTS, AND INTO THIS COMMUNITY. IT IS THE EDUCATORS IN THIS ROOM, THOSE WATCHING FROM HOME TO U YOUTUBE AND CABLE WHO MAKE THIS AN A-RATED SCHOOL DISTRICT. WE ARE THE BACK BONE TO THE DISTRICT'S SUCCESS.
YET, WHAT IS OUR REWARD? A PROPOSED 1.5% INCREASE IN LAYMAN'S TERMS, THAT'S $33 A PAYCHECK. 7.5 GALLONS OF GAS AND THAT WAS ON LAST WEEK'S NUMBERS.
BUT, TAKE OUT THE 1.25% HEALTH INCREASE, IT'S 33 CENTS A PAYCHECK. WE CAN'T LIVE ON THAT. IT'S NOT POSSIBLE. IN TODAY'S ECONOMY, THE SKYROCKETING COSTS IS NOT A RAISE. IT'S AN INSULT.
WHAT MAKES IT EVEN MORE FRUSTRATING AS WAS JUST SPOKEN, THE FUNDS ARE THERE. LET'S USE THEM FOR US, THE DISTRICT, THOSE BEHIND ME ON BOTH SIDES AND THOSE WATCHING AT HOME. WE DESERVE IT.
TO START I WANT TO ECHO A SENTIMENT SHARED EARLIER. WE MUST SPEAK FOR OURSELVES AND BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE IMMEDIATE PERSONAL TOLLS OR NEGOTIATIONS THAT ARE TAKING ON OUR LIVES. I CURRENTLY WORK THREE JOBS. 7:00 IN THE MORNING TO 11:30 AT NIGHT.
I AM UP AT WORK EVERY DAY AT 7:30. DON'T MISS A DAY. I'M ALWAYS THERE. SO THAT 1.5% DOESN'T DO ME ANY GOOD. REALLY I HAVE TO WORK HARDER TO MAKE MY ENDS MEET. MISSING OUT ON TONIGHT.
SO WHAT IS A WAY OF FIXING THAT IF YOU THINK WE CAN LIVE ON IT? NUMBER 1: RESIGN THOSE SALARIES THAT YOU ARE GETTING. STRICTLY WORK ON A FIRST YEAR TEACHERS SALARY LIKE ALL OF US HAD TO. LOSE THE HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS YOU ARE GETTING AND GO OFF THE ONES WE ARE ON.
AND RELINQUISH ALL OF THE EXTRAS THAT YOU GUYS GET. PROFOUND OUTRAGE THAT THE SCHOOL MAGISTRATE CONFIRMED THE DISTRICT HAS THE NECESSARY FUNDS. YOU DON'T WANT TO USE IT OR DO IT. YOU WANT TO HOLD IT FOR A RAINY DAY. IT'S NOT JUST RAINING. IT'S A CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE AND
A HUGE TORNADO GOING ON. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. Ms. st TEMIL.
>> Chair Brill: I PRONOUNCED IT WRONG. I APOLOGIZE I AM LAWYER, STEMLEY, ELL TEACHER IN THE DISTRICT. I PLANNED ON USING A LARGE POSTER TONIGHT BUT WAS UNAWARE OF SIZE LIMIT SO I'VE EMAILED IT ALL TO YOU IN DAYS YOU NEED TO
REFER TO IT DURING MY TEACH. I WILL BE SPEAKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT GETS VERY LITTLE ATTENTION, THE DEVASTATING IMPACT ON TEACHERS MENTAL HEALTH WHEN THEIR SALARIES ARE NOT SUSTAINABLE FOR LIVING. SUPERINTENDENT BURKE HAS POSITIONED HIMSELF AS A CHAMPION FOR MENTAL HEALTH IN OUR
DISTRICT. HAS ANYONE HERE TRULY CONSIDERED THE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF OUR TEACHERS, SPECIFICALLY THE VERY REAL AND DOCUMENTED NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF FINANCIAL STRESSES ON MENTAL HEALTH. I HAVE SHARED WITH YOU MASLOW'S
HIERARCHY OF NEEDS. ABRAHAM MASLOW IDENTIFIED FIVE SETS OF BASIC HUMAN NEEDS. EACH LEVEL IS DEPENDENT ON THE FOUNDATION BELOW IT. THE BOTTOM TWO LEVELS, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND SAFETY NEEDS
ARE THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL THEY INCLUDE FOOD, SHELTER, SLEEP, HEALTH, WELL-BEING, FINANCIAL SECURITY AND A STABLE ENVIRONMENT. A PERSON TRAPPED AT THOSE FIRST TWO LEVELS IS AT SERIOUS RISK FOR CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS, CHRONIC ANXIETY, DEPRESSION,
INSOM MA, HELPLESSNESS, SOCIAL CHALLENGES, JUST AS CHILDREN MUST HAVE THEIR BASIC NEEDS MET BEFORE THEY CAN LEARN, ADULTS MUST ALSO FEEL SAFE, SECURE AND STABLE IN ORDER TO RETAIN HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS ESTEEM AND SELF ACTUALATION, WHICH IS WHERE
TEACHERS ARE PERFORMING AT THEIR ULTIMATE BEST. THAT'S WHERE YOU WANT US TO BE. HOW IN THE WORLD CAN THIS BOARD EVEN CONSIDER REJECTING THE JUDGMENT OF A MAGISTRATE WHO FOUND THE FUNDS FOR A 3.5% RAISE?
WHAT EXACTLY IS THE PURPOSE OF A THIRD PARTY EVALUATION IF IT IT'S FINDINGS CAN SIMPLY BE DISMISSED. YOU CAN BET THAT IF OUR POSITIONS WERE REVERSED, I WOULD
BE FIGHTING LIKE HELL FOR YOU. THAT'S WHAT TEACHERS DO. THAT'S WHAT I DO EVERY SINGLING DAY. WHEN I GET A CHILD AND I'M TOLD THAT'S NOT REALLY POSSIBLE, I GO AND I FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE.
WE SHOW UP EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR THE CHILDREN OF THIS COMMUNITY. WE GIVE EVERYTHING WE HAVE, OUR PERSONAL TIME, ENERGIES EMOTIONAL RESERVES AND MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES DO IT WHILE QUIETLY CARRYING THE WEIGHT OF FINANCIAL INSECURITY THAT WOULD
BREAK MOST PEOPLE. P THIS BOARD IS SERIOUS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, IF THE DISTRICT GENUINELY VALUES THE PEOPLE EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN, THEN IT'S TIME TO BACK YOUR WORDS WITH ACTIONS. DO THE WORK IT TAKES TO FIND
THOSE DOLLARS. ERIC JOGGERRENSON AND ASHLEY LABAD. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M EMPLOYEE 104-9315, BUT I'M
NOT HERE TONIGHT AS A NUMBER. I'M Dr. ERIC JOGGERRENSON, A GRADUATE OF SPANISH RIVER HIGH SCHOOL. I AM THE HUSBAND OF MICHELLE, A GRADUATE OF PALM BEACH LAKES HIGH SCHOOL. FATHER TO GRADUATES OF SPANISH RIVER, ROYAL PALM AND SEMINOLE RIDGE HIGH.
A GRANDFATHER AND MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY IN SCHOOL DISTRICT SINCE THE 1900S. I AM HERE AS A HUMAN BEING AND SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINES I THINK THAT WE FOREGO THE ABOUT THAT. ON MAY 6, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO DECIDE WHETHER TO ACCEPT A 3.5% RAISE RECOMMENDED BY AN
INDEPENDENT MAGISTRATE, NOT BY THE THAN, NOT BY THE DISTRICT. BY A NEUTRAL PARTY WHO REVIEWED THE FACTS AND CONCLUDED 3.5% IS REASONABLE, RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE. THIS DISTRICT OPERATES AT NEARLY
A 6 BILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET, 3.5% RAISE FOR TEACHERS WOULD COST LESS THAN HALF OF 1% OF THAT TOTAL. NOT 5%, NOT 1%, HALF OF ONE 1%. AND LET'S BE HONEST ABOUT ANOTHER REALITY. SINCE 2020 TEACHER PAY IN THE
DISTRICT HAS NOT KEPT PACE WITH THE COST OF LIVING. THE DISTRICT LIKES TO TOUT 10% RAISES SINCE 2020 AND THAT IS TRUE. WE DID GET THOSE; HOWEVER, AS A TEACHER WE KNOW CONTEXT MATTERS. SINCE 2020 CONSUME LATIVE INFLATION HAS RISEN BY 24%, A
10% RAISE AGAINST 24% INFLATION IS NOT PROGRESS, IT IS FALLING BEHIND SLOWLY. IN REAL TERMS, PALM BEACH COUNTY TEACHERS ARE EARNING LESS TODAY THAN THEY WERE JUST A FEW YEARS AGO. THAT IS NOT AN OPINION. THAT IS MATH. THIS IS NOT ABOUT ABILITY. THIS IS ABOUT PRIORITY. BECAUSE WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMETHING IS TREATED AS A PRIORITY. IN THIS SAME CONVERSATION CYCLE LEADERSHIP RAISES MOVED FORWARD WITHOUT AN IMPASSE. BONUSES WERE APPROVEDDED, CONTRACTS WERE EXTENDED AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT NONE OF THAT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. WHAT I'M SAYING IS THAT IT IS NOT A SHARED SACRIFICE.
IT IS A SELECTIVE PRIORITY. LET ME ADDRESS SOMETHING THAT WE KEEP HEARING. THE BLENDED RAISE IS NOT A TRUE RAISE. A ONE-TIME PAYMENT IS NOT SALARY GROWTH DOES NOT COUNT TOWARDS
RETIREMENT OR LONG-TERM STABILITY. IT IS WE NEED AIL REAL RECURRING RAISE. IT'S NOT WHETHER COMPENSATION MATTERS. YOU ANSWERED IT DOES. THE REAL QUESTION IS WHO DOES IT MATTER FOR? THE MAGISTRATE CONSIDERED ALL OF THIS AND ARRIVED AT 3.5%.
NOT EXTREME, NOT RECKLESS, MEASURED. WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU TO BREAK THE BUDGET. ADOPT THE 3.5% RECOMMENDATION FROM THE NEUTRAL MAGISTRATE BECAUSE BUDGETS DO NOT REVEAL WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD. THEY REVEAL WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO PRIORITIZE. THANK YOU.
>> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS ASHLEY LABAT I HAVE TAUGHT 14 YEARS IN THIS COUNTY AND I GREW UP IN THIS COUNTY. MANY TEACHERS WORK MORE THAN ONE JOB. MY FRIEND WORKS THREE.
LUCKILY I HAVE MY HUSBAND TO HELP. SINGLE MOMS AND DADS OR SINGLE TEACHERS DON'T HAVE THAT HELP. WE KEEP THESE SCHOOLS RUNNING. WE LESSON PLAN, TEACH, TEST PREP DEAL WITH MENTAL HEALTH, HAVE ESE MEETINGS GIVE SERVICES, TRAVEL FOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, RUN CLUBS, MENTOR TEACHERS,
TEACH LIFE SKILLS, PLAN AND GO ON FIELD TRIPS. RECERTIFY AND PAY FOR IT, EVEN HATCH CHICKENS AND BUTTERFLIES AND GET ALMOST ZERO REBOUNDING RECOGNITION. WE DO THE WORK, NOT OUR SELECTED SUPERINTENDENT WHO MAKES $340,000 PER YEAR.
MAYBE ONCE A MONTH YOU GUYS SHOULD COME INTO OUR CLASSROOMS AND TEACH FOR A WHOLE WEEK STRAIGHT, KEEP AN UPDATE ON THAT BECAUSE GUESS WHAT, EACH YOU COULD GO IN A CLASSROOM FOR ONE WEEK AND TRY DIFFERENT SCHOOLS AND YOU CAN SEE. I BET YOU COULDN'T DO WHAT WE
DO. A 1.5% RAISE IS NOT ONLY A SLAP IN THE FACE, SO IS A 3.5%. WE CANNOT KEEP UP WITH THE COST OF LIFE. WHEN WILL YOU REALIZE OUR WORTH? WE EDUCATE OUR FUTURE LEADERS, DOCTORS, MILITARY LEADERS, DOCTORS LAWYERS, EVERYONE.
WHEN THE RAISE IS PASSED IT WILL NOT ONLY BE REFERENDUM BUT IF A TEACHER LEAVES, THEY WON'T GET THAT MONEY. LET ME LAY OUT MY PAYCHECK FOR YOU. HERE. TWO WEEKS I GET 1730, 400 GOES INTO A KID ACTIVITY ACCOUNT, 300
FOR DANCE, 00 FOR PUBLIX, 120 FOR GAS. 210 FOR TWO WEEKS. LET'S DO MONTHLY. 3460 A MONTH; 800 INTO THE KID ACTIVITY ACCOUNTS 1400 FOR PUBLIX TO EAT HEALTHY.
360 FOR GAS, 500 PER MONTH BUT THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE DOCTOR VISITS, MEDICAL BILLS, MEDICINE, CONTACTS, MORTGAGE, ELECTRICITY, WATER, CAR PAYMENT, INSURANCE FOR MY CAR. LUCKILY I HAVE A SUPPORTIVE HUSBAND AND HE IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING WHO ALLOWS ME TO DO WHAT
I LOVE MY PASSION. LASTLY, OUR CLASSES ARE FUNDED BY US. WE DON'T GET THE MONEY FROM YOU GUYS. WHEN YOU WALK IN AND SEE EVERYTHING THAT IS SO BEAUTIFUL, WE DID THAT. WE SHOW UP EVERY DAY FOR OUR STUDENTS, NOT FOR ADMIN, NOT FOR YOU GUYS.
WE SHOW UP FOR OUR STUDENTS. I SHOW UP FOR MY KIDS TO SHOW THAT I AM PASSIONATE AND NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I GET KNOCKED DOWN WITH PAY THAT DOESN'T SUPPORT MY LIFE OR MY OWN KIDS LIFE, I WILL SHOW UP AND DO THE BEST AND I WILL MAKE EVERY SUPPLY THAT I NEED HAPPEN
SO THAT THESE KIDS CAN LEARN. AND ONE PERSON ON THIS BOARD, Ms. BRILL HAS SEEN THAT AND COME AND VISITED OUR SCHOOL BECAUSE WE ARE A CHARTER AND WE ARE NOT SEEN AS GOOD AS EVERYBODY ELSE. EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THIS ROOM MATTERS AND WE RUN THIS DISTRICT AND WE RUN THE CLASSROOMS AND WE MAKE THIS HAPPEN AND WE TAKE
CARE OF ALL THE KIDS THAT TAKE CARE OF YOU IN THE FUTURE. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU.
DIANA KARIS AND ALESCHA CARR. >> HI, GOOD EVENING. MY NAME AS LEASHA CARR AND I'M A
TEACHER AT JUPITER ELEMENTARY. I TRULY LOVE WHERE I WORK. I LOVE MY STUDENTS AND I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT WHAT I DO EVERY SINGLE DAY. TEACHING IS NOT JUST MY JOB. IT'S MY PASSION THAT'S WHY BEING TOLD WE WERE DENIED A 3.5% RAISE
WAS DISHEARTENING. IT DIDN'T FEEL LIKE A FINANCIAL DECISION. IT FELT PERSONAL ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THE VERY SAME DAY I WAS FORCED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PAYING MY CAR INSURANCE AND MY ELECTRIC BILL. NO TEACHER WHO DEDICATES THEIR LIFE TO STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE TO MAKE THAT KIND OF CHOICE. WHAT MAKES IT EVEN HARDER TO
ACCEPT IS THAT THE MONEY ISN'T THERE WHEN BOTH C.T.A. AND SPECIAL MAGISTRATE HAVE SAID OTHERWISE. EVEN AFTER THE RAISES THE DISTRICT WOULD REMAIN 10.37% OVER THE AMOUNT REQUIRED IN
RESERVE. I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND SHARE SOMETHING WITH YOU THAT I HAVE WRITTEN. PALM BEACH SUN BUT I'M FEELING THE RAIN, 13 YEARS AND IT'S ALL THE SAME. WE ARE WORKING FOR A FUTURE ON YESTERDAY'S WAGE.
TURNING OVER DREAMS ON A HOLLOWED OUT STAGE. INFLATION IS CLIMBING WHILE THE PAY STAYS STILL. I CAN'T FIND THE MAGIC TO PAY EVERY BILL. GIVE US THE RESPECT, GIVE US WHAT IS FAIR BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING LEFT BUT FEAR AND DESPAIR. I'VE GOT A MASTERS DEGREE HANGING ON MY CLASSROOM WALL BUT
DOESN'T STOP THE WINTER, SUMMER OR FALL. I'M GRADING PAPERS WHILE SIRENS SCREAM, LIVING OUT A VERSION OF A BROKEN DREAM. I POURED MY HEART INTO EVERY SINGLE CLASS, JUST TO WATCH THE DISTRICT LET THE SEASONS PASS. THEY TALK ABOUT THE KIDS AND THE FUTURE WE ARE HOLD WHILE OUR
CHECKING ACCOUNTS ARE TURNING GRAY AND COLD. I'M TEACHING THE WORLD HOW TO LEAD AND GROW BUT I'M DROWNING IN A DEBT I'LL NEVER OUTGROW. THE RENT GOES UP AND THE GAS FOLLOWS UT BY THE DISTRICT KEEPS THE HARVEST AND GIVES US THE ROOT. THEY SAY THERE IS NO BUDGET AND SAY THERE IS NO ROOM BUT A
MAGISTRATE IS SAYING A DIFFERENT TUNE. I'VE GOT THE EXPERIENCE. I'VE DONE THE TIME BUT I'M STUCK AT THE BOTTOM OF A BITTER CLIMB. HOW DO I EXPLAIN TO A STUDENT TODAY THAT A HIGHER EDUCATION DOESN'T ALWAYS PAY. I'M A PROFESSIONAL WITH A HEAVY, HEAVY LOAD WALKING DOWN A BROKEN NEGLECTED ROAD. WE ARE NOT JUST NUMBERS ON A
SPREAD SHEET LINE. WE ARE THE PULSE OF THE COUNTY. WE ARE THE DESIGN. BUT THE SILENCE FROM THE BOARD ROOM IS LOUD AND CLEAR. THEY DON'T FEEL THE STRUGGLE. THEY DON'T FEEL THE FEAR. I HAVE A QUESTION. DO YOU GUYS HAVE A FRIDAY NIGHT WITH A BALANCE OF 0 BECAUSE IT SURE DOES PAY THE PRICE TO BE
THE LOCAL HERO. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. MARILYN PADDIC AND DOROTHY SCHROEDER. AND THEN FOLLOWED BY TABITHA
SMITH. DORSDZY SCHROEDER. GOOD EVENING MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD. I STAND BEFORE YOU TONIGHT NOT JUST AS AN EDUCATOR BUT A PARENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN, ACE VOTER IN THIS COMMUNITY AND AS A
PROUD PRODUCT OF THIS DISTRICT. I AM HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE I HAVE STRUGGLED TO UNDERSTAND HOW OR WHY A DISTRICT CAN DENY MEANINGFUL RAISE TO THE VERY PEOPLE WHO MAKE IT FUNCTION. ESPECIALLY WHEN INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS CONFIRMS THE MONEY IS THERE 3.5 RAISE IS PRACTICAL AND
WELL WITHIN THE DISTRICT'S BUDGET. THIS DECISION IS NOT ABOUT POSSIBILITY. IT'S ABOUT PRIORITY. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE ROLE OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, THE RESPONSIBILITY IS CLEAR: TO GOVERN, TO ADVOCATE AND TO ENSURE SUCCESS OF THE DISTRICT. THAT SUCCESS DOES NOT EXIST WITHOUT US, WITHOUT TEACHERS.
WE ARE NOT A BUDGET LINE ITEM. WE ARE THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SUCCESS THERE IS A CONCEPT IN THE POWER OF MOMENTS, ABOUT DEFINING OPPORTUNITIES, MOMENTS WHEN LEADERSHIP CHOOSES TO RISE, TO ACT WITH INTENTION AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT EVEN WHEN IT'S DIFFICULT. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS.
THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DECISION THAT WILL ECHO IN OUR CLASSROOMS, COMMUNITIES AND THE LIVES OF STUDENTS FOR YEARS TO COME. TEACHERS ARE ASKED EVERY DAY TO PRIORITIZE CUSTOMER SERVICE. TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS TO MEET THE NEEDS GO ABOVE AND BEYOND OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AND WE
DO THIS EVERY DAY AND WE DO IT TIRELESSLY. BUT TONIGHT I'M ASKING YOU. WHERE IS THE CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR US? WHERE IS THAT SAME LEVEL OF CARE AND URGENCY AND RESPECT FOR THE PROFESSIONALS CARRYING OUT THE MISSION OF THIS DISTRICT BECAUSE WE ARE SEEING INSTEAD, A
RELUCTANCE TO INVEST IN THE VERY PEOPLE WHO SUSTAIN THIS SYSTEM. THE REALITY IS THIS: I'VE WATCHED INCREDIBLE TEACHERS, MANY OF THEM MY FRIENDS, TALENTED DEDICATED EDUCATORS LEAVES NOT BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO, THEY HAD TO CHOOSE STABILITY OVER THEIR CALLING AND THE COST
OF LIVING OVER THEIR PASSION EVERY TIME WE LOSE ONE OF THEM, THEY WALK AWAY FROM OUR STUDENTS, OUR STUDENTS LOSE OUR DISTRICT LOSES AND OUR COMMUNITY LOSES BY DENYING THE RAISE YOU SEND A MESSAGE ABOUT HOW EDUCATES ORES ARE DEVALUED AND
NOT SEEN. I CAN ASSURE YOU MORALE SHAPED BY THE MESSAGES. WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR EXCESS. WE ARE ASKING FOR FAIRNESS. WE ARE ASKING FOR RECOGNITION AND FOR LEADERSHIP THAT ALIGNS ITS ACTIONS WITH ITS WORDS.
YOU CANNOT MAINTAIN AN A DISTRICT WITHOUT A TEACHERS. STEP INTO THE MOMENT, CHOOSE TO LEAD AND INVEST IN THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THIS DISTRICT WHAT IT IS BECAUSE IF WE LOSE OUR TEACHERS, WE LOSE FAR MORE THAN NUMBERS ON A SPREAD SHEET. WE LOSE THE FOUNDATION OF EVERYTHING WE CLAIM TO STAND
FOR. THANK YOU AGAIN, MARILYN PADDIC AND TABITHA SMITH. COME ON UP. >> GOOD EVENING.
I TESTIFIED AT THE IMPASSE HEARING IN FEBRUARY ABOUT HOW WITH MY PROPERTY TAXES AND HOA FEES INCREASING ANNUALLY AND WITH INFLATION, I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY ALL OF MY BILLS OR BUY GROCERIES WITH MY CURRENT SALARY. I'M BACK AGAIN BECAUSE IT SEEMS I WAS NOT HEARD THE FIRST TIME.
THE 1.5% SALARY INCREASE WILL NOT BE ENOUGH TO ENABLE US TO KEEP UP WITH RISING COSTS. WITH THE MASTERS DEGREE AND 12 YEARS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE EXPERIENCE UNDER MY BELT, IT IS OBSCENE THAT I CANNOT AFFORD BASIC NECESSITIES. EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM HAS HAD OR CURRENTLY HAS A TEACHER IN THEIR
LIFE. PLEASE INDULGE ME-FOR-A MOMENT AND PICTURE A TEACHER YOU KNOW AND LOVE OR A TEACHER YOU HAVE HAD THAT MADE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN YOUR LIFE OR EVEN PICTURE ONE OF YOUR CHILDREN'S CURRENT TEACHERS. DO YOU SEE THAT TEACHER'S BRIGHT SMILE? DO YOU HEAR THEIR ENCOURAGING WORDS? DO YOU SEE THE JOY ON YOUR
CHILD'S FACE WHEN THEY TALK TO YOU ABOUT THEM? PICTURE THAT SAME TEACHER GOING TO BED HUNGRY MULTIPLE TIMES A WEEK. PICTURE THEM DRIVING THEIR CAR HOME FROM WORK EVERY DAY DURING THE HOTTEST PART OF THE YEAR WITHOUT ANY AIR CONDITIONING OR NOT HAVING A HOME TO DRIVE HOME
TO AT ALL. PICTURE THEM WEARING SHOES FALLING APART ON THEIR FEET. IF YOU CAN PICK PICTURE ALL OF THAT AND STILL VOTE AGAINST THE MAGISTRATE'S RECOMMENDATION FOR A 3.5% RAISE, HOW CAN YOU HONESTLY SAY YOU APPRECIATE TEACHERS? HOW CAN YOU THANK US FOR OUR HARD WORK AND POSITIVE INFLUENCE
AND EXPECT US TO BELIEVE YOU WHEN YOU HAVE THE POWER TO HELP US AND YOU CHOOSE NOT TO. TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK IS MAY 4-8 THIS YEAR. THE MEETING IN WHICH YOU WILL CAST YOUR VOTE IS ON MAY 6. TO SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION, I ASK THAT YOU DO TWO THINGS: 1,
ENCOURAGE SUPERINTENDENT BURKE TO CHANGE THE MEETING TIME FROM 2 P.M. TO A LATER TIME THAT ALLOWS TEACHERS TO ATTEND AND HEAR THEIR FATE DECIDED IN PERSON. AND 2: VOTE YES IN FAVOR OF THE 3.5% RAISE. OTHERWISE YOUR WORDS OF PRECIOUS RING HOLLOW.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. ANGELA GONZALEZ AND Dr. MARIA HERSEY AND DAZEY DANIEL.
DAISY DANIEL.
>> GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY. WE CAN'T AFFORD THAT. DO THOSE FOUR LITTLE WORDS TRIGGER THAT IN ANY WAY? I REMEMBER FROM THE AGE OF 5 UNTIL 10 YEARS OF AGE, ASKING
FOR AN EASTER BASKET. ONE LIKE THIS ONE, ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION IN 1974 WOULD HAVE COST ABOUT $5. CAN IT POSSIBLY BE TRUE THAT THROUGHOUT MY WHOLE CHILDHOOD, A $5 EASTER BASKET WAS IMPOSSIBLE
TO GET? MY MOM DID SURPRISE ME WITH ONE, BUT AT THE AGE OF 20. ALTHOUGH APPRECIATED, IT WAS TOO LATE IN THE GAME. THEN AT AGE 25, I GOT MARRIED, I HAD THREE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN
THAT I HOME SCHOOLED FOR 13 YEARS. BUT I DID EVERYTHING IN MY ABILITY TO GIVE THEM WHAT THEY NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL. ELECTRONICS, EXPERIENCES, HOBBIES, A GOOD EDUCATION, BUT WHEN IT CIMS TO THE THINGS THAT
I WANTED, THE THINGS THAT I NEEDED, THAT WAS IGNORED. I REMEMBER HAVING A FLIP PHONE FOR MANY YEARS WHILE MY EX-HUSBAND HAD AN IPHONE. NOTICE I SAID EX-HUSBAND? FAST FORWARD TO THE PRESENT I
HAVE INVESTED 13 YEARS INTO THE DISTRICT AND NOW HERE COMES THAT PHRASE AGAIN. WE CAN'T AFFORD THAT. AFORD WHAT-- AFFORD WHAT YOU MAY ASK? WELL, APPARENTLY THE DISTRICT CAN'T AFFORD TO GIVE US A 3.5
RAISE TO BE ABLE TO LIVE IN FLORIDA I'VE COME TO REALIZE THAT AFTER DECADES OF HAVERING THIS PHRASE, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MONEY BUT MANY TIMES WITH CONTROL AND LACK OF VALUE. WHY? BECAUSE WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY WHERE THERE IS NO
WILL, THERE IS NO WAY. PUT THE OXYGEN MASK ON YOURSELF FIRST. THOSE ARE THE AIRLINE INSTRUCTIONS PRIOR TO TO TAKING OFF. WHY BECAUSE OF CABIN PRESSURE. YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW SECONDS BEFORE HYPOXIA, LACK OF OXYGEN AFFECTS YOUR ABILITY TO THINK OR
ACT. AND MANY TEACHERS ARE HAVING TROUBLE EXISTING EVERY DAY BECAUSE OF THE OTHER PRESSURES THEY HAVE GIVE THE TEACHERS THE RAISE THEY NEED FIRST AND LET THE CHIPS OF ALL THE OTHER PROGRAMS AND MONEY FALL WHERE THEY MAY.
THEY DO THE BRUNT OF THE WORK. JUST LIKE MY EASTER BASKET CAME TOO LATE. YOUR CHIAS REGARDING TEACHER RAISE CAN EITHER TURN THIS SHIP AROUND FOR SOME GREAT TEACHERS TO REMAIN OR YOU WILL LOSE MANY MORE TO THE TEACHING DIVORCE
EXODUS. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING BOARD MEMBERS. MY FRIEND MARIAIAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT SO I AM HERE FOR HER.
MY NAPE IS ELLIANNA KNIGHT AND I WORK AT AN AMAZING GULE, JUPITER ELEMENTARY WHERE OUR TEACHERS ARE AMAZING. I AM NOT GOING TO REPEAT WHAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID THUS FAR WHAT I AM GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU ARE OUR CHAIN OF TEARS.
I HAVE ASKED MY CO-WORKERS TO PLEASE SUBMIT THEIR CHAIN, THEIR TEARS, THESE ARE FOR YOU. I PRESENT THEM TO YOU YOU NEED TO READ THEM. THIS IS SHAMEFUL WHAT IS HAPPENING. MY COLLEAGUES WROTE TO YOU AND TOLD YOU THAT THEY CANNOT AFFORD
TO LIVE ANY LONGER WE CANNOT DO THIS ANY LONGER. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I HAVE A TEACHER WRITING THAT HER SON HAD HEART SURGERY AND SHE HAD TO GO BACK TO WORK THE NEXT DAY. THAT'S RIDICULOUS ABSOLUTELY
RIDICULOUS YOU SHOULD ALL BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF AND I PRESENT THESE TO YOU. >> Chair Brill: BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN, CAN YOU JUST PLEASE TELL US YOUR NAME AGAIN AND WHO YOU WERE HERE TO REPLACE SO THAT WE
HAVE IT FOR THE RECORD? THAT BRINGS US TO DAISY SWOP AND
LILA VANIONES. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS LAYLA AND I'M A ESE TEACHER AT WEST BOCA HIGH
SCHOOL. I'M ASKING THE SCHOOL BOARD TO AGREE WITH THE MAGISTRATE RULE RULING AND GIVE THE 3.5% RAISE THEY HAVE EARNED, THE BARE MINIMUM TEACHERS DESERVE. ACCORDING TO THE M.I.T. LIVING WAGE CALCULATOR, THE ANNUAL LIVING INCREASE IS 66,917.
ONCE A SINGLE CHILD IS ADDED INTO THAT EQUATION, IT JUMPS TO 80,689. THE STARTING SALARY FOR A TEACHER IN PALM BEACH COUNTY IS $53,000 AND GIVEN THE DISTRICT'S PALTRY AND INSULTING 1.5% OFFER, IT WOULD INCREASE THE STARTING TEACHERS SALARY BY $795.
THE FEDERAL RESERVE HAS CALCULATED INFLATION ROWS 2.5% IN 2025 AND PROJECTED IT TO HIT 4.2% BEFORE THE END OF THE 2026. FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO REFUSE THE MEET THE BEAR MINIMUM OF COST OF LIVING INCREASE IS INSULTING. EXCUSES AND REASONS GIVING FOR
WHY A 3.5% RAISE IS NOT FEASIBLE IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE. THEY AGREED WITH OVER $450 MILLION IN RESERVE FUNDS, I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND THE RATIONALE BEHIND BUDGET CUTS. THE DISTRICT CLAIMS IT DOESN'T HAVE MONEY FOR TEACHERS BUT FUNDS FOR EVERY STUDENT TO
RECEIVE A BRAND NEW CHROMEBOOK OR PURCHASE A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR A.I. PROGRAM THAT TEACHERS DID NOT ASK FOR AND STUDENTS DO NOT USE OR PROVIDE EXORBITANT SAM RIS FOR POSITIONS IN HIGHER SALARIES. SUPERINTENDENT'S SALARY IS
371,208 WITH AN ADDITIONAL 1200 HER MONTH FOR CAR ALLOWANCE. HIS SALARY IS THE EQUIVALENT OF SEVEN ENTRY LEVEL TEACHING POSITIONS. I UNDERSTAND HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER SEEING THE ENTIRE DISTRICT, STILL HIS DISTRICT WOULD NOT BE RATED AS HIGHLY AS IT IS WITHOUT THE DEDICATED AND HARD WORKING TEACHERS WHO CREATE
THE CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT FOR TEACH TO SUCCEED AND THRIVE I
NICE WORK A SECOND JOB. I HAVE A MASTERS IN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, LICENSED REGISTERED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING INTERN IN FLORIDA AND WORK 15 TO 17 HOUR DAYS MONDAY TO FRIDAY TO MAKE ENDS MEET. EVEN WITH ALL OF THIS, MY EXPENSES EXCEED MY INCOME. PLEASE KNOW THAT VOTING AGAINST THE MAGISTRATE'S RULING IS THE
SCHOOL BOARD TELLING TEACHERS THEY DO NOT MATTER. YOU ARE TELLING TEACHERS THAT EVERY CONTRIBUTION THEY MAKE IS WORTH 1.5%. WE ARE ONLY WORTH 1.5%. WHEN THE DISTRICT STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF TEST SCORES AND LEARN CAN GAINS I MUST REMIND THEM THAT NONE OF THAT PAYS MY RENT. THEY DO NOT PUT FOOD ON MY TABLE
NOR DO THEY PUT GAS IN MY CAR OR MONEY IN MY ACCOUNT. THESE THINGS SUPPORT MY MOTIVATION TO SUCCEED BUT DO NOT PROVIDE ANY TANGIBLE VALUE. I HAVE ATTENDED PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS SINCE KINDERGARTEN. I CAN NAME TEACHERS AT EVERY SCHOOL I ATTENDED WHO MOLDED AND GUIDED ME AND I KNOW EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU CAN, TOO.
TEACHERS ARE THE TRUE STRENGTH OF THE DISTRICT. NOT TEST SCORES... >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS DEBBIE SO THROIF I HAVE SPENT MY ENTIRE CAREER IN LOW PERFORMING SCHOOLS BY CHOICE I GREW UP IN BELLE GLADE AND MY
MOM WAS A TEACHER IN THE GLADES FOR 30 YEARS. TEACHING IS NOT WHAT I DO. IT'S MY FAMILY'S LEGACY. MY DAUGHTER IS A TEACHER IN PALM BEACH COUNTY AND MY SON IS A TEACHER IN PALM BEACH COUNTY.
BOTH OF THEM ARE THE PRODUCT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY PUBLIC EDUCATION AT DREYFUSS AND IVY ATLANTIC. THAT'S THREE GENERATIONS RIGHT HERE DOING WORK EVERY DAY.
SPEAKING TODAY, I AM JUST ONE OF MANY. I AM THE VOICE OF THOUSANDS. YOU MAY NOT KNOW OUR NAMES. WE ARE NOT THE ONES IN THE V.I.P. MEETINGS OR THE FANCY
OFFICES. I DRIVE A CAR THAT 15S YEARS OLD MY RENT, I'M SINGLE TEACHER IS 2600, WHICH MEANS IT TAKES A PAYCHECK AND A HALF JUST TO SAY LIVING IN PALM BEACH COUNTY AND
IT'S NOT A FANCY APARTMENT. WE ARE IN THE CLASSROOMS EVERY SINGLE DAY. WE ARE THE REASON THIS DISTRICT EARNS AN A. SO LET ME BE CLEAR. THE SUCCESS OF THIS DISTRICT IS BUILT ON THE BACKS OF YOUR TEACHERS.
WE ARE NOT BEING VALUED AS EMPLOYEES, WHICH IS EVIDENT BY US WORKING A WHOLE YEAR WITHOUT A CONTRACT. I BELIEVE THE DISTRICT IS RUN LIKE A BUSINESS. CATCH THE WAVE. IT'S A BUSINESS.
THAT'S FINE BUSINESSES HAVE PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND CUSTOMERS BUT EVERY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS UNDERSTANDS ONE THING YOU INVEST IN THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING THE WORK. RIGHT NOW THAT'S NOT HAPPENING
INSTEAD WE SEE A SYSTEM THAT IS TOP HEAVY, MORE DEPARTMENTS, MORE INITIATIVES, MORE PROGRAMS, AND I'VE SEEN THIS WITHIN 25 YEARS. WE HAVE GRADUALLY BUILT A MORE COMPLEX SYSTEM WITH ADDITIONAL DEPARTMENTS AND POSITION THAT
ARE NOT MEADEED ALT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO ASK ARE WE INVESTING IN WHAT TRULY IMPACTS STUDENT SUCCESS OR HAVE WE ALLOWED OUR PRIORITIES TO BECOME DILUTED AND YET YEAR AFTER YEAR WE WATCH EXPENSIVE CURRICULUM GET ROLED
OUT, PULLED BACK, REPLACED. SOMETIMES BROUGHT BACK... SHANNON LIVINGSTON AND MELISSA MOTHERLAND BENSON.
MY NAPE IS RACHAEL, I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF ANGELA GONZALES, SHE WAS CALLED BUT HAD THE FLU TODAY DON'T WORRY, SHE WILL BE BACK TO WORK TOMORROW. I AM READING FOR HER. GOOD AFTERNOON MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD MY NAME IS ANGELA GONZALES AND I AM A TEACHER IN
THE DISTRICT. I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY AS SOMEBODY WHO HAS DEDICATED HER LIFE TO THE FAMILIES, STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY WE SERVE. I WANT TO SPEAK PLAINLY BECAUSE THAT WHAT IS IS AT STAKE HERE,
DESERVES HONESTLY. EVERY SINGLE DAY TEACHERS SHOW UP EARLY, STAY LATE AND GIVE FAR MORE THAN WHAT IS WRITTEN ON OUR CONTRACTS. WE PLAN, RETREECH, ANALYZE DATA, WE SUPPORT STUDENTS ACADEMICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY AND WE COMMUNICATE CONSTANTLY WITH FAMILIES. WE DO THIS NOT FOR RECOGNITION BUT BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN OUR
STUDENTS AND IN PUBLIC EDUCATION BUT BELIEF ALONE DOES NOT SUSTAIN A WORKFORCE. RIGHT NOW MORALE AMONG TEACHERS IS LOW AND IT'S NOT BECAUSE WE DON'T LOVE WHAT WE DO. IT'S BECAUSE WE FEEL UNHEARD, UNDER VALUES AND UNDER LOOKED. THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE RESTREWED
THE FACTS, LISTEN TO BOTH SIDES AND MADE A RECOMMENDATION THAT WAS BALANCED, REASONABLE AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. A 3.5% BLENDERRED RECURRING RAISE AND DEMANDS OF OUR PROFESSION AND THE REALITY THAT
MANY TEACHERS ARE STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP WITH FINANCIALLY. WHEN RECOMMENDATIONS LIKE THIS ARE IGNORED, IT SENDS A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT THE WORK WE DO IS NOT WORTH INVESTING IN. AND I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND SOMETHING: TEACHERS ARE PAYING ATTENTION. OUR FAMILIES ARE PAYING
ATTENTION. OUR COMMUNITIES ARE PAYING ATTENTION. DECISIONS MADE IN THIS ROOM DO NOT STAY IN THIS ROOM. THEY IMPACT CLASSROOMS, SCHOOL CULTURE AND ULTIMATELY STUDENT SUCCESS. WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT WHILE THE NEGLECTING THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THAT ACHIEVEMENT POSSIBLE IF WE
WANT STRONG SCHOOLS WE MUST SUPPORT STRONG TEACHERS. THAT MEANS HONORING FAIR RECOMMENDATIONS, THAT MEANS MAKING DECISIONS THAT REFLECT AND RESPECT OUR PROFESSION. AND THAT MEANS RECOGNIZING THAT RETAINING EXPERIENCES DEDICATORS SHOULD BE A PRIORITY, NOT AN AFTER THOUGHT.
I AM ASKING YOU TODAY TO DO THE RIGHT THING, TO SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDED RAISE SHOW YOUR TEACHERS THAT THEIR WORK MATTERS THEIR VOICE MATTERS AND THAT THEIR COMMITMENT TO THIS DISTRICT IS VALUED BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, INVESTING IN TEACHERS IS INVESTING IN OUR STUDENTS AND OUR FUTURE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS MELISSA BENSON. I WORK AT ROYAL PALM BEACH HIGH SCHOOL. IT IS VERY UNUSUAL FOR ME TO SPEAK OUT REALLY ABOUT ANYTHING.
I PUT MY HEAD DOWN AND TRY TO DO MY BEST EVERY DAY. HOWEVER THIS IS ONE TIME I FEEL I NEED TO SAY SOMETHING TO BE HONEST THE FACT THAT AN INDEPENDENT IMPARTIAL MAGISTRATE WAS PAID AND LOOKED AT THE FINANCES AND FOUND THE MONEY AND
SAID THAT IT CAN BE AFFORDED AND THEN BORROW MUCKER STILL DID NOT AGREE WITH IT HAS MADE ME FEEL EXTREMELY SAD, FRUSTRATED AND TRULY UNAPPRECIATED. YES, IT IS A MIN MINIMAL AMOUNT BUT IT'S SOMETHING AND EVEN A
SMALL AMOUNT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO US. I HAVE BEEN A TEACHER FOR OVER 30 YEARS. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE MET SO MANY TEACHERS THAT POUR THEMSELVES INTO THEIR WORK AS I DO EVERY DAY.
I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER JOBS BEFORE AND WHILE TEACHING BUT NONE INVOLVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF WORK AND STRESS THAT TEACHING DOES. THERE IS NO OTHER JOB LIKE IT. MANY DAYS THERE ARE NO BREAKS DURING THE DAY. THERE IS NEVER A LONG LUNCH WITH
A COLLEAGUE. THERE IS RARELY TIME TO MAKE OR RUN TO AN APPOINTMENT OR SOMETIMES EVEN MAKE IT TO THE BATHROOM. WE HAVE TO BE ON OUR GAME EVERY MOMENT. TEACHING, ENGAGING LESSONS GOING
TO MEETINGS LESSON PLANNING, EVERYONE HAS GIVEN YOU THE LIFT IT'S A LOT. IT'S REALLY A LOT. MANY NIGHTS I STAY LATE AND I SPEND A LOT OF MY OWN MONEY ON NECESSARY THINGS THAT ARE NOT
PROVIDED FOR MY CLASSROOM. KLEENEX PAPER TOWELS, HAND SANITIZER, PENCILS, PAPER, THE ROOM NEEDS TO BE CLEAN. NO OTHER JOB HAVE THAT CONNECTICUT STANT PHYSICAL AND
EMOTIONAL STRESS THAT TEACHING DOES. IF I HEAR ONE MORE PERSON SAY BUT YOU GET THE SUMMERS OFF. SERIOUSLY? WHAT OTHER JOB IS SO TAXING THAT IT LITERALLY TAKES WEEKS OF REST TO RECUPERATE FROM IT. ANYWAY, MANY OF US DON'T GET TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT BECAUSE WE
HAVE TO WORK TO SUPPLEMENT OUR INCOME. AND THAT'S EVEN NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE ENDS MEET. RECENTLY I HAD A DEATH IN MY FAMILY AND I HAD TO LUCKILY USE CREDIT CARDS TO DEAL WITH THE UNEXPECTED EXPENSES SO MANY OF US STRUGGLE TO PAY OUR MONTHLY
EXPENSES ANYTHING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT COMES UP PUTS US BEHIND WHICH CAUSES EXTRA STRESS. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE WHERE WE WORK. THERE AREORY FRUSTRATIONS THAT I FEEL BUT MOSTLY I JUST WANT YOU
TO PLEASE APPROVE THIS RAISE. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS SHANNON LIVINGSTON. I'VE TAUGHT IN THIS DISTRICT FOR 22 YEARS. I'M HERE TONIGHT TO SPEAK ABOUT STATEMENTS THAT WERE MADE
THROUGH THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS BY SOME OF OUR DISTRICTS PERSONNEL. THE FIRST ONE JUST THAT THIS
DISTRICT STATED IT IS NOTES IFLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISTRICT TO CONSIDER THE OFFER REPRESENTED BY C.T.A. CONCERNING THE TERM NOTES IFLY RESPONSIBLE,-- FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, TO THIS I SAY JOIN THE CLUB. TEACHING IN PALM BEACH COUNTY IS NOT FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.
TEACHERS HAVE FOUGHT AND RESIDED IN THIS COUNTY IRRESPONSIBLY FOR YEARS. THE 3.5% RAISE THAT YOU SHOULD BE CONSIDERING RECOMMENDED BY THE NEUTRAL MAGISTRATE IS NOT FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE, IT IS
FINANCIALLY NECESSARY FOR US. A SECOND STATEMENT BY LEAD NEGOTIATOR SEAN COOLLY ON NOVEMBER 7 IN THE PALM BEACH POST SAYS OUR OFFER REPRESENTS A STRONG EFFORT TO PROVIDE A
MEANINGFUL RAISE. THE DISTRICT'S STRONG AND MEANINGFUL OFFER OF 1.5% INCREASES MY PAYCHECK $14. EVERY WEEK. THAT'S $2 A DAY.
SO AS THE DISTRICT AND THE BOARD AND OUR SUPERINTENDENT THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO APPROVE, IF YOU DO APPROVE THE 1.5%, COULD YOU JUST DO US A FAVOR MAYBE PUT AN ADDENDUM ON THE BOTTOM OF THE CHECK WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW $2 A DAY
WILL BE STRONG AND BENEFICIAL TO OUR FAMILIES THE LAST STATEMENT AND I THINK IT IS THE MOST INSULTING ONE FROM KIM KUBRICK HE SAID IF WE COULD, WE WOULD.
BUT THAT'S NOT THE REALITY WE HAVE THIS YEAR. IT JUST ISN'T: I'M SORRY. BUT IF WE COULD, WE WOULD IS SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH. THE DISTRICT ACTS AS THOUGH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE. IT'S NOT IMPOSSIBLE IT'S JUST
HARD TEACHERS DO HARD EVERY DAY. TEACHERS DON'T SAY IF I COULD, I WOULD, AS OUR DISTRICT TELLS US. WHEN STUDENTS NEED EXTRA HELP, WE DON'T SAY I WOULD IF I COULD. WHEN WE HAVE TO KEEP THEM SAFE IN A LOCK DOWN OR BE A FIRST
RESPONDER, WE DON'T SAY I WOULD IF I COULD WHEN TEACHERS ARE ASKED TO IDENTIFY MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, TRAM TRAUMA ABUSE. WE DON'T SAY I WOULD IF I COULD. WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE. WE ARE JUST ASKING YOU TO DO WHAT IS HARD AND RIGHT.
PAY US. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. >> TRISH DUBBER, SHERRY PEARLOWITZ.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS TRISH DUBER AND I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS AN EDUCATOR IN THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. OVER THAT TIME, I HAVE DEDICATED MY CAREER TO THIS DISTRICT, TO
MY STUDENTS, AND TO THE BELIEF THAT STRONG SCHOOLS ARE BUILT ON STRONG SUPPORTED TEACHERS. RIGHT NOW WE DO NOT FEEL SUPPORTED I WANT TO GIVE YOU A CLEAR PICTURE OF WHAT COMMITMENT LOOKS LIKE FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.
MY DAY BEGINS BEFORE SUN RISE. I WAKE UP EXHAUSTED FROM THE SCHOOL DAY BEFORE. I'M ALREADY THINKING ABOUT MY STUDENTS, THE ONES WHO DIDN'T EAT YESTERDAY, THE ONE WHO IS STRUGGLING QUIETLY, THE ONE WHO JUST NEEDS SOMEONE TO BELIEVE IN THEM. BY THE TIME THE FIRST BELL
RINGS, I HAVE ALREADY PLANNED, ADJUSTED AND PREPARED FOR A DAY THAT I KNOW WILL DEMAND EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE. I HAVE SERVED AS A POLICE OFFICER AND ON THE SWAT TEAM AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A MORE STRESSFUL OR TAXING, EMOTIONALLY
DRAINING JOB THAN THIS. IN MY CLASSROOM, I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN 40 STUDENTS AT ONE TIME I AM AN ART TEACHER. THERE IS NO PAUSE. I AM TEACHING, ENCOURAGING,
REDIRECTING, PROBLEM SOLVING AND ADAPTING IN REALTIME TO MEET THE NEED OF EVERY STUDENT WHERE THEY ARE AND I KNOW, MS. ANDREWS CAN ATTEST TO THAT BECAUSE SHE HAS BEEN IN MY CLASSROOM AND THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR THAT. WHEN THE FINAL BELL RINGS THE WORK DOESN'T STOP.
I STAY LATE AND GRADE AND CONTACT FAMILIES I PREPARE FOR THE NEXT DAY. THIS IS NOT ON OCCASION. THIS IS EVERY SINGLE DAY. AND IT'S NOT JUST ME. IT'S EDUCATORS ACROSS THIS DISTRICT. I SAY THIS BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND TEACHERS ARE ALREADY GIVING
EVERYTHING THEY HAVE, THE QUESTION BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS WHETHER OR NOT YOU CARE ENOUGH ABOUT US TO GIVE US A FAIR WAGE. IT STARTS WITH APPROVING THE FIVE -- 3.5% RAISE. THE COST OF LIVING IN PALM BEACH COUNTY HAS RISEN, BUT OUR
SALARIES HAVE NOT KEPT PACE. 3.5% IS NOT ABOUT GETTING AHEAD. FOR MANY OF US IT IS ABOUT NOT FALLING BEHIND AND BARELY HANGING ON BY OUR FINGER NAILS. RIGHT NOW, EXPERIENCE DEDICATED TEACHERS ARE MAKING DIFFICULT CHOICES THEY ARE WORKING SECOND
AND THIRD JOBS, DELAYING MEDICAL CARE NOT GETTING THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS AND SOME ARE LEAVING THE PROFESSION ALTOGETHER NOT BECAUSE THEY HAVE LOST THEIR PASSION BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO STAY. AS A VETERAN DECORATED TEACHER I CAN TELL YOU THE IMPACT IS
IMMEDIATE AND REAL. WHEN TEACHERS LEAVE, STUDENTS LOSE STABILITY. THEY LOSE RELATIONSHIPS. PLEASE VOTE FOR THIS RAISE. I WISH I HAD MORE TIME. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
>> IS IT MY TURN? BORROWING WORDS FROM WHITNEY HOUSTON, I BELIEVE THE TEACHERS ARE OUR FUTURE, PAY THEM WELL AND LET THEM PAY THEIR BILLS. SHOW THEM HOW MUCH YOU APPRECIATE THEIR WORK. GIVE THEM A SENSE OF PRIDE.
TO MAKE IT EASIER LET THE CHILDREN'S LAUGHTER REMIND YOU OF HOW WE SHOULD BE PAID. ALL RIGHT. >> Karen Brill: PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. >> I'M GETTING TO THAT. THIS IS SHARI PERIL LOW WITS
FROM SUNRISE PARK ELEMENTARY SHOUT-OUT TO THE BEST SCHOOL IN PALM BEACH COUNTY PRECIOUS KINDERGARTEN. THIS IS ME AND I'M ON FOR MY KIDS. I HAVE SPOKEN 2 TIMES BEFORE I AM A 21-YEAR VETERAN OF THE SAME SCHOOL.
IF YOU REMEMBER MY SPEECH SINCE THEN I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD ANY SHOES. YOU HAVE HEARD MONEY STORIES ABOUT YOUR TEACHERS. AND I DIDN'T SAY MANY STORIES I SAID MONEY STORIES. YOU HAVE HEARD ABOUT THEM RENTING OUT THEIR HOUSES TO
STRANGERS, RENTING ROOMS WITH STRANGE EARNINGS, SKIPPING MEALS MOVING OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH A TWO-HOUR DRIVE AND SELLING THEIR BODIES AS SURROGATES AND WE ARE ASKED TO COME SPEAK TO YOU AFTER AN EXHAUSTING DAY OF WEEK. I GAVE UP TUTORING MONEY TODAY
SO I WILL HAVE TO DONATE BLOOD TOMORROW. I WILL SEND THE PINTS TO YOU BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT YOU WILL WANT NEXT. WE ALL BLEED RED. ON BEHALF OF ALL MY PEERS IN THIS DISTRICT, I AM GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR US.
IT IS A PERSONAL, VERY IMPORTANT THING. HELL IS THE TEACHER MOTTO ARE YOU READY BOARD? HERE IT COMES. HERE IT COMES... I HOPE SO... OH, MY GOD...
ALL RIGHT. >> SHOW ME THE MONEY. >> SHOW ME THE MONEY THAT'S RIGHT. [♪♪] MONEY!
ALL RIGHT. SO HERE WE GO, EVERYBODY. HERE WE GO EVERYBODY. SHOW ME THE MONEY. COME ONBOARD, SHOW ME THE MONEY. SHOW US THE MONEY. SHOW US THE MONEY. THERE IT IS SHOW US THE MONEY.
SHOW US THE MONEY. SHOW US THE MONEY. SHOW ME THE MONEY. SHOW ME THE MONEY. SHE ME THE MONEY. OKAY. SHOW ME THE MONEY. LAST QUESTION: BOARD, WOULD YOU
BE HAPPY WITH A 1.5% RAISE? WHEN DO WE GET TO EVALUATE YOU? THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. WIDTHLINE PIERRE, GILDA MORGAN
WILLIAMS. PLEASE COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. CATCH MY BREATH. MIKE WE GOT TO MILE. I'M GILDA MORGAN WILLIAMS AND I
AM A SPEECH LANGUAGE PREKINDERGARTEN FOR THE NORTH DIAGNOSTIC TEAM AND I AM THE PROUD, PROUD CTA VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY CLASSROOM TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.
I STAND BEFORE YOU TONIGHT AS A VETERAN TEACHER. OF ALMOST 39 YEARS. AND I SAY THIS WITH ABSOLUTE CLARITY. I HAVE NEVER SEEN IT THIS BAD FOR TEACHERS. LET ME BE CLEAR...
THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT NUMBERS. THIS IS ABOUT RESPECT. THIS IS ABOUT SURVIVAL. AND THIS IS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION. OUR TEACHERS HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN ASKED OF THEM.
AND MORE. THEY HAVE BUILT THIS DISTRICT. THEY HAVE HELPED SUSTAIN AN A RATED SCHOOL DISTRICT. THEY HAVE RAISED GRADUATION RATES. THEY HAVE PUSHED STUDENT PERFORMANCE HIGHER YEAR AFTER YEAR ON HIGH STAKES TESTING.
THEY SHOW UP EARLY. THEY STAY LATE. THEY SPEND THEIR OWN MONEY THAT THEY DON'T HAVE. AND MOST OF ALL, THEY POUR THEIR HEARTS INTO THE CHILDREN EVERY SINGLE DAY. AND WHAT ARE THEY BEING TOLD IN
TURN? THEY ARE WORTH 1.5%. LET'S SIT ON THAT FOR A MINUTE. 1.5%. THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE REVIEWED THE FACTS THE DATA, THE FINANCES
AND CAME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION OF 3.5%. THAT RECOMMENDATION IS FAIR AND IT IS RESPONSIBLE AND IT ACKNOWLEDGES ECONOMIC REALITY. MANY OF YOU SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ARE SITTING ON THIS BOARD BECAUSE OF US TEACHERS.
I HAVE SAT IN ROOMS WITH YOU AND INTERVIEWED MANY OF YOU. AND YOU HAVE COMMITTED TO SUPPORT TEACHERS, TO SUPPORT OUR UNION AND MOST OF ALL, SUPPORT OUR RAISES. SO I'M HERE TONIGHT TO SAY LET'S BE HONEST.
1.5% DOES NOT BEGIN TO TOUCH INFLATION. IT DOES NOT COVER RAISING RISING RENT FOOD, GAS OR HEALTHCARE. SO I AM ASKING YOU TO DIG DEEP INTO YOUR HEARTS AND AS I SAID TO YOU IN NOVEMBER, DO RIGHT, DO
THE RIGHT THING. WHAT'S GIVEN MUCH REQUIRED SUPPORT THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE'S RULING. MIKE AND THE BOARD, GIVE US OUR 3.5%. WE'VE EARNED IT. WE ARE AN A RATED DISTRICT. THANK YOU.
>> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. >> DAWN SHOCK, CHARMAINE POSTAL. FOLLOWED BY JODY MOSHEL.
>> GOOD EVENING I'M DAWN SHOCK I AM A TEACHER AT ACREAGE PINES ELEMENTARY WHERE I'VE TAUGHT FOR THE LAST 28 YEARS MY ENTIRE CAREER. I INVESTED IN MY SCHOOL MY JOB, AND MY COMMUNITY. BUT LATELY, I FEEL AS IF I'M GOING TO WORK WITH A CLOUD OVER
MY HEAD. TEACHERS ARE ASKED TO DO MORE EVERY YEAR OUR WORKLOAD INCREASES BUT OUR PAY DOES NOT KEEP PACE NOT WITH BASIC COST OF LIVING INCREASES. BEYOND COMPENSATION THERE IS SOMETHING JUST AS IMPORTANT AT STAKE. RESPECT.
RESPECT IS SHOWN IN HOW DECISIONS ARE MADE. HOW TEACHERS ARE SPOKEN TO. AND WHETHER THEIR PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE IS TRUSTED. IT SHOWS WHEN THEIR VOICES ARE INCLUDED NOT DISMISSED. WHEN POLICIES ARE CREATED WITHOUT TEACHER INPUT OR WHEN
THEIR CONCERNS ARE MINIMIZED IT CREATES A CULTURE WHERE EDUCATORS FEEL UNDER VALUED AND UNHEARD. BY THE WAY, HOLDING A MEETING THAT AFFECTS TEACHERS AT A TIME WHEN THEY ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND IS DISRESPECTFUL. AND WHEN TEACHERS FEEL THIS WAY, IT DOESN'T JUST AFFECT THEM.
IT AFFECTS STUDENTS, SCHOOLS AND ENTIRE COMMUNITIES. IF WE WANT STRONG SCHOOLS WE MUST SUPPORT THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THEM STRONG. THAT MEANS FAIR PAY THAT REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PROFESSION. IT MEANS TREATING TEACHERS AS PROFESSIONALS WHOSE INSIGHTS AND
EXPERIENCES MATTER. IT MEANS RECOGNIZING THAT RESPECT IS NOT OPTIONAL, IT IS ESSENTIAL. THIS IS NOT ABOUT ASKING FOR SOMETHING EXTRA. IT IS ABOUT ASKING FOR WHAT IS FAIR, WHAT IS REASONABLE, AND WHAT IS NECESSARY TO SUSTAIN A
HEALTHY AND EFFECTIVE EDUCATION SYSTEM. OUR TEACHERS DESERVE BETTER. AND OUR STUDENTS DESERVE TEACHERS WHO FEEL SUPPORTED RESPECTED AND VALUED. SO TODAY, I SAY, LET'S DO BETTER. LET'S STAND UP FOR TEACHERS THE
WAY THEY STAND UP FOR OUR CHILDREN EVERY SINGLE DAY. THANK YOU. >> HI I'M JODY MOKELE AND I STAND BEFORE YOU AS A CONCERNED
CONSTITUENT, A SCHOOL COUNSELOR, A CTA BOARD MEMBER AND A WITNESS TO THE GROWING CRISIS IN OUR SCHOOLS. ON MAY 6, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO DECIDE THE FUTURE OF OUR DISTRICT'S MORALE AND I URGE YOU TO REJECT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S PROPOSAL AND ADOPT THE NEUTRAL SPECIAL MAGISTRATE'S
RECOMMENDATION OF THE 3.5% RAISE. THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE REVIEWED THE FINANCIALS AND DETERMINED THAT 3.5% IS FAIR AND SUSTAINABLE AS MANY SAID ALREADY TODAY. THIS CURRENT OFFER OF 1.5% RAISE AND A ONE-TIME BONUS IS FRANKLY, AN INSULT.
A BONUS DOES NOT HELP MY PENSION GROW SO I CAN RETIRE ONE DAY. IT DOES NOT HELP A TEACHER QUALIFY FOR A MORTGAGE IT IS A TEMPORARY PATCH TO A PERMANENT ECONOMIC CRISIS. IN PALM BEACH COUNTY THE COST OF HOUSING CONTINUES TO OUTPACE THE STATE AVERAGE. AFTER LAST YEAR'S INCREASE IN
THE HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS, A 1.5% RAISE RESULTS IN A NET INCREASE OF FOR ME, 13.90 FOR MY HOUSEHOLD THAT WOULD NOT COVER A BAG OF GROCERIES. FOR OUR EDUCATORS WHEN YOU FACTOR IN INFLATION AND HEALTHCARE, THE OFFER IS A PAY
CUT. THIS DISTRICT WOULD NOT BE A RATED WITHOUT THE PROFESSIONALS IN THE CLASSROOM. EDUCATION DOES NOT DEPEND ON HIGHLY PAID ADMINISTRATORS WHO HAVE NO STUDENT CONTACT. IT DEPENDS ON THE BACKBONE WHICH IS THE TEACHERS. I ALSO WANT TO EXPRESS MY PROFOUND DISAPPOINTMENT AND
SHOCK OF THE TIMING OF THE REJECTION TO HAVE THE SUPERINTENDENT REJECT THE NEUTRAL MAGISTRATE'S DECISION ON A LONG WEEKEND WHILE TEACHERS WERE HOME WITH FAMILIES TRYING TO FIND A MOMENT OF PEACE, IS A MOVE THAT WAS BOTH DISMISSIVE AND COWARDLY. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DISPARITY
BETWEEN THE SUPERINTENDENT EARNING OVER $370,000 WITH CAR ALLOWANCE AND BONUSES, A TEACHER TAKING HOME AN EXTRA $13 A PAYCHECK THE MESSAGE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE IS LOUD AND CLEAR. IN THE FACE OF A NEUTRAL RULING THAT FAVORS WORKERS, THE
ADMINISTRATION'S RESPONSE FEELS LIKE A MODERN-DAY LET THEM EAT CAKE. I URGE YOU TO SHOW THE LEADERSHIP THIS COUNTY DESERVES. PLEASE REJECT THE 1.5% PROPOSAL HONOR THE MAGISTRATE'S FINDINGS AND CHOOSE THE TEACHERS WHO MAKE THIS DISTRICT GREAT.
THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING. BOARD CHAIR, SUPERINTENDENT, BOARD MEMBERS EVERYONE IN YOUR PLACES. CHARMAINE POSTAL.
FIRST AND FOREMOST A PARENT OF THREE CHILDREN ONE WHO HAVE ALREADY -- FOUR CHILDREN ONE WHO GRADUATED FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUT ALSO A PARTNER IN EDUCATION AND I'M WEARING THE OFFICIAL HAT WITH AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION
OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. PALM BEACH COUNTY COUNCIL OF PTA, PTSA ACKNOWLEDGES THE ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS AND THAT THE CURRENT SITUATION IS NOT THE RESULT OF ANY ONE PARTY BUT RATHER THE OUTCOME OF CONTINUED FINANCIAL PRESSURES ON PUBLIC
EDUCATION. PERSISTENT UNDERFUNDING AT THE STATE LEVEL HAS CREATED A CYCLE IN WHICH SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND EMPLOYEE GROUPS ARE FORCED TO MAKE INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT STRAIN RESOURCES, RELATIONSHIPS, AND ULTIMATELY
OUTCOMES FOR OUR STUDENTS. THIS DYNAMIC OFTEN AS WE HAVE SEEN TODAY ON AND ON SPEAKER AFTER SPEAKER, PITS CRITICAL PRIORITIES SUCH AS STAFFING, COMPENSATION, AND PROGRAMMING AGAINST ONE ANOTHER.
WHEN THE REALITY THEY ARE ALL ESSENTIAL TO OUR STUDENT SUCCESS. THESE PRESSURES ARE NOT THE RESULT OF LOCAL DECISION MAKING ALONE. BUT OF A BROADER FUNDING STRUCTURE THAT HAS FAILED TO KEEP PACE WITH THE REAL NEEDS OF GROWING AND EVOLVING SCHOOL SYSTEM.
AS A RESULT DISTRICTS ARE LEFT MANAGING CONSTRAINTS THAT REQUIRE SHORT-TERM FIXES TO ADDRESS LONG-TERM SYSTEMIC ISSUES. THIS IS NOT A SUSTAINABLE MODEL AND WITHOUT MEANINGFUL INVESTMENT, THE CYCLE WILL CONTINUE TO REPEAT ITSELF AT THE EXPENSE OF BOTH EDUCATORS AND
OUR STUDENTS. AT THE SAME TIME, WE WANT TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT ABOUT ASSIGNING BLAME. BOTH DISTRICT LEADERSHIP AND CTA ARE WORKING WITHIN REAL, REAL VERY REAL LIMITATIONS. HOWEVER, THE OUTCOME OF THESE
CONSTRAINTS IS FELT MOST DEEPLY BY OUR STUDENTS WHO ULTIMATELY BEAR THE IMPACT OF UNCERTAINTY. STAFFING CHALLENGES AND RESOURCE LIMITATIONS, WE ARE ALSO MINDFUL AT THE TIMING OF THEE NEGOTIATIONS CLOSE TO THE NEXT BUDGETING CYCLE UNDERSCORES THE
URGENCY AND THE TEMPORARY NATURE OF ANY RESOLUTION REACHED TODAY. PALM BEACH COUNTY IS A VITAL ECONOMIC DESTINATION OUR SCHOOLS ARE A FOUNDATIONAL PART OF THAT SUCCESS AND SUSTAINED INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAINING THE STRENGTH AND APPEAL OF OUR COMMUNITY.
WE RESPECTFULLY ENCOURAGE ALL PARTIES TO CONTINUE WORKING TOWARD A RESOLUTION THAT REFLECTS STRONG FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY WHILE MINIMIZING DISRUPTION TO OUR STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS. WE BELIEVE IT IS CRITICAL THAT OUR COLLECTIVE VOICES EXTEND BEYOND THE PROCESS TO ADVOCATE
FOR THE RESOURCES OUR STUDENTS, EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITY TRULY NEED. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. ARETHA CLARK, PEGGY MELON.
PLEASE COME UP. >> GOOD EVENING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT. I'M PEGGY MELON AND I AM A TEACHER OF 18 YEARS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY AND BLESSED TO BE AT DREYFOOS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
WE ARE HERE TO DISCUSS THE NUMBER OF 1.5%. FOR SOME THAT NUMBER WAS A CELEBRATION. A REASON FOR A PERFECT 5 OUT OF 5 EVALUATION FOR 95.9% GRADATION RATE. BUT FOR THE THOUSANDS OF TEACHERS WHO GIVE OUR LIVES TO
OUR STUDENTS EACH DAY THAT 1.5% THAT WAS A KICK IN THE FACE. ESPECIALLY AFTER WEIGH GAVE YOU THAT GRADUATION RATE. I IMPLORE THE BOARD TO HONOR THE MAGISTRATE'S RECOMMENDATION FOR
3.5% RAISE FOR OUR EDUCATORS. I AM AN ENGLISH TEACHER BUT I WILL TALK ABOUT MATH JUST A LITTLE BIT. WE JUST SAW 1.5% RAISE FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT, FOR AN INCREASE OF $5500 AND FOR YOU THAT IS A GREAT TRIP WITH YOUR FAMILY DOWN TO CANCUN FOR A WEEK.
FOR ME 5500 WILL BE LIFE CHANGING. FOR ME PERSONALLY AT A 57,000 BASE SALARY, MY RAISE IS ABOUT $850. LET'S TAKE TAXES OUT OF THAT. I WILL GIVE YOU GRACE AND SAY
$600. $600 IS NOT LIFE CHANGING FOR ME. AS A MATTER OF FACT WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE RENT, THE INSURANCE, THE GAS AND THE GROCERIES, THE COST OF LIVING HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY THAT IS SKYROCKETED OVER THE LAST YEAR, THAT $600 IS NOT A TANK OF
GAS EACH WEEK. FOR ME PERSONALLY, MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY IN 2019 AND LEFT ME A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WAS JUST ENOUGH TO PUT ON A HOUSE AND THANK GOD I DID. BECAUSE I COULD NOT AFFORD TO RENT IN PALM BEACH COUNTY AS A SINGLE PERSON THAT WOULDN'T
HAPPEN. AND INSTEAD, I'VE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH INSURANCE BECAUSE WHEN I BOUGHT THE HOUSE INSURANCE WAS $3200 A YEAR. NOW IT'S GONE UP TO $6600 LAST YEAR AND I GOT MY INSURANCE BILL AND IT'S $8800 THIS YEAR. I DON'T KNOW HOW I'M GOING TO
PAY IT. THAT $850 IS NOT GOING TO HELP ME PAY THAT BILL. I'VE GOT A SIDE HUSTLE AT 61 I HAVE TO TAKE ON A SIDE HUSTLE ON TOP OF WORKING ALL DAY THAT SCHOOL. I'M AT DREYFOOS SO STANDARDS
HAVE TO BE MAINTAINED RIGHT NOW I'VE GOT 10 HOURS OF GRADING A DAY TO DO ON TOP OF WORKING. JUST TO MAKE SURE MY KIDS ARE SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE DO. NOW I HAVE TO TURN AROUND I HAVE TO PLACE AN AD TO RENT OUT MY SECOND BEDROOM AT 61 YEARS OF
AGE I HAVE TO HAVE ROOMMATES LIKE I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT BECAUSE YOU DO NOT PAY US A LIVING WAGE HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. AND MY BIGGEST FARE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I TURN AROUND --
>> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON MR. CHAIRMAN, VICE-CHAIRMAN MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUES AND HONORABLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. I'M ARETHA CLARK I HAVE BEEN
PRIVILEGED TO SERVE ON THE CTA BOARD AS WELL AS DEDICATING MYSELF TO THE EDUCATION FOR 30 YEARS. MY JOURNEY AS AN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATOR HAS DEEPENED BY CONVICTIONS OF THE POWER OF EDUCATION. EDUCATION IS NOT JUST A
PROFESSION IT IS A VITAL CALL THAT SHAPES THE FUTURE OF INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES ALIKE. THE WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE WE IMPART OUR STUDENTS WITH ARE TOOLS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR SUCCESS AND NONE OF US WOULD BE HERE TODAY WITHOUT HAVING BEEN
TOUCHED BY THE GUIDANCE OF A TEACHER. AS EDUCATORS, WE FORM THE BACKBONE OF SOCIETY. WE HAVE HAILED AS HEROS ENTRUSTED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF NURTURING AND EDUCATING OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE OUR CHILDREN. TODAY I FEEL COMPELLED TO
EMPHASIZE A CRITICAL TRUTH THAT CANNOT BE UNSTATED. OVERSTATED. ONE CANNOT PRIORITIZE EDUCATION WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY DEEVALUATING EDUCATORS. LET ME BE CLEAR. OUR PROFESSION DEMANDS RECOGNITION, AND RESPECT.
AND I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW ESSENTIAL THIS IS. CURRENTLY WE FIND OURSELVES GRAPPLING WITH A GRAVE CRISIS. THE CHALLENGE POSED BY RISING COSTS OF LIVING ARE IMPACTING ALL OF US. YET OUR SALARIES HAVE LARGELY
STAGNATED. WHEN LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS IT BECOMES STRIKINGLY EVIDENT THAT WHEN ADJUSTED TO INFLATION MANY OF US ARE EARNING LESS TODAY THAN WE DID A DECADE AGO. THIS SITUATION IS NOT A MATTER
OF INEQUALITY IT POSES A THREAT TO THE QUALITY OF OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. AS TEACHERS SALARIES FALL BEHIND THE INFLATION RATE IT TRANSLATES AS AN ANNUAL REDUCTION TO PAY. THIS ALARMING TREND SENDS A MESSAGE THAT OUR COLLECTIVE
EXPERTISE UNWAVERING DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO OUR STUDENTS ARE LOSING VALUE IN THE EYES OF SOCIETY. THIS SHOULD CONCERN ALL OF US. CONSIDER THE SOBERING STATISTICS THAT NEARLY 50% OF NEWLY EDUCATORS LEAVE THE PROFESSION
WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR. THE HIGH TURNOVER RATE IS CONTRIBUTED TO INADEQUATE COMPENSATION WHEN EDUCATORS ARE FORCED TO SEEK SECONDARY EMPLOYMENT TO MAKE ENDS MEET WE FIND OURSELVES UNAVAILABLE TO
DEVOTE OUR FULL ENERGY AND PASSION TO OUR STUDENTS. WHICH ULTIMATELY UNDERMINES THE EDUCATION WE PROVIDE. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. CARMEN, ROSIE, FOLLOWED BY
CHRISTINA. >> I AM A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATOR HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU DIRECTLY ABOUT OUR CONCERNS AND CONSIDERATION TO ACCEPT THE MAGISTRATE'S RECOMMENDATION.
AS A VALUED MEMBER OF TEAM PALM BEACH COUNTY I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY QUOTING FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT. ONE OF HIS CORE BELIEFS IS THAT INVESTING IN OUR EMPLOYEES IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE ABILITY TO SERVE OUR STUDENTS. THERE IS AN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORD INVESTMENT IT CAN TAKE
ON FORMS SUCH AS THE WAY OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES TO PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE HARD HARD WORK WE POUR INTO OUR STUDENTS AND SCHOOL DISTRICT WE THANK YOU FOR THAT. HOWEVER AT SOME POINT THERE IS A GROWING CONCERN AND NEED TO
ADDRESS THE MOST TANGIBLE NEED WHEN IT COMES TO INVESTMENT. THE FINANCIAL WELL-BEING, SECURITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF TEACHERS AS THEY CONTINUE TO LIVE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY AND CONTINUE TO HELPING THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT REMAIN A COMPETITIVELY SUCCESSFUL ONE. AS A SINGLE MOTHER THERE'S
RARELY BEEN A TIME WHEN I WASN'T JUGGLING ANOTHER JOB IN ORDER TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND I KNOW I'M NOT ALONE. TODAY, I LIVE WITH BOTH MY SONS BOTH ARE ADULTS I CARE FOR MY 83-YEAR-OLD MOTHER AND WONDER IF THERE WILL BE A TIME WHERE I WILL BE ABLE TO LIVE
INDEPENDENTLY AS A TEACHER WITH OUR INCOME DISPROPORTIONATE TO THE COSTS HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. I KNOW THE VALUE OF THE COMMITMENT OF SERVICE IT IS NOT UNLIKE THE CUSTOMER SERVICE WE AIM TO PROVIDE. PART OF THE SERVICE AS TEACHERS IS TO BE THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE IN THE CARE OF OUR
STUDENTS AND OUR CLASSROOMS. THE DEGREE OF SUCCESSFUL SERVICE FROM A TEACHER TO THEIR STUDENTS IS INFLUENCED BY THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THAT TEACHER. WORRYING ABOUT HOW TO TACKLE LIVING HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY IS A CONCERN FOR TOO MANY TEACHERS THAT IS TOO HARD TO IGNORE AND HARDER NOT TO ADDRESS
APPROPRIATELY WHEN IT COMES TO SALARY ADJUSTMENTS. AGAIN, THE SUPERINTENDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT OUTLINES THE GOAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMPENSATION AND EMPLOYEE INFORMATION SERVICES TO ATTRACT AND REWARD A HIGHLY SKILLED WORKFORCE BY ENSURING EMPLOYEES ARE COMPENSATED COMPETITIVELY.
WE CAN CONCLUDE THAT A 1.5% PLUS A TAXABLE BONUS OF 1.5% IS NOT AN INVESTMENT THAT WILL PRODUCE DISIF DENNEDS AND SAVING OUR TEACHERS LONGEVITY AND PRODUCTIVITY AND COMES IN CLOSE TO 10% PAY ENCOURAGES SENIORS TO
DO IN TRANSITIONING TO ADULT LIFE. MOST OF OUR TEACHERS CAN'T SAVE 10% OF THEIR PAY AND TO IGNORE THIS IS TO DISREGARD OUR NEEDS INSTEAD OF CATCHING THE WAVE TEACHERS ARE DROWNING IN THE TSUNAMI OF LIVING COSTS AND WE NEED YOUR HELP.
IN YOUR EQUITY STATEMENT THE SCHOOL BOARD ASSERTS IT WILL EMBRACE, CELEBRATE AND HONOR OUR STUDENTS, COMMUNITY AND STAFF MEMBERS LET'S PUT THE TEAM IN TEAM PALM BEACH LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND SUPPORT THE RAISE FROM THE MAGISTRATE.
THANK YOU. >> GO RIGHT UP TO THE MICROPHONE. >> THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING. AND I UNDERSTAND THERE'S SO MANY OF US SPEAKING TONIGHT.
I'M LOOKING AT FACES AND I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR AN HOUR. THAT NOT EVERYONE IS COMPLETELY FOCUSED ON THE PEOPLE SPEAKING. I GET IT. IT IS A LOT. IT IS A LOT. IT IS A LOT FOR US TO SIT HERE
AND GRAVEL AND BEG FOR RAISES WHAT. PROFESSION DOES THIS. YOU SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED. Mr. BURKE, YOU MAKE ALMOST $400,000 WITH YOUR PERKS AND BONUS AND CAR ALLOWANCE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF CAR YOU DRIVE BUT $1200 A MONTH IS
NICE. I IMPLORE YOU TO SWITCH PLACES WITH ME. I HAVE BEEN TEACHING IN THIS COUNTY FOR 27 YEARS. AS A TEACHER. MY SALARY IS $66,600.
THAT AND IT'S NOT EVERYBODY KEEPS SAYING WE'RE GETTING A 1.5% RAISE. WE ARE NOT. MY INSURANCE WENT UP 1.25. SO FOR ME, MY RAISE WOULD BE .5. YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS? MY INSURANCE WENT UP $36 A
MONTH. THIS RAISE THIS 1.5% RAISE THAT IS OH, SO WONDERFUL THAT ARE YOU ABLE TO GIVE US, THAT GIVES ME $2 EXTRA A MONTH. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THAT?
THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO BUY A HOUSE A LONGTIME AGO WITH MY HUSBAND. EX-HUSBAND BUT STILL HE IS A WONDERFUL PERSON. THAT I CAN AFFORD TO LIVE IN THE AREA THAT I TEACH.
BECAUSE IF IT WASN'T FOR THAT, THERE'S NO WAY I COULD AFFORD THAT. BUT GUESS WHAT? IT'S DIFFICULT BECAUSE MY INSURANCE IS GOING UP, MY TAXES ARE GOING UP, GAS GOING UP, EVERYTHING IS GOING UP. YOUR RAISE IS FABULOUS 1.5% WITH
THE BONUS I DON'T KNOW ABOUT $12,000. THAT IS NOT BAD. THAT'S NOT THAT MUCH FOR ME. THAT 1.5% BONUS I DON'T WANT IT. THIS PEN THAT SAYS I AM A STAR AND THANK YOU FOR BEING AN
INCREDIBLE PERSON AND THANK YOU FOR WE APPRECIATE YOU WHAT DOES IT SAY? WE ARE STAR STRUCK BY YOU? NO, SHOW ME YOU'RE STAR STRUCK BY GIVING ME A RAISE THAT I DESERVE. 3.5% IS NOT EVEN ENOUGH.
BUT IT'S BETTER THAN 1.5%. MY GOODNESS. Mr. BURKE, YOU ARE ONE OF THE HIGHEST PAID SUPERINTENDENTS NOT ONLY IN FLORIDA BUT IN THE NORTHERN STATES. AND YOUR TEACHERS ARE THE LOWEST. WE RANK 50TH IN THE NATION AND LIVE IN ONE OF THE MOST
EXPENSIVE AREAS IN THE STATE. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. MA'AM. COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE AND STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> ROSEKY CONTACT DISCUSS.
>> GOOD EVENING I'M CHRISTINA I AM THE FORMER VICE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH I AM A MOTHER, AN EDUCATOR AND A CANDIDATE FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT FOUR. >> YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SAY THAT FOR ANY OTHER CANDIDATES IN
THE ROOM THAT WAS READ IN THE COMMENTS. ACCORDING TO POLICY IT CAN'T BE STATED. >> EXCUSE ME FOR THE -- I APOLOGIZE CHAIR BRILL. I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF OUR TEACHERS AND THE NEED TO RESOLVE THE I IMPASSE AROUND THEIR
COMPENSATION OUR EDUCATOR ARE CAUGHT. AFTER MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS A SPECIAL MAGISTRATE RECOMMENDED A 3.5% RAISE BUT IT WAS REJECTED LEAVING TEACHERS STILL WAITING FOR CLARITY AND STABILITY. AND WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM TEACHERS IS SIMPLE THEY ARE NOT ASKING FOR THE MOON. THEY ARE ASKING FOR WHAT IS
REASONABLE. AT THE SAME TIME I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE REALITY THIS BOARD IS FACING. WE KNOW THERE IS REPORTED $66 MILLION SHORTFALL. TIED TO THE DECLINING ENROLLMENT AND DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT MUST BE MADE. HERE IS THE TRUTH.
TWO THINGS CAN BE TRUE AT ONCE. WE CAN RECOGNIZE FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS AND STILL RECOGNIZE THAT DELAYING FAIR COMPENSATION FOR OUR TEACHERS COMES AT A COST WE CANNOT AFFORD. BECAUSE DELAYS ARE NOT NEUTRAL. THEY IMPACT WHETHER TEACHERS STAY OR LEAVE.
THEY IMPACT MORALE IN OUR SCHOOLS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THEY IMPACT THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION OUR CHILDREN RECEIVE. PALM BEACH COUNTY IS ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVES IN FLORIDA TO LIVE AND WORK AND WE ARE NOT COMPETITIVE IF WE LOSE THE EDUCATORS WE DEPEND ON. THIS MOMENT CALLS FOR LEADERSHIP
NOT JUST PROCESS. LEADERSHIP MEANS MAKING HARD DECISIONS. YES, BUT IT MEANS PRIORITIZING THE PEOPLE THAT WE DEPEND ON. IT MEANS RECOGNIZING THAT TEACHERS ARE NOT LINE ITEMS ON A BUDGET THEY ARE THE FOUNDATION OF OUR ENTIRE SYSTEM.
AND I WOULD ALSO URGE THIS BOARD TO CONSIDER ACCESSIBILITY IN THIS PROCESS. WHEN CRITICAL DECISIONS ARE SCHEDULED AT TIMES WHEN TEACHERS CANNOT ATTEND IT SENDS THE WRONG MESSAGE AND WE LOSE THE VOICES THAT MATTER TO THIS DECISION.
OUR TEACHERS DESERVE TO BE HEARD NOT JUST REPRESENTED. SO TONIGHT I ASK YOU TO MOVE FORWARD WITH URGENCY AND A CLEAR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING THE EDUCATORS WHO SHOW UP FOR OUR CHILDREN EVERY SINGLE DAY. AND VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE'S DECISION TO PROVIDE
A 3.5% RAISE FOR OUR TEACHERS BECAUSE WHEN WE INVEST IN OUR TEACHERS AND EDUCATION SUPPORT STAFF OUR BUS DRIVERS, CAFETERIA WORKERS AND MAINTENANCE STAFF AND MAKES THIS A RATED PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT RUN WE INVEST IN US AND OUR FUTURE.
>> >> Karen Brill: I WANT TO APOLOGIZE I HAVE TO CLARIFY AND THIS IS FOR THE OTHER CANDIDATES THAT ARE IN THE ROOM GOING TO SPEAK. THAT OUR POLICY DOES NOT ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO MENTION ANY OF THEIR CANDIDACY FOR ELECTED OFFICE BUT WE THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. >> UNDERSTOOD THANK YOU, CHAIR BRILL. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE DONALD PIERSON,
MAYA AND TOMMY GRADY. >> GOOD EVENING DON PIERSON. PALM BEACH COUNTY CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL. I AM A 44TH YEAR NEXT MONTH WILL
BE FINISHING I WAS GOING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I WANT TO THERE IS A BOOK RIGHT HERE BY MEREDITH BAGBY. SHE WAS A STUDENT WHEN TWIN LAKES CONVERTED TO PALM BEACH LAKES. SHE ENDED UP GOING TO HARVARD
AND PRINTED THIS BOOK AN ACCOUNT ON AMERICA'S CITIZENS AND WHERE THEY STAND ECONOMICALLY, SOCIALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. SO I WAS LOOKING AT THE BOOK AND THE BIGGEST THING IS WHEN SHE WRITES IN IT SHE WRITES TO DEAN
ANY AND COLLEAGUES OF MINE AND SAYS THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR TEACHING AND ALL YOUR SUPPORT. THAT'S THE KIND OF TEACHERS WE HAD AND WE HAVE IN 1995. I'M NOT GOING TO SAY ANYTHING THAT HAS BEEN SAID BECAUSE IT'S
BEEN SAID SO WELL BUT I WILL MENTION SOMETHING WHEN I STARTED TEACHING IN 1982, I ACTUALLY COULD BUY A HOUSE. AND I BOUGHT IT IN MY FIRST YEAR TEACHING. THIS WAS WRITTEN IN '95.
THE THING ABOUT HER BOOK IS IN 1995 WHEN SHE WROTE THIS, TO 3% WAS GOING TO EDUCATION. AND WE'RE RIGHT AT THE SAME PLACE. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS 3% IS THE SAME ON HIGHER AMOUNT BUT THE
SPENDING IS MUCH HIGHER THE 3% BACK THEN IS DIFFERENT THAN THE 3% NOW. SO WE LOSE GROUND. BUT IN 1995, YOU COULD BUY A HOUSE ON A TEACHER'S SALARY. YOU COULD SUPPORT A FAMILY AND KEEP UP WITH INFLATION. BUT RIGHT NOW, IT CAN BARELY
LIVE, YOU HAVE OTHER REQUIREMENTS, AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE LADY WHO SAID, HEY, MY PAY WENT UP BUT MY INSURANCE WENT UP. AND I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS. THIS COUNTY IS SELF INSURED THAT
INSURANCE THAT WENT UP STAYS IN ONE OF YOUR HOPPERS SO YOU MAKE MONEY OFF OF THE INSURANCE AND PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT. YOU GIVE $100 RAISE, YOU RAISE IT $90 THERE IS YOUR $10. THAT IS UNFORTUNATE. NOW, I HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING THAT IS REAL HARD.
PEOPLE WON'T SAY IT. BUT I GOT TO SAY IT. BECAUSE THE TEACHERS YOU HAVE HERE, HERE IS THE CHARACTER WE HAVE. AND IT STARTED WITH GRUN KNOW. IT'S NOT IN A DATA BOOK BUT IT'S IN PUBLICATIONS, NEWSPAPERS, MEDIA.
ANYTIME ANY SCHOOL WAS CONFRONTED BY A SHOOTER, EVERY DID A TEACHER HIDE. THEY ALWAYS GOT IN FRONT OF THE KIDS. THAT'S THE KIND OF PEOPLE YOU HAVE. THANK YOU.
>> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. MAYA SAGRIN. TOMMY GRADY, KAREN LONGHOFER. PLEASE COME UP.
>> MY NAME IS TOMMY GRADY AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, FELLOW EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS GOOD EVENING. WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK FROM THE HEART TONIGHT. AND MY HEART IS FILLED WITH GRATITUDE. I AM SO VERY THANKFUL TO SPEND MY TIME EVERYDAY HELPING
CHILDREN LEARN TO READ, WRITE AND EXPLORE CONCEPTS IN MATH AND SCIENCE. I LOVE MY STUDENTS. I AM THANKFUL THAT I WORK WITH AN EXTRAORDINARILY TALENTED AND DEDICATED GROUP OF TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF AND I LOVE MY TEAM. I'M THANKFUL FOR THE FAMILY
MEMBERS WHO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ME TO HELP MY STUDENTS LEARN. I LOVE MY SCHOOL COMMUNITY. I HAVE BEEN TEACHING IN PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS FOR 27 YEARS AND THE MAJORITY OF THAT TIME HAS BEEN SPENT IN A FIRST GRADE CLASSROOM AND I LOVE FIRST
GRADE. I DO HAVE ONE ASK OF THE BOARD MEMBERS THIS EVENING AND IT'S SOMETHING I ASK OF MY FIRST GRADERS. BY AND LARGE THEY MANAGE TO ACCOMPLISH IT. WHAT I'M ASKING FOR YOU TO DO THIS EVENING IS SIMPLY TO TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE
TREATED. NOW, I DO BELIEVE YOU WOULD ALL LIKE TO BE TREATED FAIRLY, WITH DIGNITY, AND WITH RESPECT. OTHERS IN THIS CASE REFERS TO THE TEACHERS EMPLOYED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. AN IMPARTIAL SPECIAL MAGISTRATE
STATED THAT A 3.5% RAISE FOR TEACHERS IS FAIR. HE ALSO SAID SUCH A RAISE CAN BE GIVEN TO THE TEACHERS WITHOUT BEING FINANCIALLY IRRESPONSIBLE ON YOUR PART. SO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD, OUR LIVELIHOODS NOW REST IN YOUR HANDS.
YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO THE RIGHT THING. PLEASE TREAT THE EDUCATORS OF THIS A RATED SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH A FAIRNESS, DIGNITY AND RESPECT THAT THEY DESERVE BY AWARDING THE 3.5% RAISE AND PLEASE RENDER YOUR DECISION AT A
TIME AND PLACE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO BE PRESENT. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. 12450 GOOD EVENING CHAIR BOARD MEMBERS I'M KAREN LONGHOFER.
I HAVE BEEN IN THIS DISTRICT FOR 38 YEARS TEACHING FOR 39. I'VE HEARD TEACHERS SAY I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO TEACH HERE. YOU HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF HAVING ME AS A TEACHER IN YOUR DISTRICT. I HAVE A MASTERS DEGREE NATIONAL
BOARD CERTIFIED FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND I'M STILL HERE. I AXE A RESIDENT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY I TEACH AT POLO PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL AND I AM A SUPER VOTER. WHEN THE TEACHERS HEAR FROM YOU, THE BOARD MEMBERS DURING
CAMPAIGNING AND AFTER YOU'RE ELECTED THAT SUPPORT WE THE TEACHERS AND YOU BACK US UP. WE THE TEACHERS NEED YOUR SUPPORT NOW. WE THE TEACHERS NEED YOU TO BACK US UP NOW. ACCEPT THE MAGISTRATE'S RULING AND HOLD YOUR HEARING WHEN WE
THE TEACHERS CAN HEAR YOU. HOLDING THE HEARING AND YOUR VOTE AT A TIME WHEN WE, THE TEACHERS, ARE KEEPING THIS DISTRICT AN A RATED DISTRICT IS UNCONSCIONABLE. ALLOW US THE DIGNITY TO BE HERE WHEN YOU DISCUSS OUR FUTURE.
TEACHERS HAVE BEEN TOLD TIME AND AGAIN WHAT A GREAT JOB WE DO AND WE'RE THANKED VERBALLY FOR KEEPING PALM BEACH COUNTY AN A RATED DISTRICT THEN WE GET REJECTED. WE ARE SHOWN WE ARE NOT WORTH A WAGE THAT ALLOWS US TO LIVE NOT THRIVE JUST LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE WE TEACH.
IF THE DISTRICT IS ALLOWED TO PAY ALL OF THEIR BILLS AND SAVE MONEY, SHOULDN'T WE THE TEACHERS BE ALLOWED THE SAME? INSTEAD, YOU'RE TELLING US THE TEACHERS, THAT WE WANT TO YOU TO PAY -- WE WANT TO PAY OUR BILLS BUT WE
MUST DEPLETE OUR SAVINGS ACCOUNTS IF WE HAVE ONE. AND USE CREDIT CARDS JUST TO PAY FOR THE BASICS YOU KNOW OUR FPL BILLS, FOOD, GAS TO GET TO WORK. IF TEACHERS WERE VALUED THEN SALARIES WOULD BE FIRST ON THE BUDGET LINE BUT WE ARE NOT.
AS EVIDENCED BY THE FACT WE ARE GIVEN THE LEFTOVERS THE CRUMBS AFTER THE OTHER STUFF. SPEAKING OF OTHER STUFF, COPY MACHINES GOT A 3% RAISE. NOW, THOSE GUYS THEY WORK REALLY HARD THEY DO. BUT DO THEY WORK AS HARD AS A
TEACHER? NO. I DON'T SEE A COPY MACHINE COMING DOWN THE HALL TO TEACH STUDENTS. I DON'T SEE A COPY MACHINE TALKING TO PARENTS ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN. DID THE COPEMY MACHINE GET THE DISTRICT AN A RATING? NO. TEACHERS DID THAT. WE DESERVE MORE THAN THE COPE
MACHINES. I UNDERSTAND THE STATE FUNDS THE DISTRICT AND WE ALL AGREE THEY DO A HORRIBLE JOB. HOWEVER, IF I WERE FROM THE STATE LOOKING AT YOUR FUND BALANCE AND SEE IT GROWING EVERY SINGLE YEAR I WOULD WONDER WHY YOU ARE GIVEN SO MUCH MONEY. WHERE DID THE OVERBUDGET OCCUR?
TEACHERS SALARY. DO WHAT IT BEST FOR OUR DISTRICT, STUDENTS AND OUR TEACHERS ACCEPT THE MAGISTRATE'S RULING. THANK YOU AND HAVE A GOOD EVENING. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. VER CON RA
VERONICA, DARRYL WILLIS, RICHARD WOOLY. >> GOOD EVENING I'M DARRYL WILLIS I AM NOT A TEACHER BUT
MARRIED TO ONE. A HEARING THAT IS SCHEDULED FOR A WEDNESDAY AT 2:00 P.M. SO THAT TEACHERS THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE OUTCOME ARE CONTRACTUALLY FORBIDDEN FROM ATTENDING IT. THAT IS STRAIGHT UP CORD WARDS. YOU HAVE ALREADY MADE UP OF YOUR
MINDS YOU WILL IGNORE THE MAGISTRATE AND DON'T WANT TO HEAR THE SCORN THAT YOU WILL BE SUBJECT WHEN YOU SAY TO THE TEACHERS WE CAN'T AFFORD YOU THOSE PROPERTY VALUES HAVE GONE UP 10%. WE CAN'T AFFORD YOU THOUGH THE DISTRICT TOOK IN $120 MILLION MORE IN TAX REVENUE.
NO, WHAT WE CANNOT AFFORD IS TO KEEP LOSING TEACHERS TO OTHER DISTRICTS AND CAREERS ENTIRELY. THIS WARNING THAT A 3.5% RAISE WOULD MEAN FIRING PEOPLE AND CUTTING STUDENT SERVICES IS A CLASSIC THREAT THAT WREAKS OF UNION BUSTING. IT IS CRAVEN BULLYING AND IT IS
UNAMERICAN AND BENEATH THE DIGNITY OF MOST OF THIS BOARD. I MENTIONED PROPERTY TAXES I SHOULD POINT OUT FEW TEACHERS CAN AFFORD TO OWN A HOME. MOST CANNOT HAVE FORWARD TO HAVE A SECOND JOB IT WON'T COVER THE COST OF GAS. WITH THE NEW HEALTH INSURANCE
DEAL THAT YOU NEGOTIATED A 1.5% RAISE IS A PAY CUT. I KNOW THAT ADMIN'S FAVORITE SAYING NOBODY GOES INTO EDUCATION FOR THE MONEY BUT THAT IS EASY FOR ADMIN TO SAY WHEN THE SALARY FLOOR IS ABOVE MY WIFE'S CEILING AND EASY FOR THE
SUPERINTENDENT SAYING WHEN HE IS MAKING 400 GRAND A YEAR. A SUPERINTENDENT BY THE WAY, WITH NO FORMAL TRAINING IN EDUCATION WHO HAS NEVER BEEN A CLASSROOM EDUCATOR. HE WAS A FINE C.F.O. BUT HE HAS NEVER BEEN A TEACHER AND HE TREATS TEACHERS LIKE LINE ITEM
EXPENSES. WHY IS IT WE PAY THE MOST MEME TO THE PEOPLE WITH THE LEAST CONTACT OF STUDENTS. HOW MANY BOARD MEMBERS ARE CAREER EDUCATORS? ONE. THANK YOU MS. ANDREWS FOR YOUR SERVICE I'M COUNTING ON YOU TO LEAD THE WAY ON THIS.
COUNTING ON YOU NOT TO JUST VOTE THE RIGHT WAY BUT TURN THE HEARTS OF YOUR BOARD MEMBERS AND SHOW US WE CAN TRUST YOU TO GIVE OUR CHILDREN THE FOUNDATION THEY NEED FOR A SUCCESSFUL LIFE BY SUPPORTING THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE WE HAVE OUR TEACHERS.
PLEASE SHOW US WE CAN TRUST Y'ALL. BECAUSE IF WE ARE NOT CAREFUL WE RISK TURNING THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT INTO THE WORST BOX OF CAPTAIN CRUNCH. WE RISK LOSING THE GAME AND ENDING UP WITH A PUBLIC LIKELY
TO ELECT A SCHOOL BOARD THAT APPOINTS [AUDIO INTERRUPTION]. >> HELLO I'M RICHARD WOOLY A
TEACHER AT THE DREYFOOS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS IT IS MY FIFTH YEAR TEACHING THERE AND THIS IS MY 11TH YEAR OF TEACHING. I TEACH ECONOMICS. SO IT'S CONFUSING TO ME THAT YOU GUYS BUDGETED 3% FOR THE COPIERS
AND NOT FOR US. IT'S HURTFUL. IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE YOU GUYS WANT TO RETAIN US. AM I THE ONLY ONE GETTING THE E-MAILS? TELL YOU 1.5% BONUS SOUNDS BETTER IF WE CAN ALL GET A CAR ALLOWANCE TOO. YEAH?
Mr. BURKE YOU COME TO OUR GRADUATION EVERY YEAR AND YOU GIVE A NICE SPEECH TO THE FAMILIES AND THE STUDENTS. BUT IT DOES NOT FEEL LIKE IT'S ADDRESSED TO US. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS, SIR. AND IF MY WIFE AND I DIDN'T BUY A HOUSE IN 2019, WE COULD NOT
AFFORD TO LIVE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY AND WE ARE BOTH EDUCATORS IN THE CLASSROOM. WHAT I TEACH MY STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM IS YOU HAVE TO KNOW ABOUT INFLATION, KIDS, BECAUSE IT'S TIED TO YOUR PURCHASING POWER.
IF YOUR RAISES ARE NOT GOING UP BY THE SAME PERCENT AS INFLATION, YOUR BOSSES ARE OFFERING YOU A PAY CUT NOT A RAISE. IN ECONOMICS THAT IS CALLED NOMINAL RAISE. BUT IF YOU TALK ABOUT IT IN REAL TERMS, I DON'T HAVE A FINANCE
DEGREE BUT YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TEACHERS WITHOUT A FINANCE BACKGROUND TELLING YOU EXACTLY HOW IT IS. DO YOU WANT TO RETAIN TEACHERS OR NOT? DO YOU WANT TO ATTRACT THE BEST TALENT OR NOT?
JUST AN INTERNET SEARCH SAYS WE HAVE A HIGHER TURNOVER RATE ON AVERAGE THAN OTHER SCHOOL BOARDS. WHAT ARE YOU DOING? HOW IS THAT A PROPER INVESTMENT OF MONEY? IT DOESN'T LINEUP WITH WHAT YOU SAY YOUR PRIORITIES ARE.
THERE'S ALSO THE CONCEPT OF EFFICIENCY WAGES WE TALK ABOUT IN ECONOMICS WHICH MEANS THAT BASICALLY PEOPLE WHO ARE PAID MORE ARE MORE PRODUCTIVE AND PERFORM BETTER. AND SO IF YOU WANT BETTER TEACHERS TO BE IN THE CLASSROOM WITH YOUR STUDENTS, PAY US MORE.
WE DESERVE IT. ALL OF US. I HAD TO GET A THIRD JOB THIS YEAR. TO RAISE MY INCOME 3%. EVERY YEAR SINCE I'VE WORKED FOR
PALM BEACH COUNTY YOU GUYS HAVE OFFERED ME A REAL PAY CUT. NOT A RAISE. HOW LONG DO YOU THINK THAT CAN GO ON? IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE. YOU HAVE THE MONEY. IT'S THE SMART BUSINESS DECISION.
INVEST IN YOUR WORKERS. PAY US MORE. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. GO AHEAD. >> YES, GOOD EVENING I'M
VERONICA AT ST. LUSH'S HIGH SCHOOL. GOOD EVENING SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD. I STAND BEFORE YOU AGAIN A 23-YEAR PALM BEACH COUNTY PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATOR.
JUST THIS COUNTY. WHO EVERYDAY HIDES A TREMENDOUS, TREMENDOUS TRUTHS. I TEACH AS WELL ECONOMICS AND FINANCE. MY CLASS RESPECTFUL OF SENIORS, ANXIOUS TO UNDERSTAND INFLATION
AND RISING GAS PRICES AS WELL AS MANAGING CREDIT CARDS AND BANK ACCOUNTS. MY PASSION FOR TEACHING ALLOWS ME TO SPEAK ON THESE TOPICS.
BUT I HIDE THAT I AM ONE PAYCHECK AWAY FROM NOT PAYING ALL MY BILLS. THAT MY INCOME DOESN'T SUPPORT BEING ABLE TO BUY A BIGGER HOME SO MY HUSBAND WHO IS CURRENTLY LIVING IN FINLAND, AND I CAN
LIVE TOGETHER. IT'S BEEN NINE YEARS. AND WE ARE NOT TOGETHER RIGHT NOW. AND DESPITE WORKING TWO OTHER JOBS, I STILL CANNOT AFFORD TO
STAY IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. IF NOT FOR MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY. I AM EXHAUSTED EVERY CAY OVER MY PRIVATE CHALLENGES. I URGE YOU PLEASE CONSIDER THE
SPECIAL MAGISTRATE'S 3.5% RAISE. TEACHERS ARE THE FACE OF EDUCATION. NOT JUST THE DISTRICT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. Dr. WILL MINA JACOBS, MICHAEL
WOODS AND CHERYL WHITE HURST.
>> GOOD EVENING I'M Dr. JACOBS I HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY FOR 46 YEARS. NOT ONLY OUT OF THE 46 YEARS I HAVE NEVER MISSED A DAY FROM SCHOOL. I'VE BEEN EMPLOYED FOR THE
DISTRICT I'VE LOST BOTH OF MY GRANDPARENTS, MY FATHER AND TWO OF MY SIBLINGS. BUT TOOK A LICKING AND I KEPT ON TICKING. MY DAY BEGINS EVERYDAY AT 4:30 AM.
BETWEEN 430 AND 5:00 A.M. I GET UP I GET DRESSED AND I HEAD OUT TO THE GRADES. I HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED AT LAKE SHORE MIDDLE SCHOOL ALL OF MY 46 YEARS. GOING THROUGH ROUGH WEATHER, PASSING BY ACCIDENTS, BUT I
STILL MANAGED TO KEEP GOING. I PROMISED MY MOM WHEN I TURNED 65 WHICH WAS SEVEN YEARS AGO, THAT I WAS GOING TO RETIRE. AND MY MOM HAD THIS BLANKET MADE FOR ME. NOT KNOWING THAT I WAS NOT GOING TO RETIRE.
WHEN I GET IN THE MOOD I AM RIGHT NOW I GO TO THIS BLANKET. THIS BLANKET SPEAKS VOLUMES YOU MAYBE CANNOT READ IT BUT THE ONLY REASON I STAYED IN THIS DISTRICT, I COULD HAVE RETIRED 16 YEARS AGO.
I FELT THE NEED THAT MY CHILDREN NEED ME. I CAN'T MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN EVERY CHILD'S LIFE BUT OVER 46 YEARS I MADE A DIFFERENCE IN A LOT OF STUDENTS' LIVES. I AM OKAY BECAUSE I'M 72. I GET MY SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK
TODAY IT LANDED IN MY DIRECT DEPOSIT ACCOUNT BUT EVERY TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM CAN'T SAY THAT. THEY ARE NOT OLD YOU HAVE AND PROBABLY WON'T LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO RETIRE BECAUSE THEY CANNOT LIVE ON THE SALARY WE HAVE. WE HAVE TEACHERS THAT CROSS TWO
COUNTY LINES BECAUSE THEY CANNOT LIVE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. YOU WANT THE BEST OF US BUT CAN WE EXPECT THE BEST FROM YOU? 1.5% RAISE IS NOT A LOT OF MONEY. WHEN YOU HAVE TO BUY GAS, I OWN MY RESIDENCE.
I HAVE BEEN IN MY HOME FOR 30 YEARS. BUT THAT WAS 30 YEARS AGO WHEN I PURCHASED MY HOUSE. EVEN THOUGH I AM A VETERAN TEACHER AND MAKE A DECENT SALARY IF I HAD TO PURCHASE I HOUSE TODAY IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE.
SO BOARD MEMBERS, AND SUPERINTENDENT, I URGE YOU ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUES, TO PLEASE CONSIDER NOT GIVING US A 1.5% RAISE. BECAUSE THAT JUST IS A DROP IN THE BUCKET. PLEASE CONSIDER THE DECISION THAT THE MAGISTRATE MADE AND GIVE US WHAT WE DESERVE.
YOU WANT THE BEST FROM US AND WE EXPECT THE BEST FROM YOU. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING BOARD. GOOD EVENING CHAIR BRILL. I'M A 33-YEAR SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER, THE IN DEVELOPING TEACHERS AND I AM A DWYER RESIP YEBT.
I'M ONE OF THE TEACHERS THAT YOU WANT IN THE CLASSROOM BUT I HAD TO ENTER RETIREMENT BECAUSE I'M STRESSED. I FEEL WE WILL BE UNABLE TO HIRE AND RETAIN EXPERIENCED AND NEW EDUCATORS TO PROVIDE A QUALITY EDUCATION. ONE OF THE MAIN OBSTACLES IS EDUCATORS NOT BEING ABLE TO
AFFORD AND LIVE IN THE AREAS WHERE THEY TEACH. ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES DRIVES FROM PORT ST. LUCIE AND SHE IS STRESSED OUT AND TIRED. SHE NEEDS TO GET A HELICOPTER. THEY DRIVE HOURS EVERYDAY. MY FORMER INTERN AND COLLEAGUE
AND STUDENT, I MENTORED HER AND BROUGHT HER INTO THE PROFESSION SHE LEFT SHE QUIT AND MOVED TO TEXAS. MY FORMER FRIEND WHO THOUGHT AT ONE OF THE SCHOOLS SHE IS NOW WORKING A BOUTIQUE SHOP IN
GEORGIA BECAUSE SHE CANNOT AFFORD TO LIVE HERE AND IS STRESSED OUT. MY CO-TEACHER THAT I TAUGHT ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE WITH, A WEEK-AND-A-HALF AGO SAID I'M LETTING YOU KNOW FRIDAY IS MY LAST DAY. SHE IS GONE. AND THE CLASS THEY PUT HER KIDS
IN BECAUSE I AM AN INCLUSION TEACHER THAT TEACHER TEACHES ART HISTORY. WHAT AM I DOING? I'M TEACHING THE ENTIRE CLASS BECAUSE I AM CERTIFIED IN SCIENCE. HOW LONG DO YOU THINK THAT CAN LAST? I AM FIGHTING TO KEEP OUR YOUNG TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM AND I'M LOSING.
YOUR OFFER IS DISINGENUOUS, INSULT AND DISRESPECTFUL FULL STOP. WHEN I SAT AND INTERVIEWED YOU WITH OUR CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL FOR THE A.F.L.-C.I.O. YOU PROMISED TO SUPPORT EDUCATORS AND OUR STUDENTS. WE ENDORSED YOU. YOU ARE NOT FOLLOWING YOUR
PROMISE. IF YOU APPROVE THE 1.5% RAISE. TEACHERS ARE STRESSED OUT AND DESERVE BETTER. THE PATIENT IS ON THE TABLE. AND IT'S GETTING READY TO CODE IF YOU DO NOT PROVIDE LIFE SUPPORT THE PATIENT WILL DIE IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, THAT WAS A METAPHOR I WAS NOT TALKING ABOUT
A PATIENT. A $2 INCREASE IN MY PAYCHECK ISN'T ENOUGH TO SUPPORT AN ANIMAL FOR THE ASPCA. I THINK THAT WE DESERVE BETTER AND WHILE WE'RE HERE, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT OUR INSURANCE.
BECAUSE I WENT TO THE CHIROPRACTOR AND WAITED THREE WEEKS AND I'M LIKE Dr. JACOBS, MY VACATION DAYS HAVE VACATION DAYS. IF I CALL IN SYCAMORE THAN TWO DAYS MY SECRETARY IS WORRIED. I WENT TO THE CHIROPRACTOR HE NO
LONGER ACCEPTS INSURANCE BUT I NEEDED TREATMENT IT COST ME $222. AND WHEN I GO BACK NEXT WEEK BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO BE ABLE TO WALK, $110.
THANK YOU. MS. BRILL, MICHAEL WOODSON. >> THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING I'M CHERYL WHITEHURST I AM A PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER AND ALSO THE CTA LEAD REPRESENTATIVE AT MY SCHOOL AT MEADOW PARK ELEMENTARY. I HAVE BEEN TEACHING SCHOOL FOR 25 YEARS HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. I AM ALSO A REALTOR AND DOING
REAL ESTATE FOR 22 YEARS. I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE A WONDERFUL HUSBAND WHO MAKES MORE MONEY THAN ME WORKING ONE JOB WHO HAS NEVER BEEN TO COLLEGE. FINANCIALLY WE DO FINE TOGETHER BUT I FEEL SORRY FOR THE NEW AND
YOUNG TEACHERS STARTING OUT AND MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN TEACHING FOR YEARS THAT CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE ON THEIR OWN AND HAVE TO GET A SECOND AND THIRD JOB TO MAKE ENDS MEET OR GET ROOMMATES TO HELP WITH THE COSTS. SO MUCH EDUCATION IS REQUIRED
FROM US WITH CONSTANT ADDITIONS, CONTINUING EDUCATION, NOT TO MENTION ALL THE HATS WE HOLD IN SCHOOL, IN ADDITION TO OUR PRIMARY GOAL: TO EDUCATE CHILDREN. I HAVE SEEN MANY TEACHERS LEAVING THIS YEAR. NOT ONLY AT THE END OF THE
SCHOOL YEAR, BUT ALSO MID-YEAR, AND CHANGING PROFESSIONS BECAUSE THEY JUST CAN'T DO WHAT THEY LOVE TO DO ANYMORE AND SUPPORT THEMSELVES. IT IS A TRAVESTY. WE ARE NOT ONLY DOING JUSTICE TO SOCIETY, BUT THIS IS ALSO TO THE
FUTURE GENERATIONS. IF WE DON'T IMPROVE THIS. TEACHERS HAVE EARNED A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE RATING FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR SCHOOLS, AND THE DISTRICT. WE NEED TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND PAY TEACHERS FOR THEIR
ACHIEVEMENTS WE HAVE THE MONEY, IT MAY NEED TO BE REALLOCATED BUT WE HAVE IT. I HAVE ALSO THE HOA PRESIDENT IN MY COMMUNITY FOR 10 YEARS AND I DO BUDGETS EVERY YEAR. SOMETIMES WE ALSO HAVE TO NEED
TO REALLOCATE THINGS BUT WE MAKE IT WORK. WE THE PEOPLE HAVE VOTED YOU ALL IN TO SUPPORT US. SHOW US YOUR SUPPORT NOW. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. CLARK BUSINESSBY, JOHN MCGOVERN,
ELLEN BAKER. >> WE SHOULD BE SHARING THE JOY OF SENIORS POST-SECONDARY PLANS
AND EVEN THE AGONY OF A FRESHMAN'S BAD DAY LIKE I DID IN SEVENTH PERIOD TODAY. YESTERDAY THREE SENIORS AT MY FAMILY AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT HELPING THE HOMELESS CLUB WHILE MAKING SANDWICHES TOLD US THEIR
PLANS YOU HAVE TO BE A DOCTOR, TO BE A SALON OWNER AND STUDY AERONAUTICS. TEACHERS ENCOURAGE HEAD AND HEART GROWTH TO STUDENTS BECOME FUTURE LEADERS. TEACHERS WHO POUR THEMSELVES
INTO STUDENTS BEFORE, AFTER AND DURING SCHOOL RESULTING IN THE A RATED DISTRICT YOU LIKE TO BRAG ABOUT AREN'T WORTH A 3.5% RAISE? MAKE THAT MAKE SENSE. I HAVE WITHIN SPENDING TIME IN CONNECTICUT SETTLING MY PARENTS' ESTATE. THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL I ATTENDED
LOOKS THE SAME EXCEPT FOR SOLAR PANELS. NO CHAIN LINK FENCE, NO METAL DETECTORS AND LESS THAN 12 MILES FROM SANDY HOOK WHERE MY COUSIN'S SIX-YEAR-OLD WAS KILLED. CONNECTICUT IS 6TH IN THE NATION FOR TEACHER SALARIES IS AMONG
THE TOP 10 STATES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING. AT 25 TO 26,000 PER PUPIL. FLORIDA IS 50TH IN TEACHER SALARIES AND SPENDS $9,000 PER PUPIL. THESE FACTS COUPLED WITH HAVING PALM BEACH COUNTY TEACHERS FIGHT
WITH HELP FROM STATE AND FEDERAL UNIONS FOR A DLOIF 3.5% DON'T ADD UP TO MAKING PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS THEIRS OR ANYONE'S BEST CHOICE. 7,000 STUDENTS AND PARENTS DIDN'T THINK SO LAST YEAR AND THE NEGATIVE PUBLICITY ISN'T
GOING TO HELP. NO ONE WANTS TO GO WHERE MANAGEMENT DOESN'T VALUE THEIR EMPLOYEES. PALM BEACH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE NOT ATTRACTIVE TO CORPORATIONS OR PEOPLE COMING FROM STATES LIKE CONNECTICUT. YOU ARE ATING TO THE EXODUS FROM PUBLIC TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS I HOPE
YOU WON'T TRY TO BLAME THAT ON TEACHERS. I AM IN MY 25TH YEAR TEACHING IN PALM BEACH COUNTY I COULDN'T ENTER DROP AT 62 BECAUSE MY LOW SALARY WOULD NOT PRODUCE A LIVABLE PENSION. I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE REFERENDUM TO BUMP MY BASE SALARY.
THE REFERENDUM THAT PEOPLE LIKE ME PROPERTY OWNERS LIKE ME PAY FOR BECAUSE WE SEE TEACHERS WORTH AND ARE WILLING TO STEP UP WHEN MY DISTRICT AND MY STATE WON'T.
LET THAT SINK IN. DO THE RIGHT THING AND GIVE US THE 3.5% RAISE SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO TEACH FUTURE DOCTORS, AEROSPACE ENGINEERS, BUSINESS OWNERS AND OTHERS.
>> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. >> DID YOU CALL CLARK BUSINESSBY. >> GRK AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION I'M CLARK BISSBY AND I HAVE BEEN A TEACHER FOR NINE YEARS. I LOVE MY JOB.
AND I'M GOOD AT IT. IN NINE YEARS I HAVE BECOME CONVERSATIONAL IN SPANISH AND WORKING ON HAITIAN CREOLE TO HELP MY STUDENTS WHO HAVE LANG BARRIERS. THAT WAS A CHOICE I MADE. AND MY STUDENTS TELL ME ALL THE TIME HOW MUCH THEY APPRECIATE
BEING MET WHERE THEY ARE AND HAVING MODELED FOR THEM WHAT IT MEANS TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE AND TO BE UNAFRAID TO BE EMBARRASSED IN FRONT OF OTHERS. I BUILD REAL LASTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS. I HAVE FED, CLOTHED, LOVED AND
CARED FOR TEENS IN THAT TIME. I HAVE ALSO HAD MY HEALTH DESTROYED BY THE STRESS OF TEACHING. YOU MAY SEE THAT I HAVE A CANE. I AM CURRENTLY AT AN 8 ON THE 1-10 PAIN SCALE IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THAT.
I HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE 4:30 THIS AFTERNOON. I CAME DIRECTLY FROM THE CONVERSATION CLUB THAT I STARTED TO HELP MY ELL STUDENTS GET TAUGHT ENGLISH BECAUSE CURRENTLY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE NOT BEING TAUGHT ENGLISH AND THEY ARE TESTED IN IT.
I AM HELPING THEM PASS THOSE TESTS AND WALK ACROSS THAT STAGE. IN MY FIRST YEAR, I GOT A KIDNEY INFECTION FROM HOLDING MY BLADDER FOR HOURS. IN YEAR THREE, JUST AS I STARTED
TO FEEL CONFIDENT, COVID HIT AND I WAS TEACHING HYBRID AND THE STRESS OF TEACHING DURING COVID THE INSANE DEMANDS PLACED ON US TRIGGERED MULTIPLE CHRONIC ILLNESSES I WILL BE DEALING WITH FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THEN WHAT A
SLAP IN THE FACE A 1.5% RAISE WOULD BE FOR SOMEONE WHO RELIES ON THEIR INSURANCE WHICH HAS GONE UP TO STAY FUNCTIONAL ENOUGH TO KEEP BEING A BOON TO THE STUDENTS OF LAKE WORTH COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL AND I AM A BOON.
BETWEEN RISING COSTS OF GAS, INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND GENERAL INFLATION, THIS RAISE WILL BE A PAY CUT IF WE FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE ORIGINAL OFFER. I WANT TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THE COUNTY BUT I CANNOT DO SO IF YOU ARE NOT PAYING US LIKE THE PROFESSIONALS WE ARE. I AM THE DIRECT REASON SOME OF
THE STUDENTS HAVE WALKED ACROSS THE STAGE TO GRADUATE AND I DESERVE TO BE PAID FOR MY IMPACT ON OUR A RATING. BEING TOLD BY SOMEONE WHOSE SALARY COULD FIT FIVE OF MINE I AM NOT A MATH TEACHERS, BUT THE
DISTRICT CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY ME IS FRANKLY Mr. BURKE, DISRESPECTFUL. I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE MY WORDS TO HEART AND VOTE IN TEACHERS BEST INTEREST FOR A 3.5% RAISE IN A MEETING HELD AT A TIME WHERE WE AS TEACHERS CAN ATTEND TO LAUD
YOUR SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE WHO DIRECTLY IMPACT THE A RATING OF WHICH THE DISTRICT IS SO PROUD. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING I'M JOHN MIDGE GOVERN FOR THE LAST 11 YEARS I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU THAT I WAS COUNCILMAN OR VICE MAYOR FROM THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON. THAT ENDED YESTERDAY. AFTER THAT SERVICE. TONIGHT I'M HERE TO SAY THAT I AM A PROUD PRODUCT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
I AM THE SON OF AN EDUCATOR. I AM THE FATHER OF A DAUGHTER WHO IS SUCCEEDING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA BECAUSE SHE IS A PRODUCT OF THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT. AND I AM A PARENT AND A CONSUMER OF THE WORK THAT ALL OF YOU DO AS A FATHER OF A SENIOR AT
DREYFOOS HIGH SCHOOL. NUMBER ONE AND FIRST AND FOREMOST TONIGHT I STAND HERE TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR TEACHERS. YOU ALL ARE THE TIP OF THE SPEAR. YOU ARE THE ONES WHO KEEP THIS
THE A RATED SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT IT IS. BUT THE FACT ALSO REMAINS THAT WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM. TEACHERS, AND BOARD WE DID NOT CREATE, WE DID NOT CREATE THE SITUATION THAT TALLAHASSEE SENT
A .6% RAISE HERE. WE DID NOT CREATE THE SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE INCREASING PRICES, INCREASING HEALTHCARE COSTS, INCREASING RENT AND AFFORDABILITY CRISIS. THAT CAME FROM TALLAHASSEE AND WASHINGTON. BUT THE FACT STILL REMAINS THAT
THIS BOARD IS LEFT WITH THE OBLIGATION TO CLEAN UP THE MESS. AND WHAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF WHAT I SUBMIT TO YOU IS ONE OF THE BEST SUPERINTENDENTS THAT THIS COUNTY HAS EVER HAD AND I'VE BEEN HERE A LONGTIME WE KNOW THAT TO BE A FACT.
YOU HAVE PUT TOGETHER A RESERVE BUDGET THAT SAYS WHEN THE RAINY DAY COMES, YOU CAN USE IT AND YOU CAN SPEND IT. YOU DID THAT. YOUR LEADERSHIP DID THAT. AND SO I SAY TO YOU TONIGHT WHEN THE TIME COMES IT IS YOUR JOB TO
SAY THAT THIS IS THE RAINY DAY. USE THE MONEY. GO ALONG WITH THE MAGISTRATE'S FINDINGS. PAY OUR TEACHERS AND CONTINUE TO PUT US ON THE PATH TO REMAIN AN A RATED DISTRICT AND REMEMBER EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM, WE ARE
TEAM PALM BEACH THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. JULIA MOORE, ANDERSON CONTRERAS AND MARCELA MEN MENDOZA.
COME UP WITH THE MICROPHONE. >> GOOD EVENING.
I AM ANDERSON CONTRERAS I AM THE DRAFTING, DESIGN AND ENGINEERING TEACHER FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL. EXCUSE ME. 24 DAYS FROM NOW IS MY TEN-YEAR
ANNIVERSARY OF LEAVING MY ENGINEERING CAREER TO BECOME A TEACHER. 47 DAYS JUNE FIRST IS MY LAST DAY AS A TEACHER. I'VE HAD TO PUT MY LIFE ON HOLD. I'VE HAD TO LIVE WITH MY PARENTS
SINCE 2017 AFTER THINKING I GRADUATED FROM MY ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEGREE I'M FINE BUT AS A VOLUNTEER AT A HIGH SCHOOL MENTORING KIDS WHO WANT TO BECOME SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT. AND I BECAME A TEACHER.
I SAID FORGET THE MONEY. I LOVE THESE KIDS. AND I WANT MY OWN KIDS, I WANT A FAMILY. AND THE SALARY DON'T WORK. THE 1.5% AND THE 3.5% IS NOT ENOUGH.
AND I HAVE TO LEAVE. FOR THE LAST DECADE, WHENEVER ANYONE WOULD ASK ME WAIT YOU ARE AN ENGINEER WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? I COME BACK TO A PHRASE IN
SPANISH... IT MAKES ME BREATHE. IT'S THE AIR I BREATHE. AND THIS 1.5% THAT YOU HAVE PROPOSED THIS REJECTION OF THE
3.5% TELLS ME THAT THE AIR THAT YOU ARE PUMPING INTO OUR CLASSROOMS AND TRYING TO TELL US TO HEAVILY BREATHE IS NOT OXYGEN IT IS CARBON MONOXIDE. I HOPE THAT YOU GUYS SAY YES TO
THE 3.5% AND I HOPE THAT IN A YEAR FROM NOW YOU SAY YES TO MORE THAN THE 3.5% FOR THE SAKE OF MY COLLEAGUES AND PEERS AND THE TEACHERS WHO HAVEN'T STEPPED INTO THE CLASSROOM YET. BECAUSE I WON'T BE THERE.
MAYBE IN 10 YEARS, MAYBE IN 30 YEARS I WILL GO BACK. BUT WHEN MY AP ASKED ME IF THERE'S ANYWAY HE COULD CHANGE MY MIND, I SAID TO HIM, WHEN
AUGUST 2026 COMES BY IF I AM UNEMPLOYED LOOKING FOR AN ENGINEERING JOB I WILL STAY UNEMPLOYED. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING I'M JULIA MOORE AND I AM A TEACHER IN MY NINTH YEAR. I NEED TO BE DIRECT WITH YOU TONIGHT. I AM WORKING FIVE JOBS TO PAY MY RENT. FIVE. AND I'M STILL STRUGGLING. I WORK OVER 60 HOURS A WEEK FOR
THIS DISTRICT AND A MODEST MORTGAGE COSTS $4,000 A MONTH. MY ENTIRE TAKE-HOME PAY. SINCE I WAS A YOUNG GIRL I KNEW I WANTED TO BE A TEACHER I KNEW TEACHING WOULD NOT MAKE ME RICH BUT I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD BE A STRUGGLE TO LIVE DAY-TO-DAY.
I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD HAVE NO TIME AND NO PERSONAL TIME TO START MY FAMILY. AND I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD FORCE ME TO CHOOSE BETWEEN MY PASSION AND MY FUTURE. AND YET HERE I AM. I AM IN MY 30s AND ACTIVELY
LOOKING FOR JOBS OUTSIDE OF TEACHING NOT BECAUSE I DON'T LOVE MY STUDENTS BUT BECAUSE I'M SCARED. I'M SCARED OF BEING HIT WITH AN 11-DAY COUNT MID-YEAR THAT I DID NOT SEE COMING. I'M SCARED OF BEING FORCED TO MOVE SCHOOLS WASTING MY GAS AND
MY TIME WITH NO HELP FROM THE DISTRICT. I'M SCARED I WILL NEVER HAVE TIME TO FIND A HUSBAND AND START A FAMILY BEFORE MY CLOCK RUNS OUT BECAUSE I'M DROWNING. WE GIVE SEVEN HOURS EXHAUSTING EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCE EVERY SINGLE DAY AND WE PLAN, PREP,
GRADE, DO IEP PAPERWORK, COMPLETE PACKETS AND CONTACT PARENTS ALL FOR FREE. WE DO THIS BECAUSE WE CARE. BUT WE CAN NOT SUSTAIN IT. HERE IS THE MATH. INFLATION IS PROJECTED AT 7%.
YOU ARE BEING ASKED FOR A 3.5% RAISE THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE SAID IT'S BALANCED AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. THE DISTRICT CAN AFFORD IT. LET'S BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING. YOU ARE NOT JUST LOSING A TEACHER SALARY LINE YOU ARE LOSING TEACHERS. YOU ARE LOSING TEACHERS WHO
SHOWED UP, WHO CARED, WHO GAVE EVERYTHING UNTIL THEY COULDN'T ANYMORE. I'M URGING YOU TONIGHT VOTE FOR A RAISE THAT REFLECTS THE REALITY OF LIVING IN THIS COUNTY. NOT JUST FOR ME, BUT FOR EVERY TEACHER YOU ARE ABOUT TO LOSE TO
BURN-OUT TO OTHER PROFESSIONS, TO THE SIMPLE HUMAN NEED TO HAVE A LIFE OUTSIDE OF WORK. THE QUESTION ISN'T WHETHER THE DISTRICT CAN AFFORD TO GIVE TEACHERS A RAISE. THE QUESTION IS CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO? THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
>> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. >> MARCELA MENDOZA, KENDRA WILLIAMS. SHY ANNE AND JAMIE KING. >> GOOD EVENING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND THE SUPERINTENDENT BURKE. I'M MARCELA MENDOZA AND A
TEACHER HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY I'M HERE TO SPEAK FOR MY COLLEAGUES AND MY FRIENDS. THEY WANTED TO BE HERE TONIGHT BUT THEY ARE WITH OVER60 STUDENTS AT THEIR TECH REHEARSAL FOR THE MUSICAL THIS WEEK.
WE RECENTLY SAW A SPECIAL MAGISTRATE HEARING AN INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY LOOKED AT THE FACTS AND THE WJ AND COST OF LIVING AND RULED IN FAVOR OF THE TEACHERS THIS HAS BEEN SAID TIME AND TIME AGAIN BUT THE DISTRICT CHOSE TO REJECT THE DECISION BY DOING SO YOU ARE NOT
JUST REJECTING A REPORT YOU ARE REJECTING THE REALITY OF OUR DAILY LIVES. IN PALM BEACH COUNTY THE AVERAGE TEACHER SALARY IS $65 AND ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE REGIONS IN THE COUNTRY, THAT IS NO LONGER A LIVING WAGE IT IS A STRUGGLING WAGE. WE ARE STRUGGLING.
TO KEEP OUR HEADS ABOVE WATER, WE LIKE MANY OF OUR COLLEAGUES, DON'T HAVE HAVE A CAREER WE HAVE A SERIES OF DWRULLING SIDE HUSTLES. WE ARE TUTORING, TEACHING ADULT ED, WAITING TABLES BARTENDING ON WEEKENDS TO PAY THE RENT.
AND AS YOU HEARD, SOME OF US NEED ROOMMATES. WE ARE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS BY DAY AND SERVICE INDUSTRY WORKERS BY NIGHT. OUR CONTRACT HOURS ARE FURYKION. THIS YEAR, SHE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 146 STUDENTS THAT IS 146
LIVES TO TRACK, 146 FAMILIES TO COMMUNICATE WITH, PLANNING PERIODS ARE SWALLOWED BY CONFERENCES. CONSULTATIONS, AND AS A COURSE MUSICAL TEACHER SHE IS PUTTING OVER 110 ADDITIONAL HOURS PER MUSICAL AND 50 HOURS FOR THE
CHOIR. AND THIS IS JUST ONE PERSON AND WE ARE SO MANY HERE. YES, THERE IS A STIPEND BUT IF YOU CALCULATE THE STIPEND, THE HOURS WORKED IT BARELY COVERS THE GAS TO GET TO THE SCHOOL OR TO THE THEATER AND THAT HAPPENS TO ALMOST EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US
THAT DO THING AFTER SCHOOL. THE DISTRICT KEEPS PUSHING FOR A BONUS LET'S BE CLEAR IT IS A BAND-AID A RAISE IS A FUTURE BONUSES DO NOT COUNT TOWARDS OUR RETIREMENT OR QUALIFY FOR A MORTGAGE BONUSES ARE SAYING WE VALUE YOU TODAY, BUT WE WON'T
COMMIT FOR YOU TOMORROW. MANY OF OUR SITTING HERE IN THE BOARDROOM CAMPAIGNED ON THE PROMISE YOU WOULD STAND WITH US WE REMEMBER THE PROMISES WE SHOW UP EVERYDAY FOR THE CHILDREN OF THIS COUNTY. BUT WE CANNOT POUR FROM AN EMPTY CUP. DO THE RIGHT THING AND ACCEPT
THE MAGISTRATE'S DECISION GIVE US OUR FAIR INCREASE THAT HONORS OUR EXPERTISE AND SECURES OUR RETIREMENT. WE ELECTED YOU. WE'RE WATCHING PROVE TO US WE ARE MORE THAN A LINE ITEM ON YOUR SPREAD SHEET. DO THE RIGHT THING. THANK YOU.
>> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. HI, I THINK YOU SAID KENDRA WILLIAMS THAT IS ME I DID NOT SPEAK YET. HI. TO ALL OF DISTINGUISHED PALM BEACH COUNTY DIGNITARIES, THANK
YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I DON'T WANT TO READ BUT IF I DON'T I WON'T REMEMBER WHAT I'M SAYING. SO IT IS A STAGGERING REALITY FLORIDA IS ONE OF THE LARGEST
STATES IN THE COUNTRY. YET WE ARE THE VERY BOTTOM FOR TEACHER PAY. THE STATE GOVERNMENT IN TALLAHASSEE OFTEN HIGHLIGHTS THEY HAVE RECORD FUNDING BUT LIKE THE KIDS SAY THE MATH JUST AIN'T MATHING.
SO WE OFTEN ARE TOLD THAT TEACH SOMETHING A CALLING. BUT THE CALLING DOES NOT PAY A MORTGAGE AND IT DOES NOT PUT GAS IN A RELIABLE CAR. I'M STANDING BEFORE YOU TODAY TO SHARE THE EXHAUSTING REALITY OF THE EDUCATORS IN OUR DISTRICT.
A REALITY THAT SHOULD BE A SOURCE OF SHAME FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA. OKAY. FOR TOO LONG, TALLAHASSEE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE RECORD INVESTMENTS BUT THOSE INVESTMENTS DIVIDED AMONG THOUSANDS OF EDUCATORS WORKING IN A STATE WITH SKYROCKETING
COSTS OF LIVING. WE ARE LEFT WITH NEAR CRUMBS. IT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR STATE LEADERSHIP TO BOAST ABOUT THEIR TOTAL DOLLARS THEY ARE BRINGING IN WHILE THE TEACHERS INDIVIDUAL TEACHERS REMAINS 50TH IN THE NATION. SO LOOK, I MOVED HERE FROM MISSISSIPPI.
I HAVE BEEN SOUTH FLORIDA 20 YEARS. MISSISSIPPI IS A STATE THAT HAS BEEN LONG RIDICULED FOR THE POVERTY. YET, I HAVE FOUND A NEW LOW WHILE HERE. THAT'S PRETTY LOW Y'ALL. I AM A PROFESSIONAL WITH A
DEGREE AND A SPECIALIZED SKILL SET I'M WORKING THREE JOBS TO KEEP MY HEAD ABOVE WATER. BECAUSE OF THIS, I AM A GHOST IN MY OWN HOME. I SPEND DAYS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN, YET, HAVING NO TIME LEFT FOR MINE.
MY DAUGHTER'S TAKEN THE PROGRESS MONITORING THREE TEST TOMORROW I TOLD MY HUSBAND GET HER IN THE BED. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE HOME. I WILL STAY. I'M WORKING TO PROVIDE FOR A HOUSEHOLD THAT I'M BARELY PRESENT IN ENOUGH TO BE THERE. OKAY. LOOK, I WENT TO THE CAR
DEALERSHIP THREE YEARS AGO MY LEASE IS ABOUT UP. THERE IS SOUL CRUSHING AND EMBARRASSING FOR THE DEALER TO TELL YOU YOU CAN'T AFFORD THAT. AS A TEACH YOU CAN'T AFFORD A RELIABLE VEHICLE TO WORK? WOW. WE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RATCHET RATING OF OUR SCHOOL. IT TAKES ALL OF US EVERYONE. I WENT TO A VITAL TRAINING AND EVERY TIME WE WENT TO LUNCH I SAID WE ARE NOT MAKING ENOUGH MONEY FOR THIS. Y'ALL, VITAL TRAIN SOMETHING GREAT BY THE WAY.
WE AVOID DRINKING WATER WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO GO TO THE BATHROOM. PLEASE Y'ALL GIVE US THIS RAISE. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M CHEYNE AND I TEACH MATH AT ROYAL PALM BEACH HIGH SCHOOL IT BOILS MY BROOD WHEN THE DISTRICT TALKS ABOUT THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE TAXPAYER. THE TAXPAYER IS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY SHOWN THEY WANT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PAY THEIR
PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS. THE EVIDENCE IS THE FACT THAT 74% OF VOTERS ALL TAXPAYERS, MADE THE DECISION TO PAY TEACHERS EXTRA MONEY OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS DESPITE THE FACT IT'S HARD TO AFFORD TO LIVE HERE. THE MAGISTRATE'S HEARING MADE IT
CLEAR WE HAVE MONEY FOR THE RAISES WHY ARE WE SITTING ON MONEY WHEN WE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO DO SO? EACH YEAR I MEET WITH MY STATE LEGISLATORS I ADVOCATE FOR THE FUNDING OF PUBLIC EDUCATION. WHEN I SPEAK WITH STATE SENATOR HARRELL SHE TELLS ME WHY WOULD
WE NEED TO GIVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS MORE MONEY WHEN THEY DON'T SPEND THE MONEY WE GIVE THEM? THAT'S TRUE. OBVIOUSLY I DON'T AGREE WITH HER THAT THEY DON'T NEED TO SPEND MORE ON EDUCATION BUT SHE DOES HAVE A POINT. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS A GOVERNMENT INSTITUTION.
BUDGETS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SPENT. AGENCIES AREN'T GIVEN MORE MONEY IF THEY DO NOT SPEND WHAT IS ALLOCATED. WHY ARE WE NOT SPENDING OUR MONEY? SOME PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD MADE TEACHER SALARIES A PRIORITY WHEN THEY CAMPAIGNED.
WHAT DO YOU THINK A NO VOTE WILL DO FOR YOU AT REELECTION. 74% OF PALM BEACH COUNTY VOTERS WILL NOT LIKE IT AND YOUR OPPONENTS WILL USE THIS AGAINST YOU YOU WON'T GET A VOTE FROM TEACHERS, SCHOOL POLICE AND FAMILIES. THE DISTRICT IS SO FOCUSED ON
THE FUTURE. AGAIN GOVERNMENT BUDGETS ARE MEANT TO BE SPENT. CAN'T ASK FOR MONEY WHEN YOU ARE NOT SPENDING ALL OF IT BUT THERE'S ROOM TO CUT SPENDING. I HEARD ON THE MORNING SHOW WE HAVE 56 PEOPLE IN THE ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT THAT SEEMS A BIT MUCH WHY AREN'T WE TRYING TO UTILIZE
A.I.? INSTEAD WE ARE SPENDING A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR FOR AN INFERIOR SOFTWARE THAT STUDENTS AND TEACHERS DO NOT WANT TO USE. WE HAVE PEOPLE WHOSE ONLY JOB IS SUPPORT. WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY. DOESN'T THE TWO EXAMPLES.
I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THERE'S MORE. THE DISTRICT NEEDS TO TRY HARDER TO MAKE PALM BEACH COUNTY MORE AFFORDABLE FOR OUR TEACHERS. SCHOOL BOARD PLEASE MAKE THEM ACCOUNTABLE. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
>> HI I'M JAMIE KING AND I TEACH READING OUT AT LAKE SHORE MIDDLE SCHOOL I CAN TALK TO YOU ABOUT MY SECOND AND THIRD JOB AND MY COMMUTE AND HOW THE STIPEND DOESN'T START TO COVER THE COST. I CAN TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY I SPEND JUST TO DO MY JOB
UNHEARD OF IN ANY OTHER PROFESSION. I WILL NOT STAND AND SING TO YOU. AND I WILL GO FAST BECAUSE WE ARE APPROACHING TEACHER MIDNIGHT WE HAVE EARLY CALL TIMES TOMORROW MORNING IT IS TIME FOR US TO BE DONE. EVERYTHING I SAID YOU'VE HEARD
ABOUT BUT I REALLY WANT TO TALK ABOUT VALUE. IF I DON'T FEEL VALUED IT AFFECTS WHO I AM ESPECIALLY AS A PERSON AND A TEACHER. WE'RE TOLD THAT TEACHER ARE VALUED THAT WE MATTER. BUT AT SOME POINT WE ARE NOT MEANING ANYTHING WITHOUT THE ACTION.
YOUR ACTIONS WILL SPEAK LOUDER THAN YOUR WORDS AND RIGHT NOW I FEEL LIKE ACTIONS ARE SPEAKING CLEARLY. A 1.5% RAISE DOES NOT COMMUNICATE VALUE IT COMMUNICATES WHATEVER THE OPPOSITE OF THAT IS. ESPECIALLY WHEN INDEPENDENT RECOMMENDATION FOUND THAT 3.5% RECURRING RAISE IS BALANCED,
PRACTICAL AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND SOMETHING THAT THE DISTRICT CAN AFFORD AND YET THAT RECOMMENDATION WAS REJECTED. INSTEAD WE ARE OFFERED A 1.5% RAISE AND A BONUS THAT DISAPPEARS AT THE END OF YEAR THAT DOESN'T SOLVE ANYTHING LONG-TERM AND DOESN'T KEEP UP
WITH THE COST OF LIVING AND REFLECT THE REALITY OF THIS THIS JOB REQUIRES. IT IS A WAY TO MAKE THINGS LOOK BETTER WITHOUT FIXING THE PROBLEM. FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THE MINIMUM WAGE HAS INCREASED BETWEEN 7 AND 9% EACH YEAR BUT
THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN ARE TOLD 3.5% IS IMPOSSIBLE. THAT IS NOT A FUNDING ISSUE THAT IS A PRIORITY AND IMPOSSIBLE IS NOT A FISCAL TERM IT IS A CHOICE. I HAVE TO ASK YOU WHY ARE TEACHERS PUT IN A POSITION EVERY YEAR TO FIGHT FOR RAISES?
THE COST OF LIVING GOES UP EVERY YEAR THAT IS NOT NEW OR UNPREDICTABLE. WHY ISN'T THAT BUILT INTO THE WAY THE DISTRICT PLANS AND BUDGETS. HERE IS THE REALITY. WHEN PEOPLE DON'T FEEL VALUED THEY ADJUST. IT MEANS LESS TIME, LESS ENERGY,
LESS TO GIVE. TEACHERS WILL STILL SHOW UP AND DO THEIR JOBS BUT THEY WILL BE EXHAUSTED FROM THEIR SECOND AND THIRD JOBS TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE RISING COST OF LIVING AND KNOWING THEY ARE NOT VALUED BY THIS BOARD OR COMMUNITY. IN THE END STUDENT ALSO GET LESS
BECAUSE WE'LL HAVE LESS TO GIVE. SO MY QUESTION IS IMPEL. ARE TEACHERS VALUED IN THIS DISTRICT ARE OR WE JUST TOLD WE ARE? MANY OF YOU MADE COMMITMENTS TO SUPPORT TEACHERS IN SCHOOLS BUT WAS IT A COMMITMENT OR SOMETHING
YOU SAID TO WIN A CAMPAIGN? TEACHERS NEED TO TRUST THIS BOARD IS ACTING IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR SCHOOLS AND THAT INCLUDES THE PEOPLE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE CLASSROOM. WHERE YOU PUT TO CHOOSE YOUR MONEY SHOWS -- >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. BRIAN ZIMMERMAN, LIZ BOAT
HOLMINGS AND DIANA. HELLO I'M BRIAN A SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST IN THE GRADES. I AM ONE OF THE FEW DISTRICT
EMPLOYED SLP'S WORKING IN THE GLADES. I AM A PRODUCT OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. 27 YEARS AGO AFTER GRADUATE SCHOOL KNEW THAT PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS PAID THE HIGHEST SALARY IN THE STATE.
THAT IS NOT TRUE ANYMORE. THERE IS A DISTURBING TREND GOING ON AMONG SPEECH THERAPISTS THEY ARE WORKING FOR CONTRACT COMPANIES. THERE IS A CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF
SLP'S. WE HAVE 408 DISTRICT SLP'S. AND 100 THAT WORK FOR THE DISTRICT. THERE IS 100 CONTRACTED SLP'S 20% OF THE SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS ARE CONTRACT WORKERS. I GET CALLS EVERYDAY TRYING TO
GET ME TO BE A CONTRACT WORKER THEY WANT TO PAY ME $75 AN HOUR. THAT'S WHAT THESE YOUNG KIDS COMING OUT OF SCHOOL ARE MAKING. THEY ARE MAKING MORE MONEY THAN ME. I USED TO CONVINCE THEM TO WORK FOR THE DISTRICT WITH OUR BENEFITS.
THEY DON'T WANT TO DO THAT ANYMORE. I SPOKE WITH JOAN WHO IS IN CHARGE OF ALL THE THERAPISTS IN THE DISTRICT AND SHE GAVE ME INFO BECAUSE I WANTED TO KNOW ALL THE STATS. THE DISTRICT IS PAYING THE CONTRACT COMPANIES $90 AN HOUR.
FOR EACH OF THEIR WORKERS. THAT IS $130,000 A YEAR FOR THE NEW KIDS COMING STRAIGHT OUT OF SCHOOL. THIS CONTRACT COMPANY THING IS WASTEFUL AND SICKENING AND IT'S GETTING WORSE BECAUSE NOW I'M STARTING TO SEE TEACHERS COMING
FROM OTHER COUNTRIES THROUGH THESE CONTRACT COMPANIES. I DON'T LIKE THIS TREND. SO SIMPLE IDEA... TAKE ALL THAT MONEY THE DISTRICT IS PAYING TO THE CONTRACT COMPANIES AND ALL THAT OTHER WASTEFUL SPENDING AND USE IT TOWARDS REASONABLE RAISES FOR
OUR DISTRICT'S EDUCATORS. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M DIANA AND I AM A FOURTH GRADE TEACHER IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE
SUGGESTED 3.5% RAISE. AND I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR. IT'S UNSILTING IT'S UP FOR DEBATE. THERE IS NEARLY HALF A BILLION DOLLARS IN RESERVE YET TEACHERS HAVE TO FIGHT FOR A 3.5% RAISE. SINCE THE 5% RAISE WAS REVOKED.
THE DISTRICT CAN FIND MONEY FOR TRAVEL AND CONFERENCE LIKE THE FLORIDA EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES PLANNERS ASSOCIATION CONVENTION, WHICH TAKES PLACE OVER FOUR-DAY PERIOD AT THE BOCA RESORT. THAT IS $1200 A NIGHT HOTEL.
THAT'S NOT COMING OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS AND NEITHER IS OUR SALARY YET YOU CAN'T FIND MEANINGFUL RAISES FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE CLASSROOM. THAT IS INSULTING. TEACHERS CANNOT SURVIVE ON SALARY ALONE. EVERY TEACHER HAS A SECOND JOB.
MANY WORK -- OTHERS DEPEND ON A SPOUSE, A ROOMMATE OR FAMILY SUPPORT TO GET BY. WE ARE PROFESSIONALS YET OUR PAYCHECK IS NOT ENOUGH TO LIVE ON. THE REALITY OF OUR PROFESSION WE WORK HARD, BEYOND CONTRACT
HOURS, NIGHTS, WEEKENDS CONSTANTLY. WE ARE EXPECTED TO GIVE MORE DO MORE AND BE MORE WITHOUT PROPER COMPENSATION THIS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE. IT IS INSULTING. OUR QUALITY OF LIFE TEACHERS SHOULDN'T JUST BE SURVIVING WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE TO ENJOY
LIFE AND FEEL SECURE TO NOT WORRY ABOUT FINANCES THE FACT THAT WE CAN'T IS INSULTING. PUBLIC PERCEPTION EVERY TIME I TELL SOMEONE I AM A TEACHER I HEAR THE SAME THING YOU DON'T GET PAID ENOUGH. THE PUBLIC KNOWS IT SO WHY DOESN'T THE SCHOOL BOARD ACT
LIKE IT. THE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE OUR ADVOCATES ARE NOT FIGHTING FOR US BUT AGAINST US. THAT IS INSULTING. TEACHERS ARE NOT ASKING FOR LUXURY WE ARE ASKING FOR FAIRNESS AND RESPECT, WE ARE ASKING FOR SALARY THAT REFLECTS OUR VALUE. I MEAN TEACHERS ARE THE ONES WHO
MADE THIS DISTRICT A RATED IN THE FIRST PRAISE. NOT JUST DISAPPOINTING WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR A 3.5% RAISE IT'S INSULTING. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING BOARD MEMBERS. MY NAME IS ELIZABETH HOLMES AND I AM AN ESE TEACHER AT DWYER HIGH SCHOOL. YESTERDAY WAS THE FIRST DAY IN 15 YEARS THAT I'VE SAID I DON'T WANT TO BE A TEACHER ANYMORE.
WE DON'T JUST TEACH. WE PROTECT, WE ADVOCATE, WE PARENT, WE PROVIDE, WE COUNSEL, WE ADVISE. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY WE CARE. AND WE CARE TOO MUCH BECAUSE WE CAN'T HELP IT.
WE CARE WHEN OTHERS DON'T AND WE CARE WHEN OTHERS CAN'T. YESTERDAY AFTER ONE OF MY HARDEST MOST EMOTIONALLY DRAINING DAYS OF MY TEACHING CAREER, I WAS REMINDED BY NEWS HEAD LANES THAT NO MATTER HOW
MUCH WE CARE, NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE DO, WE ARE NOT VALUED. WE ARE NOT VALUED BY THE ADULTS IN CHARGE. WE ARE NOT VALUED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS. WE HAVE NOT BEEN VALUED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD.
AND AFTER NOT HEARING FROM ONE SINGLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR HERE TONIGHT WE ARE NOT VALUED BY THEM EITHER. IT IS APRIL AND WE ARE WITHOUT A CONTRACT. MIKE BURKE, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS,
VALUES HIS TEACHERS SO LITTLE THAT HE HAS OFFERED US THE LOWEST PAID TEACHERS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY A MEASLY 1.5% RAISE. EVEN AFTER AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE DISTRICT'S BUDGET
CONFIRMS THERE'S PLENTY OF MONEY TO GIVE TEACHERSES AN INSULTING LOW 3.5% RAISE. SCHOOL DISTRICT LEADERS NEED TO TAKE A SEAT AND A STUDENT DESK AND LEARN SOMETHING FROM TODAY'S TEACHERS. LEARN TO CARE.
LEARN TO ADVOCATE. LEARN TO PROVIDE EVEN WHEN YOU THINK YOU CAN'T. LEARN TO VALUE EVERY TEACHER JUST AS WE VALUE EVERY STUDENT. I AM A MOM OF FOUR BOYS. I HAVE TAUGHT IN THE PALM BEACH
COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR 15 YEARS. AND I MAKE $61,000 A YEAR. MY DISTRICT HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS INCREASED $18 A PAY THIS YEAR. LET'S DO MATH KIDS.
1.5% OF 61,000 IS $900. $900 MINUS THIS YEAR'S 486 DOLLAR INSURANCE INCREASE LEAVES A 414 RAISE. $1414 PEOPLE.
$414, PEOPLE! THAT IS LESS THAN WHAT I SPEND ON -- >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. DEBRA Dr. PRESCOTT AND
JESSICA. PLEASE COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE. >> GOOD EVENING I'M JESSICA AND
I HAVE BEEN AN EMPLOYEE OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR EIGHT YEARS. I GREW UP ATTENDING PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS MY FOSTER PARENTS WERE TEACHERS FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY AND MY DAUGHTER WILL BEGIN ATTENDING A SCHOOL IN ONE YEAR. I'VE BEEN PROUD OF THE WORK OF THIS DISTRICT WHEN THERE HAVE BEEN THINGS I DID NOT AGREE WITH
OVERALL I FELT GENERALLY SUPPORTED AS A TEACHER. I FREQUENTLY WORK WITH MEMBERS OF TEACHERS' UNIONS FROM AROUND THE STATE AND WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT THE NONSENSE IN THEIR COUNTIES I COULD SAY THANK GOODNESS MY SUPERINTENDENT AND MY SCHOOL BOARD WOULD NEVER RESORT TO THAT.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE'VE REACHED THE POINT WHERE I CAN NO LONGER SAY THAT WITH CONFIDENCE. THE LAST AND BEST SALARY OFFER ON THE TABLE WAS REPREHENSIBLE. REGARDLESS OF THE FINANCIAL STATE OF AFFAIRS A 1.5% INCREASE GOING TOWARDS MY BASE SALARY IS NOWHERE NEAR ENOUGH TO SUPPORT
MY FAMILY IN REGULAR TIMES MUCH LESS THE CHAPTER OF A FUTURE HISTORY TEXTBOOK THAT WE ARE LIVING THROUGH RIGHT NOW. A QUALIFIED SPECIAL MAGISTRATE SAID CLEARLY THE MONEY IS THERE FOR US TO TEF A 3.5% RECURRING RAISE AND THE CHOICE TO NOT PROVIDE IT FEELS LIKE A SLAP IN
THE FACE COMPARED TO THE WORK WE DO. WE HAVE A TON OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE TODAY I HAVE A SPREAD SHEET OF RESPONSES HERE FROM 32 OTHER PEOPLE FROM MY WORK SITE ALONE THAT WANTED TO BE HERE TONIGHT BUT COULDN'T. I DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ EVERY WORD BUT THE RESPONSES ARE SADLY
NOT SHOCKING AT THIS POINT. OVER HALF OF THOSE EMPLOYEES ARE NOT ABLE TO BE HERE BECAUSE THEY ARE RIGHT NOW WORKING A SECOND OR THIRD JOB. SOME ARE ACTIVELY TAKING CLASSES TO EARN DEGREES SO THEY CAN BETTER SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN. SOME ARE CARETAKERS FOR PARENTS
OR CHILDREN AND COULD NOT AFFORD TO HIRE CARE FOR TONIGHT'S EVENT. ALL OF THEM WANT SUPPORT IN IMPROVING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS THE POWER TO HELP THEM WITH THAT BUT THE FACT OUR TEACHERS SHOULD HAVE TO CONSIDER SKIPPING THEIR PART-TIME WORK OR HIRING PEOPLE TO WATCH FAMILY MEMBERS SO THEY
CAN COME AND BEG YOU TO VOTE WITH A CONSCIENCE IS INSANE TO ME. WE SHOULDN'T BE BEGGING FOR SCRAPS AT THE MERCY OF THE BOARD TO DETERMINE IF WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD GAS, GROCERIES OR HOUSING. MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD YOU KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT ANSWER TO THIS IS.
I'M ASKING YOU TO CHOOSE THE HUMANS THAT PUTS PEOPLE ABOVE POLITICS EVEN WHEN IT IS HARDER AND PROBABLY THE SCARIER THING TO DO. YOU KNOW THESE TEACHERS WORK FOR YOU DAY IN AND DAY OUT TO MAKE THIS THE BEST PLACE TO ATTEND SCHOOL IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND WE ARE ASKING YOU TO HELP KEEP IT THAT WAY.
THANK YOU AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING BOARD MEMBERS. AND SUPERINTENDENT MIKE BURKE AND EVERYBODY ELSE I'M Dr. PROCESS COT A CTA BOARD MEMBER
AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S FAVORITE FROM ATLANTIC HIGH SCHOOL BEEN THERE 20 YEARS. I STAND HERE AND I'M TRULY HURTING BECAUSE. WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH AFTER 20 YEARS IN THE DISTRICT, HERE WE ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT TEACHERS DESERVE
SALARY INCREASES. TEACHERS ARE HERE TEACHERS ARE STILL AT YOUR SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND TEACHERS ARE AT OTHER JOBS THAT IS CHARMING. PALM BEACH COUNTY LET'S BE FRANK. YOU CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM THE FREE LABOR OF A DEDICATED WORKFORCE FROM THE TOP OF OUR
HEADS TO THE SOLES OF OUR FEET YOU'VE USED US UP. YOU'VE USED OUR BRAINS TO TEACH LESSONS WHICH IMPACT THE SCHOOL AND THE DISTRICT'S A RATING. YOU'VE USED OUR SHOULDERS AS A STEPPING STONE OF BLAME. OUR HANDS TO TAKE WHAT LITTLE
YOU GIVE US TO MOLD OUR CHILDREN, PRODUCE GOOD RESULTS AND KEEP THIS COUNTY AFLOAT. OUR KNEES WHICH BUCKLE UNDER THE PRESSURE OF HUSTLING BACK TO FORTH WHERE SOMETIMES WE RECEIVE NEGATIVE FEED BACK WHICH DOES NOT REFLECT THIS DISTRICT'S A
RATINGS. OUR BACKS WHICH WE BREAK TO KEEP GOING FOR OUR KIDS LONG AFTER WE ARE MENTALLY DONE. OUR FEET WHICH WE USE TO STAMP OUT BULLYING PUT OUR FIRES AND KICKBACK AGAINST THE LACK OF RESOURCES ON OUR CAMPUSES NEEDED
TO HELP OUR STUDENTS SUCCEED. HOW COULD I FORGET OUR HEARTS. YEAH. YOU'VE USED THOSE TO GUILT US INTO TAKING PENNIES FOR PAY SO THAT YOU CAN BRAG THAT WE DO IT ALL FOR THE KIDS. DO WE LOVE THE KIDS? YES, WE DO. BUT THE LANDLORD ARE STATING
THAT PAYMENT IS DUE. DO THE RIGHT THING FOR TEACHERS AND KIDS, NO PROFESSIONAL SHOULD BE GOING THROUGH THIS. TEACHERS HELPED THE DISTRICT EARN THIS A PLEASE DON'T TURN YOUR BACK ON US WHEN WE ASK YOU TO INCREASE OUR PAY.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT REMEMBER THAT THOSE ARE OUR STUDENTS TEST SCORES. YOU GIVE US THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK BUT UNLIMITED TIME TO WORK. PALM BEACH COUNTY IS TIME TO PAY US TEACHERS LIKE YOU'VE PAID MIKE BURKE. THANK YOU.
>> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. >> LOUIE SA, PEARL, JAY, ANGELA
NORMAN. >> I BEG YOU TO MAINTAIN THE STANDARDS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. TEACH SOMETHING A PROFESSION
THAT HAS TO BE PERFECTED OVER YEARS. IF NEW TEACHERS DO NOT EARN ADEQUATE SALARIES TO PAY THEIR BILLS THEY WILL NOT STAY IN THEIR CAREERS. THEREFORE I ASK YOU TO RECOMMEND THE 3.5% RAISE. TEACHERS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT
AND VALUABLE RESOURCE IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. IF THERE WERE NO BUS DRIVERS, PARENTS [INAUDIBLE] IF THERE ARE NO SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS TO COVER CLASSES BUT THANKS TO THE TEACHERS THE TEACHING AND LEARNING WILL GO ON.
WE FACE AN IMPACT EACH AND EVERY CHILD ATTENDING SCHOOLS. WE FORGET ABOUT OUR FAMILIES AND THE REST OF THE WORLD. WHEN WE LEAVE WE KEEP THINKING HOW TO MAKE OUR TEACHING BETTER. WHEN I BECAME A TEACHER MY SALARY WAS $32,000 PER YEAR.
I WAS ABLE TO BUY AN APARTMENT ON MY OWN AND THEN A HOUSE WITH MY HUSBAND. TEACHERS CANNOT AFFORD IT ANYMORE. AS A MATTER OF FACT, MY SON'S FAVORITE TEACHER IS SITTING RIGHT THERE AND HE IS THE GENTLEMAN Mr. CONTRERAS WHO SPOKE BEFORE.
I DID NOT SKPEP TO SEE HIM. MY SON HAS KNOWN FOR A FEW MONTHS THAT Mr. CONTRERAS IS NOT COMING BACK AND HE IS DEVASTATED. BECAUSE HE WON'T BE THERE NEXT YEAR FOR HIS SENIOR YEAR. MY SON IS NOT PLANNING TO TAKE
ENGINEERING ANYMORE. PLEASE DON'T FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT. ANOTHER TEACHER TOLD ME THAT ON A TEACHER'S SALARY THAT CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE MORE THAN ONE CHILD. I HAVE THREE. AND MY HEARTACHES FOR HER.
FINALLY, TEACHING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PROFESSION. IF THERE WERE NO TEACHERS, THERE WOULD BE NO DOCTORS, NO LAWYERS, ENGINEERS AND ALL THE OTHER JOBS. THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN NOT BEING ABLE TO PAY FOR HOUSING AND BEING ABLE TO PUT FOOD ON
THE TABLE FOR YOUR FAMILY. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS REFUSING TO GIVE TEACHERS A RAISE. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS. PLEASE TREAT US FAIRLY AND APPROVE THE RAISE. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
>> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. ONE LAST TIME FOR PEARL JOHNSON, JAY MAGGIE AND ANGELA NORMAN. IF ANY OF YOU ARE HERE? SEEING THAT THERE'S NO ONE HERE
BOARD MEMBERS THAT IS THE END OF OUR SPEAKERS. I'M SORRY?
>> Karen Brill: HOLD ON I DON'T HAVE A CARD FROM YOU. DID YOU FILL OUT A CARD? SO THAT WASN'T A FORM ISSUED BY
US BUT WE WANT TO HEAR FROM ALL OF YOU. BOARD MEMBERS ARE YOU OKAY? WE WILL ALLOW YOU TO SPEAK BUT THAT WAS NOT A FORM ISSUED BY US. COME ON UP WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU AND THE OTHER LADY WHO IS THERE. IN THE FUTURE YOU HAVE TO CALL
THE BOARD OFFICE OR FILL OUT A BLUE CARD HERE. BUT PLEASE COME UP AND STATE YOUR NAME AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. >> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.
I'D LIKE TO SAY GOOD EVENING FROM THE DOORWAY IN TO THE DOORWAY OUT. [INAUDIBLE]ED SAME AGE I WAS
WHEN I BOUGHT MY FIRST HOME. WHY SHARE THIS. TODAY'S HIGH COST OF LIVING MAKES THIS COMPLETELY OUT OF HER REACH. FILE THIS UNDER SAD MOM MOMENT. TODAY'S HIGH COST OF LIVING FOR ME, THIS INCLUDES $10,000
ANNUALLY IN TAXES AND INSURES. THIS IS BEFORE MORTGAGE, MEDICAL, FOOD, UTILITIES OR TRANSPORTATION. MEDICAL INCLUDES LIFELONG MEDICATIONS FOR ME. IMAGING REGULARLY. CAN YOU SAY COSTLY?
FOOD SHOP SOMETHING NOW PRIMARILY DICTATED BY BOGO AND SALES VERSUS NUTRITIONAL CONTENT. I INVITE YOU TO TURN THE CAMERA TOWARDS YOU. EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU FROM THE DOORWAY IN TO THE DOORWAY OUT.
HOW DOES YOUR SALARY GUIDE OR DICTATE YOUR CHOICES? INNOVATION. ONE OF THE COMPASS POINTS WE GUIDE OUR STUDENTS TOWARDS EVERYDAY. WE KNOW AGENTS OF CHANGE ARE SUCCESSFUL CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
POWERFUL PILLAR. POWERFUL WORDS. TEXAS TOURED WHAT DOES SUCCESSFUL MEAN TO YOU? YOU'VE SEEN THE NUMBERS. DATED TA ANALYSIS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS A 3.5% RAISE
IS A WIN-WIN. WHILE HONORING EDUCATORS INSTEAD OF DEVALUING THEM. SINCE YOU HAVE NOT CHOSEN THIS PATH YET, I AM HERE ADVOCATING FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. THE BILLS DO NOT WAIT. AND AS TEACHERS WE SIGN A
CONTRACT BEFORE SALARIES ARE INKED. WE DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO. I RECOGNIZE THAT I'M FOR THAT TO OWN A HOME. AND IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THAT HOME, I WILL MOVE INTO 350 SQUARE-FOOT STUDIO.
MY HOME IS MY SAFE PLACE. MY INVESTMENT. IT'S WHAT I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN. WHEN AN EVENTUAL PENSION ARRIVES THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE MY 10 HIGHEST EARNING YEARS.
MY DAUGHTER'S FATHER RECENTLY PASSED AWAY. AND WHILE HE WAS RICH IN HIS HEART HE WAS NOT RICH IN FINANCES. ALL OF US EDUCATORS HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS HEART BEATS, IN OTHER
WORDS, YEARS LEARNING -- >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME CLEARLY SINCE WE DON'T HAVE IT ON OUR LIST. >> SURE. GOOD EVENING EMMEMBERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT. MY NAME IS WOODLAND PIERRE I AM A FORMER EDUCATOR AND A MENTAL
HEALTH THERAPIST AND I PROUDLY SERVED THE DISTRICT OVER A DECADE. AND I'M HOLDING ONE OF MY OLD PAYCHECK 2020 BEFORE I LEFT THE DISTRICT 2021 TO START MY OWN AUTISM COMPANY. I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY NOT
JUST AS A FORMER EMPLOYEE BUT ALSO A SOMEONE WHO STILL CARES FOR EDUCATION. FOR TEACHERS WHO ARE STILL IN THE CLASSROOMS, SHOWING UP EVERY SINGLE DAY WITH THE HEART AND SOUL AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO OUR STUDENTS.
LET ME BE CLEAR. WE LOVE WHAT WE DO. AND IT TOOK ME A YEAR OF PRAYING BEFORE I LEFT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BECAUSE I THOUGHT OF THE OTHER KIDS WITH WHO DEPEND ON ME WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IF I LEAVE.
WHEN YOU SEE A TEACHER LEAVES IT'S NOT BECAUSE THEY DON'T CARE. IT IS A CALLING FOR US. IT'S BEYOND A CALLING. IT IS A MINISTRY. SO WHEN YOU SEE US LEAVE, IT TAKES A LOT. IT TAKES MONTHS, SOMETIMES YEARS
OF INTERNAL CONFLICT. WE THINK ABOUT THE CHILDREN. WE THINK ABOUT THE IMPACT AND WE THINK ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIPS WE HAVE BUILT. WALKING AWAY IS NEVER EASY FOR AN EDUCATOR IT'S NEVER EASY. THAT IS WHY A MOMENT LIKE THIS
COUNT. RIGHT NOW, I UNDERSTAND THOUGH I ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE DISTRICT IS FACING REAL CHALLENGES, DECLINING EASTBOUND ROLL. , BUDGET, AND OTHER PRIORITIES. I UNDERSTAND THAT. BECAUSE I OWN A COMPANY.
AND I KNOW HOW BUDGET WORKS. BUT THOSE CHALLENGES CANNOT CONTINUE TO BE BALANCED ON THE BACKS OF THE TEACHERS. AND IT IS REALITY A TEACHERS PAYCHECK THIS PAYCHECK WAS NEVER FULLY MINE BECAUSE I WAS CALLING
WEEK AFTER WEEK SPENDING MY OWN MONEY BUYING TOYS, CLASSROOM SUPPLIES AND SMALL REWARDS JUST TO KEEP MY STUDENTS ENGAGED ENCOURAGING AND PROGRESSING. AND WHEN MOTIVATION IS PART OF
AN EVALUATION IT IS NOT OPTIONAL IT IS EXPECTED. SO TEACHERS WE GIVE YOUR TIME, OUR ENERGY, OUR EMOTIONAL CAPACITY AND WE GIVE OUR MONEY AS WELL. SO ALL WHILE WE ALSO MANAGING OUR OWN ISSUES AND OUR OWN FAMILIES.
LET'S ALSO TALK ABOUT EQUITY ACROSS OUR DISTRICT. WE HAVE TEACHERS SERVING IN THE COMMUNITIES LIKE BELLE GLADE AND THEY HAVE TO COMMUTE LONG DISTANCES EVERYDAY. THAT IS ANOTHER TOPIC GAS PRICES SO WE ARE ASKING YOU GUYS TO DO
THE RIGHT THING AND I BELIEVE IN YOUR LEADERSHIP. SUPERINTENDENT AND I BELIEVE YOU GUYS WILL DO THE RIGHT THING FOR OUR TEACHERS. IT'S TIME. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. IT'S NOT AFTERNOON IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY. AND I'VE HAD ABLE OF APPLESAUCE TO EAT AND THAT'S IT. I'M KATHY I AM A 21-YEAR TEACHER AS OF THIS YEAR.
I STARTED IN NEW YORK STATE. AND MOVED TO FLORIDA THINKING I REALLY HATE SNOW. BUT NEW YORK IS LOOKING REALLY GOOD AGAIN. I'D BE MAKING OVER $20,000 MORE A YEAR IN NEW YORK.
MY HOUSE WOULD BE ENTIRELY PAID OFF. MY ANNUAL HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE WOULD BE $9,000 A YEAR LESS. WHY SHOULD I STAY FOR A 1.5%
RAISE? WHY? WHAT HAPPENS A COUPLE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD IF THE PALM BEACH VOTERS REJECT THE REFERENDUM? THEN WHAT HAPPENS?
I'M NOT GOING TO BE THE ONLY ONE THINKING WHAT I'M THINKING. AND I LOVE WHAT I DO. I LEFT A PRIVATE SCHOOL THAT PAID ME BETTER. I WAS THERE FOR 14 YEARS. I LEFT A PRIVATE SCHOOL THAT
PAID ME BETTER BECAUSE I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY IN PALM BEACH TO MAKE MY DREAM HAPPEN. MY DREAM WAS STARTING A BRAND NEW SCHOOL. AND I DID THAT AT BLUE LAKE ELEMENTARY. HE HELPED ME MAKE MY DREAM
HAPPEN. SO THANK YOU TO PALM BEACH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND FOR MAKING THAT HAPPEN. IT'S BEEN GREAT. I LOVE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF MY 959 STUDENTS. AND, YES, WE GOT A NEW ONE TODAY.
SO WHILE THE DISTRICT AS A WHOLE IS SEEING ENROLLMENT GOING DOWN THERE ARE SCHOOLS LIKE MINE THAT SEE ENROLLMENT GOING UP. WE GET TWO NEW STUDENTS A WEEK. AND AS THE MUSIC TEACHER, I TEACH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE KIDS.
I AM THEIR SAFE PLACE ON CAMPUS TO MAKE MISTAKES. TO FEEL RELIEF FROM THEIR TESTING. I LOVE WHAT I DO. I LOVE ALL THOSE KIDS.
BUT I COULD BE DOING A LOT OF OTHER THINGS WITH MY TIME. I HAVE A SEVENTH GRADE DAUGHTER. SHE HAS THRIVED SINCE I PULLED HER OUT OF PRIVATE SCHOOL. PALM BEACH IS A GREAT DISTRICT.
YOU HAVE AMAZING TEACHERS. BUT AS A PARENT, I SHOULDN'T GO TO STARBUCKS AND SEE MY KIDS TEACHER AS MY BARISTA THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN. CHANGE IT. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. SO BOARD MEMBERS THAT NOW BRINGS
US TO THE END OF OUR AGENDA. I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. MOTION BY Mr. FERGUSON, SECOND BY -- DON'T LEAVE WE HAVE ANOTHER MEETING. I NEED A SECOND. SECOND BY MS. ANDREWS, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR. ALL OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
WE NOW HAVE TO GO TO OUR SPECIAL -- FOR SOME REASON I LOST IT ON MY. >> THE LEASING CORP BUT IT CAME
OFF OUR AGENDA. BEAR WITH US FOR A MINUTE. WE WILL GO BACK AND GO BACK IN. HOLD ON.
I'VE GOT NO UP COMING MEETINGS. DO YOU HAVE IT. SIT FOR A MOMENT AND WE WILL GET IT. IT'S NOT ON MY COMPUTER.
I'M NOW GOING TO CALL THE SPECIAL MEETING FOR THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD LEASING CORPORATION TO ORDER AT 9:26PM. BOARD CHAIR WE DON'T NEED TO TAKE ATTENDANCE. EVERYBODY IS STILL PRESENT.
CORRECT? OKAY. SO Mr. SUPERINTENDENT WHEN YOU ARE READY WE WILL BE AT LC1. >> Mike Burke: THANK YOU. THIS IS A BRIEF MEETING WE DO THIS ONCE A YEAR TO APPROVE THE ANNUAL SLATE OF OFFICERS FOR THE
LEASING CORP THAT IS AN EXTENSION OF THE SCHOOL BOARD IT HANDLES OUR DEBT FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. I WILL READ THE RECOMMENDATION. RECOMMEND THAT THE PALM BEACH SCHOOL BOARD LEASING CORP THROUGH THE SLATE OF OFFICERS. >> Karen Brill: MOTION BY MS. WHITFIELD AND SECOND BY MS.
BRANCH. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. I WILL TAKE A MOTION NOW BY Mr. FERGUSON AND SECOND BY EVERYONE FOR THE RECORD MS. BRANCH ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR?
OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. HAVE