♪WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED AT THE TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING♪ ♪WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT♪
♪O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED, WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING♪ ♪AND THE ROCKET'S RED GLARE, THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR♪ ♪GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT
THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE♪ ♪O SAY DOES THAT STAR-SPANGLED BANNER YET WAVE♪ ♪O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE AND
THE HOME OF THE BRAVE ♪.
[APPLAUSE] I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
VIEWERS AND LISTENERS CAN ACCESS THE MEETING BY WATCHING ON COMCAST CHANNELS 234, 235, U VERSE CHANNEL 99 OR USING THE LINK AT PALM BEACH SCHOOLS.ORG. IF THE LINK IS INTERRUPTED
SWITCH OVER TO THE TV CHANNELS. ALL BOARD MEETINGS ARE ARE RECORDED AND POSTED ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE WITHIN 24 HOURS. BOARD MEMBERS WE HAVE FIVE SETS OF MINUTES ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. MOTION BY MS. BRANCH AND SECOND
BY MS. ANDREWS. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. I HAVE ONE ITEM TO ADD. P3, GOOD CAUSE EXISTS SO
EMPLOYEES CAN BEGIN IN THEIR NEW POSITIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT DO YOU HAVE ITEMS TO WITHDRAW. >> Mike Burke: YES, FC3, FC4 AND FC5. >> Karen Brill: BOARD MEMBERS WE HAVE ITEMED PULLED FROM THE
CONSENTED AGENDA. WE HAVE -- I'M SORRY. ONE MOMENT. I THINK WE MAY HAVE MORE THAN WHAT I HAVE LISTED HERE. GIVE ME ONE MOMENT.
WE'LL START WITH POL C.O.O. 3 AND POL C.O.O. 1. IN ADDITION WE HAVE FMPAL9. 1 THROUGH 9. THAT IS AN ENTIRE SET.
FMPO5, 06 AND 07. ALL THREE. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WITHDRAW? TO OUR CLERK ARE YOU UPDATE THE AGENDA? WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO REFRESH IN A COUPLE MOMENTS. BOARD MEMBERS I WILL TAKE A
MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION BY MS. WHITFIELD AND SECONDED BY MS. BRANCH. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. DO WE HAVE DISCLOSURES OR ABSTENTIONS? SEEING NONE THAT IS GOING TO BRING US TO SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS.
Mr. SUPERINTENDENT. >> Mike Burke: THANK YOU. WE REASONLY HELD OUR CELEBRATE THE GREAT, CELEBRATION WITH OUR EDUCATION FOUNDATION AND IT MAKES IT POSSIBLE. I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE WE ARE A LARGE SCHOOL DISTRICT, 10TH LARGEST IN THE NATION. WE HAVE FOUR CATEGORIES AND WE
HAD WINNERS FROM 16 FINALISTS FOR EACH CATEGORY AND I RECOGNIZE ALL 16 WERE THE RESPECTIVE WINNERS FOR THEIR REGION WHICH COUNTY AS BIG AS OURS SOME OF THE REGIONS ARE BIGGER THAN MOST OF YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS. I CONGRATULATE OUR FINALISTS AND
ULTIMATE WINNERS WE HAVE Dr. ROBINSON WAS OUR PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR. [APPLAUSE] OUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL IS MS. BALDWIN FROM PAHOKEE ELEMENTARY.
TEACHER OF THE YEAR, MS. JACKSON FROM GALAXY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. [APPLAUSE] AND OUR SCHOOL SUPPORT RELATED EMPLOYEE IS MS. STERLING FROM EQUESTRIAN TRAILS ELEMENTARY. WE HAVE A SHORT VIDEO THAT WILL
DO A JOB OF CAPTURING THE EVENT. [♪♪] >> TONIGHT WE CELEBRATE 16 FINALISTS AND SHOW WHY OUR A
RATED SCHOOL DISTRICT IS THE BEST IN THE STATE IF NOT THE COUNTRY. ALL OF OUR FINALISTS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS APPRECIATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT YOU'VE ALREADY MET HERE TO BECOME A FINALIST. >> SCHOOL RELATED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR IS...
CONNIE STERLING FROM EQUESTRIAN TRAILS. >> MY SCHOOL IS MORE THAN A WORKPLACE IT IS MY FAMILY. MY SECOND FAMILY AND I'M THANKSFUL EVERYDAY. >> AND YOUR PALM BEACH COUNTY TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS...
LAWANA JACKSON. [APPLAUSE] >> I PRAY I CONTINUE TO BE A BEACON OF LIGHT AND INSPIRATION IN THE CLASSROOM. ALL SCHOOLS AND ACROSS THIS WORLD.
>> ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR. >> WE NEVER CARRY IT ALONE. WE SERVE AS ONE ANOTHER'S STRENGTH AND SANCTUARY HOLDING EACH OTHER UP SO WE CAN HOLD-UP THE SCHOOL.
>> REPRESENTING THE SOUTH REGION... [INAUDIBLE]. >> I ACCEPT THIS RECOGNITION WITH GREAT HUMILITY. BECAUSE WHILE MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE] IT REPRESENTS SO MANY INCREDIBLE PEOPLE.
[♪♪] >> Mike Burke: NICE JOB COMMUNICATIONS. IT WAS A GREAT JOB VERY PROUD OF ALL OF OUR WINNERS. WE HAVE OTHER NEWS, THE STATE RECENTLY RELEASED OUR GRADUATION
RATES FOR THE CLASS OF 2025 AND WE HIT A HISTORIC HIGH. OUR OVERALL GRADUATION RATE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY IS 93.5%. AND THEN WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR DISTRICT OPERATED HIGH SCHOOLS WE ARE 96.7%. CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE
FIRST OUR STUDENTS AND EVERYBODY ON TEAM PALM BEACH THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THAT AND OUR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS. AND SPEAKING OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, OUR OWN SANDRA EDWARDS OF ATLANTIC HIGH SCHOOL WON AN AWARD THE FLORIDA TAX WATCH PRINCIPAL LEADERSHIP AWARD
AND YOU DO THAT APPLY FOR THEY FIND YOU BASED ON YOUR RESULTS AND THEY LOOK AT IT'S FLORIDA TAX WATCH THEY ARE LOOKING FOR RETURN ON INVESTMENT AND THEY IDENTIFIED MS. EDWARDS BASED ON THE RESULTS SHE WAS GETTING IN TERMS OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND
MAKING THE BEST USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS. THIS CAME OUT BASED ON HER MERIT AND ACHIEVEMENT AT ATLANTIC HIGH SCHOOL AND WE ARE INCREDIBLY PROUD OF HER. GOOD JOB, MS. EDWARDS. [APPLAUSE] AND EARLIER THIS MONTH OUR BOARD
APPROVED A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING BLACK HISTORY MONTH WE CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH THERE ARE EVENTS GOING ON WITH OUR STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS MONTH. AND TO CONTINUE TO PROCLAIM IT AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH. AND THERE IS A LOT OF EVENTS
SOME HAVE TAKEN PLACE. BUT WE ON OUR WEBSITE WE HAVE A FULL ACCOUNTING OF THE DIFFERENT EVENTS GOING ON TO RECOGNIZE BLACK HISTORY AND YOU CAN FIND THAT AT PALM BEACH SCHOOLS.ORG/AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES TO FIND OUT MORE WHAT WE
ARE DOING AND THAT CONCLUDES MY COMMENTS. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. MS. SAVIETTO. >> Virginia Savietto: I WAS HAPPY TO ATTEND THE WINNERS CELEBRATION AND WELCOME OUR NEWEST RECIPIENT. IT STARTS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND INVESTED IN THE STUDENT'S FUTURE SUPPORTING COLLEGE OR
TRADE PATHWAYS AND SENDING A MESSAGE THAT THEIR EDUCATION MATTERS AND THAT WE BELIEVE IN THEM. WHAT MATTERS, WHAT MAKES THIS PROGRAM MEANINGFUL IS STUDENTS ARE NOMINATED BY TEACHERS NOT JUST FOR GRADES BUT EFFORT, CHARACTER, PERSEVERANCE AND LEADERSHIP. ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL MOMENTS
WE SEEING CARLOS FLORES GIVE BACK TO THE SCHOOL THAT HELPED SHAPE HIM. CARLOS IS A PROUD GREENACRES ELEMENTARY GRADUATE AND YEARS AGO HIS SISTER WAS ONE OF THE FIRST RECIPIENTS OF THE SAME SCHOLARSHIP. I THANK HER MINE FOR HER LONG
STANDING GENEROSITY IN SUSTAINING THE SCHOLARSHIP AND THE PRINCIPAL AND HIS TEAM FOR BELIEVING IN THEIR STUDENTS THIS IS WHAT INVESTING LOCALLY LOOKS LIKE, EDUCATION CREATES OPPORTUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY STRENGTHS STRENGTHENS OUR
COMMUNITY. LET'S MOVE COMMIT TO CHANGE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CHALLENGE AND ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO PARTICIPATE. IT IS SIMPLE FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH WE LIVE OUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MINUTES OR STEPS AT EACH DAY WE WALK, WE RUN, WE DANCE, STRETCH, GYM TIME IT ALL
COUNTS OVER A MONTH THOSE MINUTES ADD UP WHEN WE DO IT TOGETHER. LAST YEAR, OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT FINISHED THIRD COUNTY-WIDE. THIRD IS GOOD. BUT WE ARE THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN PALM BEACH COUNTY AND WE SHOULD BE FIRST PLACE. OTHER MUNICIPALITIES ARE COMPETING AND THERE IS NO REASON
WHY WE SHOULD LET THEM BEAT US. THIS CHALLENGE PROMOTES WELLNESS, TEAM MORALE AND HEALTHY HABITS. SIGN UP IS EASY, SCAN THE QR CODE, SIGN UP OR CREATE A TEAM AND START LOGGING YOUR MINUTES SO THAT THE NEWSLETTER WILL COME
OUT FEBRUARY 25. THERE ARE INCENTIVES AND AA LOT OF POSITIVE ENERGY. I RECOGNIZE PAULA, MANAGER OF THE WELLNESS PROMOTION WHO LEADS THIS INITIATIVE FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. THIS IS MY CHALLENGE TO MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS Mr.
BURKE, OUR CHIEFS, Mr. SANCHEZ WITH ALL HIS FITNESS, ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, STAFF AND OUR POLICE OFFICERS. LET'S LOG OUR STEPS AND LET'S WIN THIS THING. SO I WANT TO SHARE THAT THE
PARENT APPLICATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2026 SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IT PROVIDES FREE TUITION FOR YOUTH AGES 5-17 OFFERING SAFE, SUPERVISED AND ENRICHING ENVIRONMENT WHILE
PARENTS WORK AND HELPING PREVENT ACADEMIC SUMMER SLIDE IT'S FUNDED BY THE PALM BEACH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE CHILDREN SERVICES COUNCIL AND ADMINISTERED BY YOUTH SERVICES WITH MORE THAN 100 CAMPSITES. NEARLY 5,000 SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED INCLUDING HUNDREDS OF
CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. FAMILIES CAN APPLY ON-LINE OR RECEIVE IN-PERSON ASSISTANCE AT THE YOUTH SERVICES OFFICES. VICE-CHAIR LANE, LUCA AND I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOU YOU, YOUR SON AND SUSAN.
IN JEWISH TRADITION A ROCK IS A WAY TO HONOR SOMEONE'S MEMORY WE CHOSE A ROCK FROM OUR GARDEN AND PAINTED IT TOGETHER. A ROCK REPRESENTS PRESENCE, REMEMBRANCE AND RESPECT. IT IS OUR SMALL WAY OF HONORING
SUSAN'S LIVE AND LETTING YOU KNOW AND YOUR FAMILY THAT YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY CARE. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: SHAW. MS. WHITFIELD. >> Erica Whitfield: THANK YOU, VERY MUCH. FIRST OF ALL I WANTED TO SAY
HAPPY FIRST DAY OF RAMADAN TO THOSE WHO CELEBRATE ALSO ON THE SAME THEME OF RELIGIOUS CELEBRATIONS WE DID HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AND ONE ONE PHOTO OF MS. BRILL AND Mr. LANE AND I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO MEET
WITH THE JEWISH CIVIC ROUNDTABLE AND I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY SPECIAL MOMENT TO BE ABLE TO DEATH TOGETHER WITH THE FAITH LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY OF THE JEWISH FAMILIES AND WHAT THEY NEED AND WHAT THEY ARE INTERESTED IN. I WAS GLAD TO HAVE THREE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS THERE TO ATTEND.
AND SO I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE WE ATTENDED THAT. AND THOUSAND I DO HAVE A VIDEO OF MY THANK A TEACHER THAT HAPPENED AT CITRUS COVE ELEMENTARY AND I WANTED TO SHARE THAT AS WELL.
[♪♪] >> EVERYONE OF THOSE COLLECTIONS WAS HER... FAVORITE. HI, I'M MIRIAM AND I AM A BBK TEACHER HERE AT CITRUS COVE ELEMENTARY. VPK IS VOLUNTARY
PREKINDERGARTEN, THE STATE WILL FUND VPK FOR ALL FOUR-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS OUR GOAL IS TO GET THEM READY FOR SCHOOL. AND WE ALSO WORK HARD TO HOPE BUILD A FOUNDATION WITH
AWARENESS, NUMERACY, THAT'S THE WAY WE MAKE A... >> 3. >> SO THEY HAVE WONDERFUL BUILDING BLOCKS WHEN THEY GET READY TO GO TO KINDERGARTEN. WHEN THEY OPEN THAT BOOK AND THEY REALIZE THAT THEY READ THAT PAGE ALL ON THEIR OWN FOR THE
FIRST TIME... I DID THAT I READ THAT! AND THOSE ARE THE MOMENTS THAT YOU HANG ON TO FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. >> WE ARE SO EXCITED YOU ARE THIS WEEK'S THANK A TEACH
ERWINNER. >> YOU HAVE SUPER HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR OUR KIDS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD. >> HAVING AN AMAZING TEACHER LIKE YOU MEANS A WORLD TO THEIR GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT JUST KNOW THAT FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WE
REALLY APPRECIATE YOU. >> SHE IS HELPFUL. >> SHE IS NICE. >> SHE IS BEAUTIFUL. >> THESE ARE THE KIDS I LOOK FORWARD TO MY MASSIVE HUGS EVERY SINGLE MORNING.
I HOPE I GET TO DO THIS FOREVER. >> Erica Whitfield: SUCH A FUN VIDEO AND SHE IS AN INCREDIBLE TEACHER WE ARE SO PRIVILEGED TO HAVE HER AND I'M GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE HER WORK AND
THANK MS. SHELTON FOR BEING AN INCREDIBLE PRINCIPAL. IT IS A POPULAR SCHOOL FAMILIES LOVE BEING A PART OF IT THEY HAVE AMAZING ACTIVITIES AND IT WAS AWESOME TO SEE ONE OF THE REASONS THAT MAKES IT SO GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. >> Gloria Branch: THANK YOU WELLINGTON CHORUS. I WENT TO OMNI MIDDLE SCHOOL TO THANK THE CIVIC CLASSES THAT SENT ME THE WONDERFUL MESSAGES AND PICTURES THEY DREW FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER APPRECIATION MONTH IT WAS ALMOST 100 AND I
READ THEM ALL AND THE CLASSES ASKED ME GREAT QUESTIONS. THANK YOU TO THE TEACHERS. I ENJOYED TALKING WITH YOUR CLASSES VERY MUCH. PRINCIPAL WAS WALKING ME AROUND
THE CAMPUS AND WE HEARD THE BAND PLAYING SO WEN WITH TO LISTEN. Y'ALL, I SAY Y'ALL, THEY WERE SO FANTASTIC THIS WAS MIDDLE SCHOOL. SOME OF THE KIDS COULDN'T PLAY INSTRUMENTS IN THE BEGINNING OF SCHOOL. I WAS IMPRESSED.
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND GO JAGUARS. CONGRATULATIONS TO SPANISH RIVER HIGH SCHOOL, THE FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION INDIVIDUAL BOYS CROSS-COUNTRY STATE CHAMPION PRESTON IS THE
FIRST CHAMPION FOR SPANISH RIVER HIGH SCHOOL. PROUD OF YOU THAT IS EXCELLENT. AND SPANISH RIVER HIGH SCHOOL ICE HOCKEY TEAM HEADS TO STATES AS THE NUMBER ONE SEED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU GOT A LOT GOING ON AT
SPANISH RIVER AND WE APPRECIATE YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. MS. ANDREWS. >> Marcia Andrews: GOOD AFTERNOON. AND WELLINGTON CHORUS YOU ARE AWESOME YOU ARE RIGHT THEY ARE SUPERSTARS. I WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE FOR EVERYONE TO SEE THE PICTURES THAT WE WILL POST RIGHT NOW. IT'S SPECIAL TO ME AND SPECIAL
TO ALL OF US. A DEDICATION CEREMONY WAS HELD TODAY AT WOODLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL. WOODLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL HAD A MEMORIAL DEDICATION HONORING THE LIFE OF LANDON COGGIN. JOINED BY FAMILY MEMBERS, STUDENTS, STAFF AND COMMUNITY
LEADERS. THE SCHOOL DEDICATED THE BUILDING 5100 HALLWAY CLOSELY CONNECTED TO THE CHORUS PROGRAM IN HIS HONOR. THE BUILDING 5100 HALLWAY DEDICATED TO LANDON.
THE CEREMONY REFLECTED THE SCHOOL'S COMMITMENT TO THE REMEMBRANCE, UNITY AND COMPASSION CELEBRATING LANDON'S IMPACT ON THE WOODLANDS COMMUNITY. AND AFFIRMING THAT EVERY MUSTANG MATTERS. THE EVENT WAS SPONSORED BY THE
COMMUNITY LEADERS AND THE DISTRICT LEADERSHIP FROM PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. AND THE HIGHLIGHTED TIME SPENDING WITH HIS FAMILY, AND DURING THE BONDS OF RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS, KNOWING THAT WE WILL NEVER,
NEVER FORGET LANDON COLBEGIN FROM WOODLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL A WONDERFUL, MUSTANG. AND AS I MOVE FORWARD I WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT A FEW THINGS THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING IN DISTRICT 6. SURPRISE BREAKFAST FOR THE TOP
20 SENIORS FROM PALM BEACH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL IT WAS SPONSORED BY THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON AND PALM BEACH CENTRAL AND THE VAL AND THE SAL WAS ANNOUNCED IT WAS A GREAT TIME FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS THE TOP 20 PALM BEACH CENTRAL
HIGH SCHOOL. AS WE MOVE FORWARD, THE HOLOCAUST ARTIFACTS CATTLE CART CELEBRATION I'M STANDING WITH MY MENTEE AND WE WENT THROUGH THE CATTLE CAR AND LOOKED AT THE ARTIFACTS AND IT WAS A LEARNING
EXPERIENCE FOR ALL OF US. PRINCIPAL A TEAM GLADES CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL FOR SENIORS AND THERE'S MERIT EVANS THE FORMER PRINCIPAL OF GLADE CENTRAL SHE WAS HONORED BUT THIS IS A BIG NIGHT AT GLADES CENTRAL WHERE THE SENIORS THE TOP SENIORS AT
THE SCHOOL RECEIVE HONORS THEIR JACKETS, PINS AND AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMICS. THE 39TH ANNUAL PRINCIPAL SCHOOL COUNCIL APPRECIATION BREAKFAST IF YOU SEE THE STUDENTS THESE ARE THE TWO COUNSELORS ONE FROM POLO PARK, WOW, SHE WAS
FABULOUS. Dr. ROSE LEWIS. AND ALSO Dr. JENIFER GEORGIA LINDO, MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR THEY WERE ALL HONORED AT THE BREAKFAST. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO SEE THE STUDENTS THERE THEY ARE THEY RECEIVED THE SCHOLARSHIPS AND IT
WAS A BIG BREAKFAST HONORING OUR STUDENTS AND HONORING OUR SCHOOL COUNSELORS. SUPERINTENDENT BURKE THE FIFTH ANNUAL SUPER BOWL KICKOFF PARTY WE HAD A GREAT TIME. GO TEAM PALM BEACH GO. AND IT WAS GREAT AND HOPEFULLY WE HAD OUR WINNER AT THE SUPER
BOWL WE'LL KEEP THAT SECRET TO OURSELVES MY TEAM WAS NOT THERE BUT THEY WILL BE THERE NEXT YEAR, THE MAD MIAMI DOLPHINS. AND THE NEXT THING IS THE ROYAL PALM BEACH EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD WE HAD OUR EDUCATIONAL ADVISORY MEETING AND THOSE ARE
THE LYONETTES THE CHEERLEADERS FROM ROYAL PALM BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. AS WELL AS YOU SAW SOME STUDENTS RIGHT THERE TALKING TO YOU. THEY ARE FROM THE RON CLARK ACADEMY. WHERE THEY ARE LEARNING HOW TO REALLY BE GREAT THERE AND THEY
HAVE AN EAST SPORTS CLUB YOU SEE THOSE IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL. BUT CYPRUS TRAILS HAS AN EAST SPORTS CLUB. BLACK HISTORY MONTH DISPLAY AT GLADES CENTRAL MY MENTEE AGAIN AND OUR MEDIA SPECIALISTS WE WERE LEARNING ABOUT BLACK HISTORY IT'S ALWAYS SO IMPORTANT.
AND YES, I HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT STUDENTS ACES AND THAT IS THE GROUP THAT WORKS WITH ATHLETES IN THE GLADES TO KEEP THEIR GRADES UP AND GET READY FOR COLLEGE. AND THE CHARTER ADMINISTRATIVE MEETING YES WE WERE THERE AT THE
MEETING WITH Mr. EDGE COME THERE ARE MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS WE ARE SAYING HELLO TO OUR CHARTER PRINCIPALS AND LET THEM KNOW THEY ARE PART OF THE DISTRICT. WE LOVE THEM ALL THEY TAKE CARE OF OUR CHILDREN AND WE HAVE 51 CHARTER SCHOOLS AND WE HAD THE PRINCIPALS HERE AT THE DISTRICT.
ALSO I WANT TO SAY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, THE JONES FAMILY GROUNDBREAKING IF YOU CAN SEE US RIGHT THERE THAT IS Mr. JONES, AND SEMINOLE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL BUILT THE HOUSE WE ARE READY TO GIVE THE KEYS OUT. WHAT A WONDERFUL TIME.
AND LASTLY, I WANT TO SAY VISITING WITH THE WINNERS AND THE FINALISTS Mr. BURKE FROM CELEBRATE THE GREAT. MARLA ORTEGA FROM GLADES CENTRAL
COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR FROM THE GLADES REGION. I RECRUITED MYRA 25 YEARS AGO. FROM THE PHILIPPINES. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: AND NOW WE'LL GO TO Mr. FERGUSON.
>> Edwin Ferguson: HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH. LAST MONDAY FEBRUARY 9TH I WITH PRISM FLORIDA HAS THE PLEASURE OF HOSTING A LISTENING SESSION TOWN HALL AT COMPASS COMMUNITY CENTER IN LAKE WORTH BEACH WITH STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTY. THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING WAS
TO CONVERSE WITH STUDENTS FROM DEMOGRAPHICS IN AN EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE FEELS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY IS THEIR BEST CHOICE. THIS WAS JUST THE FIRST STEP OF
MANY STEP AS LONG THE PATH I ENVISION WILL LEAD TO THE ENHANCEMENT OF SAFEGUARDS THAT OUR STUDENTS AND PARENTS SEEK WITHIN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. STAY TUNED. ON WEB FEBRUARY 11TH I VISITED SUNSET PALM ELEMENTARY WITH THE 2026 CLASS OF LEADERSHIP PALM
BEACH COUNTY TO READ TO STUDENTS. THIS WAS UNQUESTIONABLY THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY WEEK I WAS SELECTED TO READ A BOOK TITLED THE IMPATIENT CATERPILLAR TO THE FIRST GRADE CLASS. THE CLASS WAS SO ENGAGED. AT UP WITH POINT, ONE OF THE STUDENTS NOTED THAT CATERPILLARS
DON'T HAVE HANDS LARGE ENOUGH TO HOLD A CELLPHONE THERE IS A SECTION WHERE THE CATERPILLAR MADE CALLS WHILE IT WAITED TO TURN INTO A BUTTERFLY. AND CATERPILLARS DO HAVE HANDS. TO THE LAST POINT OTHER STUDENTS
CHIMED IN AND SAID THEY'VE SEEN FINGERS AND THE CATERPILLARS HAVE BETWEEN FOUR AND EIGHT FINGERS ON EACH HAND. SOME OF THE STUDENTS SPENT MORE TIME IN FANTASY LAND. I LOOK FORWARD TO READING TO THE STUDENTS AGAIN.
I ATTENDED THE LEGISLATIVE DAY OF THE GREATER FLORIDA COULD CONSORTIUM OF SCHOOL BOARDS ON FEBRUARY 12TH. WE CONVERSED WITH LEGISLATORS ON THE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM, AND GETTING THE LEGISLATORS' VIEWS HOW SESSION IS PROGRESSING.
THE MOST NOTABLE PORTION OF THE DAY WAS WHEN THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT 112, THE SPONSOR OF HOUSE BILL 1393 AND THE REP FOR 115 STOPPED BY TO SPEAK TO THE GROUP. BOTH REPRESENT RESIDENTS OF
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY IT'S ONE OF THE MOST ODIOUS PIECES OF LEGISLATION. I TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN WHY I OPPOSE THIS PILL AND I POINTED OUT THAT HE PER PURPORTED ADVOCATE OF EDUCATION SPONSORED IT.
AS A FELLOW DELEGATE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, THE REP STEPPED IN TO COUNTER FUEL MY POINTS. HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN QUELLING MY FRUSTRATION AND THE PARTIES FROM HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY WHO ARE MOST RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CREATION OF HOUSE BILL 1393, THE
REP AND I FOUND POINTS OF CONSENT ON OTHER ISSUES. HE WAS GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO INVITE ME TO THE OFFICE TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION ON HOUSE BILL 1393 AND OFFERED MYA HILL FIRST SHOT OF CUBAN COFFEE. IT'S DELICIOUS. KUDOS TO REP FOR BEING OPEN TO
ENGAGING IN AN HONEST DIALOGUE WITH A RESIDENT, VOTER AND PUBLIC SERVANT OF THIS GREAT STATE. WE'RE STILL SEEKING COMMUNITY INPUT ON THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS AT THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL OPENING AT RIVIERA BEACH.
SCAN THE SURVEY AND PROVIDE YOUR INPUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WE WILL HAVE A FOLLOW-UP TOWN HALL ON MARCH 31 WITH THE RESULTS. FEBRUARY IS PROJECT UPLIFT COMMUNITY CLEAN UP WILL TAKE PLACE THIS SATURDAY IN WEB PALM BEACH COUNTY NEW BETHEL IS
9119TH STREET SIGN IN IS 7:30 AM AND WE START 8:00 A.M. CALL OR E-MAIL ME AT PROJECT UPLIFT PBC AT GMAIL.COM. NEXT THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26, THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WILL HOST AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM
RESEARCH LIBRARY TOWN HALL AT ROOSEVELT MIDDLE SCHOOL. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING CONTACT BRITNEY AT... LASTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THE PASSING OF TWO PEOPLE. THE FIRST I'M SURE ALL OF YOU
HEARD OF IS JESSE JACKSON. I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO PRAISE HIS LIFE OF SERVICE BUT I WILL SAY HIS COMMITMENT TO BEING A COMMUNITY LEADER, COMMITMENT TO SCHOLARSHIP, PERSEVERING THROUGH THE HARD TIMES SYNONYMOUS WITH BEING A BLACK
PERSON IN AMERICA, SHOULD BE A LESSON TO YOUR US WE SHOULD ASPIRE TO ESTEEM OTHERS MORE THAN OURSELVES. LASTLY SOMEONE WHO MANY OF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD OF MY GRANDMOTHER
PASSED THIS MORNING AT 90.
I HAVE ON ONE OR MORE OCCASIONS MENTIONED HER AT BOARD MEETINGS AND ENCOURAGED THOSE WHO HAVE ELDERLY LOVED ONES TO SPEND TIME WITH THEM TIME IS WINDING UP.
THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE OFFERED CONDOLENCES. MY GRANDMA MA WAS LOVING AND THERE WASN'T ANYTHING SHE WOULDN'T DO FOR FAMILY. ALWAYS FIGHTING UNTIL SHE PHYSICALLY COULDN'T. SHE LEAVES BEHIND A LOVING
HUSBAND MY STEP GRANDDAD DAY JIMMY, A SISTER, THREE DAUGHTERS A SON, NINE GRANDCHILDREN I'M THE OLDEST AND FIVE GREAT GRANDCHILDREN. REST IN HEAVEN GRANDMA MA. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU I HAVE TO SAY I'M SURE YOUR GRANDMOTHER
WAS EXTREMELY PROUD OF YOU AND ALL YOU HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHING Mr. LANE? >> >> Matthew Lane: YES, I WANT TO BEGIN BY THANKING MS. SINCLAIR SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND OUR BOARD FOR PLANTING TREES IN MEMORY OF MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE, SUSAN.
IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN A MORE PERFECT TRIBUTE. WHENEVER SOMEONE PASSED AWAY SUSAN WOULD HONOR THEM BYMANTING TREES THANK YOU FOR PLANTING TREES IN HER MEMORY. BOARD MEMBER SAVIETTO, THIS MEANS SO MUCH TO ME. IT IS BEAUTIFUL.
IT IS SO YOU ALL CAN SEE IT. AND IT MEANS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT. I TOOK FLOWERS OUT TO SUSAN ON VALENTINE'S DAY AND I WILL TAKE THIS OUT TOMORROW MORNING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF HOW WE OPERATE IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY.
WE ARE A FAMILY. WE'RE THERE FOR EACH OTHER IN GOOD TIMES AND IN DIFFICULT TIMES. AND WE WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE A POSITIVE FUTURE FOR THE CHILDREN WHOM WE SERVE. I WANT ALL OF YOU TO KNOW THAT I'M TRULY HONORED AND BLESSED TO
BE PART OF YOUR FAMILY. I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION DOING AN INCREDIBLE JOB IN CELEBRATE THE GREAT IN THE CEREMONY AND I, TOO, WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR, Dr. ROBINSON, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF
THE YEAR, BOLDEN, TEACHER OF THE YEAR, JACKSON, AND SCHOOL RELATED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR STERLING. HEARING THEIR STORIES AND SEEING ALL THAT THEY'VE ACCOMPLISHED WAS A TREMENDOUS SOURCE OF PRIDE AND INSPIRATION FOR ME AS A BOARD MEMBER.
ON FEBRUARY 6, WE HONORED OUR HARD-WORKING SCHOOL COUNSELORS. AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW OUT COUNSELORS PROVIDE ACADEMIC SUPPORT, COLLEGE AND CAREER PLANNING, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, CRISIS RESPONSE, SECTION 504 SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
WITH DISWILTS, AS WELL AS ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING OR FACING BEHAVIORAL OR ATTENDANCE CHALLENGES. THIS IS A HEAVY LOAD AND WE APPRECIATE THE RESPONSIBILITY THEY SHOULDER. EACH AND EVERYDAY.
FINALLY, AS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER WHITFIELD DISCUSSED, CHAIR BRILL, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER WHITFIELD AND I ATTENDED A COMMUNITY RELATIONS ROUNDTABLE WITH THE COUNTY MAYOR, SHERIFF, CLERK OF COURT, COMMISSIONERS AND LOCAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND
IT WAS AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, COUNTY LEADERSHIP, AND CLERGY AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. >> Karen Brill: I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES KNOW HOW MUCH SCHOOL POLICE DOES FOR THE COMMUNITY.
BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I DON'T THINK EVERYBODY IN THE PUBLIC KNOWS. AND I FOLLOW SCHOOL POLICE ON SOCIAL MEDIA. WHICH IS WHERE I'VE LEARNED MORE ABOUT WHAT THEY DO AND HOW THEY EMBRACE THE FAMILIES HOW THEY HELP THE FAMILY WHOSE CHILDREN COULDN'T GET TO SCHOOL AND MOST RECENTLY, I HAD READ THAT THEY
OPENED UP A FOOD PANTRY AT ONE OF MY SCHOOLS KRYSTEN MCAULIFFE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND I VISIT THE SCHOOL AND THERE ARE OTHER FOOD PANTRIES I'M INVITING MY COLLEAGUES IF YOU ARE ABLE TO
SEE CHRISTA MCAULIFFE AND MEET WITH THE PROFESSOR AT THAT TIME STARTED THE PROGRAM THERE THEY TOOK CARE OF A HOMELESS FAMILY. SOMETIMES WE THINK THAT FOOD INSECURITY IS ONLY IN ISOLATED AREAS IN THE COUNTY. BUT IT'S NOT. IT'S THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. WE HAVE HOMELESS STUDENTS,
HOMELESS FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND I'M PROUD THAT WE HAVE A SCHOOL POLICE DEPARTMENT THE WAY WE DO THAT REALLY GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND MENTORS TO OUR COMMUNITY TO OUR CHILDREN. SO REACH OUT, GO VISIT THE FOOD PANTRY. I'M GOING TO BE PUTTING OUT
MESSAGES THROUGH MY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS LIKE COBRA, THE ALLIANCE OF DELRAY, I WILL BE PUTTING IT OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA. ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE REALLY ARE ONE BIG FAMILY HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. SO EVERY MONTH, WE REMEMBER WITH
A MOMENT OF SILENCE OUR EMPLOYEES WHO WE LOST RECENTLY. TO BE WE WANT TO REMEMBER BENJAMIN FORD. AN ESEVE TEACHER AT GROVE ELEMENTARY K-6 HE PASSED AWAY DECEMBER 19TH, 2025.
MARK JOE WAS A CUSTODIAN AT PALM BEACH LAKES HIGH SCHOOL WHO PASSED AWAY DECEMBER 6, 2025. MAX YOSEME, SCHOOL CAMPUS AIDE
PASSED AWAY JANUARY 7TH, 2026. AND STRAWED, A TEACHER MIDDLE MATH 6-8 AT BEAR LAKES MIDDLE PASSED AWAY ON NOVEMBER 13TH, 2025. I ASK ALL OF US FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE REMEMBERING THESE
EMPLOYEES. THANK YOU. SO THAT IS NOW GOING TO BRING US BOARD MEMBERS TO OUR PRESENTATIONS. MS. NNEKA NNOLIM FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT JOINS US FOR THE
FEBRUARY BOARD RECOGNITIONS. GOOD EVENING AND BOARD MEMBERS STEP DOWN FROM THE DAIS.
GOOD EVENING CHAIR BRILL, VICE CHAIR LANE, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY. THIS EVENING WE HAVE THREE RECOGNITIONS ON THE AGENDA. WE BEGIN WITH A RECOGNITION FOR CHARLES "BUD" HOWARD, A STUDENT AT JUPITER COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL. HE CLAIMED THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE 200 METER FREESTYLE AT THE FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
CLASS 4A SWIM MEET, WITH A TIME OF 1 MINUTE, 37 SECONDS, A FLORIDA RECORD. ADMINISTRATORS AT HIS SCHOOL DESCRIBE BUD AS AN EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT-ATHLETE. HE TAKES AN EXTREMELY RIGOROUS ACADEMIC COURSE LOAD ON TOP OF HIS BUSY SWIMMING SCHEDULE. HE HAS GREAT PEOPLE SKILLS, AND
IS HIGHLY RESPECTED BY HIS TEACHERS AND PEERS. THE STAFF BELIEVES THAT BUD HAS A TREMENDOUS FUTURE AHEAD OF HIM, AND SAY THEY ARE LUCKY TO WITNESS HIS GROWTH AND SUCCESS. WE'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE STAFF AT JUPITER HIGH: MR. SCOTT SELVIDGE ┘ ATHLETIC DIRECTOR MS. AMBER SAUNDERS ┘ PRINCIPAL
CONGRATULATIONS TO CHARLES "BUD" HOWARD FOR BEING THE STATE CHAMPION IN THE 200 METER FREESTYLE SWIM. LET'S GIVE HIM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
NEXT WE ARE RECOGNIZING PRESTON SANGELY, A STUDENT AT SPANISH RIVER COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL. PRESTON IS THE FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION 4A BOYS STATE CHAMPION IN THE 5,000 METER DISTANCE WITH A TIME OF 15 MINUTES AND 22 SECONDS. ADDITIONALLY, PRESTON QUALIFIED AND COMPETED AT BROOKS
NATIONALS, WHICH IS LIMITED TO THE TOP 50 CROSS COUNTRY RUNNERS IN THE UNITED STATES. WINNING A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TAKES DISCIPLINE, TOUGHNESS, AND YEARS OF HARD WORK. PRESTON EARNED THIS THROUGH COMMITMENT, CONSISTENCY, AND A COMPETITIVE MINDSET. HIS COACH IS MOST PROUD OF HOW THESE SAME ATTRIBUTES HAVE
TRANSFORMED PRESTON INTO A STRAIGHT A STUDENT. THE SCHOOL IS INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THE TITLE, AND ALSO THE WAY PRESTON REPRESENTS THEIR PROGRAM WITH HUMILITY AND CLASS. AND WE'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE STAFF AT SPANISH RIVER: DOUG HORN ┘ COACH CHRISTOPHER SUAREZ ┘ ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
DR. ALLISON CASTELLANO ┘ PRINCIPAL CONGRATULATIONS TO PRESTON SANGELY FOR BEING THE 4A BOYS CROSS COUNTRY STATE CHAMPION IN THE 5,000 METER DISTANCE. LET'S GIVE HIM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE] AND FINALLY THIS EVENING, WITH FEBRUARY BEING CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH, WE ARE PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION STUDENTS OF THE YEAR FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, AND JUNIOR
RESERVE OFFICER'S PROGRAMS. STUDENTS ARE SELECTED BY THEIR SCHOOL AND TEACHERS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMMUNITY SERVICE, BEING IN A CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR CONSECUTIVE YEARS, HAVING AT LEAST A 3.0 GPA, AS WELL AS OVERALL GREAT BEHAVIOR, CHARACTER, AND LEADERSHIP.
ALL OF OUR CTE STUDENTS TONIGHT REPRESENT THE SUCCESS OF THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND ACADEMIES THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT. FIRST WE ARE RECOGNIZING THE
CAN EVERYONE PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL EACH STUDENT'S NAME HAS BEEN READ. TO THE STUDENTS, PLEASE COME FORWARD AS I CALL YOUR NAME. CONGRATULATIONS TO: GREDMARIE RENDON AZAHARES ELENA BJALME TE'NIYA BOWDEN ALEXANDRA BRUTARU EVELIN CRUZ NICOLLAS DIOGENES HONEST EDWARDS YVENDER ELAN JACKIE GARCIA GIRISHA KADIAN
ABIGAILLE LAUREVIL GIAHNA LIPSET ALEXANDER LOUREIRO ROHANKRISHNA MARIMUTHU LUCAS MYERS KYLIE NEWMAN JOSEPH OLENDER YAHIR ALVAREZ ROSALES HASHEM SHUHAIBER MUNIBA TAHLIL MAISHA TALUKDER
ALEXA VALDES LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE] NEXT, WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE 2026 HIGH SCHOOL CTE STUDENTS OF THE YEAR. EVERYONE, PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL EACH NAME HAS BEEN READ. TO THE STUDENTS, PLEASE COME FORWARD AS I CALL YOUR NAME. CONGRATULATIONS TO: MATHEW BOYD GRACE CRUMPLER DONNA LEE DAWES CHRISTIANNA DIAZ ROSE DIAZ
ISABELLA DIBIASE LILIANA GAST CARL J. GIBBONS II NIKKYHAA S. JEAN MARIELA GOMEZ LUCAS BRANDON MAURICE CHLOE MILLER SOFIA MORGAN NICHOLAS PIETTE ADRIANA RAMIREZ-DELGADO YACHLI REYES ROBLERO FRANCESCA RODRIGUEZ
CHARDETTE SAINVIL LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE]
[APPLAUSE] FINALLY, WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE 2026 JROTC CADETS OF THE YEAR FROM OUR HIGH SCHOOL JROTC PROGRAMS. PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL EACH NAME HAS BEEN READ. TO THE JROTC STUDENTS, PLEASE COME FORWARD AS I CALL YOUR
NAME. CONGRATULATIONS TO: EDUARDA ARAUJO KATHERINE CRUZ-CABRERA JUNYSE DEROSIER WILFRID GABRIEL JUAN LOPEZ GARCIA ALICIA GROSS FAITH JOSEPH CANDELARIA JUAN-MONTEO JELISSA MICHAELA MILLS ETTORE MORGANA
TALIYAH PAUL JOSLYN RIDDLE GABRIELA SANCHEZ 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
FEBRUARY. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR ATTENTION THIS EVENING. >> Karen Brill: THAT'S NOW GOING TO BRING US TO OUR STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORTS.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT ELLERY WEISS. >> THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, CHAIRWOMAN BRILL, VICE-CHAIRMAN LANE AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON SATURDAY JANUARY 31, I ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER STUDENTS INVOLVED WITH STUDENT GOVERNMENT
ASSOCIATION ACROSS PALM BEACH COUNTY, MARTIN, AND ST. LUCIE COUNTY, OKEECHOBEE ATTENDED THE RALLY. STUDENTS SUBMITTED THEIR PROJECT OF THE YEARBOOKS AND SCRAPBOOKS TO BE GRADED AND PLACED ON THE DISTRICT LEVEL AND STUDENTS
SUBMITTED WRITINGS TO A DEBATE COMPETITION. HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL STUDENTS WHO RECEIVED AN AWARD FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION OF ANY AREA OF COMPETITION. JUPITER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION ADVISER WAS PRESENTED THE ADVISER OF THE YEAR AWARD HIS DEDICATION TO OUR
SCHOOL AS A TEACHER AND ADVISER IS BEYOND WHAT WORDS CAN DESCRIBE. I CONGRATULATE ALL THE SCHOOLS WHO WERE ELECTIONED REPRESENTATIVES ON THE DISTRICT BOARD THROUGH THE SKITS AND SPEECHES. ADDITIONALLY, THIS WEEKEND FROM FEBRUARY 20-22, THE PHOTO ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT COUNCIL
STATE CONFERENCE IS HELD AT Dr. JAOQUIN GARCIA. CANDIDATES WHO ARE INTENDED TO RUN WILL BE CAMPAIGNING, DELIVERING SPEECHES AND SHOWCASING WHAT MAKES A GOOD REPRESENTATIVE THROUGH THEIR SKIT. THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS WILL BE
ATTENDING AND WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS TAKE PART IN A TALENTED SHOW AND HEAR FROM GUEST SPEAKERS AND ATTEND MEETINGS OVER THE COURSE OF THREE DAYS. THE PALM BEACH COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT COUNTS WILL BE HOLDING THE WANG EQUITY
ON MARCH 26, IT IS AN END OF THE YEAR RECOGNITION EVENT OF ALL THE WORK PUT IN BY THE 2025-2026 BOARD MEMBERS. REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 2026-2027 BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE ELECTED. AMERICAN HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL IS
HARD AT WORK IN PREPARATIONS. CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR OFFICE POSITIONS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PASS A TEST TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RUN AS WELL AS PRESENT TWO SPEECHES AND A SKIT UPON VOTING. SCHOOLS ARE STARTING TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THE NEXT ACADEMIC
SCHOOL YEAR. COUNSELORS ARE MEETING WITH STUDENTS TO DISCUSS COURSE ELECTIONS AND EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THEY CAN APPLY FOR. TOMORROW JUPITER HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE HOST ADVANCED COURSES SHOWCASE DURING LUNCH WHERE STUDENTS CAN LEARN ABOUT HIGHER
LEVEL CLASSES AND ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE CHOOSING THEIR SCHEDULES. AT THE SAME TIME CLUBS AND STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS ARE BEGINNING TO RELEASE APPLICATIONS AND PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR GIVING STUDENTS OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS BASED ON INTERESTS. IN REGARDING TO THE FIGHTING HUNGER INITIATIVE WE WILL BE
DISTRIBUTING AWARDS TO THE SCHOOLS WITH THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF PARTICIPATION BASED ON SCHOOL SIZE ON APRIL 2 AT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT. WE ARE ALSO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH THE DATA WE COLLECTED FROM THE SURVEY TO PLAN OUR COURSE OF ACTION FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.
I REMIND ALL PALM BEACH SCHOOLS TO CONTINUE FILLING OUT THE SCHOOL UPDATES FORM POSTED ON THE INSTAGRAM. IT WILL BE OPEN ALL YEAR AND IS AVAILABLE TO BE FILLED OUT MULTIPLE TIMES THIS ALLOWS ME TO RECEIVE NEWS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND INFORMATION SCHOOLS WOULD LIKE ME TO SHARE ABOUT THEIR STUDENTS AT THE BOARD MEETINGS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I'M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS Mr. FERGUSON. SHE SOUNDS WONDERFUL. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. BOARD MEMBERS THAT WILL BRING US TO OUR COMMITTEE REPORTS. THERE IS NO ACADEMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT. AND THERE'S NO REPORT FROM THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.
THE CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT IS ATTACHED TO YOUR AGENDAS. WE DO HAVE A DISTRICT DIVERSITY AND EQUITY COMMITTEE REPORT WITH CHARMAINE POSTAL IS HERE TONIGHT.
>> GOOD EVENING BOARD CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT, STAFF AND EVERYONE IN YOUR PLACES. I DIDN'T HEAR THE MESSAGE BUT Mr. FERGUSON, YOU'RE IN MY PRAYERS AND YOUR FAMILY IS IN OUR PRAYERS. THE LAST DISTRICT DIVERSITY AND
EQUITY COMMITTEE MEETING WAS HELD ON JANUARY 26, 2026, HIGHLIGHTED SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES AND STUDY ACHIEVEMENT EXPANDED SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULT LEARNERS AND CRITICAL UPDATES REGARDING STUDENT ATHLETE SAFETY AND
ENGAGEMENT. WE ARE PLEASED TO REPORT A CONTINUED UPWARD TREND AND GRADATION RATES. THE DISTRICT REACHED 93.5 GRADUATION RATE MASHING A RECOVERY AND -- MARKING A RECOVERY AND GROWTH PERIOD FOLLOWING THE PANDEMIC
INCREASE OF 2.5%, AND A 1.4 INCREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THAT INCREASE OF FIVE-YEAR GROWTH. ADULT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN GRADUATION AND THE WORKFORCE THROUGH ITS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. THIS INITIATIVE SPECIFICALLY TARGETS HIGH DEMAND INDUSTRIES
TO ENSURE STUDENT PLACEMENT IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY. ABOUT 30 WARDS FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS 10 AWARDS FOR GED COMPLETERS WOULD BE AWARDED OR THE SCHOLARSHIP ALLOCATION WOULD INCLUDE. THE FOCUS AREAS ARE CONSTRUCTION TRADE, TRANSPORTATION,
HEALTHCARE, CULINARY ARTS, BUSINESS AND HUMAN SERVICES. ALIGNMENT WITH OUR COMMITMENT TO STUDENT ATHLETES SAFETY, ALL INCOMING FRESHMEN PARTICIPATE IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETES MUST
COMPETE IN AN EKG I'M SORRY GUYS. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. THAT'S GOING TO BRING US TO GENERAL COUNSEL. DO YOU HAVE A REPORT?
>> NO REPORT. >> Karen Brill: INSPECTOR GENERAL DO YOU HAVE A REPORT FOR US? >> NO REPORT. >> Karen Brill: THAT WILL BRING US TO SPEAKERS. OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND DELEGATES. CARLESIMO HAM METHOD. JAMES GAVRILOS, PRESIDENT AND
C.E.O. OF THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION YOU ARE UP FIRST. >> MADAM CHAIR LIFTING UP EVERYONE TONIGHT A LOT OF RAW EMOTION AND WE PRAY THAT EVERYBODY FIND A PLACE OF COMFORT. LET ME START AGAIN.
I WILL TAKE A MULLIGAN. JOE SANCHEZ DID YOU SEE WHAT I DID. I WILL TAKE A MULLIGAN. THREE HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WORK OF THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION. HOPEFULLY YOU HAD A CHANCE TO READ IN THE NEWSPAPERS OR IN OUR
PRESS RELEASES ONE OF OUR WONDERFUL PARTNERS HAS BEEN THE GREAT CHARITY CHALLENGE AND TWO WEEKS AGO ON SATURDAY AS PART OF THE CHALLENGE MILLION DOLLAR GIVEAWAY THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION WAS ONE OF THE CHARITIES THEY SELECTED. THE EQUESTRIAN TEAM TO WHICH WE WERE ASSIGNED CAME IN THIRD
PLACE AND SUPERINTENDENT BURKE I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT WE WILL RECEIVE $80,000 GRANT FROM THE GREAT CHARITY CHALLENGE TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF OUR RED APPLE SUPPLY PROGRAM. THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY AT THE GREAT CHARITY CHALLENGE. CHAIR BRILL, YOU APPROPRIATELY SPOKE ABOUT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICE DEPARTMENT. THEY ARE IN A CLASS UNTO THEMSELVES. LED BY CHIEF MOONEY AND AMAZING PEOPLE THEY PROVIDE FIRST CLASS SAFETY AND SECURITY TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THEIR PRIMARY GOAL, BUT THEY EMBRACE THE WHOLE CHILD.
WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE A 35,000 DOLLAR GRANT FROM MOTOROLA TO SUPPORT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACADEMY AT BOTH FOREST HILL COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL AND SANTA LIEU SES HIGH SCHOOL WITH OUR POLICE AND THE CARE GOES
BEYOND THEIR SECURITY AND SAFETY. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND PERHAPS ENCOURAGING CAREERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. AS YOU POINTED OUT TONIGHT, IT GOES TO THE LOVE THEY HAVE FOR THESE CHILDREN. YOU MENTIONED THE OFFICER AT CHRISTA MCAULIFFE AND THE PANTRY
HE SETUP. LAST MONTH, I WAS I HAD TO LEAVE THIS MEETING TO GET BACK TO THE CENTER BECAUSE OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICE WERE IN THE PROCESS OF DISTRIBUTING 15,000 POUNDS OF FOOD. TO 400 FAMILIES FROM BARTON ELEMENTARY. AND I THINK LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PUT ON A UNIFORM TO SERVE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, WE CAN'T THANK THEM ENOUGH FOR KEEPING OUR KIDS SAFE, EDUCATED AND FOR LOVE OF GOD KEEPING OUR KIDS FED. CHIEF MOONEY, MY GLASSES THANK
YOU FOR YOU AND SERGEANT HAZE EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING. MARCIA YOU KNOW I HAVE TO TALK ABOUT OUR BUDS. A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WE HAD THE ROBOTICS COMPETITION THE FIRST TECH CHALLENGE THE PAHOKEE TEAM HAD FIVE DIFFERENT GROUPS
COMPETING BY GRADE. THE 8TH GRADERS TOOK SECOND PLACE IN THE CONNECT CATEGORY. THE 9TH GRADERS FIRST PLACE IN THE THINK CATEGORY. THE SOPHOMORES FIRST PLACE IN THE REACH CATEGORY. RISING PHOENIX THE JUNIORS IN
11TH GRADE FIRST PLACE IN THE CONTROL CATEGORY AND THE SENIORS IN 12TH GRADE TOOK THIRD PLACE IN THE INSPIRE CATEGORY. WHICH HE WE BEGAN FUNDING THIS PROGRAM EIGHT YEARS AGO I BELIEVE THERE WERE EIGHT CHILDREN IN THE PROGRAM ALL EIGHT OF WHOM ARE FRESHMEN ON FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIPS AT
FLORIDA UNIVERSITIES THERE ARE NOW 300 CHILDREN IN THAT PROGRAM. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, THE PROGRAMS THAT WE FUND ARE NOT JUST EFFECTIVE, THEY ARE CHANGING THE TRAJECTORY OF KIDS' LIVES. THESE 3 HUNDRED YOUNG PEOPLE
HAVE MADE THE SCHOOL A CENTER OF STEM EDUCATION AND WE CANNOT THANK THIS TEAM ENOUGH. LEWIS, PRINCIPAL, AND EVERYBODY AT PAHOKEE WORKING HARD AND TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AND I ADD AGAIN THE MECCA
TORONTOS WILL BE REPRESENTING PAHOKEE AT THE STATE TOWNMENT. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE ARE YOUR FOUNDATION. >> GORDAN LONGHOFER CTA PRESIDENT.
>> GOOD EVENING CHAIR BRILL, VICE-CHAIR LANE, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE. BOARD MEMBERS HONORED GUESTS I'M GORDAN LONGHOFER PRESIDENT OF THE CLASSROOM TEACHERS ASSOCIATION I'M HERE TO SHARE THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION POSSIBLE RIGHT NOW. DURING THE DAYS LEADING UP TO
THE HEARING FRIDAY, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE HUNDREDS OF TEACHERS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO TAKE PART IN OUR WORK IN MULTIPLE WAYS. ONE OF THOSE WAYS WAS TO ASKING THEM TO SHARE WITH YOU THEIR STORIES THEIR CONCERNS AND HOPES AND DREAMS AND I KNOW YOU GOT
E-MAILS. I'VE DONE THAT COUPLE TIMES THIS YEAR AND I'M SURE THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN LARGE AS WELL. EACH TIME, THAT THEY RESPONDED IN LARGE NUMBERS DURING MY WORK SITE VISITS FOLLOWING THOSE TIMES I FOUND THAT FOR EVERY LETTER YOU MAY HAVE RECEIVED
THERE WERE MORE WHO DID NOT RESPOND FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS. ONE OF THOSE REASONS AND MAY I SAY IT'S PROBABLY QUITE TROUBLING, WAS SHARED WITH ME BY WAY OF A QUESTION. THE MEMBER SAID SHOULD MY PRINCIPAL BE ASKING ME ABOUT THE LETTER I WROTE TO THE BOARD
MEMBER? I THOUGHT I WAS ONLY WRITING TO THEM. YOU CAN IMAGINE THE CONCERN ON SOME OF THEIR FACES BUT TO BE FAIR, NOT EVERY STORY THAT I HEARD WAS NEGATIVE BECAUSE THERE WERE POSITIVE ONES AS WELL. BUT GIVEN THE NEGATIVE ONES YOU CAN EASILY IMAGINE THE POSSIBLE
CHILLING EFFECTS SUCH REPORTS COULD HAVE ON THE FREE EXPRESSION FOR SOME PEOPLE. WITH THAT IN MIND, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT TEACHERS FELT THEY HAD AN AVENUE TO SHARE INFORMATION WITH YOU. SO I HAD SOMETHING IN A SURVEY TO MEMBERS ABOUT THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AND THEIR STEPPING UP.
AND I ASKED THEM TO THE FOLLOWING: PLEASE ADD SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND THE SUPERINTENDENT ABOUT WHY THEY NEED TO IMPROVE THEIR RAISE OFFER. I WILL SHARE THESE WITH THEM AND NO IDENTIFYING INFORMATION WILL BE INCLUDED. I RECEIVED 400 RESPONSES.
AND I HAD TO ASK WHY? CLEARLY THESE TEACHERS WERE CLAMORING TO BE HEARD THEY WANTED TO KNOW SOMEONE HEARD THEM AND REALLY HEARD THEM. YOU SEE, WITH ALL OF LEGISLATIVE ATTACKS THEY'VE HAD THROUGHOUT THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS THEY WONDER WHO THOSE THEY SHOULD
TRUST ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT THE GOOD AND THE BAD. ON TOP OF THAT OUT OF STATE ORGANIZATIONS IN ADDITION HAVE BEGUN TO SEND THEM MAIL BLAMING THEIR VERY OWN ORGANIZATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS FOR SPEAKING UP FOR THEM WHEN THE CRISIS AKRIZS. ON TOP OF THAT THE STATEMENT
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION DEMANDS THAT SOME OF HIS LETTERS BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THEM WHEREBY HE INJECTS POLITICAL FIREWORKS INTO THE INSTITUTION THAT SHOULD BE PROMOTING A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION FOR ANYONE WHO COMES THROUGH THE DOOR.
THAT BEING SAID, OF COURSE THAT HAPPENS TO BE OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. BUT THAT WAS AND REMAINS THE BACKDROP FOR THE 400 RESPONSES INCLUDING THREE. WE CONTINUE TO FALL BEHIND FINANCIALLY WHERE WE ARE AT THE POINT OF POSSIBLY LOSING OUR HOME.
THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN TO TWO 20-PLUS YEAR TEACHERS. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY CUT. THE 1.5% PROPOSAL IS A CUT FIGURING IN INCREASES IN INSURANCE IT IS NOT A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT AND IT FEELS INSULTING. AND THIS LAST ONE SINGLE DAD WITH TWO CHILDREN FIGHTING FOR
MY LIFE AND HOUSING AND GROCERIES. CAR PAYMENTS ARE UP, INFLATION IS UP WE'RE STRUGGLING TO PAY THE BILLS. YOU SHOULD ALREADY HAVE A PACKET UP THERE WITH YOU AS IT WAS DISTRIBUTED BEFORE THE MEETING. I IMPLORE YOU TO READ EACH ONE OF THESE RESPONSES THEY ARE RAW,
THEY ARE UNFILTERED THEY ARE UNEDITED AND THEY COME FROM TEACHERS WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR WORK, BUT DESPERATE TO BE HEARD. EARLIER THIS YEAR I ASKED YOU TO HEAR THE TEACHERS. IF I MAY IMPLORE YOU THAT ONE MORE TIME, HEAR THE TEACHERS. THANK YOU.
>> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. ERIC HEN VICE-PRESIDENT JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT PALM BEACHES AND THE TREASURE COAST. >> I GUESS SHE IS NOT HEAR.
SILVA YEAH HALL PTA PRESIDENT. >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. CAN YOU HEAR ME? OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE EVERY CHILD'S POTENTIAL A REALITY BY ENGAGING AND EMPOWERING FAMILIES
AND COMMUNITIES TO ADVOCATE FOR ALL CHILDREN. OUR REFLECTIONS PROGRAM CELEBRATION WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT THURSDAY AT THE BOYNTON BEACH COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM. I REMIND THE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE PTA SCHOLARSHIPS THE
DEADLINE IS MARCH 2. AND OUR PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOLARSHIPS DEADLINE IS MARCH 31. I ATTENDED LEDGE CON FOR THE PTA JANUARY 25-27. THAT WAS MY FIRST TIME I
ATTENDED THAT IN MY FIVE YEARS AND IT WAS REALLY ENGAGING. ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS UNAWARE OF IS THAT ALL THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE THE LOGBOOK IN
TODAY'S WORLD, TODAY'S IS 1408 PAGES COMPARED TO 600 PAGES IN 1998. THE CHAPTER LAW BOOK IS 68 PAGES ONLY. AND THE VOUCHERS ARE 19 PAINS I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
WE HAD TRAINING AND POLICY BRIEFING AND WE REVIEWED BILLS FOR THE PTA. SUPPORT OR OPPOSE. AND IS MONITORING. WE HAD APPOINTMENTS WITH SOME OF OUR LEGISLATORS. ONE OF THE BILLS THAT WE ARE
PUSHING SUPPORT IS THE HB6023HB424 EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. THESE WILL REBUILD THE SCHOOLS OF LEGISLATION PASSED IN 2025. THIS CANNOT BE. I MEAN COLLOCATION IS A DISASTER
FOR OUR SCHOOLS AND WE NEED TO STOP THAT AND OPPOSE THAT. BECAUSE IT HASN'T BENEFITED STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS OR THE FOR-PROFIT CHARTER GROUPS THAT ARE TRYING TO GET INTO OUR SCHOOLS AND GET OUR FACILITIES. AND ALSO WE SUPPORT SCHOOL
FUNDING HB318, EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS. AND WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS SEPARATES THE FUNDING FOR VOUCHERS AND PUBLIC FUNDING. SO THERE'S MORE ACCOUNTABILITY
ESPECIALLY FOR ON THE VOUCHER SIDE. YESTERDAY WAS FOUNDERS DAY. PTA FOUNDERS DAY. AND THE PTA WAS FOUNDED ON FEBRUARY 17, 1897.
ITS FOUNDERS HELD THE FIRST MEETING OF THE CONGRESS OF MOTHERS IN WASHINGTON D.C. IN 1897. THE GROUP WAS CONCERNED WITH EDUCATION, HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH.
ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO REMEMBER SELENA BUTLER SHE WAS THE FOUNDER AND THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF COLORED PARENTS AND TEACHERS ASSOCIATION. IN 1927, THE COLORED CONGRESS OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS WAS ORGANIZED IN FLORIDA AND IN
1968, THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS BECAME ONE. THE REASON WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT PTA GROUPS WAS BECAUSE OF THE SEGREGATION AND THE JIM CROW LAWS. ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND THAT
WE ARE HOLDING THE ELECTIONS THIS YEAR FOR THE COUNTY BOARD AND WE NEED THE HELP AND EVERYBODY WHO WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER IN OUR BOARD BECAUSE WE CANNOT DO WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF LOCAL VOLUNTEERS. AND I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION I
ATTENDED THE STUDENT TOWN HALL ON FEBRUARY 9TH AT COMPASS SCOOT CENTER WITH EDWIN FERGUSON. AND ALSO THIS MORNING I WAS --
>> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. DOUGLAS CRANE DIRECTOR OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM. >> GOOD EVENING CHAIR, VICE-CHAIR. HONORED MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD. SUPERINTENDENT. FOR THE RECORD I'M DOUG CRANE I HAVE THE HONOR OF BEING THE DIRECTOR FOR THE PALM BEACH COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM.
AND I'M HERE TONIGHT TO HONOR OUR PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE BEEN HAVING FOR OVER A DECADE AND ALSO TO INVITE YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN SOMETHING THAT WE'RE DOING THIS YEAR. BEFORE I GET STARTED, I DID HAVE PACKETS FOR ALL OF YOU. THEY SHOULD BE AT THE COUNTER
HIGHLIGHTING THE THINGS THE LIBRARY DOES AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE BOARD MEMBER SAVIETTO WHO SERVES ON THE PALM BEACH COUNTY LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD. I WANTED TO SHARE THAT WE ARE VERY EXCITED FOR OUR ONGOING PARTNERSHIP FOR SUMMER FOOD SERVICE.
AT EVERYONE OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM YOUR FOOD SERVICE GROUP COMES IN IN JUNE AND JULY AND PROVIDES FREE MEALS FOR ANYONE 18 AND YOUNGER. THIS HELPS TO COVER THAT REALLY
IMPORTANT GAP WHERE CHILDREN WHO ONLY RELIABLE FOOD IS AT YOUR SCHOOLS, IS ABLE TO GET THAT FOOD DURING THE SUMMER. AND IT'S BECOME A PART OF OUR WHOLE TRADITION AT THE LIBRARY SYSTEM WHERE WE HAVE OUR SUMMER READING CHALLENGE AND THE STAFF ARE ALSO EXCITED BECAUSE IT
BRINGS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN FOR FOOD AND THEN THEY GET CONNECTED TO THE LIBRARY RESOURCES. WE'VE BEEN EXCITED THIS YEAR TO HOST KINDERGARTEN CLASSES AND TOURS. I KNOW IT'S BEEN A WHILE BUT WE ARE EXCITED. WE IT'S FUN TO SEE THE SCHOOL
BUSES UNLOAD AND SEE THE KIDS COME IN FOR A TOUR AND HOPEFULLY THAT MEANS THEY WILL COME BACK WITH FAMILIES IF THEY ARE NOT COMING TO THE LIBRARY. ALSO JUST TO RECOGNIZE THAT EVERY STUDENT NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY, IS EDGABLE FOR FREE LIBRARY CARD
AT THE LIBRARY SYSTEM. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT READING AND LIBRARIES ARE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY STUDENT HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY AND THAT IS ONE OF THE POLICY DECISIONS WE MADE TO SUPPORT THAT. NOW, MY INVIETATION -- INVITATION TO YOU WHETHER ON THE
DAIS OR AUDIENCE, IS TO PARTICIPATE IN REDISCOVER READING. THIS IS A YEARLONG CAMPAIGN, THE PALM BEACH COUNTY LIBRARY IS DOING IT WAS ANNOUNCED BY OUR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AT THEIR JANUARY MEETING TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO REDISCOVER THE LOVE OF READING FOR PLEASURE.
FOR MANY OF US WE GET SO ADDICTED TO OUR PHONES OR READING THE MATERIAL WE NEED TO READ FOR WORK. WHEREAS THERE ARE GENUINE BENEFITS MEASURED FOR HEALTH, WELLNESS AND SOCIAL CONNECTIVITY FOR THE JOYS OF READING FOR PLEASURE WHETHER YOU ARE A
CHILD, ADULT OR ANY POINT IN-BETWEEN. I ENCOURAGE THE BOARD AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO HELP US SPREAD THIS CAMPAIGN TO OUR FAMILIES AND TO OUR SCHOOL AND BOARD STAFF AND MEMBERS TO HELP US JOIN IN TO REDISCOVER READING THIS YEAR. WE HAVE HAVING DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES AT THE LIBRARY AND WE
INVITE YOU TO COME AND PARTICIPATE. I WILL BE OFFERING AN INVITATION IN A FEW MONTHS TO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS TO SHARE THEIR THREE FAVORITE WORKS OF ADULT FICTION AND THREE FAVORITE CHILDREN OR TEEN BOOKS. THAT MIGHT BE HARD TO NARROW IT DOWN TO THREE BUT WE ARE HOPING
YOU WILL DO THAT AND WE'LL SHARE IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND OUR WEBSITE. SO WITH THAT I THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. THE LIBRARY SYSTEM HAS LONG SUPPORTED WHAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DOES. WE ARE AN AVENUE WHERE STUDENTS CAN COME TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR RESOURCES TO ACCESS OUR
COLLECTION OUR QUIET STUDY SPACES AND MORE. I KNOW SEVERAL OF YOU HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE TOURS AND IF YOU HAVE NOT REACH OUT TO ME I WOULD LOVE TO SHOW YOU THE WONDERFUL RESOURCES WE HAVE. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO AND HAVE A WONDERFUL REST OF
YOUR MEETING. >> >> Karen Brill: THE WEST BOYNTON COMMUNITY IS LOVING THE NEW LIBRARY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE THAT. >> Karen Brill: WE DO NOT HAVE AGENDA ITEM TOPIC SPEAKERS THAT WILL BRING US TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
MOTION BY MS. BRANCH AND SECONDED BY MS. WHITFIELD. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE DO NOT HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS THAT WILL BRING US TO NEW BUSINESS AND THE FIRST ITEM IS BRD ONE, THE INSPECTOR
GENERAL EVALUATION, I RECOMMEND WE APPROVE AND ACCEPT THE EVALUATION. ANY DISCUSSION? Mr. FERGUSON YOU'RE UP FIRST. >> Edwin Ferguson: I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE THE IG I GAVE YOU A PERFECT SCORE.
I THINK YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT DO A GREAT JOB OF COMMUNICATING AND THAT IS A GOOD PROBLEM YOU MAKE SURE NO STONE IS UPTURNED YOUR SCORES ARE WELL DESERVED AND COMMENSURATE WITH YOUR INDIVIDUAL AND OVERALL OFFICE'S WORK PERFORMANCE SINCE I'VE BEEN
HERE. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND TO YOUR TEAM AS WELL. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. >> Karen Brill: YOUR PREDECESSOR ALWAYS SAID TO ME IT'S THE MOST HATED POSITION BETWEEN THAT AND BEING AUDITOR, THE GENERAL AUDITOR. IT TAKES A REALLY TOUGH PERSON
TO BE ABLE TO REMAIN AS INDEPENDENT AND AS ETHICAL. I WROTE MY COMMENTS IN THE COMMENT SECTION BUT I, TOO, APPLAUD ALL YOUR EFFORTS I KNOW IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO BE THE PERSON THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T LIKE WHEN YOU COME TO WORK IN THE MORNING BUT WE APPRECIATE YOU EVERYDAY. MS. SAVIETTO?
>> >> Virginia Savietto: THANK YOU MS. MICHAELS I WANT TO TELL YOU HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR YOUR PATIENCE FOR YOUR TIME, YOUR TEAM TO SIT AND EXPLAIN THINGS IN DIFFERENT WAYS. YOU KNOW, I WAS HAPPY TO WRITE
THAT YOUR LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM, INDEPENDENCE AND INTEGRITY AS YOUR ROLE AS INSPECTOR GENERAL. YOU ARE ACCESSIBLE AND YOU ARE ALWAYS WILLING TO DEDICATE THE TIME TO ENSURE ISSUES ARE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: VICE-CHAIR.
>> Matthew Lane: LANE I WANT TO CHIME IN. ARE YOU DOING AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB. YOU ARE THOROUGH, I THINK YOU ARE PROFESSIONAL AND DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB PROTECTING US. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. >> Karen Brill: MS. ANDREWS.
>> Marcia Andrews: I CONCUR AND CONGRATULATE YOUR TEAM FOR DOING A GREAT JOB IT IS A TEAM EFFORT. AND YOU HAVE DONE SUCH MAGNIFICENT WORK TO KEEP PALM BEACH COUNTY IN A PLACE THAT'S RESPECTED WITH FAIR SUPPORT THROUGH ALL OF THE MECHANISMS OF
SAVING MONEY AND KEEPING US ON THE RIGHT TRACK. SO IT'S INDICATED IN YOUR EVALUATION. >> Karen Brill: MS. WHITFIELD. >> Erica Whitfield: I WANTED TO MENTION THE CARES REPORT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR FAMILIES AND
STAFF TO BE ABLE TO LOG IN ISSUES AND FOLLOW-UP ON THEM. SO I'M GRATEFUL THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PUT THAT TOGETHER AND I CONGRATULATE YOU ON AN EXCELLENT REVIEW. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: OKAY. BEFORE WE VOTE JUST FOR THE PUBLIC, MS. MICHAEL IS RECEIVING
AN OVERALL EVALUATION RATING OF EXCELLENT WHICH IS THE HIGHEST RATING THAT WE OFFER. SO ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. CONGRATULATIONS. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT THAT BRINGS US TO FMPA1. >> Mike Burke: I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE AMENDMENT TO
THE CONSULTANT AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD CHAIR TO FINALIZE AND SIGN ALL DOCUMENTS. >> Karen Brill: AND I BELIEVE MS. SAVIETTO YOU PULLED THAT ITEM? I PULLED 1-9. >> Karen Brill: YOU CAN ADDRESS THIS ONE.
AND IF YOU CAN SAY. >> Virginia Savietto: I WANTED TO ADDRESS THEM ALTOGETHER. >> Karen Brill: YOU CAN DO IT THROUGH THIS ONE BUT THEY ARE PULLED WE HAVE TO VOTE INDIVIDUALLY ON EACH ONE. >> Virginia Savietto: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT AS A GROUP OF
THEM. >> Karen Brill: THAT'S FINE. >> Virginia Savietto: IN THE 15 MONTHS I'VE BEEN A BOARD MEMBER, I'VE SEEN A LOT OF CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS COME THROUGH. AND I HAVE QUESTIONS THAT MAYBE
EVEN IF I DON'T GET ANSWERED TONIGHT BUT SO I'VE NOTICED THAT ALL THESE AGREEMENTS ARE FOR CONSULTANTS AND I DON'T KNOW ANY OF THEM AND IT'S NOT ABOUT ANY OF THEM IN PARTICULAR. BUT IT'S MORE ABOUT YOU KNOW,
THE PROCESS. AND ALL OF THEM HAS AN AMOUNT OF MONEY INCREASE OF SOMETHING. LIKE 190,000, INCREASE OF 90,000. 136,000, INCREASE OF 26,000.
196,000 INCREASE OF 72. GO ON TO NINE OF THEM. SO I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS. YOU KNOW, DO WE NEGOTIATE THESE? OR EVERY TIME THEY COME, DO WE JUST SIGN OFF AND VOTE IT AGAIN?
WHY ARE THERE INCREASES? ARE WE ABLE TO SAY WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY SO WE'RE NOT INCREASING ANYBODY THEIR CONTRACTS? THE ENROLLMENT IS DOWN SO I BELIEVE THAT IF WE HAVE 7,000, 8,000 KIDS LESS WE NEED LESS
THERAPY BECAUSE WE HAVE LESS KIDS. HOW MANY OF THE CONTRACTS DO WE HAVE? HOW MANY OF THESE CONTRACTS COVER -- HOW MANY SCHOOLS AND THERAPISTS DO WE HAVE ONE PER AGREEMENT OR
HOW MANY DO THEY OFFER [AUDIO
INTERRUPTION] MY BRAIN WANTS TO LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE AND BREAK IT DOWN AND SEE HOW MANY CONTRACTS WE HAVE IN THERAPY.
LET'S SAY I WAS A THERAPIST AND I WANTED TO HAVE A CONTRACT. WHERE CAN I GO IN THE DISTRICT THAT SHOWS ALL THE CONTRACTS, THE TYPE OF CONTRACTS, MAYBE BY VENDOR, BY DEPARTMENTS, WE HAVE 52 DEPARTMENTS, 180 SCHOOLS,
EVERYBODY HAS CONTRACTS ON PRINTING, PAPER, GOD KNOWS, RIGHT? ALL SORTS OF SERVICES LIKE THERAPY. BUT I'M NOT ABLE TO LOOK AT THEM AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO ASK IF I DON'T KNOW WHO THEY ARE ON WHAT
THEY ARE. I WAS LACKING LIKE SOMEBODY HAS TO HAVE A BETTER SYSTEM. SO THE FLORIDA STATE OF FLORIDA DOES. AND IT'S CALLED LIKE FACTS. >> Karen Brill: SORRY TO INTERRUPT WE WILL LET Mr. BURKE SAY SOMETHING.
HOLD ON LET ME FINISH WHAT YOU ARE ASKING WE'RE VOTING ON INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS AND THE QUESTIONS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR LIKE IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE ON THIS AGENDA AT THIS TIME TO FOR EXAMPLE ASK FOR A WORKSHOP. WE CAN HAVE HIM ADDRESS IN GENERAL A QUESTION AND THEN I
WOULD SUGGEST YOU MEET WITH HIM OR BRING BACK A DISCUSSION ITEM AT AN ON A DIFFERENT NIGHT. BECAUSE WE HAVE TO STICK TO THE AGENDA ITEMS THE AGENDA ITEM IS EACH ONE INDIVIDUALLY SO YOU KNOW YOU CAN ASK MORE GENERALIZED QUESTION BUT NOT A
GLOBAL QUESTION ABOUT THE WHOLE PROCESS. I WILL ASK Mr. BURKE TO FIRST ANSWER AND THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER WILL HAVE A COMMENT. >> Mike Burke: THANK YOU. SO THESE NEXT NINE ITEMS ARE SIMILAR. AND SO I CAN GIVE US THE GENERAL
RESPONSE WAS APPLIED TO ALL OF THEM. THESE ARE EXISTING CONTRACTS WHERE WE'RE ASKING THE BOARD TO AD VALOREM NATIONAL HOURS TO THEM FOR MORE SERVICES AND THESE ARE ALL FOR SPEECH LANGUAGE THERAPY SERVICES. SO THIS IS BORN OUT OF NECESSITY. WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY BASED
ON THE STUDENTS' IEP'S TO PROVIDE SPEECH LANGUAGE THERAPY SERVICES AND WHAT IS DRIVING THIS WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF VACANCIES WITHIN THE SLP'S OUR SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS WE HAVE OUR OWN SLP'S AND THAT IS OUR PREFERENCE
TO DO THE WORK IN-HOUSE. BUT FOR DECADES WE'VE BEEN DEPENDENT A LEVEL OF OUTSIDE SERVICE. SO EACH ONE OF THESE NINE ITEMS ASKS THE BOARD TO GIVE US ADDITIONAL SPENDING AUTHORITY CORRELATED TO THE NUMBER OF HOURS OF SERVICE. I UNDERSTAND OUR ENROLLMENT IS
DOWN BUT THIS IS TIED TO INDIVIDUAL STUDENT IEP A. REAL STUDENTS THAT NEED THE SERVICE THIS SCHOOL YEAR. I HEARD SOME OF THE QUESTIONS GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW MANY CONTRACTS DO WE HAVE AND HOW CAN WE ACCESS THEM AND THINGS LIKE THAT? I CAN FOLLOW-UP WITH THAT TYPE
OF INFORMATION PROBABLY MAYBE IN WRITING TO THE BOARD AS WE MEET ONE-ON-ONE.
>> Karen Brill: ABOUT FERGUSON. >> Edwin Ferguson: I HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE ON CERTAIN TOPICS WHEN I FIRST GOT IN, TOO. THEY ARE NOT BSING YOU THE PROPER THING IS TO BRING THIS BACK AS A DISCUSSION AND WE CAN HAVE AT IT. THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PAST BOARD BUSINESS.
YOU DO RAISE AN INTERESTING POINT. WHICH MAYBE I COULDN'T SEE THE TREES BECAUSE OF THE FOREST BUT WE HAVE SOME SUPPOSEDLY DIRE DAYS COMING FOR THE. FORTH.
I SUPPORT THIS AGENDA ITEM AND THE OTHER EIGHT THAT ARE RELATED AS WELL. AND SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, WHEN YOU GET AROUND TO PROVIDING THE INFORMATION THAT BOARD MEMBER SAVIETTO REQUESTED IF YOU WOULD SHARE IT WITH US ALL I APPRECIATE THAT.
THAT WAS AN EXCELLENT POINT YOU RAISED AND SOMEHOW I MISSED IT, TOO, BUT GREAT CATCH. >> Karen Brill: MS. WHITFIELD. >> Erica Whitfield: I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO KEVIN McCORMICK McABOUT THIS ALL
OF THESE ITEMS AND WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT HOW THIS WAS AN EFFORT TO DEAL WITH THE LEVEL OF NEED THAT WE'VE HAD IN OUR COMMUNITY. FOR THESE SERVICES. I'VE SPENT SOMETIME IN THE AUTISM COMMUNITY AND WORKING
WITH SOME OF OUR FAMILIES. AND SO WHEN I SAW THESE I WAS QUITE HAPPY TO SEE THEM. I FEEL THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE ARE SUCH A STRONG SERVICER OF OUR DISABLED COMMUNITY IS BECAUSE WE DO HAVE THESE CONTRACTS. I KNOW WE HAVE Mr. McCORMICK
HERE TONIGHT IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS WE CAN CALL HIM UP TO ASK I WILL BE SUPPORTING THESE TONIGHT AND I WELCOME THE CONVERSATION AROUND OUR SERVICES. BUT, I THINK, AS WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD IN THE COMPETITION SPACE THAT WE ARE IN THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PROVIDING THE BEST SERVICES WE
CAN WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY TO OUR STUDENTS. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: I WILL JUST ADD THAT IT'S FEDERALLY MANDATED THAT WE PROVIDE THESE SERVICES IT IS NOT AN OPTION IF WE DO NOT HAVE THE EMPLOYEES TO PROVIDE THEM WE HAVE TO HAVE CONTRACTED EMPLOYEES.
MS. ANDREWS. >> Marcia Andrews: I SAY DITTO TO THAT BUT IT IS TRULY IMPORTANT. IT IS FEDERALLY MANDATED BUT IT'S JUST THE RIGHT THICK TO DO. WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT STUDENTS WHO NEED SERVICES EARLY ON AND SEE THE PEDIATRIC PIECE THROUGHOUT SCHOOL WHEN THEY NEED
THOSE SERVICES THE DISTRICT IS REQUIRED TO DO IT. BUT IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND THIS IS WHAT WE'VE DONE. BACK IN THE DAY, MS. SAVIETTO, I USED TO HIRE THE SPEECH THERAPISTS FOR THE DISTRICT BUT WE HAD TO HAVE THE CONTRACTED PIECE BECAUSE IT IS A CRITICAL
SHORTAGE AREA THIS IS A WONDERFUL THING WE'RE DOING TO MAKE SURE WE LEAVE NO CHILDREN BEHIND IN THEIR SERVICES THAT IS MANDATED BY LAW. BUT IT'S JUST THE RIGHT THING TO DO TO TAKE CARE OF THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL. >> Karen Brill: MS. SAVIETTO. >> Virginia Savietto: I WANT TO
MIKE SURE AND CLEAR THAT THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE SERVICES. I WAS JUST ASKING AND I'M GLAD, SO GLAD ABOUT THE SERVICES. I WAS JUST ASKING BUT WHAT I
NEED LATER ON IS A WORKSHOP ON CONTRACTS BECAUSE THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE OF ALL THE CONTRACTS WE HAVE AND WE DON'T HAVE A CLEAR PLACE I STARTED TALKING ABOUT FACTS AND I GOT INTERRUPTED HOW DO WE NAVIGATE THROUGH OUR THOUSANDS OF CONTRACTS AND THEN JUST TAKE A
LOOK OF THE WE HAVE ALL THESE SERVICES, THESE DO PRODUCTS, THESE DO PAPER. AND WHO HAS WHAT. THAT IS WHAT I WANTED AND NOT I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE SERVICES IT WAS MORE. >> Karen Brill: YOU ARE OUT OF ORDER BECAUSE YOU ARE MAKING
THIS INTO A DISCUSSION ITEM. SORRY. AT THIS POINT IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> Mike Burke: FMPA2, I RECOMMEND THE BOARD AUTHORIZE
THE BOARD CHAIR TO SIGN THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS. >> Karen Brill: ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? Mr. FERGUSON? >> Edwin Ferguson: I SUPPORT THIS AGENDA ITEM, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT ANYTHING THAT IS ON THIS AGENDA THAT STAFF
BABILITY TO EXPLAIN AND ACCOUNT FOR IT. AND I HEARD A COMMENT MADE A SECOND AGO AS TO WHAT A BOARD MEMBER SHOULD HAVE DONE OR COULD HAVE DONE IN ADVANCE OF THIS. NONE OF US KNOW THE SCHEDULE SO RESPECTFULLY KEEP THAT TO YOURSELF. IF ANYTHING IS ON THIS AGENDA WHOEVER PUT IT THERE YOU SHOULD
BE ABLE TO ACCOUNT FOR IT AND ANTICIPATE WHAT A REASONABLE QUESTION WOULD BE YOU'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. I THINK MAYBE IT'S TODAY, WHATEVER, BOARD MEMBER SAVIETTO IS RIGHT TO PULL THIS AND WE OWE IT TO THE TAXPAYERS AND OUR
STUDENTS AND PARENTS TO BE ABLE TO ACCOUNT FOR WHY WE'RE DOING WHATEVER EVEN IF IT'S ON CONSENT BE PREPARED TO GET IT PULLED. IT DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT IN THESE MEETINGS IT LOOKS BAD LET ME GET BACK TO YOU. WHY? YOU PUT IT ON THE AGENDA BE ABLE
TO ACCOUNT FOR IT. THAT'S ALL I WANT TO SAY BUT I SUPPORT THIS AND ALL THE OTHER ONES. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK, GUYS. >> Karen Brill: I WAS GOING TO HAVE GENERAL COUNSEL COMMENT BUT I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO HAVE HER COMMENT.
IF YOU WANT KEVIN McCORMICK TO JUSTIFY THE ITEM? WOULD YOU FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE? >> Edwin Ferguson: DIRECTED TO ME? >> Karen Brill: DOES ANYBODY FEEL THEY NEED TO HAVE HIM COME
UP AND EXPLAIN IT. >> Edwin Ferguson: NO I SUPPORT IT BUT BOARD MEMBER TOUCHED ON IT THAT SHOULD BE DRESSED THERE ARE SITUATIONS THEY LOOK FLATFOOTED THEY HAD NO WAY TO ANTICIPATE A QUESTION ASKED BY A BOARD MEMBER AND IT'S OFF
PUTTING THEY ARE NOT READY TO ACCOUNTED FOR ANYTHING THAT THEY'VE ENDORSING BY PUTTING IT ON THE AGENDA WE NEED TO BE MORE EFFICIENT WITH OUR TIME. THE ONLY POINT I WAS GETTING AT. I SUPPORT ALL OF THESE ITEMS I WOULD NOT HAVE PULLED THEM BUT
SHE PULLED THEM AND DID TOUCH ON SOMETHING I SHOULD HAVE ADDRESS TO DO AS WELL OVER THE YEARS. BUT I DON'T THINK WE HAVE TIME TO WASTE. I WILL STOP TALKING BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A DISCUSSION ITEM BUT MY POINT IS MY POINT. IF IT'S ON THE AGENDA A PERSON SHOULD BE ABLE TO ACCOUNT FOR IT AND NOT GET BACK TO US LATER
THAT IS AN INEFFICIENT USE OF TIME. >> Karen Brill: GENERAL COUNSEL? >> WELL, I THINK THE QUESTION THAT'S BEEN ASKED IS WHETHER OR NOT UNDER 1.03, IF AN ITEM IS ON
THE AGENDA, IF IT'S APPROPRIATE TO DELVE INTO GENERAL PROCESS ITEMS AS OPPOSED TO STICKING TO THE AGENDA ITEM AND UNDER 1.03 IT REQUIRES THAT ON DISCUSSION ON A MOTION THAT THE DISCUSSION
IS LIMITED TO THE AGENDA ITEM. AND ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THAT AND I THINK YOU TOUCHED ON THIS Mr. FERGUSON WOULD NEED TO COME BY WAY OF A DISCUSSION ITEM. SO I THINK THAT WAS COVERED EARLIER. >> Karen Brill: Mr. BURKE.
>> Mike Burke: SO STAFF IS HERE TONIGHT WE'RE PREPARED TO SPEAK TO THE AGENDA ITEMS. I'M NOT CLAIMING TO BE FLATFOOTED OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO SPEAK TO THE ITEMS I HAD THE CHIEF AM ACADEMIC OFFICER [AUDIO
INTERRUPTION] WE HAVE THESE AGENDA ITEMS COVERED. BUT I HEARD A MORE GLOBAL QUESTION ABOUT CONTRACTS IN GENERAL AND A POTENTIAL WORKSHOP AND HOW MANY CONTRACTS DO WE HAVE IN THE DISTRICT. I CAN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION ON THE FLY BUT WE WILL SPEAK TO ANY ITEM ON THIS AGENDA WE PREPARE AND REVIEW THE AGENDA AND I TAKE
ISSUE WITH THAT CHARACTERIZATION THAT WE GET CAUGHT FLATFOOTED I'M NOT RECALLING A LOT OF THOSE INSTANCES. >> Edwin Ferguson: WE CAN GO BACK AND FORTH. I WAS NOT SPEAKING TO THESE NINE. >> Karen Brill: Mr. FERGUSON YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO RESPOND.
IF YOU WANT I CAN CALL ON YOU AFTER MS. WHITFIELD I WILL COME BACK TO YOU. MS. WHITFIELD. >> Erica Whitfield: THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO BRING UP THAT WE HAVE BEEN ACCUSED RECENTLY OF NOT BEING TRANSPARENT AND THAT
OUR COMMUNITY DOESN'T TRUST US. I AM AFRAID THAT IN THIS MOMENT JUST HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT THESE ITEMS WITHOUT DELVING INTO IT AND LETTING OUR STAFF HAVE A MOMENT TO ADDRESS THESE SPECIFICS NOT THE GENERAL CONVERSATION BUT THE SPECIFICS ON THESE ITEMS I THINK I WANT TO
MAKE SURE THAT THOSE PEOPLE WATCHING THIS UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE STAFF THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROPER PROCEDURES AND WE DO HAVE Mr. McCORMICK HERE AND WE HAD A ROBUST CONVERSATION ABOUT THE SPECIFIC ITEMS AND THE REASONS FOR THE INCREASES. SO I FEEL THAT IT'S ALMOST
DERELICT OF US NOT TO GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE HIM SPEAK ON THIS ITEM OR WHOEVER WOULD BE THE PERFECT PERSON FOR THIS. I DON'T WANT THE COMMUNITY TO BELIEVE THAT WE ARE NOT WILLING TO DISCUSS AN ITEM WHEN A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER BRING IT IS UP. >> Karen Brill: Mr. FERGUSON.
>> Edwin Ferguson: THANK YOU. SO, YEAH, THIS AGAIN, I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT SOUNDS LIKE PEOPLE ARE NOT HEARING ME. I SUPPORT ALL NINE OF THESE THAT WERE PULLED. BOARD MEMBER SAVIETTO STATED SOMETHING THAT HAS GIVEN ME PAUSE IN THE PAST WITH OTHER
AGENDA ITEMS WHERE STAFF WAS NOT NECESSARILY ABLE TO EXPLAIN THEIR POSITIONS AND THAT IS ALL I WAS SAYING. I THINK THE APPROPRIATE TIME FOR THAT WOULD BE AT A WORKSHOP. AND I TRY TO HELP MOVE THIS ALONG BY LETTING BOARD MEMBER SAVIETTO SHE WASN'T BEING SHOED
AND THERE IS PROCEDURE IN PLACE BUT CHALLENGING ME WHEN I FIND SOMETHING FLATFOOTED IF WE WANT TO GO THROUGH THE HOURS OF VIDEO I CAN ASSURE YOU I CAN POINT TO THE POINTS I WAS TALKING ABOUT. I WAS THAT TRYING TO MAKE CONTENTION AMONGST THE GROUP BUT
THERE IS MORE PREPAREDNESS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE. TODAY WOULD NOT BE THE DAY TO DEBATE ME ON THOSE THINGS IT'S JUST MY POSITION JUST ME, ONE OF SEVEN AND I THANK YOU TO FOR THAT, MADAM CHAIR.
>> Marcia Andrews: I HEAR YOU MS. WHITFIELD AND I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO CALL Mr. McCORMICK UP. I KNOW HIM. HE IS ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS WITH HIS JOB PART OF OUR JOB WHEN WE GET THE AGENDA AND THE TIME-FRAME IF WE HAVE A QUESTION WE CAN ASK HIM.
WHEN I LOOK AT WHAT WAS ASKED BY MS. SAVIETTO, SHE IS TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT. AND SHE JUST SPAINED THIS IS NOT WHAT SHE IS TALKED ABOUT. SERVICES FOR THESE CHILDREN THAT IS NEEDED FOR QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO WORK WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY GET THE SERVICES THAT THEY
NEED FOR SURE SUCCESS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE FOR ANYONE. I DON'T SEE WHY I NEED SOMEONE TO TALK ABOUT EACH ONE OF THESE WE KNOW WE HAVE CHILDREN WITHIN THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT TRULY NEEDS THESE SERVICES AND WHATEVER IT TAKES IF WE COULD HIRE THEM ALL WE
WOULD DO IT AND HAVE THEM WITHIN OUR SYSTEM BUT IT IS A CRITICAL SHORTAGE AREA WE HAVE TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONTRACT OUT TO GET THE PEOPLE IN HERE TO DO THE WORK TO MAKE SURE OUR STUDENTS GET WHAT THEY NEED. >> Karen Brill: DO I HAVE A MOTION TO CALL THE QUESTION?
MOTION BY Mr. FERGUSON, SECOND BY MS. ANDREWS. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? THAT MOTION CARRIED. CALL THE QUESTION, SO NOW THE QUESTION IS ON THE TABLE. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. SUPERINTENDENT NEXT ITEM. >> Mike Burke: I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE AMENDMENT TO THE CONSULTANT AGREEMENT WITH MICHELLE MATTHEWS ENTERPRISES INC. AND APPROVE THE BOARD TO SIGN ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS. >> Karen Brill: ANY DISCUSSION?
NO DISCUSSION ALL IN FAVOR. OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> Mike Burke: FMPA4, THE RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE SECOND AMENDMENT WITH LEARN, LAUGH, CONNECT, THERAPY SERVICES LLC AND AUTHORIZE THE BOARD CHAIR TO FINALIZE AND SIGN ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS. >> Karen Brill: ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR ALL OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> Mike Burke: FMPA5, THE RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE AMENDMENT WITH PEDIATRIC LANGUAGE SPEECH PATHOLOGY AND
FINALIZE AND SIGN THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS. >> Karen Brill: ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR. OPPOSED. >> Mike Burke: I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE AGREEMENT WITH FAX EDUCATION SOLUTIONS LLC AND AUTHORIZE THE BOARD CHAIR TO FINALIZE AND SIGN ALL NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS. >> Karen Brill: ANY DISCUSSION. YOU ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED, THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> Mike Burke: THE AMENDMENT TO THE CONSULTTANT AGREEMENT WITH L AND J THERAPY SOLUTIONS AND FINALIZE AND SIGN ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS. >> Karen Brill: ANY DISCUSSION?
ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> A8, I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE AMENDMENT WITH THE CONSULTANT AGREEMENT WITH JULIET WRAD FORWARD AND FINALITYLIZE AND SIGN ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS. >> Karen Brill: ANY DISCUSSION?
ALL IN FOREVER FAVOR OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> Mike Burke: WITH NATIONAL STAFFING SOLUTIONS INC. AND AUTHORIZE THE BOARD CHAIR TO FINALIZE AND SIGN ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS. >> Karen Brill: ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> Mike Burke: I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT TO JOHNSON CONTROLS BUILDING SOLUTIONS LLC AND AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD CHAIR TO FINALIZE AND SIGN ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS. >> Karen Brill: YOU PULLED THIS
ITEM? >> Virginia Savietto: I HAVE A QUESTION ON THREE FOR JOHNSON CONTROLS. I TRIED TO LOOK BACK AND I THINK THAT THE QUESTION IS DIFFERENT
HERE. JOHNSON CONTROLS ARE SUPPOSED TO OR WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE SMALL BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS IS THAT TRUE WHEN THEY HIRE OR ARE THEY DOING ALL THAT THEMSELVES? THE CONTRACTS ARE FOR 20 MILLION, 60 MILLION AND 2.5 MILLION.
AND I WAS WONDERING IF THAT IS STILL HAPPENING? LIKE IF THEY ARE HIRING MINORITIES, SMALL BUSINESSES STILL TO FOLLOW THE CONTRACT? >> Mike Burke: NO. WHAT THESE THREE ITEMS DO WHEN THIS CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT THAT MEANS THE COMPANY HAS CHANGED
THEIR NAME OR SOME TYPE OF REORGANIZATION AND SO WITH JOHNSON CONTROLS, THEY NOW HAVE A DIVISION CALLED JOHNSON CONTROLS BUILDING SOLUTIONS LLC. SO WE ARE JUST ASSIGNING THESE EXISTING CONTRACTS. THE TERMS, THE MONEY WHAT THE BOARD PREVIOUSLY APPROVED IN
TERMS OF SPENDING AUTHORITY REMAINS UNCHANGED. AND IT'S US REACTING TO THE COMPANY'S RESTRUCTURING AND THEIR NAME CHANGE AND THAT'S THE SAME FOR ALL THREE OF THEM. >> Virginia Savietto: ONE QUESTION. BUT THEY ARE DOING THE ENTIRE JOB? THE CONTRACT IS FOR THEM THEY
DON'T HAVE SUBCONTRACT TO BID OUT SOME OF THEIR WORK TO SMALL BUSINESSES? >> Mike Burke: WE DO DO A LOT OF THAT IN THE CONSTRUCTION ARENA AND WE BUILD A SCHOOL OR MAJOR CONTRACTS WE WILL HAVE THAT SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT.
I'M GOING TO CONFIRM THAT'S NOT APPLICABLE WITH THESE THREE. THAT IS NOT THERE IS NOT A SMALL BUSINESS COMPONENT TO THESE THREE CONTRACTS. >> Karen Brill: ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE ALL IN FAVOR OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> Mike Burke: I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE CONSENTED TO ASSIGNMENT TO JOHN CON CONTROLS BUILDING SOLUTIONS LLC AND FINALIZE AND SIGN ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS. >> Karen Brill: ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR ALL OPPOSED MOTION
CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> Mike Burke: FMPO7 I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE ASSIGNMENT TO JOHNSON CONTROLS BUILDING SOLUTIONS LLC. >> MOTION AND SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> Mike Burke: I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE THE PERSONNEL ADDENDUM AS SUBMITTED. >> Karen Brill: ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> >> Mike Burke: POL C.O.O. 3, ADOPTION OF PROPOSED POLICY 7.22
CONSTRUCTION CHANGE ORDERS. >> Karen Brill: MOTION AND SECONDED. I PULLED THIS POLICY BECAUSE I CAN'T SUPPORT IT. AND I DID GO INTO THE REASONS THAT PREVIOUS MEETING BUT TO GO ON RECORD, SPECIFICALLY, THIS REVISED POLICY AUTHORIZES THE
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR TO APPROVE CHANGE ORDERS NOT TO EXCEED $100,000 PER INSTANCE. CHIEF OF FACILITIES UP TO $150,000 PER INSTANCE. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER UP TO $175,000 PER INSTANCE AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT UP TO $200,000 PER INSTANCE. AND WHILE I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY, THIS PROPOSAL SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THE BOARD'S REALTIME OVERSIGHT OF SUBSTANTIAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURES AND CIRCUMVENTEDS
OUR FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY TO AND ITS IT WILL NOT RESULT IN VENDORS BEING PAID FASTER AS SUGGESTED BY A COMMENT AT OUR LAST MEETING ABOUT THIS ITEM. CHANGE ORDERS OF THIS MAGNITUDE ARE NOT MINOR ADJUSTMENTS THEY INVOLVE LARGE SUMS OF PUBLIC FUNDS THAT DESERVE TRANSPARENT
REVIEW AND APPROVAL BEFORE COMMITMENTS ARE MADE NOT AFTER THE FACT. MAINTAINING BOARD AUTHORIZE PRESERVES ACCOUNTABILITY, PUBLIC TRUST AND THE GOVERNANCE ROLE VOTERS EXCEPT EXPECT US TO UPHOLD. Mr. FERGUSON? >> Edwin Ferguson: THANK YOU I SUPPORT THIS POLICY THE CHANGES
TO IT. ASSUMING WHAT WAS SAID BY SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND Mr. SANCHEZ WERE TRUE I HAVE NO REASON TO CONTEST THIS IS A MATTER OF OVERALL EFFICIENCY. SO I RESPECT THE CHAIR'S POSITION BUT I SUPPORT THIS
POLICY AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN GET A MAJORITY TO MOVE THIS ALONG BUT I RESPECT YOUR POSITION AND UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. BUT I THINK PACED ON THE FACT I BELIEVE IT WAS REPRESENTED BY ONE OR BOTH THE AFOREMENTIONED GENTLEMEN THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD
AN INCREASE IF YOU WILL OF THIS AMOUNT IN QUITE SOMETIME SO WE ADJUST FOR INFLATION AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, IT APPEARED TO ME THAT THIS IS A REASONABLE CHANGE TO THE POLICY. AND FOR THAT REASON, AGAIN, WHY I SUPPORT THE CHANGE PROPOSED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT AND HIS
STAFF. >> Karen Brill: MS. ANDREWS. >> Marcia Andrews: I'M GOING TO HAVE TO STICK WITH THIS WE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT THIS POLICY I DON'T NEED TO BRING Mr. SANCHEZ UP HERE AND LEGAL AND THE SUPERINTENDENT. AND I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THIS
TONIGHT. AND YOU EXPLAIN TO DO QUITE WELL. I HAVE TRUST AND I KNOW WE HAVE TO BE EFFICIENT AND WE AS BOARD MEMBERS WENT THROUGH THIS ORDEAL A FEW WEEKS AGO. SO I REALLY FEEL COMFORTABLE THIS IS GOING TO HELP US TO BE EFFICIENT, TO DO WHAT IS
NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE EVERYTHING IN PLACE FOR OUR CHILDREN FOR BUILDING NEW SCHOOLS AND EVERYTHING ELSE AND PAYING OUR VENDORS. I SUPPORT IT. >> Karen Brill: Mr. >> Mike Burke: BURKE I WANTED TO OFFER ASSURANCE TO THE BOARD AND THE COMMUNITY PART OF THIS
POLICY REQUIRES WE WILL BE ABLE TO APPROVE BASED ON THE INCREASED AMOUNTS WITH THE RISING COST OF CONSTRUCTION WE WILL BRING ALL CHANGE ORDERS AS A RATIFICATION TO THE BOARD AND TO [INAUDIBLE] IN THE MEETINGS LIKE TIMELY. WHENEVER THAT NEXT AGENDA FALLS
AFTER WE'VE APPROVED CHANGE ORDERS WE BRING THEM TO QUIRK ON TO THE BOARD. IT'S AFTER THE FACT BUT IT IS A LEVEL OF TRANSPARENCY THAT THE BOARD WILL BE ABLE TO MONITOR IF YOU SEE ANYTHING THAT RAISES CONCERNS YOU COULD BRING IT UP AT THAT TIME. >> Karen Brill: ANY FURTHER
DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR OPPOSINGED? MOTION CARRIES 6 IN FAVOR AND CHAIRWOMAN BRILL IN OPPOSITION. >> Mike Burke: POL C.O.O. 1, POLICY 1.193, THE RECOMMEND THE
BOARD APPROVE REVISED POLICY CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT AND REVIEW COMMITTEE. >> Karen Brill: MOTION AND SECONDED. I PULLED THIS AND I'M LOOKING AT THE POLICY Mr. SUPERINTENDENT FOR A MINUTE. SO IT DOES HAVE THE LANGUAGE THAT YOU SUGGESTED. I AM VOTING AGAINST IT, THOUGH,
BECAUSE POLICY 7.22 FEEDS INTO THE POLICY LINES 90-94. AND SO SINCE I DON'T AGREE WITH THE CHANGES MADE IN THE PRIOR POLICY I'M GOING TO VOTE AGAINST THIS POLICY. BUT I DO APPRECIATE THE SUPERINTENDENT'S ASSURANCE AND
MY VOTES ARE NO REFLECTION ON ANY LEVEL OF TRUST. HAVING TO DO WITH THE OPERATIONS OFFICE AND FACILITIES. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE MY FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY AS WELL AS INPUT
I HAD FROM SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WHO SPOKE TO ME ABOUT IT. I HAVE TO REPRESENT MY CONSTITUENTS AS WELL AS WHAT I BELIEVE ARE MY BELIEFS. BUT IN NO WAY DOES IT MEAN I DO NOT TRUST THE PEOPLE INVOLVED. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES WITH SIX VOTES IN FAVOR AND CHAIRWOMAN BRILL IN OPPOSITION. LET ME SEE IT'S GOING TO BE OUR NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS. GIVE ME ONE MINUTE WHILE I GET
BACK ON MY SCREEN. OKAY I AM GOING TO FIRST READ OUR INSTRUCTIONS AND CALL YOU UP TWO AT A TIME. SO ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL BOARD I WELCOME PUBLIC SPEAKERS JOINING US TODAY. THE BOARD RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANT RIGHT OF THE PUBLIC TO
EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS, HOWEVER OUR POLICY PROVIDES WE DO NOT RESPOND TO OR ENGAGE WITH OUR SPEAKERS. WE DO MAKE NOTE OF YOUR ISSUES AND WE FOLLOW-UP WITH DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION REGARDING THEM. ALL NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS' COMMENTS MUST RELATE TO
EDUCATIONALLY RELEVANT TOPICS OR THE OPERATIONS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. PURSUANT TO SCHOOL BOARD POLICY, SPEAKERS WHOSE COMMENTS DO NOT RELATE TO THE TOPIC THAT THE SPEAKER INDICATED OR ARE NOT OTHERWISE EDUCATIONALLY RELEVANT, INCLUDING THE MENTION OF ANY PERSONS CANDIDACY FOR
ELECTED OFFICE OR WHOSE COMMENTS DISRUPT OR INTERFERE WITH THE ORDER OF THE MEETING MAYBE SUBJECT TO HAVING THE MICROPHONE TURNED OFF, FORFEITING THE RIGHT TO SPEAK AT TODAY'S MEETING OR REMOVAL FROM THE MEETING. WE ASK ALL PARTICIPANTS TO ENGAGE IN RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE
MAINTAINING CIVILITY AND DEQUORUM. YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE POLICY THE MICROPHONE WILL BE TURNED OFF WHEN THE TIME LIMIT HAS BEEN REACHED. WHEN YOU SPEAK STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND ALTHOUGH I READ THE INSTRUCTIONS WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND WE
WELCOME YOU. I'M CALLING CARLESIMO HAM METHOD AND MA SHELL ADRIAN PEW. >> CARLESIMO HAM METHOD. I WANTED TO SAY WE ARE SELL GREATING THE 100 YEAR SINCE THE
INTRODUCED IDEA OF EDUCATION OF THE NEGRO AND MOST PEOPLE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY DON'T HAVE A CLUE WHO HE WAS AND WHAT HE BROUGHT TO US AS A RESULT. THIS YEAR WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY. I HEARD THE IMPASSE THE CLASSROOM TEACHERS HAD THEY NEED
ACCOUNTABILITY THEY ARE NOT SPEAKING TOED ISSUES PLAGUING THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY. AND WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ONLY TWO PEOPLE I CAN SEE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY BECAUSE I AM ON THE STATE TASK FORCE AND I'M ALSO THE LONGEST VOLUNTEER FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY AND THE ONLY TWO PEOPLE I
KNOW IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA THAT HAVE GIVEN GUIDANCE IN THAT DIRECTION HAS BEEN Dr. JOHNSON AND DOUG LARSON I PASSED THIS OUT TO YOU ALL IF YOU LOOK AT THE TENETS HE ORCHESTRATED ON
BEHALF OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT YOU CAN SEE THE EXCELLENT STRUCTURE AND WE HAVEN'T HAD ANYONE THIS IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH WE HAVEN'T HEARD CONVERSATIONS AS WHAT IT RELATES TO IMPROVING THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS KNOWING WE HAVE A FLORIDA LAW
STATUTE 1003.42H AND WE HAVE NOT HAD CORRESPONDENCE FROM ANYBODY AND I'M NOT JUST LAY TO GO ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THE BLACK CHURCH IN PALM BEACH COUNTY, OR ANY CHURCH IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THE DIVINE 9 AND WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THE MASONS WE HAVE NOT
HEARD FROM THE N.A.A.C.P., URBAN LEAGUE WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM NONE OF THOSE. IF I HAD TO GO TO COURT Mr. LANE AND MS. BRILL ALL LAWYERS, Mr. FERGUSON, I WOULD HAVE TO USE YOU GUYS BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOU'VE NEVER HAD NO ONE COME FROM THESE ORGANIZATIONS HERE TO
SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OUR CHILDREN. AND IT'S VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR US BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS PROFESSING THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING FOR ALL OF THE CHILDREN BUT THINK ABOUT IT. FROM A LOGICAL PERSPECTIVE IF YOU DON'T MENTION OUR CHILDREN IT MEANS THEY ARE NOT IN THE PROCESS I WILL APPEAL TO YOU
AGAIN, I THINK Dr. JOHNSON HAD THE BEST SCOPE AND I SHOULD HAVE SEEN HIM WHEN HE FIRST STARTED ON THIS MISSION. HE WAS OPPOSED TO IT. BUT WITH THE ABILITY TO HAVE RETRIEVE KNOWLEDGE HE MOVED INTO THE AREA THAT I SHARE WITH YOU GUYS.
AND WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN RIVIERA BEACH WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY FOR 40 YEARS AND WE HAVE NOT MENTIONED 1003.42H AND I THANK YOU BUT I'M HOPING NEXT MONTH, I WILL BRING
THE ACCOUNTABILITY STUDY THAT WE DID IN 2023, AND WE WILL SEE HOW AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN WERE TOTALLY EXCLUDED. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING I'M ADRIAN PEW I
AM THE MOTHER OF TWO ELEMENTARY-AGED STUDENTS AT LIMESTONE CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND A MIDDLE SCHOOLER AT BALK AND I'M HERE BECAUSE WHAT BEGAN AS A GOOD FAITH CHILD SAFETY REPORT WAS MET WITH MISCHARACTERIZATION AND RETALIATION. LAST YEAR, I SUBMITTED A
FORTIFIED FLORIDA REPORT REGARDING A TEENAGE BOY WITH A SERIOUS CRIMINAL AND BEHAVIORAL HISTORY WHO WAS LIVING NEXT DOOR TO LIMESTONE CREEK. SOCIAL MEDIA SHOWED HIM HANDLING FIREARMS, AND AIMING THEM AT THE CAMERA. I PERSONALLY KNEW THIS BOY. AND I KNEW HIS HISTORY.
WE ALL REMEMBER MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS WE ARE TOLD SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING. SO I DID. THE REPORT WAS NOT MEANINGFULLY INVESTIGATED. AT THE SAME TIME MY CHILDREN WERE EXPERIENCING ONGOING BULLYING AT LIMESTONE CREEK LEFT
UNRESOLVED. INSTEAD OF PROTECTIVE ACTION STATEMENTS WERE LATER MADE TO DCF BY THE PRINCIPAL ALLEGING THAT I HAD CAUSED GREAT HARM TO THE SCHOOL. WITH MY NOTIFICATION. FACED WITH THESE UNRESOLVED
SAFETY CONCERNS AND UNRESOLVED BULLYING AT LIMESTONE CREEK AND UNRESOLVED ACCOMMODATIONS FOR MY GIFTED BUT ADHD SENSORY PROCESS DISORDERED CHILDREN, I FILED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS TO THE DISTRICT AND THE BOARD THROUGH
PUBLIC RECORDS, I LATER LEARNED THAT INTERNAL E-MAILS LABELED ME AS A PROBLEM, A KAREN, AND DIRECTED STAFF TO IGNORE ME AND LET THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT HANDLE ME. THE DISTRICT'S NORTH COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT ULTIMATELY SENT
ME AN E-MAIL SUGGESTING I HOME SCHOOL MY CHILDREN INCLUDING THE POLICY ON HOME SCHOOLING. I FELT DISMISSED AND IGNORED LIKE I WAS IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE TOLD BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO HOME SCHOOL MY KIDS. BUT THEN I THOUGHT THAT IS NOT A BAD IDEA. GIVEN THE LACK OF CARE AND
ATTENTION. AND CONCERNS FOR MY CHILDREN. SO I DID. I MADE A TEMPORARY LAWFUL DECISION TO HOME SCHOOL MY ELEMENTARY AGED CHILDREN FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX WEEKS. I FILED THE REQUIRED NOTICES OF INTENT YET THE DISTRICT PUSHED
BACK THEY WOULDN'T ACCEPT MY NOTICES. THEY STARTED TRUANCY NOTICES TO ME. THE ENTIRE TIME I WAS COMMUNICATING WITH THE SCHOOL AND SAYING I'M HOME SCHOOLING MY KIDS AS YOU DIRECTED. MEANWHILE THE INDIVIDUAL I WARNED THE SCHOOL ABOUT WAS
SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SHOOTING TWO TEENAGERS AT A PARK NEAR LIMESTONE CREEK. THANKFULLY IT WASN'T THE CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOLYARD. I JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW IN THE TIMES WE LIVE IN TODAY DOES A
PARENT REPORTING A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH THIS PROXIMITY TO SCHOOL, GET TREATED AS A PROBLEM? THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
YOLANDA COPE AND DONALD PIERSON. >> GOOD EVENING CHAIR, VICE-CHAIR, SUPERINTENDENT BURKE AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS. I'M YOLANDA COPE AND I AM A MOTHER OF A STUDENT IN THIS
DISTRICT. I RESIDE IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE COUNTY IN WELLINGTON. I'M HERE TONIGHT TO SIMPLY TO BRING A MOMENT OF POSSIBLE ACTIVITY AND -- POSITIVITY. I SENT A LETTER REGARDING A BUS STOP I PASS EVERYDAY ON MY WAY
TO WORK LOCATED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF CAROLINE ROAD AND BELVEDERE IN WEST PALM BEACH. AT THAT LOCATION THERE'S ALSO A CITY BUS STOP AND I'M NOT SURE WHY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS A BUS STOP THERE. MY CONCERN WAS THE PROXIMITY OF
THAT STOP TO ACTIVE TRAFFIC. STUDENTS WERE STANDING EXTREMELY CLOSE TO PASSING VEHICLES AND FROM MY PERSPECTIVE IT PRESENTED A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. I INCLUDED PHOTOS AND RESPECTFULLY ASKED THAT SOMEONE VISIT THE LOCATION TO SEE THE CONDITIONS FIRSTHAND.
ON FEBRUARY SECOND, I RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM MS. LA TOYA BUNCH GENERAL MANAGER OF OPERATIONS WHO ALSO COPIED A Mr. CHEYNE SEARCHWELL IN HER LETTER AND THEY CANNED ME FOR THE INFORMATION AND SHARED THE BUS STOP HAD BEEN RELOCATED.
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO SAY THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR HAVING STAFF WHO DO MORE THAN READ E-MAILS. STAFF WHO INVESTIGATE, RESPOND AND TAKE ACTION WHEN A CONCERN IS RAISED. BECAUSE OF THAT RESPONSE, STUDENTS IN THAT AREA ARE NOW STANDING IN A SAFER LOCATION.
WE OFTEN HEAR IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING. ALTHOUGH MY CHILD DOES NOT ATTEND SCHOOL IN THAT AREA, I FELT IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY AS A PARENT AND COMMUNITY MEMBER TO SPEAK UP. NO PARENT SHOULD RECEIVE A CALL THAT THEIR CHILD HAS BEEN HARMED
WHEN A PREVENTABLE SAFETY ISSUE COULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK MARIA SUPERINTENDENT BURKE'S ASSISTANT. HER RESPONSE TIME WAS WITHIN AN HOUR WHICH SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT THE PROFESSIONALISM AND COMMITMENT WITHIN THE DISTRICT. SO TONIGHT, AGAIN, I JUST WANT
TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION TO MS. BUNCH, Mr. SEARCHWELL, MARIA AND TO HIS BOARD FOR ENSURING THE SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS REMAINS A PRIORITY. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING CHAIR BRILL, VICE-CHAIR LANE, SUPERINTENDENT AND THE BOARD MEMBERS. DON PIERSON. THE ISSUE I WANT TO TALK ABOUT TODAY I'M SPEAKING ABOUT THE
PART OF THIS STATE-WIDE POLICY CHANGE IN FLORIDA AND IT'S DEFINITELY AFFECTING PALM BEACH COUNTY. WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SIMPLE TERMS FLORIDA PASSED A LAW SOMETHING CALLED SCHOOLS OF HOPE.
WHICH ALLOWS CERTAIN CHARTER SCHOOLS TO MOVE INTO EXISTING SCHOOLS. OFTEN THEY DO SO RENT FREE. THEY HAVE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT COVER COSTS LIKE UTILITIES,
CUSTODIAL, FOOD, TRANSPORTATION. IT'S CALLED A COLLOCATION. AND THE REASON I'M BRINGING IT UP IS IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE LIKE A LAND GRAB. BASICALLY TWO SCHOOLS COVERING
ONE SCHOOL AT ONE LOCATION, BUT THE COUNTY IS PAYING THE COST. CHARTER OPERATIONS I DID LOOK THIS UP CHARTER OPERATIONS SUBMITTED 200 PLUS COLLOCATION REQUESTS ACROSS BROWARD AND PALM
BEACH COUNTY. PALM BEACH COUNTY IS ONE OF THE MAJOR BATTLEGROUNDS FOR THIS ISSUE. WHY IT MATTERS? LIKE I SAID IT'S A LAND GRAB. THE LAW GIVES PRIORITY TO
WHOEVER FILES FIRST. SO THAT'S WHY THESE COMPANIES ARE FLOODING WITH THESE REQUESTS. THE ORIGINAL SCHOOL FOR HOPE LAW WAS DESIGNED TO MOVE CHARTERS CLOSER TO STRUGGLING SCHOOLS.
THESE CAMPUSES ARE NOW UN-- NOT UNSAFE, ARE TARGETS, BECAUSE FLORIDA STATUTE 1002.333. I WOULD HOPE THAT THE PUBLIC AND I'VE TALKED TO TEACHERS THEY DON'T KNOW THIS IS HAPPENING.
WHEN A CHARTER SCHOOL MOVES INTO A PUBLIC SCHOOL, THE SCHOOL FUNDING FOLLOWS THE STUDENT. BUT THE STUDENT THE DISTRICT STILL MAINTAINS THE BUILDING, THEY STILL PAY FOR TO THE UTILITIES MAINTENANCE, STAFFING
SUPPORT, THE RESULT PUBLIC SCHOOLS LOSE REVENUE BUT KEEP COSTS. AND IN THIS TIME WITH PEOPLE THINKING THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE NOT PERFORMING, WE DO PERFORM.
55-65% OF STUDENTS FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL GO TO IVY LEAGUE SCHOOLS. I KNOW IT'S MORE STUDENTS BUT THAT CROP STILL EXISTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. SO BOARD MEMBERS THAT BRING US US TO THE END OF OUR AGENDA I
WILL TAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? MOTION BY MS. BRANCH. SECOND BY MS. WHITFIELD. ALL