IT TO THE PUBLIC WORRY IN PUBLIC SESSION. BOARD MEMBERS WE'RE NOW GOING TO RETURN TO THE AGENDA. I DON'T HAVE ITEMS TO ADD FOR GOOD CAUSE. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT DO YOU HAVE ITEMS TO WITHDRAW. >> Mike Burke: NO. >> Karen Brill: DO YOU WANT TO PULL ANY ITEMS?
SEEING NONE. I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION BY MS. BRANCH AND SECONDED BY MS. WHITFIELD. ALL IN FAVOR OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
DISCLOSURES OR ABSTENTIONS? I DON'T SEE ANY. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY AGENDA TOPIC SPEAKERS. I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION AND SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR?
ALL OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE DON'T HAVE ANY NEW BUSINESS WE APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA WE ARE READY TO ADJOURN. MOTION BY MS. WHITFIELD.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. AND THAT WILL BRING US OVER TO OUR WORKSHOP. I WILL GIVE YOU ALL A MINUTE FOR
ME TO CLEAR MY HEAD. GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. I WILL CALL THE WORKSHOP TO ORDER AT 3: 06PM.
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. >> Karen Brill: WE DO NOT HAVE ANY AGENDA ITEM SPEAKERS. WE DO. WE HAVE Dr. ROBINSON. IS Dr. ROBINSON HERE? THERE YOU ARE.
GO AHEAD Dr. ROBINSON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M Dr. DEBRA ROBINSON AND SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE COALITION FOR BLACK STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT CHANGES PROPOSED TO THE SEVERE TOLERANCE -- THE TOLERANCE POLICY. AND THE SEVERE INCIDENT
ASSIGNMENT POLICIES. SPECIFICALLY WE WANT TO PUSHBACK ON THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE DISCIPLINARY REVIEW COMMITTEE. YOU MAY KNOW THAT POLICY 5 UPON 817 WAS EXPULSION POLICY PRIOR
TO JUNE OF 2020 IT HAS AN EXPULSION SCREENING COMMITTEE, THREE PRINCIPALS ONE EACH FROM ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL AREAS AND A DESIGNEE. IN JUNE OF 2020 WE CHANGED THAT POLICY TO THE SEVERE INCIDENT ASSIGNMENT POLICY. WHICH INCLUDES THE DISCIPLINE
REVIEW COMMITTEE AND CHANGED THE COMPOSITION TO INCLUDE THREE TO FIVE PRINCIPALS, REGIONAL OFFICE REPRESENTATIVES, SAFE SCHOOLS, SUPPORT SERVICES, ESC504 AND MENTAL HEALTH. THESE CHANGES WERE MADE IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN THE DUE PROCESS IN A WAY THAT CONSIDERED THE WHOLE
CHILD. TO HAVE INFORMED EYES AND VOICES AT THE TABLE, TO SEE HOW THAT CHILD COULD BE REDIRECTED, SUPPORTED AND ENHANCED TO BECOME THEIR VERY BEST SELFS WHETHER IN ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION OR NOT. WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT? THE GOAL OF EDUCATING AFFIRMING
AND INSPIRING YOUNG PEOPLE WHERE IS IT? THE RECOMMENDATION ON THE TABLE REMOVES TWO PRINCIPALS REMOVES ESC, REMOVES BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AND THERE IS NO MENTION OF SAFE SCHOOLS OR SUPPORT SERVICES STAFF. I HEAR TALES THAT THIS RECOMMENDATION IS BEING MADE
BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO GET SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE MEETINGS. WHAT? THEY ARE ON THE CLOCK. IS THIS NOT OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED? MAYBE THEY NO LONGER CARE. MAYBE THE BELIEF THAT SOME PEOPLE CAN BE THORN AWAY IS
SEEMING INTO THE PO PORES OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES AND OR ADMINISTRATION NO LONGER CARE ABOUT SOME OF THE CHILDREN, LET IT BE KNOWN THAT THE COALITION FOR BLACK STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY STILL DOES. WE ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER
RECONSTRUCTING THE DISCIPLINE REVIEW COMMITTEE TO INCLUDE NON-DISTRICT EMPLOYEES WITH EXPERTISE. MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EXPERTS, SOCIAL SERVICES EXPERTS, ESC ADVOCATES TO NAME A FEW THEY CAN BE TRAINED AND AGREED TO CONFIDENTIALITY. PARENTS WOULD NEED TO AGREE TO
ALLOW THE EXPERTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR CHILD'S DRC. WE HOPE TO SAVE THE CHILDREN AND WE HOPE THAT YOU DO, TOO. SINCE I'M PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE YOU I WANT TO ADD THE COALITION WISHES TO REMIND YOU AT YOUR APRIL 23 BOARD MEETING
WE ASKED THAT YOU PAUSE MOVEMENT TOWARDS MAKING THE ANTI-D.E.I. POLICY CHANGES PERMANENT AND IT BE IN PLACE UNTIL LEGAL ISSUES HAVE BEEN ANSWERED BY THE SUPREME COURT. WE SEE THAT THE DISTRICT -- >> Karen Brill: SORRY YOUR TIME
IS UP, Dr. ROBINSON. THANK YOU Dr. ROBINSON. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT, I WILL TURN THE WORKSHOP OVER TO YOU. >> Mike Burke: WE HAVE A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS TODAY AND WE ARE GOING TO START WITH THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE WRAP UP LED BY JAMIE
WYATT AND SHE IS JOINED VIRTUALLY BY OUR PARTNERS AT CAPITAL CITY CONSULTING. >> OKAY. YES AS Mr. SUPERINTENDENT BURKE SHARED, FROM CAPITAL CONSULT RELIGION HERE TODAY TO SHARE THE 2025 FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE THEY SHOULD BE ON-LINE WITH US AT
THIS TIME AND READY TO BEGIN. >> Mike Burke: WE NEED TO DO AN
AUDIO CHECK. >> WE CAN BARELY HEAR YOU.
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> Mike Burke: YES. >> OKAY. WONDERFUL. >> Mike Burke: GOOD AFTERNOON WE CAN HEAR YOU BOTH. >> WE ARE READY FOR YOU TO BEGIN. >> OKAY. I WILL BEGIN GOOD AFTERNOON
EVERYONE AND THANK YOU CHAIR BRILL, VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS AND BOARD MEMBERS AND Mr. SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT A 2025 SESSION LEGISLATIVE WRAP UP. QUICK SPOILER ALERT, THE LEGISLATURE HAS NOT IN FACT WRAPPED UP THIS SESSION YET AS
WE HAVE NOT PASSED THE STATE BUDGET OR ANY ASSOCIATED BUDGET CONFORMING BILLS WHICH MUST BE IN PLACE BY JULY FIRST. BUT TO BEGIN AND WE CAN MOVE TO SLIDE TWO HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ODD SESSION.
MARKED WITH REPUBLICAN INFIGHTING OVER POLICY AND FUNDING, DISAGREEMENTS AT A HIGH LEVEL, THE OVER ARCHING DISPUTE IS ABOUT HOW MUCH REVENUE THE STATE SHOULD RAISE FROM TAXES. THE HOUSE IS INSISTING ON A $5
BILLION PERMANENT SALES TAX CUT. THE SENATE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE NONPERMANENT SALES TAX REDUCTIONS AS FLORIDA DOESN'T KNOW WHAT FUTURE ECONOMIC CONDITION ALSO LOOK LIKE AND THE GOVERNOR WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH AND WOULD LIKE FOR THE STATE TO FOCUS ON PROPERTY TAX REDUCTIONS RATHER
THAN ON LARGE SALES TAX REDUCTIONS. AND BECAUSE OF THIS DISAGREEMENT, THE PROPOSED HOUSE AND SENATE BUDGETS ARE 4.4 BILLION APART. AND SINCE WE ENDED THE REGULAR SESSION ON MAY 2, THERE'S BEEN NO REAL MOVEMENT TO RESOLVE THIS
LARGE DIFFERENCE. INITIALLY THE LEGISLATURE EXTENDED THEIR SESSION FROM MAY 2 UNTIL JUNE 6 WITH NO REVENUE AGREEMENT IN PLACE. THE HOUSE RECENTLY VOTED TO EXTEND SESSION THROUGH JUNE 30TH THE LAST DAY OF THE FISCAL YEAR.
BUT AS OF TODAY, THE SENATE HAS NOT AGREED TO A CONTINUED EXTENSION PAST JUNE 6 TO JUNE 30TH LIKE THE HOUSE WANTED. BUT ALSO THE SENATE HAS NOT AGREED TO A BUDGET PLAN THAT ACTUALLY FINALIZES THE BUDGET BY JUNE 6.
SO THE POSITION THAT WE'RE IN AS OF TODAY'S REPORT IS THE SENATE WILL EITHER NEED TO VOTE TO EXTEND SESSION SOMETIME NEXT WEEK. OR LET SESSION EXPIRE SINE DIE AND WE WOULD COME BACK FOR A SPECIAL SESSION WHERE THEY HAVE TO START THE BUDGET PROCESS OVER
FROM THE BEGINNING OF EACH CHAMBER PROPOSING THEIR INDIVIDUAL BUDGETS BASICALLY GETTING THEM BACK TO THE SAME POSITION WE ARE TODAY. BUT ALSO NOTE THAT WITH THE BUDGET NOT COMPLETED, NOT ONLY DO WE NOT HAVE AN FEFP FUNDED FOR NEXT YEAR, THERE ARE ALSO
VERY IMPORTANT BUDGET RELATED POLICY BILLS NOT YET COMPLETED. MAINLY THE EDUCATION CONFORMING BILL, THE BILL WE'VE HAD A LOT OF LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS AND ANGST ABOUT WHICH HAS A 50% CUT TO THE ADD-ON BONUS FUNDING AS WELL AS
A LARGE FES OR SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTABILITY REFORM EFFORT WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WE CERTAINLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT STUDENTS ARE BEING COUNTED ACCURATELY. BOTH OF TOES ITEMS ARE CAUGHT UP IN THIS BUDGET IMPASSE AS WELL AS ANY OTHER EDUCATION POLICY THAT WAS NOT PASSED DURING THE
REGULAR SESSION CERTAINLY PEOPLE WILL BE TRYING TO GET IT INTO THE BUDGET CONFORMING BILLS IF AND WHEN WE COME TO AN AGREEMENT HOW THEY WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SALES TAX OR PROPERTY TAX CUTS. WE WILL KEEP THE DISTRICT INFORMED AS THE STATE FIGURES OUT HOW TO RESOLVE THIS BUDGET
QUESTIONS THEY NEED TO RESOLVE THEM BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE FISCAL YEAR WHICH IS JULY FIRST. THE LEGISLATURE DID PASS EDUCATION POLICY BILLS BEFORE THEY DID EXTEND THAT WE DO WANT TO ME LIGHT TODAY AND MS. FAY WILL GO OVER THE BILLS INCLUDED
IN THE BOARD PRESENTATION. >> THANK YOU, Mr. LA FACE. THERE WERE SEVERAL PIECES OF IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT DID PASS DURING THE REGULAR SESSION ONE THAT WE WERE ENGAGED ON FROM THE BEGINNING WITH REPRESENTATIVE WHO IS A MEMBER
OF YOUR LOCAL DELEGATION AND THE HOUSE SPONSOR OF THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION. ALSO A SENATOR BRADLEY IS THIS MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL START TIMES BILL. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE PART OF OUR PLATFORM. THE DISTRICT'S PLATFORM AND SOMETHING WE'VE PUSHED FOR FROM DAY ONE. THIS BILL GIVES THE DISTRICT
FLEXIBILITY TO SET YOUR OWN START TIMES FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS. RATHER THAN AN AUGUST FIRST OF 2026, HAVING TO MOVE THOSE START TIMES NO EARLIER THAN 8:00 A.M. OR 8:30 AM THIS GIVES THE
DISTRICT THROUGH A REPORT THROUGH THE DOE WHICH WILL BE DEEMED TO BE COMPLETED AND BE REQUIRED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF THE STATUTES. IT IS STRATEGIES TO PUT IN PLACE
SO THAT YOU CAN GET AROUND DOING THAT. ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO BE CONSIDERED ARE IDENTIFYING UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES AS PALM BEACH SCHOOL BOARD HAS DONE YOU HAVE HAD YOUR LOCAL HEARINGS. ANOTHER THING THAT IS FACTORED IN IS INPUT FROM PARENTS AND
STUDENTS. THE DISTRICT HAS DONE MOST OF THESE THINGS ALREADY AND SHOULD HAVE NO TROUBLE MEETING REQUIREMENTS OF THE REPORT DUE TO THE DOE BY JUNE FIRST OF 2026 IN ORDER TO AVOID HAVING TO CHANGE START TIMES ACROSS THE
DISTRICT FOR AUGUST FIRST 2026. THE NEXT IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WE WERE WORKING TO MAKE SURE PASSED WAS THE SCHOOL SAFETY BILL. BY SENATOR BURGESS. SENATE BILL 1470 SCHOOL SAFETY.
THIS BILL WAS IMPORTANT PARTICULARLY TO THE DISTRICT BECAUSE IT HAD A FIX FROM THE SCHOOL SAFETY LEGISLATION THAT YOU WILL PROBABLY REMEMBER PASSED DURING THE 2024 SESSION WHICH REQUIRED IN STATUTE ALL CLASSROOM DOORS TO BE LOCKED ALL GATES TO BE LOCKED, ALL SCHOOL
SAFETY MEASURES TO BE FULLY IN PLACE ON CAMPUS WITH NO DEFINITION OF CAMPUS FOR ALL OF THE TIME THAT A STUDENT IS ON CAMPUS WHICH WE COULD NEVER GOT ANY ADDITIONAL CLARIFICATION FROM THE DOE NEEDED TO BE TREATED AS ONE PERSON ONE
STUDENT ON CAMPUS MAYBE IT'S MATH PRACTICE OR WHATEVER IT MAYBE YOU HAD TO HAVE ALL SCHOOL MEASURES IN PLACE. THIS BILL DOES VERY IMPORTANT TO THE DISTRICT'S OPERATIONS IT DEFINES WHAT IS THE CAMPUS, IT DEMINE FINES THE EXCLUSIVE ZONES
AND NONEXCLUSIVE ZONES I HAVE BEEN ASSURED ARE PART OF THE FFSAT SOMETHING THAT YOUR DISTRICT SCHOOL SAFETY SPECIALIST AND THEIR TEAM FILLED OUT AND SUBMITS TO THE DOE EVERY YEAR. THOSE ZONES ARE ALREADY DEFINED
IN TERMS OF THOSE REPORTS. AND THEN THIS BILL CONCRETELY SAYS THAT 30 MINUTES BEFORE SCHOOL, 30 MINUTES AFTER SCHOOL AND THE DURATION OF THAT CLASSROOM INSTRUCTIONAL TIME IS WHEN ALL SCHOOL SAFETY MEASURES HAVE TO BE IN PLACE.
THAT WAY IF THERE IS A CLASS A GROUP OF STUDENTS MEETING ON CAMPUS IN A CLASSROOM OR A MATH CLUB OR SPORTING EVENT OR PRACTICE, THAT IS NOT PART OF THAT 30 MINUTES BEFORE, 30 MINUTES AFTER. IT TAKES THE BURDEN OFF OF THE SCHOOL FROM HAVING ALL OF THE
GATES LOCKED AND THE LIKE WERE REQUIRED FROM THE 2024 LEGISLATION. THAT IS SOME RELIEF AND SOME CLARITY IN TERMS OF WHAT WAS INTENDED THE YEAR BEFORE IN THE LEGISLATION THAT WASN'T SPECIFIC ENOUGH. THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF OTHER MEASURES IN ALSO IN PLACE WITH
THIS BILL MOST RELATE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS. IT DOES CREATE A FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF SCHOOL SAFETY. BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M SURE YOUR DISTRICT SPECIALIST WILL BE INTERESTED IN AND NOT SOMETHING THAT TOUCHES DAY-TO-DAY ON THE SCHOOL BOARD
OR SCHOOL OPERATIONS. THIS IS ONE OF TWO I WILL CALL THEM EDUCATION TRAIN BILLS. HOUSE BILL 1105, BY REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON, WAS A MISH-MASH OF OTHER EDUCATION BILLS THAT CAME TOGETHER.
A LOT OF THESE ARE NOT IN THEIR ORIGINAL BILL FORM SORT OF THE NEGOTIATED VERSIONS OF WHAT THOSE BILLS LOOKED LIKE ALL LUMPED INTO ONE BIG BILL THAT PASSED LAST DAY OF SESSION. SO ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO POINT OUT, THE BILL DOES REQUIRE
THAT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE IS YOUR TAX REVENUES BE SHARED WITH ELIGIBLE CHARTER SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT. THIS IS ANOTHER EXPANSION OF ALL THE LOCAL IS YOUR SUR TAX
REVENUES PUT IN PLACE BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS BEING COLLECTED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS TO BE SHARED PRO RAT TA WITH CHARTER SCHOOLS A CONTINUATION OF THAT. SCHOOL BUS PROTECTIONS THIS ONE WAS AN INTERESTING, I GUESS, SITUATION AT THAT TIME CAME OUT
OF SENATOR BURGESS' DISTRICT, CHANGING THE DEFINITION OF SCHOOL TO ADD SCHOOL BUSES FOR THE PURPOSES OF TRESPASSING. THERE WAS A SITUATION WHERE A PARENT TRESPASSING ON THE SCHOOL BUS AND BROUGHT UP A CONFLICT IN THE STATUTE.
ONE OF THE MOST TALKED ABOUT ISSUES OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION CELLPHONE RESTRICTIONS MADE IT INTO 1105. THIS BILL DOES IMPLEMENT A TOTAL BAN ON CELLPHONES ON SCHOOL PROPERTY IN GRADES K-8.
SO THAT IS FOR K-8 TOTAL CELLPHONE BAN IMPLEMENTING I BELIEVE AUGUST FIRST OF THIS COMING SCHOOL YEAR IF NOT UPON PROBABLY UPON SIGNING OR JULY FIRST BUT IT WILL BE IN PLACE WHEN SCHOOL STARTS THIS YEAR. ADDITIONALLY, IT CREATES A SIXTH
DISTRICT PILOT PROGRAM THAT PILOT PROGRAM IS ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS. I DON'T THINK THEY WILL COME CON SCRIPT YOU INTO IT TO STUDY A TOTAL CELLPHONE BAN IN HIGH SCHOOLS AS WELL. AND LOOK, IF THERE'S ANY BENEFIT TO STUDENT CONCENTRATION,
ACADEMIC OUTCOMES, GENERAL WELL-BEING. SO SOMETHING TO BE AWARE OF. I IMAGINE THAT WILL BE A BIG POINT OF PARENT INTRIGUE, QUESTIONS, HOW WILL THIS WORK AND SOMETHING I WOULD RECOMMEND EVERYONE FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH.
AND THEN A COUPLE CURRICULUM CHANGES THAT TOOK PLACE IN THIS BILL. THE BILL DID REPEAL THE CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION ENTIRELY. SO NO LONGER CAN A STUDENT WHO DOES NOT THERE IS NO CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION THAT IS AWARDED. IF A STUDENT DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
IN LIEU OF THAT THERE IS THERE ARE NEW REQUIREMENTS STUDENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH A ROBUST SUITE OF INFORMATION ABOUT ADULT ED, GED, DIFFERENT TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL COURSES THAT IS SOMETHING TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT.
IT ALLOWS MARCHING BAND SATISFY PHYSICAL EDUCATION OR ARTS REQUIREMENTS AND DEVELOPS A WORKFORCE CREDENTIAL THE DOE WILL DEVELOP THE WORKFORCE CREDENTIAL FOR STUDENTS ON THE SPECTRUM THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS TO --
DISTRICTS TO PUT FORWARD IF YOU DESIRE. 1255 IS THE SECOND BIG EDUCATION BILL WHERE IT ENDED UP IN 1255. I WILL BE HONEST I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S RHYME OR REASON BECAUSE BOTH BILLS SPAN ALL SORTS OF TOPICS.
SO A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS TO COVER. ONE THING THAT IS NOT ON THE SLIDE I WANT TO MENTION IS THIS BILL PUTS INTO PLACE SCREENING REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE COMMENSURATE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR STAFF THAT TAKE THE
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS. LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR ABOUT PARITY. AND SOMETHING THAT YOU WILL SEE IN THIS BILL AND ANOTHER BILL THAT I WILL TALK ABOUT LATER ON VOLUNTEERS, THOSE BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENTS ARE NOW GOING TO BE SEAMLESS NO MATTER
WHICH TAXPAYER FUNDED MODE OF EDUCATION A STUDENT AVAILS THEMSELVES OF IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THAT STUDENT SAFETY IS AT THE FOREFRONT. A COUPLE THINGS I WILL POINT OUT. ACADEMIC STANDARDS THIS IS AN INTERESTING ONE I WANT TO NOTE. ESSENTIALLY SAYS THAT THE
REVISED STANDARDS DOCUMENTS THAT ARE WHAT THE DOE PUTS IN PLACE TO SORT OF BE THE ROADMAP THE GUIDELINES FOR WHAT HAS TO BE IN THE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ADOPTED, CAN ONLY CONSIST OF ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND BENCHMARKS.
THIS IS THE INTENT THAT I KIND OF GATHERED FROM TALKING WITH FOLKS, IS TO MAKE SURE THE DOE IS NARROWLY TAILORED IN STANDARDS AND FOCUSED ONLY ON ACADEMICS AND WHAT IS GRADE APPROPRIATE AND AGE APPROPRIATE
AND ANCILLARY TOPICS IN THOSE STANDARDS. TESTING OPTIONS. WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS AN EXPANSION OF OPTIONS FOR THE CLASSICAL LEARNING TEST THE CLT. THIS BILL MADE TWO CHANGES. IT AUTHORIZED THE CLT10 FOR
OPTION IN 10TH GRADE AS AN OPTION ALONGSIDE THE PREACT AND THE PRESAT. AND ALLOWED PREEMINENT UNIVERSITIES TO ACCEPT THE CLT WITH A MINIMUM SCORE SET IN STATUTE AND THAT APPLIES TO THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, FLORIDA
STATE UNIVERSITY THE TWO PREEMINENT UNIVERSITIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. A HANDFUL OF ANY SORT OF GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHERS WHO ARE PROVIDING INTENSIVE READING INTERVENTIONS DEFINED IN STATUTE.
JUST MORE CREDENTIALING, MICRO CREDENTIALING, PEER TO PEER SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND THAT SORT OF THING. ANYONE WHO IS IN THE DISTRICT WORKING ON READING INTERVENTION SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO THAT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE IN COMPLIANCE.
AND THERE WERE NEW AND DIFFERENT STUDENT DISCIPLINE PROVISIONS ALSO TUCKED INTO THIS BILL AT THE END OF THE DAY. IT ESSENTIALLY SAYS THAT STUDENT -- IT CREATES THE TERM SCHOOLCHILD STUDY TEAMS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT IN
STATUTE BEFORE THIS IS A NEW TERM BEING DEFINED. IT LAYS OUT SORT OF A ROADMAP OF COMMUNICATION TO PARENTS AND PUTS THINGS INTO PLACE LIKE BEHAVIOR CONTRACTS AND ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS LIKE LAYS THOSE OUT IN TERMS OF
THE EVENTS AND IT DOES ALLOW US SCHOOL DISTRICT TO EXTEND AN EXPULSION AS LONG AS THE THREAT MANAGEMENT TEAM IS INVOLVED IN THAT AND SUPPORTIVE OF THAT DECISION. AND THEN A HANDFUL OF NEW REQUIREMENTS NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO GET OUT THE WORD TO
STUDENTS ABOUT WHAT PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN TERMS OF READING, BOOKS, BOOK DELIVERY AND ALSO TUTORING THAT ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE NEW WORLD'S READING PROGRAMS AT THE STUDENT CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.
TWO BILLS I WILL TOUCH ON QUICKLY. I COVERED THE INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS PARTICIPATION. I WANT TO SAY EVERY WEEK BECAUSE IT DID GET QUITE A BIT OF HEARINGS ALMOST EVERY WEEK DURING SESSION. I WANT TO SAY IT WAS IN MY WRITTEN REPORT ALMOST EVERY
WEEK. I WON'T KILL THIS WITH DETAIL. WE'RE EXPANDING OPTIONS FOR HOME EDUCATION AND PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS TO PLAY INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS IN THEIR DISTRICT SCHOOL. THE BIG CHANGE FOR HOME EDUCATION STUDENTS IS THAT THEY
NO LONGER HAVE TO THEY ARE NO LONGER ONLY ELIGIBLE TO PLAY A SPORT AT THEIR ZONED SCHOOL. THEY CAN PLAY DISTRICT WIDE PROVIDED THERE IS AVAILABILITY AND THEY MAKE THE TEAM. FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS IF THE PRIVATE SCHOOL DOES NOT OFFER THE SPORT THEN THE STUDENT
CAN HAVE THE OPTION TO PLAY AGAIN TRYOUT, TRY TO MAKE THE TEAM AT A SCHOOL IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT DOES OFFER THAT SPORT IF THEY WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN. SO NO GUARANTEES IN TERMS OF THEIR MAKING THE TEAM AND HAVING TO BE TAKING A SPOT. BUT HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO
TRYOUT. THIS BILL PROBABLY OPENED THAT UP TO QUITE A FEW MORE STUDENTS THAN WERE CURRENTLY IN THE MIX THIS YEAR. HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY SENATE BILL 356, REQUIRES THE GOVERNOR
TO ANNUAL PROCLAIM JANUARY 27 AS HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY. AND THEN IT PERMITS IT IS NOT MANDATORY, IT IS A SUGGESTED SORT OF THING THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN DO. PERMITS INSTRUCTION ON THE DAY ABOUT THE HARMFUL IMPACTS OF THE
HOLE CALL AND TEACH SOMETHING THE ANTISEMITIC. IF YOU LIKE. SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS BY SENATOR YARBOROUGH 1374. THIS IS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE BILLS THAT DOES HAVE SOME
EXTENDED SCREENING REQUIREMENTS FOR VOLUNTEERS THAT APPLY TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHO ARE TAKING THE VOUCHER THE SCHOLARSHIP TAXPAYER FUNDED DOLLARS. IT ALSO PROVIDES THAT A SCHOOL DISTRICT MUST MAKE FOR THE REMOVAL OF ANY PERSONNEL WITHIN
24 HOURS AFTER A FELONY ARREST OR SPECIFIED MISDEMEANOR ARRESTS NOT EVERY MISDEMEANOR BUT EVERY FELONY. TWO BILLS ON HEALTH AND SAFETY I WILL TOUCH ON QUICKLY.
ANAPHYLAXIS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY SENATOR SMITH IT REQUIRES EACH SCHOOL BOARD GOVERNING CHARTER SCHOOL GOVERNING BOARD TAKE A LOOK AT EACH K-8 SCHOOL AND MAKE SURE THAT AN ADEQUATE NUMBER OF
PERSONNEL ARE TRAINED ESSENTIALLY ON THE DETECTION OF AN FLAT PARTICULAR SHOCK AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF AN EPIPEN OR IT IS COUNTERPART. THE ADEQUATE PERSONNEL IS NOT DEFINED BY THIS BILL.
SO THE DEPARTMENT DOES HAVE RULEMAKING AUTHORITY I WOULD CONTINUE TO BE AWARE OF THAT. I CAN SEE THEM SETTING OUT GUIDELINES OR MAKING THIS MORE SPECIFIC IN TERMS OF ADEQUATE PERSONNEL OR THEY COULD LEAVE IT UP TO EACH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL TO DECIDE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF KIDS IN THE SCHOOL HOW MANY
PEOPLE NEED TO BE TRAINED. AND IF A STUDENT DOES HAVE AN EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN IT HAS TO REMAIN IN EFFECT AND BE ABLE TO BE LOCATED AND ACCESSED BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL TNTD WHEN THE STUDENT WHO HAS THOSE SEVERE
ALGAES IS ON ALLERGIES IS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS. JAMIE? HIT BACK ONE. THANK YOU. ELECTRO CARDIOGRAMS FOR STUDENT ATHLETES IT REQUIRES HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES TO COMPLETE ONE ECG TO
DETECT HEART CONDITIONS BEFORE THEY PLAY SPORTS. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT MEASURE COUPLE EXEMPTIONS IN THE BILL. RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS, STUDENTS CAN GO TO THEIR OWN MEDICAL PROVIDER IF THEY DON'T WANT TO USE THE DISTRICT'S PROVIDER OR
GET A NOTE FROM THE PHYSICIAN. AND IF THERE IS NO AFFORDABLE PROVIDER AVAILABLE WE CAN GET A WAIVER. SCHOOLS ARE ENCOURAGED TO FORM PARTNERSHIPS AND WORK WITH LOCAL ENTITIES TO GET FOLKS IN TO DO
THE ECG AS FOR UNDER $50 THERE IS A LIABILITY WAIVER. IF THE SCHOOL -- IF THE STUDENT GOES TO AN OUTSIDE DOCTOR AND GETS WHAT IS CALLED A MEDICAL CLEARANCE DEFINED IN THE BILL WHERE THE DOCTOR SAID THE STUDENT DOESN'T
HAVE A HEART CONDITION AND THEY CONTINUE AND HAVE AN EPISODE WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN DETECTED BY THE ECG THERE IS A LIABILITY SHIELD IN PLACE FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. IF IT WAS AN OUTSIDE DOCTOR WHO GAVE THOSE ASSURANCES.
I THINK THIS IS LAST BUT NOT LEAST. DRIVER LICENSE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS. THIS I'M PUTTING ON YOUR RADAR BECAUSE IT SNUCK THROUGH THE PROCESS IT MOVED THROUGH COMMITTEE AND IT'S ALWAYS THERE BUT ONE OF THOSE ONES WHERE I WILL BE HONEST I DIDN'T THINK IT
WAS GOING TO CROSS THE FINISH LINE AND IT DID. I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH I REPORTED ON IT DURING SESSION. I WOULD BE AWARE OF THIS BILL BECAUSE I DO THINK THAT BECAUSE IT REQUIRES APPLICANTS FOR A LEARNER'S PERMIT THAT IS WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU ARE 15 YEARS
OLD TO SATISFACTORILY COMPLETE A DRIVER'S EDUCATION COURSE APPROVED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A BIG UPTAKE FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE 14, 15, LIKE THAT IS FRESHMAN SOPHOMORE TO WANT TO THEY CAN THAT APPROVED COURSE THROUGH THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT IS OFFERED IT WILL BE A DOE APPROVED CLASS. I WOULD ASSUME THAT SOME STUDENT ALSO TAKE IT THROUGH PRIVATE PROVIDERS. THAT IS ALREADY AN OPTION IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A PRIVATE DRIVER'S ED CLASS. BUT THAT YOU WILL SEE A GOOD AMOUNT OF STUDENTS WANT TO TAKE IT THROUGH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
WHICH OBVIOUSLY WOULD BE A COST FREEWAY TO GET THAT REQUIREMENT MET. SO YOUR CHILD CAN GET A LEARNER'S PERMIT. AND I THINK THAT IS THE LAST SLIDE. WITH THAT, RON AND I ARE
AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS. >> Edwin Ferguson: THANK YOU. CHAIR YOU WERE MAKING A POINT EARLIER AND I THOUGHT I HEARD YOU REFER TO FLORIDA STATE AND UFS DID I HEAR YOU SAID THAT CORRECTLY? >> I DID THAT A STATUTORY DEFINITION Mr. FERGUSON NOT
SOMETHING I CAME UP WITH. THEY ARE DEFINED AS THE PREEMINENT RESEARCH INSURANCER CONSTITUTIONS WHEN THE ORIGINAL BILL WAS PASS ADD LOUING OUR STATE UNIVERSITIES TO ACCEPT THE CLASSICAL LEARNING TEST AS AN ADMISSIONS STANDARD BECAUSE THE
PREEMINENT UNIVERSITIES ARE DEFINED ELSEWHERE IN STATUTE THIS WAS A FIX WHERE THEY DID NOT TIE INTO THAT STATUTE FERG FELLER WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO CHANGE THAT. AS A GRADUATE TO CENTRAL FLORIDA I TAKE EXCEPTION WITH THE OTHERS
CONSIDERED A PREEMINENT SCHOOL IN FLORIDA. SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO CHANGE THAT? THAT IS A TRAVESTY. WE HAVE FLORIDA STATE ALUMNI AS OUR SUPERINTENDENT AND OTHER GATORS. WE SHOULDN'T LET THIS STAND WHAT CAN WE DO TO CHANGE THE LAW?
ANY RESEARCHING MUCH UP THERE. EVERYBODY HAS RESEARCH. >> SINCE I AM REPORTING FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RIGHT'S UNION WHERE MY DAUGHTER IS DOING ORIENTATION, THE PREIMMANENCE IS REALLY A FUNDING ISSUE THAT THEY
HAD TO DEFINE THE UNIVERSITIES DIFFERENT AND THAT'S WHERE IT STARTED AND IT'S CONTINUED ON AS MS. FAY POINTED OUT AND SOMETIMES THEY FORGET THE DESIGNATIONS WHEN THEY MAKE OTHER CHANGES SO THEY HAVE TO COME BACK IN AND CHANGE THE SAME THING TWICE.
>> Edwin Ferguson: MY SECOND QUESTION IS IN REGARD TO HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY. WHAT DATE IS THAT. >> JANUARY 27TH. >> DOES -- IS THAT GOING TO BE THE DATE FOREVER MORE IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY? >> THAT IS THE DATE THAT THE GOVERNOR IS REQUIREDDED TO
DECLARE HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND SCHOOLS HAVE FLEXIBILITY AS TO WHETHER YOU WANT TO DO THE SPECIFIC HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE EDUCATION ON THAT DAY OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WEAVE IT INTO THE CLASSROOM
MATERIAL AS APPROPRIATE IN TERMS OF THE PACING OF MAYBE OTHER LESSON PLANS. >> I NEED HELP ON THAT. THAT GOT LOST IN TRANSLATION. LET'S BACK UP. THIS IS SOMETHING SPECIFIC TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT WE WILL
EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF REMEMBERING THE TRAVESTY, WHICH WAS THE HOLOCAUST, NEVERTHELESS, THAT SPECIFIC TO OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS? >> IT IS PERMISSIVE THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS CAN DO ADDITIONAL
HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE EDUCATION. THE MANDATORY PART OF THE BILL IS THAT THE GOVERNOR MUST DECLARE NOT JUST FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUT STATE-WIDE JANUARY 27TH AS HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA FERG FELLER FOR NEXT YEAR, I THINK THIS IS ON TOPIC, WE NEED
TO HAVE A JUNETEENTH REMEMBRANCE DAY AS WELL WHETHER DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR OR IT GOES BEYOND THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS WE NEED TO STATE-WIDE. DON'T FORGET THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JUNETEENTH TO THE SO-CALLED BLACK AMERICAN HERE IN THE U.S.A. BECAUSE WE ALL WERE SUBJECTED TO
SOMETHING EQUALLY NOT WORSE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF YEARS. TO WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR JEWISH BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN EUROPE AND ACROSS THE WORLD IN REGARD TO THE SECOND WORLD WAR. I WOULD LIKE I WANT TO JUMP ON AND SAY NEXT YEAR WE SHOULD HAVE
THAT HONEST DISCUSSION SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE TRAVESTIES OF HISTORY LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT AS WELL AND EDUCATE EVERYBODY ON THE IMPORTANCE AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JUNETEENTH AND WHAT WE CAN LEARN HOW IT CAN HELP US BECOME BETTER AMERICANS THROUGH OUR LEARNING OF THE
SIGNIFICANCE OF JUNETEENTH. JUST A THOUGHT. BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AS ALWAYS. >> Karen Brill: Mr. FERGUSON I WILL GIVE YOU BACKGROUND. HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY IS THANKS TO TWO OF OUR ELECTED
DELEGATES. MY SUGGESTION WITH REGARD TO JUNETEENTH IS PERHAPS DURING THE TIME WHEN OUR ELECTEDS COME BACK FROM TALLAHASSEE TO WORK WITH ONE OF THEM OR A COUPLE OF THEM AND SEE IF WE CAN GET THEM TO WRITE A BILL AND PUSH THAT
THROUGH THAT IS HOW THE HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY CAME ABOUT. AND WAITING UNTIL THEY ARE IN SESSION WILL BE TOO LATE YOU WANT TO GET THE BILL IN THE WORKSISM I'M SORRY. EVERYTHING I SAID WAS TONGUE-IN-CHEEK I UNDERSTAND THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS BUT I WANT TO MAKE A DECLARATION THAT FOR
TOO LONG WE ARE IGNORING SOMETHING IN OUR FACE. A GENOCIDE SHALL WE SAY AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE STATE TO RECOGNIZE THAT. WHAT HAPPENED ACROSS THE WORLD IN REGARD TO OUR JEWISH BROTHERS
AND SISTERS, TERRIBLE. SHOULD NOT BE EXCUSING. BUT WE SHOULD ALSO NEVER FORGET AND NOT SEEK TO EXCUSE WHICH TIES INTO OTHER THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JUNETEENTH WHY THERE WAS A JUNETEENTH AND WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM JUNETEENTH AND EVERYTHING THAT PRECEDED IT AND
COME SINCE THAT TIME. SINCERELY, YOU ALL DO A GREAT JOB IN PRESENTING CUMBERSOME INFORMATION AND MAKING IT AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU. VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS. >> Marcia Andrews: THANK YOU MS.
WYATT AND RON LA FACE AND MEGHAN WE LOVE YOU PUTTING IT ALTOGETHER. I WANT TO GO BACK TO SENATE BILL 296 AND THANK ANNE FROM WELLINGTON WHO IS OUR REPRESENTATIVE WHO WAS REALLY OUT FRONT OF THIS ON THE START
TIMES TO HELP MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A VOICE AND THE FLEXIBILITY WHAT WAS NEEDED FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY. AND AS YOU LOOK AT THE LAW, IT GIVES EVERY DISTRICT AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE SO IT CAN REFLECT WHAT IS NEEDED IN THAT PARTICULAR DISTRICT AS IT RELATES TO START
TIMES. A SHOUT-OUT FOR ANNE REPRESENTATIVE. >> Virginia Savietto: I WOULD LIKE TO MAYBE WHERE IT SAYS
CELLPHONE RESTRICTIONS I WOULD LIKE PALM BEACH COUNTY TO BE ONE OF THE SIXTH DISTRICT PILOTS FOR THE CELLPHONE IN HIGH SCHOOL.
>> Karen Brill: IS THAT A QUESTION. >> Virginia Savietto: I SAID I WOULD LOVE FOR ASSAULT AND BATTERY ASSAULT AND BATTERY THE DIRECT OF ASSAULT AND PALM BEACO BE ONE OF THE SIX DISTRICTS THEY ARE SUGGESTING TO HAVE A PILOT PROGRAM FOR A BAN IN HIGH SCHOOL CELLPHONES. >> Karen Brill: Mr. BURKE DID
YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING? >> Mike Burke: WE HAVE THAT POLICY COMING UP THIS AFTERNOON AND THAT MIGHT BE A GOOD DRIVER OF THE DECISION. SO IF THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT THEY WANT TO EXTEND THE CELLPHONE BAN TO OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, THAT MIGHT BE THE THAT
WOULD COME FIRST. AND THEN THAT IS THE DIRECTION AND THE WILL OF THE BOARD I COULD PURSUE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR IT TO BE A PILOT. AT THIS POINT I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION. WE'VE SEEN THE LANGUAGE BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT SELECTION
CRITERIAS GOES WITH THAT. >> Karen Brill: I DON'T SEE MORE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT? >> Mike Burke: I THANK MS. WYATT AND YOU BOTH FOR THE NICE PRESENTATION AND I INVITE UP OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER MS.
FREDERICK IS UNDETERRED BY THE LACK OF STATE BUDGET AND FORGES AHEAD WITH OUR DISTRICT BUDGET. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO HEAR WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY. SHE IS GOING TO BE JOINED BY JOE SANCHEZ, LeANN EVANS OUR TREASURER.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON BOARD MEMBERS PLAN BURKE IS CORRECT. THOUGH WE DON'T HAVE A BUDGET I HAVE TO PROCEED LIKE WE DO. LET'S GET STARTED. THIS IS THE FOURTH OF FOUR BOARD WORKSHOPS AND THAT IS OUR FINAL BOARD WORKSHOP FOR THE YEAR JUST BASED ON THE CALENDAR AND THAT
IS IN ADDITION TO FOUR BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS THAT WE'VE HAD THIS YEAR AS WELL. LIKE YOU HEARD WITH THE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, THIS HAS BEEN A UNIQUE YEAR. IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGING YEAR. AND I CAN SAY THAT IT'S REALLY THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION,
THE KEY TAKEAWAY IS JUST UNCERTAINTY. AND A LOT IS JUST SELF IMPOSED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE. THEY HAVE NOT DETERMINED WHAT THE REVENUE IS GOING TO BE BECAUSE THEY ARE LOOKING TO CUT THE REVENUE STREAM WHILE THEY ARE STILL FACING UNCERTAINTY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AS WELL.
THE HOUSE IS LOOKING TO EXTEND UNTIL JUNE 30TH. THE SENATE WANTS TO END BY JUNE 6 AND WE HEARD FROM Mr. LA FACE THAT IT'S LOOKING LIKE IT WILL BE MORE TOWARDS JUNE 30TH. THE STATE IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A BUDGET BY JULY FIRST AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE TO COMPLY WITH
TRUTH AND MILLAGE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OUR TENTATIVE BUDGET ADOPTION CANNOT BE LATER THAN JULY 30TH. AND WE HAVE TO HAVE APPROPRIATE ADVERTISING TO OUR CONSTITUENTS. SO WE REALLY DO NEED TO PROCEED AND THE WAY IS BY TAKING THE
PRESUMED WORST CASE SCENARIO. IN LOOKING AT THE BUDGETS WE HAVE THE HOUSE AND SENATE PROPOSALS. AND THE HOUSE BUDGET IS PRESUMED TO BE THE WORST CASE SCENARIO. WE'RE LOOKING AT AN $11 MILLION SHORTFALL AND THAT IS JUST THE START LIKE WE'VE MENTIONED
BEFORE TO THE BOARD. IT INCLUDES EXTENDING THE PILOTTIES YEAR AND I AM STILL
RECOMMENDING INCLUDING THAT PILOT EXPANDING THAT PILOT BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REMAIN COMPETITIVE WITH OUR PRIVATE AND CHARTER SCHOOLS BY MAKING SURE THAT WE MAKE SURE OUR STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE OPPORTUNITIES. SO WE ARE STILL RECOMMENDING THAT WE INCLUDE THAT EVEN THOUGH
WE ARE FACING A TIGHT BUDGET THIS YEAR. WE ARE STILL IN SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH SEIU BUT WE HAVE THE THE ESTIMATE BASED ON THE 4% PROPOSAL THAT WE PUT FORWARD.
SINCE WITH SEIU IT'S EFFECTIVE JANUARY FIRST SO THAT IS ONLY SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR IS GOING TO BE IN FY25. ADDITIONAL $4 MILLION IS TO RECOGNIZE THE FULL 12-MONTH IMPACT OF THAT RAISE.
IN LOOKING AT THAT 40 MILLION SHORTFALL OVER HALF OF THAT IS GOING TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS AS A RESULT OF THE REDUCTION IN THE ADD-ON TFE. WE THEN LOOKED AT WHAT SET ASIDES WE HAVE.
AND WITH OUR SET ASIDES, WE ARE ABLE TO ADJUST SPECIFICALLY LOOKING THE THE COUNT DAY AND PRORATED HOLD BACK BECAUSE WE HAD SOMETHING UNIQUE THIS YEAR THAT WE ARE BUDGETING THE STATE IS BUDGETING A REDUCTION IN ENROLLMENT. AND WE WERE BUDGETING BASED ON OUR STAFFING AND ENROLLMENT
WOULD BE FLAT. THAT IS UNUSUAL. NORMALLY WE ARE ALIGNED. I HAD ADDITIONAL MONEY SET ASIDE WITHIN THAT RESERVE THAT I DIDN'T NEED TO BECAUSE WE ARE ALREADY INCLUDING BUDGETING THAT STAFFING OUT AT THE SCHOOL SITES. IF WE SEE THAT INCREASE IN
ENROLLMENT WE WILL SEE AN INCREASE IN REVENUE. I WAS ABLE TO DECREASE THAT SET ASIDE. AND ALSO WITH THE PRORATED HOLD BACK WITH THE HOUSE PROPOSAL IF THEY CONTINUE IF THE LEGISLATURE CONTINUES TO SET ASIDE AN ADDITIONAL 250 MILLION, TO
ACCOUNT FOR AN INCREASE IN VOUCHERS OR PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS OVER AND ABOVE WHAT WAS PROJECTED THERE IS MONEY SET ASIDE AT THE STATE LEVEL TO ABSORB THAT. I WAS ABLE TO REDUCE THE PRORATED HOLD BACK AS WELL. SO THOSE ARE THE BIGGEST
ADJUSTMENTS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO GET TO BALANCE. AND THEN IN ADDITION WE WERE ABLE TO ALSO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS WITHIN THE VARIABLE FRINGE RATE BENEFITS BECAUSE WE HAD A UNIQUE LAST YEAR WITH THE FRS RATE IT WAS A NOMINAL INCREASE.
IT WAS BASICALLY NO INCREASE AT ALL IN FY25. SO THERE WAS ROOM WITHIN THE RATE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO REDUCE IT SLIGHTLY AND STILL COVER THAT INCREASE THAT WE HAD THIS YEAR. SO WE ARE LOOKING AT A I WOULDN'T SAY A SURPLUS, A
BALANCED BUDGET AT 90,000 OVER. THAT IS IS NOT INCLUDING ANY SALARY COMPENSATION OTHER THAN THE TEACHER CATEGORIAL. THERE IS NOTHING INCLUDED WITHIN THE BUDGET FOR ADDITIONAL RAISES OTHER THAN THE $6 MILLION FOR THAT TEACHER SALARY COMPENSATION
CATEGORY CAL. SINCE THE HOUSE IS PRESUMED TO BE THE WORST CASE PROPOSAL ANY CHANGES OR INCREASES IN REVENUE WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING THAT WOULD GO TO SALARY CONSIDERATIONS. I ALSO WANT TO MENTION TODAY
THIS MORNING, WE RECEIVED THE ESTIMATED PROPERTY TAX VALUATION AND IT WAS DOWN. IT WAS DOWN FROM PROJECTION WHICH IS UNUSUAL. SO WE ARE LOOKING AT POTENTIALLY 1.5 MILLION DOLLAR REDUCTION IN
OUR DISCRETIONARY MILLAGE AND ADDITIONAL 2 MILLION REDUCTION WITHIN THE REFERENDUM. THAT ESTIMATED PROPERTY TAX VALUATION IS NORMALLY VERY CONSERVATIVE. AND SO WHEN WE GET THE FINAL VALUATION, I DO EXPECT IT TO COME UP SLIGHTLY. SO I'M HOPING IT WILL END UP
BEING FLAT. BUT THAT IS UNUSUAL AND THAT'S NOT REFLECTED IN THESE NUMBERS SINCE WE JUST RECEIVE TO DO THIS MORNING. WHAT HAVE WE DONE? THIS FY26 IS THE FIRST OF WHAT WE EXPECT TO BE SEVERAL CHALLENGING BUDGET CYCLES.
SO WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED A HIRING FREEZE ON NONINSTRUCTIONAL STAFF. WE'VE STARTED REVIEWS OF LOOKING AT OUR CENTRAL OFFICE OVERHEAD WE HAVE PARTICIPATED IN A REVIEW WITH EDUCATION RESOURCE STRATEGIES 10 YEARS AGO, AND WE HAD THEM PERFORM ANOTHER REVIEW OF OUR CENTRAL OFFICE OVERHEAD
AND SO WE HAVE SEEN A DECREASE FROM 7% TO 4.1%. SO WE ARE TRENDING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. AND THEN WITH OUR INCREASES IN DEPARTMENTS FOR THIS YEAR, WE'RE PROPOSING JUST CONTRACTUAL REQUIRED INCREASES.
SO IT IS APPROXIMATELY $400,000 IN DEPARTMENT CHANGES AND IT'S ALL RELATED TO CONTRACTUAL INCREASES. OUR CAPITAL BUDGET IS ALMOST A TALE OF TWO BUDGETS. IT'S NOT FACING THE SAME CHALLENGES AND THAT IS THANKS TO
THE VOTERS AND THE APPROVAL OF THE HALF CENT SALES INSURRECTION TAX OUR CAPITAL PLAN IS BALANCED. WE ARE NOT PROPOSING CHANGES OTHER THAN WHAT WE'VE DISCUSSED WITH THE BOARD BACK IN JANUARY. WE WALKED THROUGH WITH THE BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN
DETAIL THE CAPITAL PLAN ALSO ATTACHED TO THE TONIGHT'S AGENDA. WE ARE CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE CHANGES. FY26 APPEARS TO BE SET. SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE
MONITORING MORE FOR FUTURE YEARS FOR FY27 AND BEYOND. JUST THE REGULAR STATE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES FOR FY27 AND BEYOND, WHAT ARE OUR FRS RATES GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE? WHAT IS OUR PER FUNDING
INCREASES WHAT IS THAT GOING TO LOOK LIKE? WHAT IS THE BECAUSE OUR SALARY INCREASES ARE SO DEPENDENT ON THE STATE FUNDING THAT WE RECEIVE. SO WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO UPON FOR OUR ENROLLMENT
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE A SUFFICIENT FUNDING FOR FY26 AND 27. BUT WE ARE LOOKING AT A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN 28, 29 AND 30. AND OUR INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ARE ALSO TIED TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ED AND THE
NEGOTIATED CONTRACTS THAT THEY HAVE. AND WE'VE SEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS SINCE THESSER FUNDING AND THAT IS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE IN THE OUTYEARS. AS WELL AS CONTINUING TO MONITOR
HEALTHCARE AND THEN ALSO THE FPL INCREASES IN ELECTRICITY COSTS. I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE LAST DAY OF THE SESSION IS IS GOING TO BE. I'M LOOKING AT THE END OF JUNE. WE ARE REQUIRED UNDER
REQUIREMENTS OUR BUDGET ADOPTION CANNOT BE LATER THAN JULY 300TH AND THAT IS HOW OUR BOARD MEETINGS FALL AND FINAL BUDGET ADOPTION ON SEPTEMBER 10TH. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
WE'LL START WITH Mr. FERGUSON. >> Edwin Ferguson: THANK YOU. CAN YOU GO BACK TO SLIDE FOUR AND FIVE. I'M NOT CLEAR ON HOW WE GOT TO THOSE NUMBERS. AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT THERE WILL BE PERSONS WHO LOOK AT THIS
ON DECK WHO ALSO HAVE SOME CONFUSION. LOOKING AT THE TOP OF SLIDE FOUR. I SEE WHERE WE INDICATE THERE'S GOING TO BE AN FEFP DISTRICT REVENUE DECREASE OF 11.5 MILLION. BUT THEN WHEN I GO FURTHER DOWN
AND I'M SHOWING THAT WE HAVE A PROJECTED SHORTFALL OF 40.9. I GUESS I'M SORRY. FIRST QUESTION IS HOW DO WE GET TO THE 11.5? I'M LOOKING AT SLIDE FOUR. AND JUST WHEN I WAS APPROXIMATING THE NUMBERS I
DIDN'T SEE HOW WE GOT TO AN 11.5? >> THERE ARE TWO MORE SLIDES BEFORE THIS THAT I DIDN'T INCLUDE THEY WERE PRESENTED PREVIOUSLY TO THE BOARD. SO I WAS -- MY FAULT FOR NOT INCLUDING THEM AND INCLUDING THE LAST SLIDE THIS IS THE NORMAL FLORIDA
EDUCATION FINANCE PROGRAM CALCULATION. AND SO IT STARTS WITH THE UNWEIGHTED FTE AND WORKS THROUGH THE BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION, THE CATEGORIALS THIS IS THE END NUMBER, THE END NET IMPACT OF THOSE CHANGES. WITH THE HOUSE PROPOSAL WE'RE
LOOKING AT A SHORTFALL OF 11 MILLION DOLLARS. AND UNDER THE SENATE PROPOSAL IT IS A SHORTFALL OF FIVE MILLION. >> WOULD IT BE PROHIBITED TO AMEND THE SLIDE THEN TO INCLUDE WHATEVER SLIDES SHE WAS
REFERRING TO SO WHEN PERSONS IF THEY CHOOSE TO REVIEW THIS THEY HAVE THE FULL EXPLANATION HOW WE REACHED THE 11.5? >> WE NOW THAT IT'S BEING DISCUSSED IN THE PUBLIC IF THAT IS THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD TO HAVE THOSE INCLUDED, AND IT'S ON
THE RECORD WE CAN DO THAT. >> Edwin Ferguson: DO WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH ADDING THOSE SUPPLEMENTING THIS SLIDE WITH THE OTHER TWO SLIDES THAT MS. FREDERICK MENTIONED WERE USED WHICH LAYOUT HOW WE GOT TO THE DEFICIT OF 11.5. DOES ANYONE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH
ADDING THOSE. >> Karen Brill: I DON'T SEE ANY ISSUES. >> Edwin Ferguson: I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE TRANSPARENT AND COMMUNICATE AS FULLY AS WE CAN WITH OTHER PARTIES OUTSIDE OF THE ROOM. THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT CONSIDERATION. AND THEN MS. FREDERICK, I JUST WANT TO WRAP UP THIS
CONVERSATION AS ALWAYS GREAT PRESENTATION TO YOU AND THE TEAM. SLIDE 5. SO I'M NOT AS GOOD WITH NUMBERS AS YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY AND YOUR TEAM. I UNDERSTAND THAT WE PROJECT THE
40.9 MILLION SHORTFALL BASED ON THE 11.5 MILLION DEFICIT. IF THE HOUSE'S PROPOSAL IS THE LAW OF THE LAND SHALL WE SAY. BUT THEN BENEATH THAT WHERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ADJUSTED PROJECTED SURPLUS, I'M SORRY.
HOW DO WE GET TO THE 91,719 WHERE YOU HAVE THE 23 MILLION AND 2-AND-A-HALF AND 10 AND 5. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT TO ME? >> THOSE ARE THE ADJUSTMENTS MADE IN ORDER TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. WE HAD A SHORTFALL OF 40.9 MILLION AS A RESULT OF STARTING
WITH THE HOUSE PROPOSAL. OF 11.5 MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT. I THEN HAVE TO ADD IN THAT WE NEED WITHIN AT THAT TIME 11.5 MILLION DEFICIT I HAVE TO SET ASIDE 6 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THAT TEACHER COMPENSATION CATEGORIAL SO THAT HAS TO BE SET ASIDE
THOUGH WE ARE STARTING WITH LESS MONEY. WE ALSO HAVE TO INCREASE OUR HEALTH PREMIUMS BECAUSE WE HAD THAT CONTRACTUAL INCREASE IN HEALTH PREMIUMS THAT IS GOING TO INCREASE THE DEFICIT THAT WE HAVE. EVEN THOUGH WE'RE SEEING A REDUCTION OF 11.5 MILLION, WE
ACTUALLY SINCE THE HOUSE IS INCLUDING VOUCHERS WITHIN THEIR TOTAL REVENUE WE HAVE TO INCREASE THE BOARD CONTINGENCY THAT IS WHY THERE IS AN INCREASE OF $2 MILLION WE HAVE TO ADJUST TO THE BUDGET. EVEN THOUGH THE STATE IS PROJECTING A DECREASE IN OUR PROJECTED ENROLLMENT WE
PROJECTED ENROLLMENT TO BE FLAT SO WE HAD ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND TEACHERS THAT WE ALLOCATED OUT TO SCHOOLS. THAT'S AN ADDITIONAL $3.3 MILLION. THE IMPACTS OF THE CHANGES IN DEPARTMENTS IS 400,000. THAT IS RELATED TO CONTRACTUAL
INCREASES BETWEEN SOFTWARE AND OTHER CONTRACTUAL INCREASES. WE LIMITED WE ARE NOT HAVING ANY INCREASE IN POSITIONS OR STAFFING. WE WANTED TO KEEP IT AS LOW AS POSSIBLE. THEN WE HAVE THE IMPACT OF THE CHANGES FOR EXPANDING THE BAND AND ATHLETICS PILOT THAT IS 4
MILLION. AND THEN THE SALARY SETTLEMENT IS 4 MILLION ALL OF THAT THAT 29 MILLION NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THAT 11 MILLION SHORTFALL TO SHOW THE 40.9 MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT THAT WE ARE FACING. OF THAT 40.9 MILLION I NEED TO
BALANCE THE BUDGET. SO 23 MILLION OF THAT IS BEING ALLOCATED OUT TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS TO REDUCE THE FUNDING THAT THEY RECEIVE FOR THE ADD-ON FTE. AND THAT IS GOING TO BE A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE TO THOSE HIGH SCHOOLS TO DEAL WITH.
SOME OF THOSE HIGH SCHOOLS DO HAVE SOME CARRY OVER FUNDS THAT ARE GOING TO HELP THEM THIS UP COMING YEAR. OTHERS DON'T HAVE AS MUCH FLEXIBILITY. SO WHETHER IT'S GOING TO BE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR THEM IN 26 IT'S GOING TO BE A
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN 27 AND GOING FORWARD. SO WE DON'T TAKE THIS LIGHTLY. BUT WE ALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS DIRECTLY TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS SO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE BEING REDUCED BY 50% WE HAVE TO ALLOCATE THAT REDUCTION DIRECTLY TO THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN
RECEIVING THAT FUNDING. NOW THAT 40.9 MILLION IS REDUCED BY 23 MILLION BECAUSE THE HIGH SCHOOLS I'M NOT SAYING THE DISTRICT IS NOT ABSORBING IT BUT IT'S BEING ALLOCATED TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS. THEN WE HAVE I HAD TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT ALL OF THE SET
ASIDES THAT WE HAVE. SO FOR EVERY YEAR WE ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR HURRICANES. WE MAKE SURE AND THIS IS JUST WITHIN OUR GENERAL FUND SO WE CAN ACT QUICKLY WHEN THERE IS AN APPROACHING STORM. AND WE SET ASIDE NORMALLY $5
MILLION EACH YEAR. BUT WE HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING WITHIN THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND. I REDUCED THE NORMAL RESERVE THAT I'VE HAD SET ASIDE FROM 5 MILLION TO 2.5 MILLION AND BECAUSE THAT IS GOING TO JUST BE GETTING US STARTED ON DEBRIS
REMOVAL AND DIFFERENT ASPECTS I FELT COMFORTABLE REDUCING THAT RESERVE. LOOKED AT OTHER RESERVES AND SET ASIDES THAT WE HAVE. I ALWAYS SET FUNDING ASIDE FOR ADJUSTMENTS COME THE 11TH DAY OF SCHOOL. AS WELL AS THE PRORATED HOLD BACK.
THE REASON FOR THE COUNT DAY RESERVE ARE WE GOING TO ALLOCATE RESOURCES TO SCHOOLS ON THAT 11TH DAY OF SCHOOL? I NEED TO MAKE SURE I HAVE FUNDING SET ASIDE TO ADJUST FOR THAT AND THE PRORATED HOLD BACK IS WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FEFP, THE FLORIDA EDUCATION FINANCE
PROGRAM IS BASED ON A SET NUMBER OF PROJECTED STUDENTS. IF THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS STATE-WIDE COME IN HIGHER THAN WHAT THE STATE PROJECTED, THEY REDUCE OUR FUNDING. IS WHAT THEY DID. AND SO WE ALWAYS SET ASIDE MONEY IN ORDER TO ADJUST IF THERE IS
WHAT WE CALL A PRORATED HOLD BACK BECAUSE THEY END UP REDUCING THE PER STUDENT FUNDING. THE EXPANSION OF THE VOUCHER PROGRAM, THE LEGISLATURE SET ASIDE A $250 MILLION STATE-WIDE RESERVE. SO IF THE REASON FOR THAT
PROJECTED OVERAGE IS A RESULT DIRECTLY TO VOUCHERS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, THEY WILL DIP INTO THAT 250 MILLION DOLLARS IN ORDER TO KEEP US WHOLE. AND SO I DIDN'T NEED TO IF WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THAT RESERVE AND WITH THE HOUSE PROPOSAL THEY
WOULD BECAUSE THEY ARE INCLUDING VOUCHERS WITHIN THE HOUSE PROPOSAL THE SENATE IS NOT, THEN I FELT COMFORTABLE REDUCING THAT NORMAL SET ASIDE THAT I HAD. SET ASIDE PREVIOUSLY. FOR THE COUNT DAY WHAT WAS DIFFERENT THIS YEAR THAN ANY
OTHER YEAR IS THAT THE STATE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ED OR THE STATE PROJECTED THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A DECLINE IN ENROLLMENT. WE PROJECTED OUR ENROLLMENT WAS GOING TO BE FLAT. WE ALREADY ALLOCATED OUT ALL OF THOSE UNITS TEACHERS POSITIONS IF ENROLLMENT COMES IN AT WHAT
WE THINK WE'RE DIAGNOSE TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL REVENUE. SO THAT IS WHY I FELT COMFORTABLE REDUCING THAT SET ASIDE BECAUSE WE ARE IN A UNIQUE POSITION THIS YEAR. AND THE LAST WAS RELATED TO THE FRINGE BENEFIT RATE. AND I GO BACK AND LOOK AT OUR
FRINGE BENEFIT RATE EACH YEAR AND WHAT HAS BEEN UNIQUE I HAVE TO SAY IT HAS BEEN UNIQUE THE PAST IN ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT SCENARIOS BUT WITH OUR FRS WE HAD NO INCREASE LAST YEAR. WE BUDGETED FOR AN INCREASE THERE WAS NO INCREASE. AND AS A RESULT OF THAT, EVEN
THOUGH THERE WAS AN INCREASE THIS YEAR WE WERE ABLE TO ABSORB THE INCREASE IN WHAT WE BUDGETED LAST YEAR WITH A SLIGHT REDUCTION. BY MAKING THOSE CHANGES, THE BUDGET IS BALANCED. BUT THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE ANYTHING ADDITIONAL FOR ANY SALARY CONSIDERATIONS.
WHAT I'M HOPEFUL THAT THE HOUSE BUDGET PROPOSAL IS THE WORST CASE SCENARIO THAT IT IS GOING TO COME IN BETTER THAN THE HOUSE PROPOSAL. AND WHAT I DISCUSSED WITH THE BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND WHAT THEY AGREED IS THAT ANYTHING THAT COMES IN OVER AND ABOVE THIS WHAT WE HAVE SET
ASIDE, WILL GO TO SALARY COMPENSATION. >> Edwin Ferguson: TO FOLLOW-UP ON THAT. IF THINGS STAY AS THEY ARE GOING INTO 26, 27, WOULD IT BE REASONABLE FOR US TO EXPECT THAT THE ADJUSTED PROJECTED SURPLUS WOULD BE IN THE RED NEXT YEAR
SINCE YOU WON'T HAVE THE SAME NUMBERS THAT YOU BANKED ON THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO USE? >> NO. BECAUSE THESE ARE RECURRING -- THINGS THAT I BUDGET FOR EVERY YEAR. >> Edwin Ferguson: FOR HOW MANY YEARS OUT? >> PREVIOUSLY. THESE ARE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET IN
PREVIOUS YEARS. >> Edwin Ferguson: FORGIVE ME IT'S NOT MY STRONG SUIT BUT I'M NOT AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS. HIGH SCHOOLS WILL BEAR THE IMPACT OF THE REDUCTION AND ADD-ON FTE, IBIC THAT IS A NEW THING? >> IT'S RECURRING.
IT'S RECURRING SO THESE ARE WILL ALL BE RECURRING. SO WE WILL NOT BE FACING ANOTHER SHORTFALL NEXT YEAR THAT WE HAVE TO MAKEUP. >> Edwin Ferguson: WE WON'T? >> WE ARE NOT USING ONE TIME FUNDS. >> Mike Burke: CLARIFY. NEXT YEAR IS AN UNKNOWN.
THE LEGISLATURE HAS NOT DEVELOPED A BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR YET. WE COULD HAVE A SHORTFALL BUT IT WOULD BE DUE TO MAYBE STATE BUDGET OR ENROLLMENT FLUCTUATIONS BUT MS. FREDERICK IS EXPLAINING THE ADJUSTMENTS MADE TO GET US BALANCED ARE
RECURRING IN NATURE THE LOSS TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS THAT IS A NEW STATE OF AFFAIRS. THEY WILL GET 50% OF WHAT THEY RECEIVED PREVIOUSLY AND THAT WILL BE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE IT WON'T BE WE HAVE TO KEEP CUTTING 23 MILLION WE'LL TAKE THE HIT THIS YEAR AND RIGHT SIZE AND
ADJUST TO THE REVENUE WE RECEIVE AND THEN WE MOVE FORWARD. AND WE'RE BALANCED. >> Edwin Ferguson: THAT WAS MY POORLY PHRASED QUESTION I WANTED TO KNOW SHOULD WE EXPECT TO HAVE AN ADJUSTED PROJECTED SHORTFALL
NEXT YEAR? IT'S HARD TO SAY I WILL ACCEPT THAT. >> Mike Burke: SCHOOL BOARD IS REQUIRED TO BALANCE THE BUDGET EVERY YEAR WE'RE DIFFERENT THAN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. WHAT MS. FREDERICK PREPARED SHE HAS US BALANCED WE DON'T HAVE RESERVE FOR SALARY
CONSIDERATIONS. THAT IS NOT GOOD. THIS TIME LAST YEAR WE HAD A RESERVE ESTABLISHED. WE WILL BALANCE EACH AND EVERY YEAR. AND NEXT YEAR WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT THE LEGISLATURE BRINGS US AND HOW WE'RE DOING WITH ENROLLMENT AND CONTAINING OUR COSTS AND OUR SALARY
NEGOTIATIONS BECAUSE ALL THESE THINGS BOIL DOWN TO A BUDGET SHORTFALL. >> Edwin Ferguson: I UNDERSTAND THAT AND ME BEING AN ATTORNEY WHEN I SEE SHORTFALL IT MAKES ME THINK IT'S POSSIBLE TO BE IN THE RED BUT LEGALLY WE WILL NOT BE IN THE RED THEN I GUESS FOR
THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE LINEAR MAYBE WE REMOVE THE SHORTFALL WE ALWAYS HAVE TO BE AT ZERO OR SLIGHTLY IN THE BLACK IF I UNDERSTOOD YOU CORRECTLY. >> Mike Burke: YES, SIR THAT IS CORRECT.
AND I WILL OFFER THIS IS THE BEST PROJECTION RIGHT NOW. WE'LL HAVE TWO BUDGET HEARINGS ONE IN LATE JULY AND EARLY SEPTEMBER AND THAT SEPTEMBER FINAL BUDGET OPTION IS THE ONE THAT REALLY COUNTS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE COMPLETELY BALANCED. >> Edwin Ferguson: AS ALWAYS
GREAT PRESENTATION. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. >> Karen Brill: I WILL MOVE US BACK TO A COMMENT YOU MADE ABOUT THE CAPITAL BUDGET NOT FACING THE SAME CHALLENGES AS A BOARD WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE NEW PROJECTS AND THE PROJECT MODIFICATIONS FOR ME THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM IS THE
IMPACT OF THOSE TARIFFS ON CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL. I REMEMBER A FEW YEARS BACK WHEN IT WAS HARD TO GET CEMENT. I THINK WE MIGHT SEE SOME OF THAT BY THE TIME SEPTEMBER ROLLS AROUND WE WILL SEE A LOT OF CHANGE ORDERS I THINK WE HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON THAT. BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF
MATERIALS THAT WE JUST DON'T MAKE IN THIS COUNTRY. AND YOU KNOW, YOU SEE THE VACILLATION IN THE MARKET. WE KNOW THAT IT COULD ALSO AFFECT OUR CAPITAL BUDGET. SO I JUST THROWING THAT OUT THERE. MS. WHITFIELD YOU ARE NEXT. >> Erica Whitfield: THANK YOU.
I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ACE IB PROGRAM THE FUNDING WITH THAT. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IT BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE IT'S WHEN I TALK TO FAMILIES THIS IS THE THING THAT DRAWS THEM TO PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS IS THE FACT WE'RE ABLE
TO GIVE SUCH AN AMAZING HEADSTART IN COLLEGE TO BE ABLE TO SEND YOUR KIDS FROM HIGH SCHOOL INTO COLLEGE WITH 30 PLUS, 40 PLUS CREDIT HOURS IT REALLY MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE. I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE HIT THAT
THIS DISTRICT COULD TAKE. BECAUSE I THINK THAT AS WE'RE GOING FORWARD DEALING WITH THE WAY THAT THE STATE HAS BEEN TREATING US WITH FUNDING, IT REALLY DEPENDS HOW MANY STUDENTS WE GET. AND WE WILL LOSE STUDENTS WHEN THE FAMILIES REALIZE THAT WE CAN
NO LONGER PROVIDE THIS SERVICE. I'M GLAD TO HEAR YOU SEEM TO HAVE FIGURED OUT HOW TO MITIGATE FOR A YEAR BUT THE IMPACT WOULD BE IN 2027 YOU ARE THINKING? >> NO. WE WILL STILL OFFER IT ADVANCED COURSE WORK. IT'S JUST THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT IS GOING TO BE ALLOCATED TO
THE HIGH SCHOOLS IS LESS THAN WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN RECEIVING. SO THE HIGH SCHOOLS ARE STILL RECEIVING THE SAME ALLOCATION THROUGH THEIR BASIC ALLOCATION. THERE IS -- THERE SHOULD BE FOR MOST SCHOOLS ENOUGH FUNDING THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE IN ORDER TO COVER THE
COST OF THE TESTS AND THE COST OF THE BONUSES THAT ARE REQUIRED PER STATUTE BUT THEY DID HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO USE THOSE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR ADDITIONAL TEACHERS, ADDITIONAL EXTRA PERIOD SUPPLEMENTS. SO YES IS IT GOING TO BE CHALLENGING? IT WILL BE CHALLENGING FOR THE
SCHOOLS BECAUSE IT IS LESS FLEXIBILITY THAN THEY'VE HAD PREVIOUSLY. BUT THEY STILL WILL BE OFFERING THOSE COURSES. >> Erica Whitfield: I WORRY THAT OVER TIME THIS WILL LEAD TO A CONTRACTION OF THE AMOUNT OF KIDS TAKING THE CLASSES RATHER THAN THE EXPANSION WE HAVE BEEN
WORKING TOWARDS IN THE PAST. THAT IS WHERE MY CONCERN COMES IN. AND I DO THINK THIS IS SHOULD BE OUR NUMBER ONE WORRY ABOUT THIS BUDGET IS THAT WE CAN'T PROVIDE THE SAME SERVICES AT THE SAME LEVEL THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING AND THAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL CHILDREN WITHIN OUR SCHOOL
SYSTEM WITHIN SOME OF MY SCHOOLS I'VE BEEN PUSHING TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF SERVICES THAT WE HAVE FOR COLLEGE CREDIT HOURS AND SO THIS JUST WORRIES ME. I'M GLAD YOU PUT IT INTO THE BUDGET YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IT. THIS SHOULD BE TOP PRIORITY FOR
OUR LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE TO BE WORRIED ABOUT. AND I KNOW TO BRING IT UP WHEN WE WERE TALKING TO THEM BUT HOPEFULLY MS. WYATT CAN BRING IT BACK TO THEM THAT THIS IS GOING TO CHANGE THE SHAPE OF WHAT PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOLS LOOKS LIKE IF WE DON'T GET THE FUNDING WE
NEED. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: Mr. BURKE WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT. >> Mike Burke: I WOULD LIKE TO SAY WE SHARE YOUR CONCERN AND WE'RE WORKING TO MITIGATE IT. WE HAVE BEEN IN CONVERSATION WITH OUR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS. OUR DISTRICT IS HIT THE HARDEST FINANCIALLY BECAUSE WE HAVE
OUTPERFORMED THE OTHER 66 DISTRICTS. WE ARE A LEADER IN THIS SPACE WITH ACE AND AP AND IB AND WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE THAT. OUR ACADEMIC TEAM WE HAVE SAT DOWN WITH ACE CAMBRIDGE TO RECOGNIZE THIS NEW FINANCIAL REALITY AND SEE HOW THEY MAYBE
ABLE TO WORK WITH US TO REDUCE THEIR COSTS. AND THEN WE WILL WORK WITH OUR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS. THERE IS A FINANCIAL REALITY THE SCHOOLS HAVE TO GET BY WITH LESS. AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MONITOR THE MASTER SCHEDULES TO MAKE SURE WE ARE AFFORDING THE OPPORTUNITIES TO AS MANY
STUDENTS AS POSSIBLE. >> Marcia Andrews: AND THANK YOU Mr. FREDERICK AND YOUR TEAM Mr. SANCHEZ AND MS. EVANS BUT WE ARE IN DIFFICULT TIMES RIGHT NOW AND WE THINK ABOUT HIRING FREEZES AND THE ABILITY NOT TO
HAVE THE PROGRAMS THAT MAKE PALM BEACH COUNTY GREAT ACE IB AND HONORS PROGRAMS CUT THIS IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE STATE. WE ARE IN A NEW DAY NOW AND WHEN WE THINK ABOUT OUR SALARY INCREASES THAT IS A BIG DEAL. WE HAVE TO BEGIN TO COMMUNICATE TO OUR EMPLOYEES BECAUSE ALL OF THIS IS GOING TO BE HITTING
THEM. THEY ARE LISTENING TO US THIS EVENING BUT IT IS A BIG DEAL AND WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. JULY 1 EVERYONE HAS TO BE IN PLACE IN TALLAHASSEE WITH A BUDGET. BUT WE DON'T KNOW HOW WE ARE GOING TO LOOK. IT'S NOT A GOOD TIME TO PLAY
AROUND WITH ANY MONEY NOT AT THE STATE LEVEL OR FEDERAL LEVEL BUT IT IS OUT OF OUR CONTROL WE HAVE TO DO THE BEST WE CAN. AND WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO GREAT THINGS BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE LOOKS LIKE. SOMETHING IS GOOD OUT OF THIS AND I THINK Mr. BURKE OUR SUPERINTENDENT BURQAS WELL AS
Mr. SANCHEZ AND THE TEAM OUT HERE, WE'VE ACTUALLY DONE QUITE WELL WITH OUR CAPITAL BUDGET. AND I KNOW THINGS WE'VE ALREADY VOTED ON FOR THOSE MODIFICATIONS AND NEW BUILDINGS FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY LIKE OUR TRANSPORTATION
FACILITIES ALL THAT MONEY IS ALREADY IN PLACE. SO AT LEAST WE HAVE THOSE THINGS AND AS I LOOK AT THIS BUDGET RIGHT NOW FOR THE CAPITAL, THE MASTER PLAN FOR CROSSROADS ACADEMY I'M SO HAPPY FOR THAT. WHEN WE LOOK AT ALL OF OUR
ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS NOW THEY WILL ALL BE UPGRADED AND UP-TO-DATE WITH FOR THIS MASTER PLAN FOR CROSSROADS ACADEMY GOING TO WEST TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER. WHEN WE LOOK AT ROOSEVELT AND
LOOK AT THE OTHER FACILITIES ALL AROUND THE DELRAY FULL SERVICE WHEN WE LOOK AT JUST EVERYTHING THAT DEALS WITH OUR CAREER PROGRAMS OUR ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS. ROOSEVELT AND ALL THE WORKS WE GOT THE MONEY IN PLACE FOR THAT. I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE ANY PROBLEMS WITH ANY OF
THOSE FUNDS IN THE CAPITAL THAT IS MY QUESTION. I'M FEELING GOOD IF WE LOCK THOSE MONIES DOWN. HAVE WE? >> YES, WE'VE LOCKED THAT MONEY DOWN. >> Marcia Andrews: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> Karen Brill: Mr. LANE.
>> Matthew Lane: IN TERMS OF THE ADD-ON FTE, I'VE BEEN SPEAKING TO OUR LEGISLATORS IN NORTH COUNTY, I WAS AT LUNCH AND SPENT 10 OR 15 MINUTES WITH REPRESENTATIVE GUR WIG TALKING ABOUT IT. I'VE SPOKEN MANY TIMES WITH
REPRESENTATIVE WEINBERGER. WHEN I SPEAK TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I'VE TOLD THEM ABOUT IT I'M TELLING EVERYONE THAT I CAN SEE ABOUT IT I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE ON THE BOARD TO DO THE SAME. WHEN PARENTS HEAR ABOUT IT, THEY ARE OUTRAGED. SPREAD THE WORD. I THINK THE WE HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY HERE BECAUSE THE BUDGET HASN'T BEEN LOCKED IN. SO LET'S SPEAK TO OUR FRIENDS AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT THIS. EVERYONE HERE SHAKES THEIR HEAD. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU Mr. LANE. Mr. FERGUSON. >> Edwin Ferguson: THANK YOU,
MADAM CHAIR. I WANT TO ASK SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, SO BOARD MEMBER WHITFIELD WAS DISCUSSING THE ISSUE THAT YOU AND I BRIEFLY SPOKE ABOUT IN REGARD TO THE LOST FUNDING IN REGARDS TO THE ACE OR THE AP
EXAMS HOW THAT CAN HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT IN TERMS FOR US TO PUSH STUDENTS INTO THOSE SPACES BECAUSE OF THE BENEFITS THEY CAN SECURE IN REGARD TO BRIGHT FUTURE SCHOLARSHIPS AND THE LIKE. ED FOUNDATION THAT IS OUR FUNDRAISING ARM IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, CORRECT?
IS THERE ANY -- WHAT IS THE FEASIBILITY OF ASKING THEM TO EXPAND THEIR FUNDRAISING WORLD SPECIFIC TO THE COVER THE FEES THAT OTHERWISE WILL FALL TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS BECAUSE SOME HAVE MORE IN RESERVES THAN OTHERS AND WE
DON'T WANT TO HAVE ANYONE MISSING OUT ON THE OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE THE THINGS COMING DOWN FROM TALLAHASSEE. WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT? >> Mike Burke: IT CAN'T HURT TO ASK. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LOSS OF 23 MILLION TO OUR HIGH SCHOOLS THAT WOULD BE A TALL ORDER FOR THE ED
FOUNDATION BASED ON THEIR ABILITY TO FUNDRAISE. THEY ARE RAISING $3 MILLION A YEAR. THEY HAD SUCCESS WITH THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO BUILD THE NEW FACILITY. BUT WE WOULD NEED A RECURRING REVENUE STREAM HERE AND ANYTHING THEY COULD DO TO PROVIDE A SAFETY NET FOR THE SCHOOLS THAT
WILL STRUGGLE THE MOST, I KNOW WE'VE MADE THE COMMITMENT THAT WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY SCHOOL CAN COVER THE COST OF THOSE EXAMS AND THE BONUSES. THERE WILL BE A HANDFUL OF HIGH SCHOOLS THAT DON'T ENJOY THE BIG REVENUE NUMBERS. AND WE MAY HAVE TO SHORE THEM UP
THAT WOULD BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION WAS ABLE TO HELP. >> Edwin Ferguson: I WAS THINKING BY ALMA MATER SUNCOAST HAVE THEIR SEPARATE FOUNDATION AND THERE ARE OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS THAT HAVE FOUNDATIONS THAT RAISE FUNDS SPECIFIC TO THEIR SCHOOLS. MIGHT NOT IT BE PRUDENT FOR US
TO EDUCATE THOSE HIGH SCHOOLS THAT DO NOT HAVE FOUNDATIONS, SO THAT THEY CAN ON THEIR OWN RAISE FUNDS IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT IN TERMS OF THE BUSINESS MAYBE THEY CAN RAISE MONEY THAT WILL HELP DEFRAY THE MONEY THAT WILL FALL
TO US TO PAY TO COVER THE SHORTFALLS? >> Mike Burke: MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE YOUR FORMER SUGGESTION THAT WE USE THE ED FOUNDATION TO DO IT ON A GLOBAL DISTRICT WIDE BASIS. THEY CAN FUNDRAISE ACROSS PALM BEACH COUNTY AND THEN DIRECT THE MONEY WHERE IT'S NEEDED.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S REALISTIC FOR OUR HIGH SCHOOLS TO CREATE A FOUNDATION NOR WOULD I ENCOURAGE THAT. BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF RED TAPE. IT DOES CREATE ACCOUNTING CHALLENGES. WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED OVER THE YEARS. WE HAVE NOT BEEN PROMOTING THAT.
>> Edwin Ferguson: I APPRECIATE AND RESPECT THAT. I UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING THAT YOU ARE SAYING JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT BEEN DOING IT DOESN'T MEAN WE SHOULDN'T. I KNOW FOR A FACT MY ALMA MATER HAS A ROBUST FOUNDATION AND I BELIEVE THERE ARE A FEW SCHOOLS I FEEL WEST BOCA HAS A
FOUNDATION. IT DOESN'T MATTER THERE ARE HIGH SCHOOLS THAT HAVE IT AND THEY SEEM TO BE WORKING JUST FINE THERE. I'M CONFIDENT I DON'T THINK THE PEOPLE RUNNING THOSE FOUNDATIONS ARE SMARTER THAN PEOPLE IN OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTY.
SO TO THE EXTENT THAT THE FOUNDATION DOES NOT HAVE THE BAND W WHAT I'M SAYING IS LET'S THINK AHEAD. I DON'T WANT TO ALWAYS BE CHASING IT. THERE IS A WAY FOR US TO GET IN FRONT OF IT BY SHARING THE INFORMATION COMMUNICATING TO THE
OTHER SCHOOLS HEY THERE IS A SHORTFALL AND IF YOU CREATE A FOUNDATION, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP ENSURE THAT THERE IS NOT A RISK THAT SAY STUDENT AT SCHOOL X IS NOT ABLE TO TAKE THE AP EXAM BECAUSE THE SCHOOL DOES NOT
HAVE THE MONEY THE WAY WE'VE BEEN SUBSIDIZING THE TESTS UP UNTIL NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AS MANY IF NOT MORE STUDENTS WITH THE CAPABILITIES OF TAKING THESE TESTS FREE OF CHARGE MOVING FORWARD. AGAIN I'M NOT THE NUMBERS PERSON
BUT I KNOW THERE IS AN ANSWER OUT THERE AND I THINK WE SHOULD BE PUSHING TOWARDS THE HIGHER MARK. SUPERINTENDENT, I AGREE IF AND I'M SPEAKING FOR MYSELF HERE OBVIOUSLY. TO THE EXTENT THE ED FOUNDATION HAS THE BAND WITH TO HELP US
RAISE THAT 23 MILLION, KUDOS. BUT IF THERE'S ANY RESERVATION OR INABILITY TO DO SO I THINK WE NEED TO PIVOT IMMEDIATELY AND REACH OUT TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS AND HOPEFULLY WE HAVE PRINCIPALS AND OTHER PARTIES WHO ARE ABLE TO HELP FACILITATE THE CREATION AND SUSTAIN.
OF FOUNDATIONS AT ANY SCHOOL THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO COVER THE SHORTFALLS.
SECONDLY IS THERE ANY FINANCIAL IMPACT TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WHEN WE SETUP SAY A COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM AT A GIVEN SCHOOL? WOULD THERE BE AN IMPACT? AND IT THE PROGRAM WOULD BE UPON GRADUATING YOU HAVE YOUR HIGH
SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND YOUR AA? >> IF YOU ARE ASKING ABOUT A DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAM, DUAL ENROLLMENT WE HAVE TO PAY IT'S -- WE RECEIVE THE FUNDING FROM THE STATE AND WE PAY THE COLLEGE THAT THEY ATTEND FOR THE COLLEGE
CREDIT COURSES. SO IT'S PASSED THROUGH. >> Edwin Ferguson: A NET ZERO IN TERMS OF IMPACT TO OUR BUDGET? WE DON'T END UP PAYING? I'M HOPING I'M USING THE RIGHT TERM. >> IT SHOULD WE DO HAVE
NEGOTIATED CONTRACTS WITH PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE FOR THOSE STUDENTS THAT ENROLL WE PASS THROUGH WE HAVE A FEE THAT WE PAY. AND WE ALSO HAVE TO PAY FOR THE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ANY OF THE TEXTBOOKS WE HAVE TO PAY FOR
THAT AS WELL. >> Edwin Ferguson: I'M FEELING MY QUESTION HASN'T BEEN ANSWERED YET. IS THERE A FINANCIAL IMPACT? IF WE HAVE A SCHOOL AND WE SAY WE WANT TO START A DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAM AT THAT SCHOOL WOULD THERE BE AN ADDITIONAL COST NET COST TO THE
DISTRICT? BY OPENING SAID SCHOOL? >> THEY HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY. >> I WOULD SAY IT DEPENDS ON THE SIZE AND SCOPE OF THE PROGRAM. IF THEORETICALLY IF WE COULD ELIMINATE SOME OF OUR TEACHING
POSITIONS AND THEY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE "X" NUMBER OF SECTIONS OF DUAL ENROLL. IF WE'RE GOING TO LAYER THIS ON TOP OF A SCHOOL THAT WANTS TO RETAIN THE FACULTY AND EVERYTHING THEY HAVE AND WANT TO SOMETHING ON TOP THAT IS WHERE
YOU WOULD START TO EXPERIENCE ADDITIONAL COSTS. >> Edwin Ferguson: THANK YOU. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THAT SEEMS TO BE IT. WE CAN MOVE ON. >> Mike Burke: THANK YOU BUDGET TEAM. AND THAT WILL BRING US TO OUR STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE. AND WE'RE GOING TO WELCOME CHIEF
OF STAFF JAMIE WYATT AND ADAM MILLER CHIEF OF PERFORMANCE ACCOUNTABILITY AND OUR DIRECT
SHORE OF STRATEGY MANAGEMENT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON AGAIN. WE ARE EXCITED TO BRING SOME
GOOD NEWS TO THE BOARD AS WE SHOUT-OUT OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN YEAR 3 OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN. OUR MISSION STATEMENT AND VISION STATEMENT ARE EMBEDDED THROUGH OUR OUR STRATEGIC PLAN. ON THIS SLIDE YOU WILL SEE OUR FOUR STRATEGIC PLAN THEMES AND
THEY ARE ALSO EMBEDDED THROUGHOUT THIS PRESENTATION. THIS SLIDE IS A MAP OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN WHICH MANY OF YOU HAVE SEEN BEFORE YOU KNOW ACROSS THE TOP IN THE BLUE OUR THEMES LISTED BELOW ARE THE OBJECTIVES AND INITIATIVES BUT I WANT TO DRAW YOUR EYES TO THE RIGHT SIDE
OF THE MAP TO THE COMMITTED IMPACTFUL EMPLOYEES THEME IN THE GREEN BOX IS A NEW INITIATIVE THIS YEAR AND INITIATIVE D1C AND WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THAT LATER ON IN THE PRESENTATION. LAST YEAR, VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS
SUGGESTED A LIVE DOCUMENT TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING ACROSS THE DISTRICT INCLUDING HIGHLIGHTS. WE TOOK THAT FEEDBACK AND CREATED A STRATEGIC PLAN IN THE PORTAL AND THE NAME OF THAT IS INITIATIVES AND ACTION CALENDAR OF EVENTS SO YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE IN REALTIME THE EVENTS THAT
ARE OCCURRING THROUGH THE STRATEGIC PLAN INCLUDING OUR COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT FEEDBACK. AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO JUMP INTO THE INITIATIVES THEME A ACT ACAC EXCELLENCE AND GROWTH.
I WANT TO ORIENTED YOU TO THE LAYOUT ON THIS SLIDE BECAUSE ALL OF OUR INITIATIVES WILL FOLLOW THE SAME FORMAT. WILL YOU SEE ACROSS THE TOP THE THEME UNDERNEATH THAT THE OBJECTIVE, UNDERNEATH THAT THE INITIATIVE WHERE WE WILL BE FOCUSING TODAY AND THEN THREE BUCKETS OUTLINING THE PROJECTS
THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND THE NEXT STEPS. WE ARE NOT GOING TO READ EVERY BULLET TO YOU AND READ EVERY LINE AND WE WILL SUMMARIZE THE MOST IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS FOR EACH INITIATIVE. BUT IN SAYING THAT I WOULD SAY THAT THIS FIRST INITIATIVE IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT INITIATIVE
TO THE BOARD AND THIS IS A1A, TO ENSURE CONSISTENT AND EFFECTIVE LITERACY INSTRUCTION IN EVERY PRE-K THROUGH THIRD GRADE CLASSROOM I WILL TAKE MORE TIME ON THIS SLIDE. THIS YEAR THE FOCUS OF STRENGTHENING OUR K2 LITERACY
MODEL WAS AROUND PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN OUR K2 CLASSROOMS FOR OUR TEACHERS, OUR TEACHERS OUR READING COACHES AND OUR ADMINISTRATORS. WEAN CONTINUED OUR RELATIONSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CENTER
FOR LEARNING OUT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA. AND THAT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REALLY FOCUSED AROUND THE SCIENCE OF READING AND THE SMALL GROUP FRAMEWORK FOR TEACHING SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION. OUR PRE-K STUDENTS ACTUALLY ARE USING A PROGRAM CALLED MY
READING ACADEMY WHICH IS ALSO GROUNDED IN THE SCIENCE OF READING. WE ARE SEEING AN ALIGNMENT FROM PRE-K THROUGH THIRD GRADE. AND IN ADDITION, WE'RE VERY HYPER FOCUSED ON OUR CORE PHONICS INSTRUCTION AND WE THAT'S WHAT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS
IN K2 GET AND THE GROUP PORTION OF THE READING BLOCK AND SO WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO OUR SCHOOLS AND PROVIDED ONE OF TWO RESEARCH BASED PROGRAMS YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THEM IF YOU'VE BEEN TRAVELING TO YOUR SCHOOLS.
FOR THE CORE PHONICS PROGRAM AND WE'VE PROVIDED THE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND THE RESOURCES TO GO ALONG WITH IT. WE ARE REALLY HAPPY WITH THE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING THAT HAS OCCURRED. IN ADDITION OUR LITERACY COACHES I THINK 18 OF THEM RECEIVED THEIR LITERACY COACH ENDORSEMENT WHICH IS DIFFERENT FROM THE
READING ENDORSEMENT BECAUSE WE ARE BUILDING A GROUP OF LEADERS THAT ARE ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING TO TEACHERS THERE IN THE CLASSROOM. AND THUS BATTLE OUT THAT PIPELINE OF LITERACY LEADERS.
ADDING ON 16 MORE SCHOOLS TO THE K2 COHORT AND THAT LEADS ME TO WHERE WE'RE GOING. WE'VE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH WHAT TO CALL THESE SCHOOLS IN THE MODEL. LAST YEAR WE HAD SCHOOLS AND CALLED THEM SCHOOLS RECEIVING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRAIGHT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA WE HAD SCHOOLS ADDED ON
RECEIVING THE SAME TYPE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BUT THROUGH OUR DISTRICT SPECIALISTS. WE DECIDED IT IS TIME TO REBRAND THIS BECAUSE WE HAVE OVER HALF OF OUR SCHOOLS IMPLEMENTING OR PART OF THIS MODEL AND SO WE HAVE REBRANDED THEM TO CALL THEM
THE PALM BEACH EARLY LITERACY INITIATIVE. AND RIGHT NOW OUR ACADEMIC TEAM IS MEETING ONE-ON-ONE WITH EACH SCHOOL TO SAY WHAT IS GOING WELL, WHAT WERE YOUR CHALLENGES AND WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR NEXT YEAR WHEN THE ACADEMIC TEAM PLANS OVER THE SUMMER THEY CAN
BE EXTREMELY STRATEGIC ABOUT THE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT THAT THEY WILL PROVIDE NEXT YEAR. THANK YOU FOR INDULGING ME ON THIS SLIDE. AND THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF THIS INITIATIVE IN ACTION.
INITIATIVE A1B IS ABOUT STRENGTHENING THE CAREER PATHWAY OPPORTUNITIES AND FOCUSING ON THE CHOICE PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE. PROGRAMMING. AND THIS YEAR WE WORKED WITH CONSULTANT ESG, EDUCATIONAL STRATEGY GROUP THANKS TO A GRANT THROUGH THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION.
TO CONDUCT AN ANALYSIS OF OUR CURRENT CHOICE AND CTE PROGRAMMING ENSURE WE WERE ENHANCING OUR CAREER PATHWAY OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS. WE JUST RECEIVED THE FINAL REPORT YESTERDAY. SO OUR TEAM THE INITIATIVE TEAM WILL BE UNPACKING THAT REPORT
AND THEN FROM THERE THEY WILL CREATE AND FINALIZE AN ACTION PLAN BASED UPON THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THAT REPORT AND UPON ITS COMPLETION WE WILL CERTAINLY SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH YOU. WHILE THIS ANALYSIS WAS GOING ON OUR INITIATIVE TEAM SECURED OVER
$4 MILLION IN GRANT MONEY AND INCREASED BUSINESS INDUSTRY AND PARTNERSHIPS. AND YOU WILL SEE THESE INDUSTRY TOURS AND PARTNERSHIPS THE TWO NEW ONES THE TOUR SERVICING SIX HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE PALM BEACH COUNTY FOOD BANK AND NICE TO SEE
THE CULINARY PROGRAM BEING ABLE TO VISIT THAT FOOD BANK. THIS IS THE SECOND PART OF INITIATIVE A1B WHICH IS STILL STRENGTHENING THOSE CAREER PATHWAY OPPORTUNITIES BUT FOCUSED AROUND OUR CTE EDUCATION AND FRED HAS DONE AN AMAZING
JOB. AS WELL AS Dr. FORD WHO WORKED HARD THIS YEAR TO WORK WITH THE ADULT ED TO SECURE THAT GRANT FOR $350,000 FOR NEW TRUCK, TWO TRAILERS AND SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FOR OTHER PROGRAMS OUT AT WEST TECH.
THE SECOND GRANT FROM THE NCCER NATIONAL CENTER FOR CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION AND RESEARCH SUPPORTED I WOULD SAY JUMP STARTED TWO CAREER PATHWAY COURSES ONE AT THE NEWLY BRANDED HISTORIC CARVER AND HVAC AND LAKE WORTH
HIGH SCHOOL WITH AN ELECTRICAL COURSE. AND UNDER THANKS TO THE LEADERSHIP OF SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, WE NOW HAVE OUR FIRST CAREER DUAL ENROLL. COURSE IN 30 YEARS AND THAT IS THE WELDING COURSE AT WEST TECH AND STUDENTS CAN EARN COLLEGE
CREDIT AND EARNING ACCELERATION POINTS. NEXT STEPS WILL BE LIKE MARKETING ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS AND MAKING SURE EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT THEM AND CONSIDERING THE FINDINGS FROM OUR ESG REPORT. I WANT TO LEAVE YOU STARTING A
NEW CAREER EXPLORATION IN HVAC FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SIMILAR TO THE CAN YOU DIG IT AND ARE YOU WIRED TO BE AN ELECTRICIAN HE IS TRYING TO COME UP WITH A FANCY NAME SO STAY TUNED. HERE ARE EXAMPLES OF THIS
INITIATIVE IN ACTION. ALL RIGHT INITIATIVE A2A THIS IS ABOUT INNOVATIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AN APPROACHES INCLUDING ACCELERATED OPTIONS, PROJECT BASED LEARNING AND ASSESS MANY. I WOULD SAY WE HAVE SEVERAL
DIFFERENT PROJECT BASED LEARNING MODELS WITHIN OUR DISTRICT AND THE GOAL WAS WE NEED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO THE MODELS AND PROVIDE THE RESOURCES NECESSARY FOR THE MODELS TO BE SUCCESSFUL. SO IN ADDITION THEY WANTED TO BRING THE LEADERS OF THOSE
MODELS TOGETHER TO BE ABLE TO AND THEY CALL IT A COP A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE AND BRINGING THEM TOGETHER TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES, SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES WHAT IS WORKING WELL AND INSPIRE EACH OTHER TO GO BACK TO THEIR OWN PROGRAMS AND IMPLEMENT NEW THINGS.
AS ALWAYS WE'VE POSTED OUR ROUNDTABLES TO CONTINUE WITH OUR ACCELERATION MODEL AND THINKING ABOUT NEXT YEAR WE WANT TO RECORD THOSE EXHIBITIONS SO WE HAVE EMILY SLOSBERG PECULIARS AS OTHERS DECIDE TO ADD-ON AND DO AN ANALYSIS TO SEE WHICH HAVE
THE MOST IMPACT ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT. HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE MODELS PBL WORKS IN ACTION. OKAY. INITIATIVE A3A WE FOCUSED ON THE
COLLABORATION WITH THE COMMUNITY TO ALIGN OUR LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS. THIS HAS BEEN A SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVE I HAVE TO SHOUT-OUT TO DIANA WHO HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB PARTNERING WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS. STUDENTS IN GRADES 3, 5, 6, 7,
11 AND 12 HAVE HAD MUTUAL TELL COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES FROM KRAF VITSZ CENTER, NATURE AND ARTS EXPERIENCES AND CAREER FAIR. NEXT YEAR LOOKING AT ADDING ON KINDERGARTEN AND 8TH GRADE AND TRYING TO SECURE VENUES FOR
STUDENTS IN GRADES ONE, 2 AND 4 FOR THE FOLLOWING SCHOOL YEAR. AND THIS IS AN EXAMPLES OF THE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES FROM THIS YEAR. AND WITH THAT WE CONCLUDE THEME
A AND I WILL PASS IT OVER TO YOU TO PRESENT ON THEME B STUDENT FOCUSED CULTURE. >> THANK YOU. INITIATIVE BHVMENT 1A IS
ESTABLISHING FORMAL STRUCTURES FOR STUDENTS TO NINES DECISIONS AT EACH SCHOOL AND THE DIX TRICK LEVEL. AS A DISTRICT WE HAVE MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS IN AMPLIFYING STUDENT VOICE AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY ACHIEVED TO HOST THE FUTURE FORUM WHICH IS A STUDENT LED CONFERENCE AND
THEY HAD OVER 300 PARTICIPANTS WHO ATTENDED THIS CONFERENCE. I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT NOW WE HAVE ADVISERS AND STUDENT VOICE COMMITTEES IN ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS. OUR NEXT STEP IS TO EXPAND THESE FORMAL STRUCTURES IN OUR SCHOOLS TO CONTINUE EMPOWERING ALL OF
OUR STUDENTS. THIS YEAR MARKS THE THIRD YEAR AS Mr. BURKE MENTIONED OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN AND THEREFORE WE HAVE FOUR INITIATIVES THAT ARE NOW IN THE CLOSING PHASE. THIS INITIATIVE IS ONE OF THEM. WHICH MEANS THAT IT'S NOW IN THE
OPERATION AND EMBEDDED IN OUR SYSTEM. HERE IS A SLIDE OF SOME OF THE STUDENT VOICE IN ACTION. INITIATIVE B2A CREATE A TAILORED
HUB TO HELP STUDENTS AND FAMILIES NAVIGATE DISTRICT PROCESSES. THIS IS BROKEN INTO TWO PARTS. THIS SLIDE IS SHOWING YOU THE WEBSITE. THE DISTRICT HAS SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONED ITS DIGITAL PLATFORMS FROM BLACKBOARD TO FINAL SITE AND HELP UPDATED OUR
SCHOOL WEBSITES TO NOW MEET NEW INTERNAL STANDARDS. MOVING FORWARD, THE INITIATIVE WILL CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT A SERVICE NOW VIRTUAL AGENT WHICH IS OTHERWISE CALLED A.I. CHAT BOTH IN DIFFERENT PHASES. THE CHAT BOT WILL AIM TO
AUTOMATE RESPONSES THAT ARE NON-HR INQUIRIES. AND THE SECOND PART OF THIS INITIATIVE IS ABOUT PARENT PORTAL. THIS IS A NEW PIECE FOR US BUT WE AIM TO PROVIDE A PORTAL WHERE FAMILIES CAN HAVE REAL ACCESS OR REALTIME ACCESS TO INFORMATION FROM THEIR SCHOOLS AND ALSO FROM
THEIR COMMUNITIES. IT IS A TOOL TO BUILD STRONG HOME AND SCHOOL CONNECTIONS. AND THE PORTAL IS SET TO LAUNCH IN JULY OF THIS YEAR. MOVE ON TO THEME C ABOUT MENTAL
HEALTH AND WELLNESS. INITIATIVE C1A IS IMPLEMENT A DISTRICT WIDE SYSTEM TO ENSURE EVERY STUDENT HAS A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH AT LEAST ONE ADULT ON CAMPUS. TO SUPPORT STUDENT WELL-BEING, WE ROLLED OUT THE TRUSTED ADULT
INITIATIVE DISTRICT WIDE THIS YEAR. AND BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM THE BOARD LAST YEAR, WE CREATED A TRUST ADULT DASHBOARD TO MONITOR AND PROVIDE SUPPORT TO SCHOOLS. WE ALSO CREATED THE TRUSTED ADULT FORUM IN THE STUDENT
PORTAL WHERE STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO IDENTIFY IF THEY HAVE A TRUSTED ADULT ON CAMPUS. ON THE NEXT TWO SLIDES I WILL SHOW YOU WHAT THE DASHBOARD LOOKS LIKE NOW OPERATIONAL AND ALSO SOME PICTURES OF THE INITIATIVE IN ACTION. AND THIS IS THE DASHBOARD WE
HAVE CREATED THAT ALLOWS US TO MONITOR AND PROVIDE SUPPORT TO SCHOOLS. AND THESE ARE SOME OF THE SCHOOLS EMBEDDED IN THE INITIATIVE IN THEIR SCHOOL CULTURE. INITIATIVE C2A IS ABOUT
COORDINATING SYSTEMS TO ASSESS NEEDS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. AND ALSO TO ALIGN WITH SOURCES. THIS INITIATIVE LAUNCHED THIS SCHOOL RESOURCE MAPPING QUALITY ASSESSMENT TOOL AND IT WAS RELEASED DISTRICT WIDE THIS YEAR
AFTER FIVE SCHOOL PILOT VERY SUCCESSFUL. THE GOAL OF THIS IS TO ALIGN AND COORDINATE THE SYSTEMS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE IN OUR DISTRICT TO BETTER ASSESS MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS AND ALIGN APPROPRIATE RESOURCES. OUR MAIN FOCUS FOR THIS INITIATIVE IS TO CONTINUE TO
REVISE THE PROCESSES AND IMPROVE WHERE WE SEE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH. INITIATIVE C2B IS TO IMPLEMENT PRACTICES TO RECOGNIZE AND BETTER SUPPORT STUDENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA.
WE RECOGNIZE THE IMPACT OF TRAUMA AND THEREFORE AS A DISTRICT, WE HAVE EMBEDDED TRAUMA INFORMED PRACTICES IN YOU'LL OF OUR -- ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS. SCHOOL LEADERS AND EDUCATORS ARE TRAINED TO IDENTIFY AND SUPPORT AFFECTED STUDENTS.
THIS WORK GROUP HOSTED A MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CONFERENCE THIS YEAR. WE'LL CONTINUE TO EXPAND TRAINING AND MEASURE THE OUTCOMES ACCORDINGLY. INITIATIVE C2C IS THE EXPAND MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS AND PEER
SUPPORT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES. THE DISTRICT ALSO PRIORITIZES THE EMPLOYEE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS AS MUCH AS IT DOES FOR OUR STUDENTS. AND WITH THAT THIS YEAR WE HAD TWO ADDITIONAL PEER SUPPORT GROUPS THAT WERE FORMED. ONE IS FOR RETIREES AND THE
OTHER FOR NEW PARENTS. THE WORK GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON GROWING THE PARTICIPATION AND MONITOR THE OVERALL IMPACT OF THE PEER SUPPORT GROUPS. THIS IS ALSO AN INITIATIVE THAT IS IN THE CLOSING PHASE. I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO Dr.
MILLER TO PRESENT TO YOU THEME D. >> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. LET'S JUMP INTO THEME D COMMITTED IMPACTFUL EMPLOYEES. INITIATIVE D1A FOCUSES ON CREATING EMPLOYEE DESIGNED APPROACHES TO JOB SATISFACTION, LOYALTY AND RETENTION.
THIS INITIATIVE THE SURVEY, AND WORKED ON REALIGNING THE PRINCIPLE MENTOR PROGRAM THAT PRINCIPAL MENTOR PROGRAM IS GEARING UP TO SUPPORT MORE PRINCIPALS AS WE NOW HAVE 27 OF OUR DISTRICT PRINCIPALS AND LEADERS WHO ARE CERTIFIED BY THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO BE MENTORS. THIS IS THE THIRD INITIATIVE WHOSE WORK IS EMBEDDED IN OUR DISTRICT AND NOW IN THE CLOSING PHASE. INITIATIVE D1B FOCUSES ON
EVALUATING THE JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES. THIS INITIATIVE PILOTED AND LAUNCHED A SELF FACE SUPERVISOR SKILLS COURSE AND DEVELOPED A FOLLOW-UP FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING. MOVING FORWARD THIS INITIATIVE WILL DEVELOP AN AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AROUND THESE COURSES
AND THIS IS THE FOURTH INITIATIVE THAT WHOSE WORK IS EMBEDDED IN THE NORMAL OPERATIONS OF THE DISTRICT AND IS IN THE CLOSING FACE. D1C IS OUR NEWEST ADDED THIS YEAR AND MY FAVORITE INITIATIVE IT'S ABOUT EMPOWERING STAFF AND STUDENTS TO INTEGRATE ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE TO ENHANCE LEARNING AND INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND INSPIRE INNOVATION. THIS YEAR, WE DRAFTED AN A.I. POLICY WE IMPLEMENTED OUR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS. WE PROVIDED ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF SAFE ACCESS AND TRAINING TO VARIOUS A.I. TOOLS.
MOVING FORWARD, THIS INITIATIVE WILL BRING THE A.I. POLICY TO THE BOARD FOR WORKSHOP. WE WILL CONTINUE OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FOUNDATION THAT HAS BEEN GENEROUS IN HELPING SUPPORT OUR IMPLEMENTATION. WE'LL PROVIDE TRAININGS AND VET
NEW A.I. TOOLS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. I WILL SPEND A FEW MORE MINUTES SINCE THIS IS OUR NEWEST GIVING THE BOARD MORE DETAILS ON THIS INITIATIVE. SO OUR DISTRICT IS A TRAIL BLAZER IN THE USE OF USING A.I. TO SUPPORT STUDENTS.
WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE RELEASE OF CHATGPT WE WERE PLANNING A PILOT IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH CON EGO AND 14 MONTHS AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE FIRST VERSION OF CHATGPT OR FIRST MODEL WE HAD OUR PILOT GOING IN NINE OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS IN JANUARY OF 2024.
CON EGO IS AN A.I. TUTOR BUILT INTO THE PLATFORM AND IT IS A SAFE INSTRUCTIONAL WAY FOR STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO USE A.I. TO SUPPORT THEIR LEARNING. IT IS A POWERFUL TOOL FOR OUR TEACHERS. IT OFFERS ACCESS TO MANY TIMESAVING TOOLS GIVING THEM
MORE TIME TO DO WHAT THEY DO BEST: TEACH. WE NOW HAVE THE LARGEST IMPLEMENTATION OF CON EGO IN THE NATION AND ARE WELL AHEAD OF OTHER DISTRICTS IN THE USE OF A.I. TO SUPPORT LEARNING. WE HAVE THREE A.I. TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENT USE.
THESE ARE SAFE A.I. TOOLS. I TALKED ABOUT CON EGO AND WE HAVE ADOBE EXPRESS AND CAN VA WHICH ARE GRAPHIC CREATION TOOLS AND THEY HAVE USES OF A.I. BUILT INTO THEM. WE ALSO HAVE A NUMBER OF POWERFUL TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR OUR
TEACHERS AND STAFF. WITH THE INTENT OF SAVING HELPING THEM SAVE TIME AND HAVE A BIGGER IMPACT ON OUR STUDENTS AND OUR SYSTEM. AND THANKS TO Mr. BURKE'S FORWARD THINKING WE ARE PILOTING
THE AUDIO ENHANCEMENT CLEAR CONNECT SYSTEM. IMAGINE YOU ARE A TEACHER IN A CLASSROOM AND YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO SPEAK A VARIETY OF LANGUAGES. BUT DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH YET. IT'S CHALLENGING FOR YOU AS A TEACHER. IT'S DAUNTING FOR THE STUDENTS WHO DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH YET AND
THIS IS COMMON IN OUR SCHOOLS. IMAGINE IF YOU ARE A TEACHER IF YOU ARE THAT TEACHER AND HAVE AN AUDIO ENHANCEMENT MIC AS YOU ARE SPEAKING, THE STUDENTS WHO DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH ARE HEARING YOUR WORDS TRANSLATED IN REALTIME INTO THEIR HOME LANGUAGE THROUGH
HEADPHONES. THAT'S THE POWER OF THE CLEAR CONNECT SYSTEM AND WE BELIEVE THIS WILL BE A GAME-CHANGER FOR OUR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS. AND OUR FINAL INITIATIVE D2A IS FOCUSED CREATING A CULTURE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE
AMONG EMPLOYEES. THIS INITIATIVE TRAINED OVER 300 STAFF MEMBERS AND POSTED HOSTED KUDOS YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN THEM IN THE LINK. NEXT STEPS ARE TO CONTINUE TO OFFER THE TRAINING AS WELL AS EVOLVING THE PROGRAM TO ALIGN BETTER WITH OUR DISTRICT'S MARKETING EFFORTS.
AND WITH THAT I WILL TURN IT BACK OVER TO MRS. WYATT. >> THANK YOU. TO CLOSE OUT OUR PRESENTATION, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT IS DIFFERENT AS A RESULT OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN THIS YEAR. WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN THE BLUE CIRCLES WERE THINGS THAT WERE DIFFERENT FROM LAST YEAR.
AND WE'VE ADDED ON THE GREEN CIRCLES FOR THIS YEAR I WILL START AT THE TOP RIGHT. NOW OUR PARENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY CAN FIND STANDARDS INFORMATION FOR EVERY SCHOOL AND EVERY SCHOOL WEBSITE FOR THE FIRST TIME. OVER 85% OF OUR DISTRICT STUDENTS INDICATE THEY HAVE A
TRUSTED ADULT ON CAMPUS. WE'RE TRYING TO GET TO 100 NEXT YEAR. WE'VE EXPANDED OUR STUDENT ACCESS TO CAREER DUAL ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT WELDING COURSE, AT WEST TECH AND NOW ALL OF OUR EDUCATORS AND SECONDARY
STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO A.I. SO THERE'S QUITE A BIT THAT IS IT DIFFERENT AS A RESULT OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN. AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION. AND I WILL TURN IT BACK TO Mr. >> Mike Burke: BURKE THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: Mr. FERGUSON? >> Edwin Ferguson: THANK YOU.
FIRST OF ALL MS. WYATT AND TEAM GREAT PRESENTATION AS USUAL. I'M GOING TO GO IN REVERSE ORDER. Dr. MILLER, YOU SAY CLEAR CONNECT WAS THE SOFTWARE THAT. >> YES, SIR.
YES, SIR. >> Edwin Ferguson: HOW DOES UTILIZATION OF CLEAR CONNECT HELP IMPROVE THEIR PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH? >> SO THE GOAL OF CLEAR CONNECT IS HELP WITH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION HELPING STUDENTS GET
ACCLIMATED TO USING ENGLISH. SO AS THE TEACHER IS TEACHING AND SPEAKING IN ENGLISH, THE STUDENT IS HEARING THIS IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE AT THE SAME TIME THEY CAN SEE THE WORDS ON THEIR STUDENT CHROME BOOK. THEY CAN SEE THE WORDS IN THEIR HOME LANGUAGE AS THEY ACQUIRE
MORE ENGLISH THEY CAN SEE THE WORDS IN ENGLISH ON THEIR CHROME BOOKS THAT WILL HELP FURTHER THEIR LANGUAGE. >> Edwin Ferguson: I'M HEAR TO GO IN MY HOME LANGUAGE IS SPANISH BUT I'M SEEING MY NATIVE LANGUAGE IN SUBTITLE FORM IN
ENGLISH. >> EITHER WAY. >> EITHER ENGLISH OR YOUR HOME LANGUAGE. >> BUT IF THEY ARE BOTH IN MY HOME LANGUAGE HOW IS THAT HELPING ME INCREASE MY PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH?
>> I LIVED IT. I CAME AND I WAS 13 AND DIDN'T KNOW ANY ENGLISH AND AT THE END OF 19 -- BEGINNING OF 1989, I HAD GREAT VERY NICE GRADES COMING FROM ARGENTINA BUT WHAT HAPPENED I DIDN'T KNOW ENGLISH. SO THEY LOWERED MY ACADEMIC
INTAKE BECAUSE MY ENGLISH WASN'T GREAT. SO I NEVER REALLY LEARNED ANYTHING. I REALLY KNEW EVERYTHING BUT IF I'M ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROFESSOR THE TEACHER IS TEACHING IN MY OWN LANGUAGE I CAN PROCESS IT ATHROUGH THE HOMEWORK AND THEN I'M LEARNING
ENGLISH AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE KIDS ABSORB ENGLISH VERY RAPIDLY. SO YOU'RE LEARNING THE ENGLISH. BUT THE ENGLISH YOU LEARN TO COMMUNICATE IS NOT SOMETIMES THE ENGLISH YOU NEED ACADEMICALLY. SO IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT CAN WE GO BACK IN TIME?
THIS WOULD HAVE HELPED ME LIKE SO MUCH, SO, SO, SO MUCH BECAUSE THEY COULD HAVE GIVEN ME HARD CLASSES BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO UNDERSTAND IN MY LANGUAGE WHILE I WAS LEARNING ENGLISH. THIS IS NOT TO TEACH YOU ENGLISH
IT IS TO TEACH YOU ACADEMICALLY WHICH WE NEED THAT WE HAVE KIDS COMING FROM OTHER COUNTRIES THAT ARE ADVANCED AND WE ARE DOING A DISSERVICE WHEN WE CANNOT TEACH THEM BECAUSE THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND. >> Edwin Ferguson: I UNDERSTAND TO SAY MATH. SEEING AS MOST OF THE EXAMS ARE
EVERYTHING FROM MATH ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS SCIENCE IT'S IN ENGLISH AT WHAT POINT IS THERE THAT NEXUS. >> BUT THEY CAN. REMEMBER THEY ARE YOUNG. I WAS I MEAN, THE WAY I WAS TRYING TO LEARN IT WAS HORRIBLE. BUT YOU UNDERSTAND IT YOU
COMPREHEND IT. AND THEN AT THE SAME TIME YOU ARE LEARNING ENGLISH. IT IS NOT LIKE YOU ARE NOT GOING TO KNOW. YOU ARE GOING TO START THEY DO IT RIGHT NOW, TOO. THEY ARE LEARNING THINGS IN SPANISH, AND THE DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT OUR SCHOOLS
AND WHAT HAPPENS THEY TAKE THE ACTUALLY THEIR SCORES CAN BACK WHAT I'M SAYING. THEY TAKE THE EXAMS IN ENGLISH AND THEY DO BETTER THAN THE ONES THAT DON'T SPEAK TWO LANGUAGES. I'M ABLE AS A KID TO THEN TAKE A TEST BECAUSE I ALREADY
UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE ENTIRE SUBJECT AND THEN I JUST HAVE TO ADJUST IT TO THE ENGLISH BUT BECAUSE I'M LEARNING ENGLISH THINK ABOUT THAT THE KIDS ARE LEARNING EVERYDAY. BUT WE ARE LIKE PUSHING THEM BACK IF THEY ARE NOT LEARNING IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE.
WE'RE JUST MAKING THEM LESS SMART OR STOPPING THEIR INTELLIGENCE. >> I BELIEVE THAT THE STUDENTS CAN HEAR THE AUDIO IN ENGLISH AND THEN ON THEIR CHROME BOOTH THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE. THERE'S DIFFERENT WAYS TO USE
THESE TOOLS AND CERTAINLY WE CAN CONNECT WITH THE MULTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT TO GET MORE INFORMATION AND RESEARCH TO YOU ABOUT THE ABILITIES HOW THIS WILL IMPACT THE STUDENTS. >> Edwin Ferguson: GREAT JOB OF BRINGING SOMETHING PROACTIVE TRYING TO RESOLVE ISSUES.
AGAIN I'M IGNORE RANTED OF IT THAT IS WHY I'M ASKING THE QUESTIONS I AM NOT A OPPONENT. WOULD IT WE POSSIBLE FOR ME AT SOME POINT TO USE IT, AND MAYBE I'M NOT FLUENT IN FRENCH JUST AND I JUST WANT TO SEE HOW IT'S
IMPLEMENTED THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'M HEARING ABOUT IT BUT I THINK IT'S GREAT AND IT WILL BE A GREAT BENEFIT TO SO MANY STUDENTS HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. HOPEFULLY WE CAN LEAD THE CHARGE TO ENCOURAGE OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO USE THIS AS WELL. DEFINITELY BASED ON WHAT MEMBER
SAVIO SAYS IT COULD BE A GAME-CHANGER. >> Mike Burke: THIS IS NEW FOR ALL OF US IT IS A NEW TECHNOLOGY NEW PRODUCT WE ARE EXISTING CUSTOMERS OF AUDIO ENHANCEMENT. THEY DO LIKE THE LANYARD THE TEACHERS ARE WEARING. AND WE ARE A LONGTIME CUSTOMER
SO THEY OFFERED THE PILOT OPPORTUNITY TO US FIRST. SO THAT HELPED OUT. >> Edwin Ferguson: THE OTHER THING I LIKE TO DISCUSS WITH THE TEAM IS KINDERGARTEN READINESS. SLIDES 2 OF 38 AND 15 OF 38.
SO LET'S START WITH 15. I SEE IN OUR NEXT STEPS ON 15 WE SPEAK TO, I GUESS INSTALLING OR ESTABLISHING LOCAL LIBRARIES FOR OUR KINDERGARTENERS. AND THEN I SEE ON 20 WHERE WE
SPEAK ABOUT VPK MAKING SURE THAT PARENTS ARE AWARE OF VPK PROGRAMS AT THE SCHOOLS WHERE THEY ARE IN PLACE. SO EVERYBODY THIS [INAUDIBLE] THOSE WHO START AHEAD TEND TO
STAY AHEAD AND THOSE BEHIND STAY BEHIND. ADAM MILLER OR ATTORNEY MORGAN, OKAY YOU WILL BE OKAY WHEN YOU START SCHOOL. BUT WHAT ABOUT LET'S PRETEND I WAS ONE OF THE LOWER PERFORMERS. I WAS A ONE OR TWO NOT
KINDERGARTEN READY. WHAT CAN WE DO WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO HELP LIMIT THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT ARE COMING IN AT A DEFICIT? I SPENT HOURS SPEAKING WITH MS. STEAL OVER THE FIRST THREE YEARS. AND I UNDERSTAND LIKE THE
PRIVATE CHILDCARE CENTERS/DAYCARE CENTERS THERE'S NO UNIFORMITY IN TERMS OF WHAT IS BEING TAUGHT TO THE CHILD AND THEY ARE COMING TO OUR SCHOOLS. IS THERE AN APPETITE TO KIND OF GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY IN
THAT REGARD AND FURTHER EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF DOING IT THE PALM BEACH WAY IN TERMS OF THESE BASE METRICS YOUR CHILD SHOULD HAVE MASTERY OF BY AGE TWO OR THREE? IN MY MIND, I THINK THAT THE KINDERGARTEN READINESS STANDARD IS SO BELOW WHERE A CHILD SHOULD
BE AT AGE FIVE EVERY KINDERGARTENER PROBABLY SHOULD BE READING AT A SECOND OR THIRD GRADE LEVEL AND THIS IS ME NOT HAVING BEEN AN EDUCATOR IN 20 YEARS BUT IT FEELS RIGHT BECAUSE I AM AN EMPLOYER AND I SEE THE DEFICITS THAT TOO MANY OF OUR CHILDREN HAVE IN TERMS OF
HELPING ME MAKE MONEY AS AN EMPLOYER. I'M NOT HIRING BECAUSE YOU GRADUATED FROM SCHOOL I'M HIRING YOU TO COMPLETE A SERVICE FOR MY CLIENT. IF YOU DIDN'T DO THAT I HAVE TO LOOK SOMEWHERE ELSE. WE WANT OUR PEOPLE TO BE EMPLOYABLE FROM DAY ONE.
SUITCASE READY AS MY BUDDY WOULD HAVE SAID OR MAYBE EVEN ENTREPRENEUR READY. AND IT SEEMS TO ME WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB ON THE FRONT END MAKING SURE MANY OF OUR STUDENTS ARE NOT JUST MEETING THAT BASE FLOOR KINDERGARTEN READY BUT ARE SECOND AND THIRD GRADE.
>> YOU ARE RIGHT. AND ACTUALLY, OUR TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN MODEL HAS REALLY BEEN EXTENSIVE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. WE STARTED A FEW YEARS AGO WHERE WE STARTED PARTNERING WITH THE ELC TO CREATE A COMMON LANGUAGE
ACROSS OUR PRIVATE PROVIDERS AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT. THERE WAS A LOT OF COLLABORATION THAT OCCURRED BEAN ELC AND THE DISTRICT AND CREATING A COMMON STANDARD LANGUAGE AROUND WHAT IT IS THAT OUR KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW AS THEY ARE COMING IN. IN ADDITION THAT PROGRAM HAS GROWN I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD THE
WORK WE ARE DOING AND THE OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR AMBASSADORS WE HIRED SEVERAL PRE-K TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN AMBASSADORS THAT CONNECT WITH ALL OF THE PRIVATE PROVIDERS AS WELL AS OUR OWN
PRE-K WE'RE TRYING TO BRIDGE THAT GAP. I KNOW WE'VE DONE HUGE OUTREACH TO OUR INCOMING PRE-K STUDENTS SUCH THAT YOU KNOW WHEN THEY ENROLL WE ARE PROVIDING THEM WITH THE KINDERGARTEN READY KITS IN READING AND MATH PROVIDING
THEM WITH VIDEOS ON THE PARENTS IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGES. HOW TO ACTUALLY USE THOSE KITS AND PROMOTE THAT WORK OVER THE SUMMER. NOT SAYING WE'RE THERE BY ANY MEANS BUT I THINK THAT WORK IS GROWING. I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK OUT OF LINE AND MS. BISHOP HAS MORE
KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ALL OF THE WAYS THAT OUR TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN MODEL HAS INCREASED. BUT I WILL SAY WE AGREE WITH YOU AND I THINK THERE HAS BEEN MORE EMPHASIS AND A LOT MORE CONSISTENCY FROM OUR PRE-K PROVIDERS THAT ARE PRIVATE THOSE STUDENTS COMING INTO OUR KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS AND THAT
IS STANDARD WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR AND IN THEIRS AND THERE'S WORK TO BE DONE AND WE SAW THAT BUMP IN KINDERGARTEN READINESS IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN AND THEN UNFORTUNATELY, THE STATE MOVED THE GOALPOST AGAIN AND
READJUSTED THE KINDERGARTEN READINESS SCORES. IF WE WERE COMPARING APPLES TO APPLES OVER THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD WE SAW A BUMP IN OUR SCORES. NOT THERE YET BUT WE AGREE WITH THAT AND I'M SURE MS. STEAL AND
MS. BISHOP COULD PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT THAT PRE-K MODEL THAT WE'RE IMPLEMENTING NOW. >> Edwin Ferguson: IS MS. BISHOP OKAY? >> SHE IS TRAVELING IN A CONFERENCE. >> Edwin Ferguson: GLAD TO HEAR THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ACTUAL DATA.
IF YOU SAY IN 20225% OF OUR PRIVATE PROVIDERS WERE FOLLOWING MAKING THIS UP IN MY HEAD THE PALM BEACH WAY IN TERMS THIS IS WHAT WE LIKE TO SEE AT AGE 2, 3 AND 4. 5% AND 10% AND NOW WE'RE UP TO
15% THAT WOULD MAKE ME FEEL BETTERMENT PEOPLE SAY A LOT OF THINGS SAY THINGS ALL THE TIME I'M NOT REPRESENTING THAT YOU ARE MISSPEAKING BUT IT'S AMBIGUOUS IF I CAN SEE AND PEOPLE WHO THINK LIKE ME CAN SEE THERE IS A 5% ANNUAL GROWTH IN
TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF PRIVATE PROVIDERS WHO ARE DOING THINGS THE WAY WE KNOW ACTUALLY WORKS SUCH THAT IN TIME MAYBE ONE DAY AFTER US ARE OFF THE BOARD WE ARE 80%, 90% OF OUR PROVIDERS ARE FOLLOWING THE PALM BEACH WAY THAT WILL PAY HUGE BENEFITS TO
THE DISTRICT AND THE CHILDREN IN THE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM. AND THAT'S HOW I'M THINKING ABOUT IT FROM A BUSINESS STANDPOINT NOT PERSONAL JUST RUNNING THIS LIKE A WELL OILED MACHINE WE NEED TO HAVE THE METRICS AND MARKS AND SHOOT FOR THEM AND NOT STOP UNTIL WE HIT
THOSE MARKS. PRESENTATION WISE ALWAYS -- >> I THINK WE CAN GET THAT INFORMATION FOR YOU ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY GET THAT INFORMATION FOR YOU. AGAIN WE CAN GET THAT FROM THE ELC BECAUSE THEY ARE USING COMMON PROGRAMS TO THE AGE OF
LEARNING WE'LL GET BACK WITH YOU WITH THAT DATA. >> Edwin Ferguson: AND WE STARTED TALKING OVER EACH OTHER. I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE MORE HARD HITTING TYPE DATA POINTS SO THAT THE PUBLIC AT LARGE KNOWS
WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS. AGAIN WE DO HAVE PERSONS ATTACKING PUBLIC EDUCATION AND SO KEEP HEARING ME SAY THIS WE ARE THE BEST CHOICE BUT WE HAVE TO PROVE THAT IT CAN'T BE WORDS YOU SOUND GREAT. THE PRESENTATION LOOKS GREAT BUT WHEN I BREAK IT DOWN I'M TALKING
THAT ARGUMENT IN THAT REGARD. IF WE HAVE THESE POINTS THAT PEOPLE CAN LOOK AT I THINK THAT MAKES US SHOULD MAKE US MORE ATTRACTIVE TO THE FAMILY IN THE FUTURE WHO IS GOING TO HAVE A MYRIAD OF OPTIONS AT THAT POINT, PRIVATE, HOME, CHARTER, WHATEVER THE CASE MAYBE YOU NEED TO KEEP
YOUR CHILD IN THE TRADITIONAL PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL SYSTEM AND WE'RE DOING THINGS WE ARE NOT LEGALLY NECESSARILY REQUIRED TO DO. WE'RE GOING OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY SPEAKING TO CHILDCARE CENTERS WHEN YOUR CHILD WAS ONE, 2, 3 AND 4 HELPING YOU HELP YOUR CHILD WHO LOVES YOU MORE TYPE OF
THING? SO AGAIN, THAT'S WHERE I AM WITH IT. PRESENTATION IS GREAT. BUT IF WE CAN INCORPORATE THOSE THINGS SUPERINTENDENT BURKE WE WILL BE DOING OUR CHILDREN AND OURSELVES A HUGE SERVICE MOVING FORWARD. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK, TEAM. >> THANK YOU, SIR.
>> Karen Brill: MS. WHITFIELD. >> Erica Whitfield: TWO QUESTIONS. I WANTED TO ASK A QUESTION ABOUT THE CAREER DUAL ENROLLMENT IN WEST TECH SO THAT A STUDENT IN A TRADITIONAL PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL CAN TAKE HALF A DAY AND GO OVER AND DO THE CAREER DUAL ENROLLMENT?
OR IS IT ONLY FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE JUST AT WEST TECH NOT CURRENTLY AT [INAUDIBLE]. >> THE FORMER. THAT'S PART OF THE PLAN WE HAVE STUDENTS FROM GLADES CENTRAL, PAHOKEE THAT CAN SPEND TIME AT
THE WEST TECH CAMPUS AND TAKE THOSE CLASSES. >> THAT IS GREAT. THAT WAS COOL. I HEARD IT AND WENT GOSH IS IT ALREADY HAPPENING. SECOND QUESTION IS ABOUT THE A.I. I NOTICE YOU ARE DOING A CLASS ON A.I. FOR TEACHERS AND FOR STAFF.
ARE YOU DOING ANYTHING TO PUT A.I. CLASSES INTO THE SCHOOLS TO TEACH KIDS HOW TO USE A.I. EFFECTIVELY. >> YES, THIS YEAR WE'VE DONE TWO THINGS. WE HAVE OUR ANNUAL TECH SAFE TRAINING WE USE THE CURRICULUM FROM COMMON SENSE MEDIA THAT OUR
STUDENTS HAVE TO RECEIVE LESSONS IN EACH YEAR. WE'VE HAD A.I. LESSONS ADDED. AND IN CON EGO FOR OUR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THERE'S COURSES HOW TO USE A.I. NOT JUST CON EGO BUT OTHERS IN GENERAL. >> WONDERFUL.
WE SHOULD CONSIDER INCORPORATING IT AS AN ASPECT INTO OUR REGULAR CURRICULUM CLASSES AND I THINK THAT THESE STUDENTS ARE INTRIGUED BY A.I. IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE AND I WOULD LIKE
THEM TO UNDERSTAND KIND OF WHAT THEY ARE DOING WHEN IT COMES TO USING A.I. AND HOW IT CAN ASSIST THEM BUT NOT BE A BAD THING FOR THEIR EDUCATION. >> TO YOUR POINT, WE HAVE
LESSONS THAT WE ARE EMBEDDED THROUGH CON EGO SUCH THAT AS TEACHERS ARE TEACHING LESSONS STUDENTS CAN USE THOSE LESSONS WITHIN THEIR CORE CONTENT. >> Erica Whitfield: GREAT JOB AND IT'S FUN I HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE WE MADE THIS STRATEGIC
PLAN AND IT'S SO FUN TO SEE HOW MANY THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED FROM IT. REALLY, REALLY COOL TO SEE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. >> Karen Brill: BOARD MEMBERS MY SCREEN WENT OFF. SO I'M GOING TO TRY AND GUESS WHO IS NEXT.
I BELIEVE MS. BRANCH. JUST CAME BACK. >> Gloria Branch: YOU HAD ME AT BRANDING WHEN YOU STARTED SPEAKING MY LANGUAGE. I WANTED TO YOU SAID THAT YOU CONDENSED OR COMBINED THE NAMES
OR CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT AGAIN? >> YES. WHEN WE FIRST STARTED WE STARTED WITH A SPECIFIC NUMBER OF SCHOOLS. WE STARTED WORKING WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA THEIR CENTER FOR LEARNING. IT WAS A TIERED APPROACH SCHOOLS WE FELT NEEDED THE SUPPORTS THE MOST. IT BEGAN TO GROW AND EXPAND.
AND THEN WE HAD OTHER SCHOOLS THAT WERE ADDED ON BUT THEY WEREN'T WORKING DIRECTLY WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA. OUR SPECIALISTS IN OUR DISTRICT THAT WERE TRAINED BY THE UNIVERSITY LIKE TRAIN THE TRAINER WERE WORKING WITH THOSE SCHOOLS AND THOSE TEACHERS.
AND THEN THE WORD SPREAD AND MORE SCHOOLS SAID I WANT TO GET IN ON THIS AND THIS YEAR WE ADDED MORE SCHOOLS AND IT CONTINUED TO GROW AND GROW. AND THIS IS AMAZING WE'RE DOING THIS WORK AROUND THE SCIENCE OF READING AND WE'RE CALL THIS GROUP THE K2 COHORT MODEL AND
THIS GROUP YEAR TWO THIS IS RIDICULOUS. WE ARE ONE GROUP OF SCHOOLS LIKE OVER HALF OF OUR SCHOOLS ENGAGING IN THIS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE REST OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE RECEIVING THIS TRAINING IN A DIFFERENT WAY SO WHY DON'T WE REBRAND THIS
AMAZING MODEL WE ARE IMPLEMENTING AND WE CAME UP WITH POP BELLY AND VISITED SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND REACHED OUT AND SAW WHAT OTHER SCHOOLS WERE DOING AND THE PALM BEACH EARLY LITERACY INITIATIVE. NOW WE SAY YOU ARE A PBEL
ISCHOOL. >> GOING TO A.I. SO YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT VARIOUS SCHOOLS. WHY NOT ALL SCHOOLS? FOR HIGH SCHOOL THAT WE'RE IMPLEMENTING THIS ARE WE IMPLEMENTING A.I. IN ALL OF THE
SCHOOLS OR IN SOME SCHOOLS? >> CON EGO IS IN ALL OF OUR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS WE HAVE NOT GONE DOWN TO ELEMENTARY WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT FOR THE FUTURE. >> Gloria Branch: IT IS IN ALL THE HIGH SCHOOLS BUT NOT THE ELEMENTARIES OR SOME ELEMENTARIES?
>> IT'S ONLY SIXTH GRADERS AND UP. >> Gloria Branch: WE TRULY BELIEVE IN A.I. WE CAN'T HIDE IT. THE COUNTY IS INVOLVED ALSO AT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS OF COUNTY.
I JOINED THE A.I. COMMITTEE FOR THE SOUTH FLORIDA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION. IT IS A TOOL SO WE NEED TO EMBRACE IT. YOU MENTIONED THAT CON EGO BUT ADOBE AND CANVAS IS A CREATIVE I
USE ADOBE FOR OVER 25 YEARS AS A DESIGNER. DO WE USE IT IN SCIENCE? AND I'M JUST THINKING WE NEED TO HAVE LIKE I TRULY AGREE WITH MS. WHITFIELD WE NEED TO EMPOWER AND BE ALMOST IN FRONT OF IT NOT
BEHIND IT. WE NEED A.I. WILL HELP US ALSO BE INNOVATIVE. GET KIDS TO WANT TO LEARN MORE. WE NEED TO KNOW MORE THAN THEY HOPEFULLY. SO IT WILL BE GREAT IF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS SOME SORT OF
AN A.I. COMMITTEE TEAM WITHIN LIKE AN INTERNAL SOMETHING. NOT JUST THE GUYS THAT DO IT. MORE ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT CAN TEACH RIGHT AND NOT ONLY TO TEACH THE TEACHER, THE AND ALSO
A GROUP THAT CAN RESEARCH OR THEY CAN TALK ABOUT IT OR MAYBE THEY HAVE LOVE OF TECHNOLOGY. BECAUSE WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT WHAT IS OUT THERE. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS ARE LEARNING NOT JUST CON EGO TELLS US THIS IS IT MAYBE THERE
ARE OTHER THINGS THAT WE HAVEN'T LOOK WE NEED TO PREPARE OUR STUDENTS IN A WAY THAT THEY BECOME THIS ENGINEERS AND KNOW HOW TO DO IT AND WE ARE NOT
SCRATCHING THE SURFACE OF A.I. WE SHID HIT A.I. IN THEIR FACE AND RUN WITH THEM AND BE AHEAD OF THEM.
IF NOT, IT'S GOING TO BE A STRUGGLE ALWAYS GOING TO BE WE'RE BEHIND. I LOVE TO SEE SOME SORT OF NOT ONLY CLASSES FOR THE TEACHERS AND ALSO LIKE A GROUP OF SOME OF US IN THE DISTRICT. >> WE DO HAVE THAT. THE INITIATIVE D1C WORK GROUP IS
MADE UP OF ACADEMIC MEMBERS, IT MEMBERS, WE ALSO HAVE A DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY THAT HAS BEEN SPEARHEADING THE CON EGO WORK AS WELL AS THE DIVING DEEP INTO A.I. AND COLLABORATING WITH OUR ACADEMIC PARTNERS AND IT
PARTNERS. >> Gloria Branch: I'M TALKING TO WHAT OTHER STATES ARE DOING. >> YES. >> Gloria Branch: SO AND ON THE CLEAR CONNECT, I KNOW THAT THE STUDENTS CAN HEAR LIVE WHAT THEY
ARE SAYING IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE. HOW DO THEY ASK QUESTIONS? CAN THEY ASK QUESTIONS AND DOES THE MACHINE TRANSLATE BACK TO THE TEACHER? OR DO THEY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO ASK THE QUESTION? >> THIS IS BRAND NEW TECHNOLOGY. SO I THINK WE'RE ONE OF FIVE
DISTRICTS IN THE WORLD THAT HAVE THIS. AND IT'S ALMOST CALLED BETA TESTING THIS PRODUCT. THE NEXT STEP IS FOR THE STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO TALKBACK TO THE TEACHER AND THE TEACHER HEAR THE WORDS TRANSLATED. THEY ARE NOT THERE YET.
>> Gloria Branch: YOU'LL EXCITED WE START SOMEWHERE AND IT WILL BE NICE TO KEEP TRACK RECORD OF EVERYTHING THAT IS HAPPENING WHEN WE ARE IMPLEMENTING THIS.
IT WILL BE NICE TO SEE THEM USING IT, I WOULD LOVE TO GET A REPORT NEXT YEAR OR AT THE END OF THIS YEAR OR THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR NEXT YEAR I'M EXCITED. I WILL GO BACK TO SCHOOL THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN REALLY GOOD FOR ME. THANK YOU, Dr. MILLER.
>> THANK YOU.
WE HEARD EARLIER ABOUT THE NEW HOUSE BILL 1255 AND ADDED IN THE >> Chair Brill: YOU WILL LEAD US OFF MR. FERGUSON.
>> Edward Ferguson: POLICY ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY BOTTOM OF PAGE 4 INTO PAGE 5. THAT STATUTE, I LOOKED AT IT 1,006.68 DOES NOT SPEAK TO EXPULSION, MAY BE SOMETHING SUBSTANTIVE OR NOT.
IT CLEARLY SPEAKS TO THE 10 DAY SUSPENSION PERIOD. SO SO AT LEAST IN MY READ, IT DOESN'T SEEM TO-- I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE IN THIS POLICY.
1006.08 SUBSEX-- SUBSECTION 1, THE RELATIVE PART, WHEN IT SAYS "DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD ACTION FOR EXPULSION IS PENDING, THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT MAY EXTEND THE SUSPENSION ASSIGNED. NOW THAT I'M READING AGAIN, IT
IS OKAY. WHEN I SAW THE SUSPENSION PART, I THOUGHT THE POLICY WAS TALKING ABOUT EXPULSION BUT I GUESS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE TEMPORARY SUSPENSION PERIOD. IT MAY NOT BE ANYTHING AND AGAIN , MADAME GENERAL COUNSEL, FEEL FREE TO SET ME STRAIGHT ON THIS BUT WHEN I FIRST READ IT, EARLIER TODAY,THAT DID POP UP IN
MY HEAD THAT THIS IS AN EXPULSION POLICY AND WE ARE SPEAKING TO A SPECIFIC PART THAT SPEAKS TO THE SUSPENSION THAT IS NOT SYNONYMOUS, AT LEAST IN MY OPINION. I COULD BE WRONG THERE PLEASE EDUCATE ME IF I'M OFF. >> SO I'M GUESSING YOU ARE
TALKING ABOUT LINES 182 AND 183. POSSIBLY. >> WHEN THE POLICY I'VE TALKING ABOUT PAGE 4 OF 10 SINCE WE ARE USING LINES, LINES 155 THROUGH
173 AND WHAT I WAS SAYING AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT I SAID. >> SO THIS ACTUALLY RELATES TO
THE NEW LEGISLATION AND THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE EXPULSION BE EXTENDED, CAN BE EXTENDED. AND SO WHAT IT DOES-- >> SUSPENSION-- SUSPENSION THOUGH, RIGHT? >> SUSPENSION, THE EXPULSION. BUT THE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE TRIGGERED ARE THE SAME NOTICE REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE
PART OF 1,006.08. IT'S THE NOTICE REQUIREMENT BUT THE STATUTE ITSELF DOES SPEAK TO THE EXTENSION OF THE SUSPENSION PENDING A POSSIBLE EXPULSION. >> YES, EXACTLY. THERE ARE TWO PARTS. SO WHEN THE EXPULSION ORIGINATES
, THERE IS AN EXTENSION OF THE SUSPENSION, RIGHT, THE 10-DAY SUSPENSION CAN BE EXTENDED PENDING THE EXPULSION PROCEEDINGS. WHAT THIS DISTRICT DOES IS THAT DURING THAT TIME, PENDING THE HEARING AND THE FINAL OUTCOME BY THE BOARD, THE STUDENTS ARE PLACED IN ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION
SO THEY DO NOT LOSE ANY INSTRUCTIONAL TIME DURING THE EXTENDED SUSPENSION. BASED ON THE NEW LEGISLATION AND WHAT THAT LEGISLATION SAID WAS THAT IF THE SUPERINTENDENT CHOSE
TO EXTEND AN EXPULSION, THE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS THAT WHY WERE INCLUDED IN 1,006.08 APPLIED TO THAT EXTENDED EXPULSION. >> Edward Ferguson: UNDERSTOOD. MY NEXT QUESTION IS IF IN REGARD TO THE WIRELESS POLICY. SO THAT'S GOING TO BE 5.183.
AND I WILL USE THE CARMONA CITATION. I AM FOCUSED ON LINES 70-74. SO Dr. OSWALD, WHAT I THOUGHT I HEARD YOU SAY WAS THAT IF THE
TEACHER DECIDES THAT YOU AND I CAN USE OUR CELL PHONE FOR ANY REASON, THAT THE TEACHER DEEMS FIT THAT WE CAN USE OUR CELL PHONE FOR ANY MEANS THAT HE OR SHE DEEMS FIT, DID I MISHEAR YOU? >> YEAH, SO JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, IT'S Mr. AS
MUCH AS I WISH I HAD FINISHED MY DISSERTATION-- >> I APOLOGIZE. >> BUT IT IS REQUIRED ONLY IN HIGH SCHOOL, THE TEACHER MAY DESIGNATE AND ALLOW A STUDENT TO USE A CELL PHONE. >> THAT FLIES IN THE FACE OF THE SECTION I READ TO YOU BECAUSE IT CLEARLY STATES THAT MAY NOT
USE-- I'M JUST PICKING UP ON LINE 70, THE RED LINE INFORMATION. MAY NOT USE A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE DURING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME EXCEPT WHEN EXPRESSLY DIRECTED BAY TEACHER SOLELY FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. SO I DON'T KNOW WHICH PRINCIPALS YOU ALL SPOKE TO, BUT I KNOW
THAT I'M OF THE OPINION THAT STUDENTS SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO CAVALIERLY USE CELL PHONES DURING THE DAY. I UNDERSTAND IF THERE ARE SOME OR SOMETHING GOING ON THEIR HEALTH OR SAFETY IS AT RISK. OF COURSE I WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO CALL THEIR PARENTS BUT THEY SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SCROLL THROUGH TIKTOK OR WHATEVER THE
CASE MAY BE BECAUSE A TEACHER SAYS OKAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, IT'S EASIER FOR ME TO LET YOU GO OFF IN THE CORNER AND LOOK AT YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ALL DAY THAT IS NOT WAS WE NEED TO BE DOING THERE AND THE FACT THAT WE ARE PROHIBITING ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM
DOING IT. THEY'RE CHILDREN TOO. THEY MAY BE BIGGER BUT THEY NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON THE MAIN THING, TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES, NOT TO DISTRACT THEMSELVES ON FRIVOLOUS TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA. YOU CAN'T SAY SOCIAL MEDIA STRESSES THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND THEN SAY IF I HAVE A TEACHER OR
PRINCIPAL, THERE IS NO NEED FOR ME TO GO BEYOND THAT. THEY SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO USE THEIR CELL PHONE FOR NON-EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE. IF YOU AS THE TEACHER SUR MYSELF THAT SUPERINTENDENT BURKE BEFORE HE WAS MONEY MAKING BIKE BURKE
AND SAY HEY, I NEED TO YOU GO ONLINE AND FIND OUT WHAT THE CAPITOL OF PA WAS NEW GUINEA IS, OKAY FINE BUT IF IT IS TO LOOK AT SPONGEBOB OR FOOLISHNESS, WE HAVE TO BE BETTER THAN THAT. AND I DON'T WANT TO GIVE ANYBODY
AN OUT FROM THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS IF YOU ARE ON OUR TEAM, YOU NEED TO EDUCATE THE KIDS AT ALL TIMES. WE READ STUDY AFTER STUDY THAT SHOWS A LOT OF SCREEN TIME IS BAD FOR EVERYBODY, BUT PARTICULARLY THESE CHILDREN IN THEIR FORMATIVE YEARS. WHY WOULD WE ENDORSE THEM
GETTING UNNECESSARY SCREEN TIME NOT TO EDUCATE THEM. YOU ARE PACIFYING THEM. I'M NOT A BABYSITTER AND NEITHER OF OUR TEACHERS OR PRINCIPALS SHOULD BE EITHER. WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT? >> I APOLOGIZE IF I COMMUNICATED THAT WRONG. THE ONLY REASON THE TEACHER SHOULD BE ALLOWING IT AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL IS INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE SO FOR
YOUR EXAMPLE BUT NOT GO FOR ON SOCIAL MEDIA SNORE ANY OTHER PURPOSE. SO YOU ARE CORRECT. I APOLOGIZE IF I SAID THAT WRONG. >> Edward Ferguson: ON PAGE OF 5 OF 5 FOLLOWING THE CARMONA WAY OF CITATION LINES 153 AND 154,
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE CODE OF CONDUCT CONSEQUENCES, FORGIVE ME IF I OVERLOOK THAT, BUT WHERE WOULD ONE FIND THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES THAT MIGHT BEFALL A CHILD WHO IS ESSENTIALLY USE THE PHONE FOR NON-EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES DURING THE HIGH SCHOOL DAY.
>> THAT WOULD BE IN 51812 AND 13, SO IT WOULD BE A VIOLATION OF CELL PHONE POLICY AS WELL IN COMBINATION WITH SOME OTHER INFRACTION, SO TYPICALLY THE
SCHOOL IS GOING TO GO OVER THEIR SCHOOL RULES AND IF THEY'RE USING IT SAY FOR CHEATING PURSE, SO THEY THERE WOULD BE A COMBINATION OF CELL PHONE VIOLATION WITH CHEATING. THOSE TWO CODES TOGETHER WOULD BE CODED DEPENDING ON WHAT THE
STUDENT DID OR RECORDING THEMSELVES IN THE BATHROOM FIGHTING OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. >> CORRECT. >> Edward Ferguson: OR RECORDING SOMEBODY ELSE FIGHTING. >> CAMPUS DISRUPTIONMENT. >> WOULD THAT RESULT IN THE SEIZURE OF THE PHONE UNTIL THE PAIMPT COMES AND PICKS IT UP-- IF YOU DON'T KNOW, YOU DON'T KNOW. MOST LIKELY ANY SCHOOL IS GOING
TO SEIZE THE CELL PHONE, HAVE THE PARENT PICK IT UP. >> Edward Ferguson: , I THINK THAT IS-- YEAH, THANK YOU. GREAT PRESENTATION EVERYONE. >> Chair Brill: MISS WHITFIELD. >> I JUST HAVE.
I JUST HAVE TWO QUESTIONS. THE CHANGE ON THE DISCIPLINE REVIEW COMMITTEE. IS THE ONLY REASON YOU MADE THAT CHANGE BECAUSE IT WAS INTIMIDATING TO THE PARENTS OR ANY OTHER REASON WHY THE CHANGE WAS MADE? >> NO, SO THERE ARE A NUMBER OF STAFF MEMBERS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE CURRENTLY GOING IN THERE THAT IS
EXCESSIVE TO THE POINT WHERE THEY DON'T ALL NEED TO BE THERE WHEN WE HAVE CERTAIN REPRESENTATION THAT'S ALREADY OCCURRING. SO WE DO HAVE SUPPORT SERVICES THERE. WE HAVE SAFE SCHOOLS THERE. SO WE ARE ADDING THE THREE PRINCIPALS TO MAKE SURE AT LEAST THREE PRINCIPALS, ONE DISTRICT REP THAT IS RELEVANT TO A
PARTICULAR CASE THAT IS MOST RELEVANT SO IF IT IS ESE OR MENTAL HEALTH, TWO MOST COMMON BUT IT ALLOWS US TO ADD MORE IF NEEDED. >> Erica Whitfield: I PROBABLY WOULD BE MORE COMFORTABLE WITH IT IF WE COULD ADD BACK IN SO
THAT AT LEAST ESE AND MENTAL HEALTH WERE REPRESENTED YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE THREE PEOPLE, THOSE ARE THE THREE PEOPLE I WOULD WANT RATHER THAN JUST SAYING THREE PEOPLE IN GENERAL.
AND IT WOULD BE HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU MORE ABOUT IT LATER OR WE CAN DISCUSS BUT I THINK THAT THE POSSIBILITY THAT WE MIGHT NOT SOME HAVE BEEN THAT IS TRULY ADVOCATING FOR THE KID WORRIES ME A LITTLE BIT SO THAT WAS MY FIRST THING. SECOND THING IS I WANTED TO TALK
ABOUT THE WIRELESS, I BELIEVE THAT YOU ALL REACHED OUT TO THE PRINCIPALS, THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO TALK ABOUT THE IDEA OF GETTING INTO THIS PILOT PROGRAM. I WAS WONDERING IF WE COULD TALK
ABOUT THAT AND I WANTED TO MENTION TO MR. FERGUSON SON ABOUT SOME PROGRAMS THAT ARE USED, SOME OF THE WAYS THAT WE USE TO EDUCATE STUDENTS THROUGH THE USE OF THEIR WIRELESS DEVICES IN THE CLASSROOM. I KNOW CAHOOTS HAS BEEN USED IN THE PAST. I'M NOT SAYING WE HAVE TO KEEP IT GOING BUT FINS YOU BROUGHT IT
UP, WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT THE WAYS THAT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT MIGHT USE OR MIGHT LEARN THROUGH THEIR PHONE. >> Edward Ferguson: IS THAT TO EDUCATE ME OR EDUCATE PEOPLE WHO MAY BE WATCHING? >> Erica Whitfield: EVERYONE.
>> I DON'T NEED EDUCATION ON THAT BUT FOR THE OTHER PEOPLE, BY ALL MEANS CONTINUE. >> IN THE FIRST PART REGARDING THE PILOT, RIGHT NOW THE PRINCIPALS THE RESEARCH AND WHAT IS HAPPENING BUT THEY FEEL THEY'RE PUTTING PROTOCOL IS IN PLACE RIGHT NOW THAT THEY PREFER
TO KEEP IT HOW THEY'RE CURRENTLY OPERATING THEIR SCHOOLS. SO I'M NOT-- I WOULD ALLUDE THEY WOULD NOT WANT TO BE PART OF A PILOT. CHOOSING THAT THE MAJORITY OF WHAT WE HEARD WAS TO KEEP IT THE WAY IT IS RIGHT NOW. IF SOMETHING CHANGES WITH THE LAW DOWN THE ROAD, IT BECOMES
MANDATORY, AFTER THE STUDY, SURE, THEY'RE GOING TO OBVIOUSLY COMPLY. FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE WAYS, I'M TRYING TO THINK YOU ARE CLOSER TO HIGH SCHOOL, OUT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE THAN
ME, BUT YEAH, THERE ARE DIFFERENT GAMES LIKE-- NOT GAMES BUT EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH TOOLS THAT KECK GO TO, POTENTIALLY THEY CAN ACCESS THROUGH THEIR CELL PHONES THAT WE SAW IN THE
PRESENTATION REGARDING A.I. IS PROBABLY ONE THAT IS MOST COMMON, ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH SCHOOLS. >> AND WE DO BLOCK SOCIAL MEDIA IN OUR SCHOOLS, RIGHT? SO IF THEY'RE ON-- >> IT'S BANNED FROM-- >> ABOUT WHAT ABOUT FACEBOOK AND GRAM. >> YOU CAN'T GET ON-- WELL,I
THINK-- THEY CAN'T GET ON ANY OF THOSE, CORRECT? >> Erica Whitfield: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> Chair Brill: MS. BRANCH. >> Gloria Branch: GREAT JOB. I THINK WE SHOULD START K-8 LIKE THE BILL SAYS, THEY DON'T HAVE
AS MANY PHONES AS EVERY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT AND SEE HOW IT WORKS INSTEAD OF THROWING EVERYBODY IN BECAUSE HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE WAY MORE PHONES AND I AGREE WITH THE PRINCIPALS. I AGREE WITH THE POLICY. BUT I THINK IT'S GOOD TO START WITH K-, SEE HOW IT GOES.
IF THEY SAY HIGH SCHOOLS, WHAT HAVE YOU, WE KNOW WHAT WORKS, WHAT DOESN'T, ET CETERA. SO I AGREE WITH YOUR POLICY. >> Chair Brill: BEFORE I CALL ON MS. ANDREWS, WE WILL HAVE MORE OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO HASH THAT OUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE POLICY IN THE SPECIAL MEETING.
MS. ANDREWS. >> Marcia Andrews: I WANT TO CONCUR I LOVE THE CHANGES AND FOLLOWING THE LEGISLATURE PUTTING EVERYTHING IN PLACE, THAT'S GOOD BUT CERTAINLY FOR THE WIRELESS, WE'LL FOLLOW THE LAW BUT I THINK WE NEED TO JUST START WITH WHAT THE LAW TELLS US TO DO. >> Chair: SO THAT'S GOING TO END
OUR WORKSHOPS. LY NOW TAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. MOTION BY Ms. BRANCH, SECOND BY MS. SAVIETTO. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. I WILL GIVE YOU A MINUTE TO REFRESH YOUR SCREENS AND GO ON
TO THE SPECIAL MEETING. I WILL NOW CALL THE SPECIAL MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:36 P.M. THE RECORD SHOULD REFLECT THAT RIGHT NOW WE STILL HAVE A QUORUM WITH SEVEN BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT. ALSO JOINING US IS
SUPERINTENDENT MICHAEL BURKE, GENERAL COUNSEL SEAN BERNARD, AND INSPECTOR GENERAL THERESA MICHAEL AND BOARD CLERK SONY SIN KLEIER-- TONY SINCLAIR, SENIOR BOARD MEMBERS WILL JOIN US PERIODICALLY SPECIFIED BY THE
SUPERINTENDENT. WE HAVE ONE SET OF MINUTES TO APPROVE. I'LL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. MOTION BY MS. SAVIETTO SECOND BY Ms. WHITFIELD ANY DISCUSSION? I DO NOT HAVE ANY ITEMS TO ADD FOR GOOD CAUSE. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT DO YOU HAVE
ANYTHING TO WITHDRAW. >> NO, WE HAVE TWO ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT AT PRESENT.
WITH A POLL-COS 1-POL-COS 10. THAT'S ALREADY PULLED. DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER ITEMS THAT BOARD MEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO PULL? OKAY SEEING NONE I'LL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION BY MS. SAVIETTO, SECOND
BY VICE CHAIR ANDREWS, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ANY DISCLOSURES OR ABSTENTIONS? OKAY, SEEING NONE, WE ARE GOING TO MOVE TO SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS. >> Supt.Burke: I'LL HOLD MY COMMENTS UNTIL NEXT WEEK'S REGULAR MEETING.
>> Marcia Andrews: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE THAT. WE'LL START WITH Mr. LANE. EXPWHRL I'LL HOLD MY DOMESTICS. >> Chair: MS. SAVIETTO. >> SO I RECENTLY HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF HOSTING THE SECOND ROUNDTABLE IN A SERIES INSPIRED BY THE COMMUNITY LEADERS ISRAEL
STUDY TOUR. I TOOK LAST YEAR, ISRAEL OCTOBEL SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC MEDIA IMPLICATIONS FOR ISRAEL AND THE WORLD. THIS IMPORTANT DISCUSSION FOCUSED ON FAR REACHING CONSEQUENCES OF OCTOBER 7, NOT ONLY FOR ISRAEL, BUT FOR THE
GLOBAL COMMUNITY. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE CONTINUED COLLABORATION WITH FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY AND THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PANELISTS
IN AND OUR MODERATOR FOR LEADING THIS ESSENTIAL CONVERSATION. THANK YOU. I ATTENDED THE 25th ANNUAL NICHOLAS McGRATH SCHOLARSHIP DINNER AND AWARDS CEREMONY SPONSORED BY THE FRIENDS OF THE GAIL ACADEMY AT FOREST DALE HIGH
SCHOOL. A PLEASURE MEETING THIS GROUP AND WHAT A GREAT NIGHT CELEBRATING STUDENTS SUCCESS. A BIG SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE STUDENTS WHO EARNED NEARLY $30,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND PASSION FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT. THANK YOU TO COACH KRISTIN FROM
WELLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL FOR INVITING KNEE SPEAK TO THE LATINOS IN ACTION STUDENTS. A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT AND INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS. I ATTENDED AN AWARDS CEREMONY HOSTED BY HEC, THE HISPANIC
EDUCATION COALITION. THANK YOU TO HEC FOR RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING OUR STUDENTS, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE RECIPIENTS. OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS WE HAVE HAD THE INCREDIBLE HONOR OF
CELEBRATING OUR STUDENTS FROM ELEMENTARY TO HIGH SCHOOL TO DUAL LANGUAGE, EACH CEREMONY IS A POWERFUL REMINDER WHY WE DO THIS WORK. BERK TIRE ELEMENTARY, SCONE STAN, OAK HEALY MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND ESPECIALLY DURING PALM SPRINGS MIDDLE FIRST INTERNATIONAL SPANISH ACADEMY
GRADUATION. AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL I ATTENDED FOREST DALE HIGH SCHOOL AND JOHN I. LEONARD AND STALK CAN STOCK IN CHILDREN'S GRADUATION AND HAD THE CLANS TO WITNESS THE DETERMINATION AND RESILIENCE OF PEOPLE GRADUATING FROM OUR ADULT EDUCATION
PROGRAMS, IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO PURSUE YOUR DREAMS. THANK YOU TO THE SCHOOL BANDS WHOSE PERFORMANCE BEAUTIFULLY ENHANCED THE CELEBRATIONS AND TO EVERY STUDENT PARENT TEACHER ADMINISTRATOR. THANK YOU. THESE WERE NOT JUST MILESTONES
BUT CELEBRATIONS OF HARD WORK, COMMUNITY AND HOPE. I'M SO PROUD TO REPRESENT YOU. A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ERIC STERN AND HIS TEAM FOR ORCHESTRATING AN INCREDIBLE PRODUCTION OF GRADUATIONS AT THE FAIRGROUNDS. THREE CEREMONIES A DAY FOR TWO WEEKS. THE LEVEL OF COORDINATION, PROFESSIONALISM AND DETAIL THAT
WENT INTO EACH OF EVENT ENSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT AND THEIR FAMILY HAD A MOMENT TO REMEMBER Mr. BURKE, DID YOU A GREAT JOB, YOU WERE THERE THE ENTIRE TIME. THAT WAS A MARATHON OF GRADUATIONS. WE SHOOK SO MANY HANDS A SPECIAL
SHOUTOUT TO MY SON WHO IS MOVING UP FROM EIGHTH GRADE TO HIGH SCHOOL, I'M SO PROUD OF HIM. THANK YOU TO ALL HIS TEACHERS, COACHES AND FRIENDS. WHO MADE HIS THREE YEARS AT PALM BEACH COUNTY SPRINGS MIDDLE SUCH
A MEANINGFUL AND SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE LUCA SINCE YOU WERE LITTLE, YOU ALWAYS STOOD OUT FOR YOUR KINDNESS, DETERMINATION AND BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT. YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHAMPION ON AND OFF THE FIELD IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE.
YOUR HARD WORK, KINDNESS AND DETERMINATION MAKE YOU A WINNER IN EVERYTHING YOU DO I AM SO PROUD OF YOU. HE IS AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY SO I WILL EXCUSE MYSELF IN FIVE MINUTES BUT CONGRATULATIONS TO
THE CLASS OF 2025. >> Chair Brill: MISS WHITFIELD. >> NORMALLY WOULD I SKIP MY COMMENTS DURING THIS SPECIAL MEETING BUT I WANT TO BRING UP SOMETHING THAT IS TIMELY THERE IS A BILL AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL PROPOSED RECONCILIATION ON THE
BUDGET COMING FORWARD THAT I THINK HAS SPECIFIC IMPACT ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND SOMETHING I WANTED TO SHARE WITH THE PEOPLE LISTENING. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO POTENTIALLY IMPACT OUR SNAP DOLLARS AT THAT TIME WE GET INTO THE STATE OF FLORIDA. FORMERLY KNOWN AS FOOD STAMPS FOR THOSE OF HOW DON'T REALIZE
THE CHANGE THAT HAPPENED WITH IT MANY YEARS AGO BUT THOSE DLARS ARE USED TO FEED PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO FEED THEMSELVES. THIS IS A HUGE IMPACT ON OUR FAMILIES. THE PART THAT IMPACTS THE DISTRICT THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR
EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT WHEN WE REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF DOLLARS THAT COME INTO THE STATE OF FLORIDA FOR SNAP AND WIC AND FOR ALL OTHER FEDERAL PROGRAMS, IT REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAMS AND WE USE THOSE NUMBERS TO FIGURE OUT HOW MANY PEOPLE WE CAN GIVE FREE
AND REDUCED LUNCH BREAKFAST PROGRAMS TO. OUR FREE PROGRAMS AT THAT TIME WE HAVE FOR OUR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND SUPPER ARE CURRENTLY THORED THROUGH THE CEP PROGRAM, THE COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PROGRAM AND IT IS ONLY SOMETHING THAT WE
CAN DO TO GIVE ALL THESE FREE BREAKFASTS AND LAUNCH TO EVERYBODY IN THE DISTRICT BECAUSE WE ARE TO USE THOSE NUMBERS OF HOW MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE CURRENTLY GETTING SNAP OR WIC OR ANY OTHER FEDERAL PROGRAM FUNDING. SO AS THIS LEGISLATION GOES
THROUGH, I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO BE WEAR OF THE REVERBERATIONS THAT IT COULD HAVE ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE. WE ARE GOOD THROUGH 27-28, SO WE HAVE THAT PROVISION SET ASIDE FOR THAT BUT AS WE GO FORWARD,
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FREE BREAKFAST LUNCH AND SUPPER SHOULD WE LOSE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE SNAP PROGRAMS THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT IT, PLEASE GO TO THE FOOD RESEARCH AND ACTION CENTER, WHICH IS LOCATED
AT FRAC.ORG. FOOD RESEARCH AND ACTION CENTER AND YOU CAN WRITE TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE ON OUR FAMILIES HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU, MISS BRANCH. >> NORMALLY I WOULD PASS BUT
GRADUATIONS, GRADUATIONS, GRADUATIONS. I ATTENDED WEST BOCA HIGH, OLYMPIC HEIGHTS AND SPANISH RIVER ALL IN MY DISTRICT. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALL THE SENIORS, EXCITING TIME FOR THE GRADUATES. THANK YOU TO THE TEACHERS, STAFF, GUIDANCE COUNSELOR, STAFF, ADMINISTRATORS FOR THE
CARE AND SUPPORT YOU POURED INTO THE STUDENTS, THE CHOIRS AND BANDS WERE EXCELLENT, ALSO AND A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND LOVED ONES THAT HELPED GET THE GRADUATES THROUGH THIS BIG MILESTONE OF LIFE. ERIC STERN, AGAIN, HIS TEAM DID A GREAT JOB.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE 14th ANNUAL EVENT THEY RAISED OVER 80,000 DOLLARS FOR KIDS WITH CANCER RESEARCH. NATIONAL ATHLETE, SO MANY SPORTS AND ATHLETES FROM FAU AND THE KIDS LOVED IT. BILLIE THE MARLIN, IT WAS A HEART WARMING EVENT.
>> Chair Brill: MR. FERGUSON. >> Edward Ferguson: THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2025 AND IN THE WORDS OF SUPERINTENDENT BURKE, IT'S YOUR TIME TO THRIVE. I ATTENDED 11, AT LEAST 11 OF THE GRADUATIONS.
I HAVE A FEW SNAPSHOTS FROM THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES FROM THE SCHOOLS I TOOK NOTES AND I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE A FEW PEOPLE WHO MADE MAJOR I AM IMPRESSIONS. Dr. MOODY FULLER, UNQUESTIONABLY HAD ONE OF THE BEST SPEECHES I EVER HEARD DELIVERED ABOUT BY A PRINCIPAL.
CONTINUE DOING THE GREAT JOB YOU ARE DOING. THE SALUTATORIAN OLYMPIC HEIGHTS AUSTIN SNYDER AND ALSO THE VALEDICTORIAN AT SUN COAST, MAX. THEY BOTH DELIVERED THEIR SPEECHES FROM MEMORY AND THAT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE TO ME AS
SOMEBODY WHO CONSIDERS THEMSELVES A HACK PUBLIC SPEAKER, I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE WAY THEY WERE ABLE TO DELIVER THEIR SPEECHES WITH SUCH VIGOR AND PASSION I VUT YOU AND WISH YOU ALL NOTHING BUT THE BEST I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR INTRODUCING ME TO A GROUP COLD
PLAY, I HAD NOT HEARD THAT SONG VIVA LA VITA. I WAS ROCK THAT OUT SUNDAY, WHEN I RULED THE WORLD. GLADES CENTRAL, 100% GRADUATION RATED. THAT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE TO ME. AND I ALSO WAS IMPRESSED BY THE
YOUNG LADY WHO RECEIVED THE SCHOLARSHIP. SHE WAS BROUGHT TO TEARS. SHE GOT A $10,000 SCHOLARSHIP FROM Mr. AND Mr. BOULDIN, CONTINUE DOING YOUR GREAT WORK AND I WISH YOU NOTHING BUT THE BEST AS WELL. KUDOS TO THE CITY OF WELLINGTON. YOU ARE THE ONLY CITY THAT I SAW THAT SHOWED UP IN FULL FORCE FOR
YOUR GRADUATION. YOU CONTINUE TO BE A LEADER IN SO MANY WAYS AND I HOPE THAT THE OTHER CITIES WILL SHOW THE RESPECT THAT THESE STUDENTS DESERVE AND SHOW UP TO FUTURE GRADUATIONS. WE SHOULDN'T HAVE A ONE OFF REPRESENTATIVED FROM EACH
RESPECTIVE CITIES. CAPSTONE EVENT. THE YOUNG MAN FROM DREYFOOS WHO THANKED ME FOR SHOWING BLACK EXCELLENCE. I DON'T DO THIS FOR THANKS BUT IT MEANT A LOT.
PALM BEACH LEAK LAKES, I RESPECT AND APPRECIATE HOW SHE TOOK TIME TO RECOGNIZE HER ENTIRE STAFF, NOT JUST THE TEACHERS, THE JANITORS, EVERYBODY. PALM BEACH LAKES GRADUATION IS UNQUESTIONABLY AN EXPERIENCE. CONTINUE DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
I HAVE SAY THE BEST SPEECH WAS VALEDICTORIAN, UNDERSTANDING THE STRUGGLES HE OVERCAME. HE DIDN'T LAMENT HIS SITUATION. HE ROSE ABOVE HIS SITUATION AND HE REALLY MOVED ME AND I WISH HIM NOTHING BUT THE BEST DURING THE GRADUATIONS I HAD A CHANCE
TO GO TO RIFF WRA BEACH TO THE LISTENING TOO FAR. DELEGATION FROM THE BAHAMAS, I'M SURE OF THIS HALF OF THEM ARE MY COUSINS, GOOD TO SPEND TIME WITH THEM. PROBABLY MY MOST UPLIFTING THING WAS THE ICE CREAM PARTY AT EGRET LAKE LAST WEEK WITH THE FIRST
GRADE CLASS THEY WANTED TO TELL ME HOW GREAT A JOB THEY'RE DOING. THE SCHOOL IS STRUGGLING IN RECENT TIMES IN A FEW WAYS BUT THERE IS A PROGRAM CALLED PRODIGY. IT'S A MATH PROGRAM, AND EGRET
LAKE INS THE TOP ROUGHLY TOP 10-- 1% OF THE 70,000 SCHOOLS COMPETING ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE EGRET LAKE FOR THE GREAT WORK THEY'RE DOING, PRINCIPAL ON DOWN. CONTINUE DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND THINGS WILL WORK OUT SOONER THAN LATER. LAST ANY PARENT STILL LOOKING
FOR A SUMMER CAMP. AT FA-- ALPHA STAR SUMMER CAMP. TOES ON THE SCREEN, DOWNLOAD THE QR TEAM, THEY'RE DOING A GREAT JOB IN TERMS OF S.A.T. PREP AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. PLEASE GIVE THEM A SHOT AND CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. >> Chair: NEW MR. FERGUSON.
VICE CHAIR ANDREWS. >> Marcia Andrews: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE GRADUATES AND ALSO CONGRATULATIONS FOR ALL OF THE RETIREES WHO WE WILL BE CELEBRATING TOMORROW MORNING. IT'S A BIG DEAL. BUT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE
GRADUATIONS, SUPERINTENDENT MIKE BURKE, WERE YOU THERE INSPIRING THE STUDENTS AND WHEN I SEE BOARD MEMBERS WHO WERE ON THE STAGE, IT PUTS JOY IN ALL OF OUR HEARTS TO SHAKE THOSE HANDS, TO TELL THEM YOU GOT THIS. YOU MADE IT. YOU DID IT. GRADUATIONS ARE THE CROWN JEWELS
OF WHAT WE DO. THIS IS WHY WE ARE SITTING HERE TODAY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS TO THE BEST SO TO ERIC STERN, SCHOOL POLICE, COMMUNICATIONS, ALL OF YOU, WHO WERE THERE, NIGHT AND DAY MAKING SURE EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT FOR THE PARENTS, FOR THE FAMILIES AND CERTAINLY FOR THE GRADUATES,
IT WAS FABULOUS AND I NEVER MISS IT BECAUSE IT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME. I HAVE A FEW PICTURES AND THINGS TO TALK ABOUT. WITH GRADUATION WE HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE PLACE. I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A CAMEO APPEARANCE, I THINK YOU DID, TOO, MIDST BRILL AT Dr. JOAQUIN GARCIA'S HIGH
SCHOOL MUSICAL. IT WAS CALLED HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. AND WE HAD A CHANCE TO BE ON THE STAGE. IT WAS A LOT OF FUN TO DRESS UP AND ACT LIKE TEENAGERS WHO WERE
DOING BAD THINGS. TO BRING STUDENTS FROM THE
STUDENTS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET A LOT OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM PALM BEACH COUNTY IT WAS A SUPER LURCH ONMr. MR. FERGUSON YOU WERE THERE WITH
ME IT WAS GREAT. WE WENT TO PIONEER PARK AQUATIC CENTER FOR OUR ESE STUDENTS AND THEY GOT A CHANCE TO GET IN THE WATER AND THEY LEARNED HOW TO
SWIM WE HAD A FEW DEATHS IN THE GLADES REGION SO IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO SWIM. Mr. MAYOR DOUGLAS LAWSON AND HE INVITED THE COMMUNITY, THE
PARENTS A LOT OF TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS THERE WITH US AND WE JUST LISTENED SO THAT WE CAN BE BEST THAT WE CAN BE AND ALSO TO NORA BERNSTEIN FROM POLO PARK, YOU ARE AWESOME. I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW AT THE RETIREMENT BREAKFAST, NORA, WERE
YOU THERE WITH ME AT POLO PARK WHEN I WAS PRINCIPAL AND YOU ARE RETIRING FROM THE MEDIA CENTER. YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND ROY HAVE BEEN AT POLO PARK FOR OVER 18 YEARS. WE SALUTE YOU. AND I WANT TO SHOW A FEW OF THE GRADUATIONS THAT I ATTENDED. I ATTENDED A LOT OF THEM, LIKE
ALL OF YOU DID, BUT PAHOKEE WAS EXCELLENT, TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN. ROYAL PALM BEACH HIGH SCHOOL, EVERGLADES PREP AND THE LIST GOES ON I DON'T HAVE PICTURES OF ALL OF THEM BUT I SEE THE FACES OF THE STUDENTS IN MY MIND IN MY
HEART TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS AND LASTLY I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO RITA SOLNET WHEN WE THINK OF OUR LEGISLATION AND LEGISLATIVE BODIES AT THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL, YOU DO A GREAT JOB RIGHTEDDA, WE ARE-- RITA, WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO AND WHATEVER HAPPENS FROM THE
LEGISLATORS, WE KNOW DID YOU YOUR BEST AND TALLAHASSEE AND D.C. TO MAKE IT RIGHT FOR ALL OF US. YOU REPRESENT US. THANK YOU. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU VICE CHAIR ANDREWS, I WASN'T GOING TO MAKE ANY COMMENTS BUT I WILL SAY THAT I OUTDID ALL OF YOU AT GOING TO GRADUATIONS BECAUSE ONE
OF US ONLY HAS ONE HIGH SCHOOL IN THEIR DISTRICT. AND SO NOW YOU SEE THE RESULTS. IT WAS WELL WORTH IT AND YES, ONE OF THE PLACES THAT I WAS THIS PAST MONTH WAS AS A WALK ON
AT Dr. JOAQUIN GARCIA FOR THEIR MUSE DALE PRESENTATION. BUT THE REAL STAR OF THE WALK ONS WAS MY SON MATTHEW, HE REALLY STOLE THE SHOW. SO I JUST WANT TO LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT WE NOW HAVE A QUORUM OF SIX.
MISS SAVIETTO IS NO LONGER IN ATTENDANCE. I WANT TO THANK THE AGENDA ITEM SPEAKERS FOR YOUR PATIENCE IN BEING HERE. WE ARE NOW MOVING TO OUR AGENDA ITEM SPEAKERS AND SO ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL BOARD, I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS WHO ARE JOINING US
TODAY. OUR POLICY PROVIDES THAT WE DO NOT RESPOND TO OR ENGAGE WITH OUR SPEAKERS, HOWEVER WE DO MAKE NOTE OF YOUR ISSUES AND WE FOLLOW UP WITH DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION REGARDING THEM. AS A REMINDER, AGENDA SPEAKER COMMENTS MUST RELATE TO THE
SUBJECT MATTER OF THE AGENDA ITEM WHICH THE SPEAKER HAS REQUESTED TO ADDRESS. PURSUANT TO THE SCHOOL BOARD POLICY, SPEAKERS WHOSE COMMENTS DO NOT RELATE TO THE TOPIC THAT THE SPEAKER INDICATED INCLUDING THE MENTION OF ANY PERSONS CANDIDACY FOR ELECTED OFFICE OR
WHOSE COMMENTS DISRUPT OR INTERFERE WITH THE ORDER OF THE MEETING MAY BE SUBJECT TO REMOVAL FROM THE MEETING OR HAVING THE MICROPHONE TURNED OFF AR FORFEITING THE RIGHT TO SPEAK AT THE REMAINDER OF TODAY'S MEETING. YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD IN ACCORDANCE WITH SCHOOL BOARD POLICY THE MICROPHONE WILL BE TURNED OFF
WHEN THE TIME LIMIT HAS BEEN REACHED. WHEN YOU SPEAK, VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. I WILL CALL TWO AT A TIME. WE MAY HAVE LOST A FEW PEOPLE. FIRST WE HAVE DAVID RODRIGUEZ.
FOLLOWED BY MAX FENNING MY NAME
IS DAVID RODRIGUEZ AND I'M HERE ONCE AGAIN TO VOICE MY OPPOSITION TO THE RECENT EMERGENCY VOTE ON THE ELIMINATING HIRING PRACTICES AND POLICIES THAT PROMOTE FAIR LESS AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO WOMEN AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES
AND PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. IN THE THREE YEARS THAT I WORKED AT A TEACHER IN FLORIDA, I SAW THE LASTING IMPACT OF THE POLICIES THIS BOOFERRED IS TRYING TO REPEAL. I SAW HOW EFFECTIVE IT IS TO
HAVE A DIVERSE WORKFORCE OF TEACHERS, BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONALS SERVING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. HAVING OUR PROFESSIONALS REFLECT THE DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF STUDENTS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY GOES A LONG WAY IN MAKING SURE THE STUDENTS FEEL SEEN, HEARD AND SUPPORTED IN THE CLASSROOM.
WHEN STUDENTS FEEL LIKE THEY BELONG, THEY THRIVE ACADEMICALLY AND PERSONALLY. PALM BEACH COUNTY IS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE COUNTIES IN FLORIDA BY REMOVING THESE POLICIES THAT PROMOTE FAIRNESS AND EQUITY AND CONTRACTING BUSINESSES FOR THE DISTRICT, WE ARE REDUCING
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES TO COMPETE FOR BIDS ON A TRULY LEVEL PLAYING FIELD THESE POLICIES SUPPORT THE WIDER COMMUNITY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY BY ENSURING PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS TO PARTAKE IN SERVING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND BUILDING PROSPERITY IN THE MOST
MARGINALIZED PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THESE POLICIES HAVE HELPED THE DISTRICT RECRUIT A WORKFORCE REFLECTIVE OF THE STUDENTS THAT
THEY SERVE. CRETE EIGHTING MORE EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ENSURED A WIDE RANGE OF DIVERSE VOICES ARE INCLUDED IN IMPORTANT DECISION MAKING.
BY REMOVING THESE POLICIES, YOU WILL BE UNDERMINING AND EVENTUALLY REVERSING ALL OF THAT PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE. THE STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY DESERVE A LOT BETTER THAN THAT. THESE POLICIES HAVE BEEN IN COMPLIANCE WITH BOTH STATE AND
FEDERAL LAW FOR ALL THESE YEARS. SO WITH THAT IN MIND AND WITH THE FUTURE OF THE STUDENTS, THE WORKFORCE AND THE COMMUNITY IN
MIND, I URGE YOU TO PLEASE FIGHT BACK AGAINST THE PRESSURE TO FURTHER POLITICIZE OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM AND REVERSE THIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> Chair: MAX FENNING AND ERIC
VANDERNELL. WORKING TO EXPAND ACCESS TO LGBTQ EDUCATION AND SEXUAL RESOURCES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN SOUTH FLORIDA. WE STAND IN STAUNCH OPPOSITION TO THE RECENT A.M.S TO POLICIES
PROCEED MOTORING DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN PALM BEACH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE ORIGINAL VERSIONS OF THESE POLICIES DID NOT UNFAIRLY BENEFIT ONE RACE OR ANOTHER OR CONFER AN ADVANTAGE OR DISADVANTAGE TO ONE VENDER OVER ANOTHER. MUCH TO THE CONTRARY, THESE POLICIES LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD, BRING DIVERSE PERSONS
INTO THE FOLD AND GIVE A VOICE AND FIGHTING CHANCE TO COMMUNITIES THAT OTHERWISE WOULD NOT BE PROVIDED ONE RECOGNIZE AND CHAMPION THE DIVERSITY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY AND ENSURE THE BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS, STUDENT TRANSFERS, ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND OTHER PROCESSES ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF ALL PEOPLE IN
THIS AMAZING COUNTY THAT I HAIL FROM. THIS DECISION WAS MADE AT OUT OF FEAR AND IN DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE THREATS FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OF LOSS OF $300 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING. AND THAT'S SCARY. ESPECIALLY WHEN WE CONSIDER THAT THE FUNDING OFTEN BENEFITS OUR MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN.
LOW INCOME STUDENTS, STUDENTS OF COLOR AND THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. SO OF COURSE YOU MADE A DIFFICULT DECISION TO PROTECT THOSE STUDENTS FROM MASSIVE FUNDING CUTS THAT COULD CAUSE LASTING HARM BUT WE KNOW THE
THREATS ARE UNSUBSTANCE WAIT-- UN-- THE LAWS IN QUESTION HAVE NOT CHANGED SO IF THESE POLICIES WERE NOT IN VIOLATION OF STATE AND FEDERAL LAW BEFORE, THAT REMAINS THE CASE. SO NOW IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING OUR PARENTS,
STUDENTS, FACULTY DESERVE BETTER. PALM BEACH COUNTY IS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE IN THE NATION AND WE ARE BETTER FOR IT. WE ARE EXPERIENCING A FULL FRONTAL ATTACK IN OUR PUBLIC DAYCARES SYSTEM AT LARGE.
IT NO, SIR LONGER HAPPENING IN SECRET. IT'S FULL THROATED, BRAZEN AND IT SHOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE. IF WE GIVE WAY TO AEMPTY THES TO HARM OUR DISTRICT'S MOST VULNERABLE, ESPECIALLY WITH WE DON'T NEED TO, IT WILL NOT END
THERE. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO PRECOMPLY. WE URGE YOU TO PAUSE ON THE POLICY CHANGES. WE URGE YOU TO STAND WITH YOUR PARENTS, STUDENTS, FACULTY AND LOCAL BUSINESSES. WE URGE YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
>> Chair Brill: ERIC VANDER NELL AND THEN FRANCE GORDON I'M A
ENTREPRENEUR AND FORMER BUSINESS OWNER. MY FAMILY ARE MEMBERS THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND MY 13-YEAR-OLD SON IS AN ALLY.
I'M HERE TONIGHT JUST AS A PARENT BUT CONCERNED CITIZEN WHO BELIEVES IN TEARNESS FOR ALL. I ENCOURAGE TO YOU REINSTATE AND NOT MAKE POLICY CHANGES FOR FOR EXAMPLE, TO 6.142 AND 6.43.
IN KEEPING THESE POLICIES AS THEY ARE, IT SENDS A POWERFUL MESSAGE THAT PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT VALUES EQUITY EMBRACES DIVERSITY AND CREATES SPACE FOR EVERYONE TO SUCCEED.
I ALSO ENCOURAGE THIS SCHOOL BOARD TO CONTINUE TO LEAD WITH CURNLG, COURAGE, TO REJECT POLITICAL PRESSURE THAT SEEKS TO DIVIDE US AND STRIP AWAY PROGRESS. EVERYONE DESERVES TO LIVE IN COMMUNITIES THAT STAND FOR JUSTICE, FAIRNESS AND INCLUSION FOR ALL.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. FRANCE MAKABU JORDAN AND FOLLOWED BY MILES DAVIS. >> HELLO EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS FRANCE GORDON, A REAL ESTATE BROKER AND ALSO A MOM.
TONIGHT I'M HERE AS A CONCERNED RESIDENT AND A PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENT. I WENT TO PUBLIC SCHOOL MYSELF AND NOW MY DAUGHTER IS IN KINDERGARTEN HERE IN THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. SO THIS IS ACTUALLY PRETTY PERSONAL TO ME. IT IS NOT JUST POLICY.
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE RECENT CHANGES TO THE DISTRICT DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION POLICIES AND THAT INCLUDES THE REMOVAL OF THE MAJORITY TO MINORITY TRANSFER RULE AND THE LANGUAGE THAT SUPPORTED FAIR HIRING AND BUSINESS PRACTICES. I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THE DISTRICT IS TRYING TO FOLLOW THE
LAW BUT KECK NOT LET THAT COME AT THE COST OF FAIRNESS. SO TAKING EQUITY OUT OF THE POLICIES DOES NOT MEAN THAT INEQUALITY TO LONGER EXISTS. IT JUST MAKES IT EASIER TO IGNORE. SO I JUST HOPE THAT WE DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT REALLY
MATTERS, WHICH IS MAKING SURE THAT EVERY CHILD IN THE DISTRICT FEELS SEEN, SUPPORTED AND ALSO SET UP FOR SUCCESS. THANK YOU. MILES DAVIS AND GENERALIA RE MBA
UM. -- >> GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS MILES DAVIS. I SERVE AS THE POLICY DIRECTOR AT PRISM FLORIDA AND TONIGHT I'M ASKING THE BOARD TO PAUSE AND THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT WHAT THESE CHANGES REALLY MEAN, WHAT IS BEING TAKEN OUT ARE THE VERY POLICIES THAT HELPED PALM BEACH
COUNTY SCHOOLS BE MORE FAIR, MORE INCLUSIVE AND MORE REFLECTIVE OF THE STUDENTS THAT THEY SERVE. WE HAD GUIDANCE THAT MADE SURE OUR STAFF AND MENTORS LOOK LIKE OUR STUDENT BODY, SO EVERY CHILD COULD SEE WHAT IS POSSIBLE. WE HAD LANGUAGE THAT ENCOURAGED
DIVERSE VOICES AND OVERSIGHT SO FAMILIES COULD TRUST THE DECISIONS WERE BEING MADE WITH THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IN MIND. WE SUPPORTED BUSINESSES OWNERRED BY WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR BECAUSE EQUITY SHOULD REACH EVERY PART OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. NONE OF THAT WAS EXTREME. IT WAS COMMON SENSE AND IT WAS
WORKING. THESE ROLL BACKS SEND A DIFFERENT MESSAGE THAT INCLUSIONINGS OPTIONAL AND THAT WE ARE WILLING TO STEP BACK WHEN THE POLITICS GET TOUGH. BUT WE SHOULDN'T BE ATRADE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON D.C. WE SHOULD BE LEADING HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DECIDE
WHETHER OUR SCHOOLS MOVE FORWARD OR FALL BACK. I HOPE YOU CHOOSE TO LEAD WITH COURAGE, WITH CLARITY, AND WITH EVERY STUDENT IN MIND. THANK YOU. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. JENNA FOLLOWED BY CHARLES RIDLY.
>> HI, MY NAME IS JENNA RENBALM I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN. I'M STUDYING TO BE A TEACHER HERE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND I'M HERE TO ASK THAT THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT PLEASE RAILROAD CONSIDER THE DECISION TO RESCIND THEIR DEI PROGRAMS. FIRST I WANT TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF.
MY GRANDMOTHER AND MOTHER AND I ALL GREW UP IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. I WENT TO WATSON B. DUNCAN MIDDLE SCHOOL, VOLUNTEERED AT TEMPER TRACE AND MY GRAND PERFLUOROFOUNDED A SCHOOL HERE. SHE WAS ACTUALLY THE MAYOR OF WEST PALM BEACH AT ONE POINT, CAROL ROBERTS IF YOU KNOW THE NAME. THERE WAS ONE THING THAT SHE
ALSO USED TO SAY TO ME GROWING UP AND I'M PARAPHRASING. NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS OR WHAT YOU DO OR HOW OLD YOU GROW, KNOW THAT YOUR VOICE MATTERS, THE CHOICES YOU MAKE MATTER. CHOOSE TO BE BRAVE. SO I'M STANDING UP IN FRONT OF YOU AND CHOOSING TO BE BRAVE.
I'M BARELY 22. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT I WANT TO TO DO WITH MY LIFE. GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE, HOLD A GIRL'S HAND, FEEL SAFE IN MY DISTRICT WHEN I GO TO WORK EVERY DAY. I WANT TO LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE WHEN PEOPLE LOOK AT ME SEE ME NOT AS A MATTER OF POLITICS BUT
A HUMAN BEING. THERE IS NOT ONE PERSON STUDENT OR STAFF MEMBER IN THIS DISTRICT WHO IS WORTH LESS THAN ANOTHER BUT WITH WE ALLOW DEI PROGRAMS TO END, THAT'S EXACTLY THE MESSAGE THAT I THINK WE SEND TO OUR CHILDREN. I AM SOMEONE'S CHILD, TOO. AND ALL MY PARENTS EVER WANTED
FOR ME WAS TO HAVE THE SAME CHANCE AS EVERYONE ELSE. I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO SIT ON THE COUCH AND WATCH AS YOUR RIGHTS GET TAKEN AWAY. IT DOES NOT FEEL GOOD. OUR CLASSROOMS ARE NOT A PLACE FOR POLITICS. OUR PLAYGROUNDS ARE NOT BATTLEFIELDS WHERE OUR STAFF'S IDENTITIES SHOULD BE HELD ABOVE
OUR HEAD AS BARGAINING CHIPS, GIVING INTO THREATS IS DEFINITELY EASIER UNDERSTAND FEAR IS EASIER AND I'M NOT ASKING TO YOU MAKE AN EASY CHOICE. I'M WELL AWARE OF THAT I'M ASKING YOU TO MAKE THE RIGHT ONE, I'M ASKING YOU TO AS I TRY
TO DO EVERY DAY, TO CHOOSE TO BE BRAVE WITH ME. THANK YOU. AND BEFORE I GO, JUST A SMALL NOTE, POLICY 5.002 AMENDS THE LANGUAGE REGARDING ANTIHARASSMENT AND BULLYING TO NO LONGER INCLUDE MINORITY
COMMUNITIES IN REGARDS TO IDENTITY DIFFERENCES AND RELIGIOUS BACKGROUNDS AND I THINK IT'S MORE THAT THE BOARD TAKE A LOOK AT THAT LANGUAGE CHANGE IN 5.002. IT DOES HAVE A RELATIVELY LARGE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE PROTECTED FROM BULLYING AND
I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THE TRUSTED ADULT PROGRAM BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO TRUST THE ADULTS IN YOUR COMMUNITY WHEN THE LAW DOES THOUGHT PROTECT YOU FROM BULLYING ANYMORE. SO THANK YOU ALL. I APPRECIATE IT. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. CHARLES RIDLEY FOLLOWED BY Dr. RAY WHITELEY.
>> MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MY NAME IS CHUCK RIDLEY, CHAIR OF UNIFIED PALM BEACH COUNTY. AND I COME BEFORE YOU NOT AS A STRANGER TO THIS DISTRICT, BUT SOMEONE WHO HAS SPENT DECADES
FIGHTING FOR EQUITY, JUSTICE AND THE FUTURE OF BLACK CHILDREN IN THIS COUNTY. I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE VOICES BEFORE ME REALLY TOUCHED ME, MANY OF THEM WAS THE AGE I WAS WHEN I STARTED COMING BEFORE THIS BOARD.
LET'S BEGIN WITH THE TRUTH WE SHOULD ALL BE ABLE TO AGREE WITH. YOUR DUTY IS TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS, NOT TO WASHINGTON POLICE DETECTIVE, NO THE TO
CAMPAIGN THREATS AND NOT TO THE THEATER DISGUISED AS POLICY. YET TODAY YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO SURRENDER THAT DUTY. TO REWRITE DISTRICT POLICIES IN RESPONSE TO A FEDERAL LEVEL THAT
IS NOT LAW. NOT GROUNDED IN FACT AND NOT BACKED BY MORAL PRINCIPLES. THIS IS NOT COMPLIANCE. THIS IS COMPLICITY.
BY MOVING FORWARD, YOU ARE SHOWING THAT REVERSE DISCRIMINATION EXISTS IN THIS DISTRICT AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF THAT. NONE. HOWEVER, THERE IS AN OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE THAT BLACK, LATINO, LGBTQ AND
IMMIGRANTS STUDENTS CONTINUE TO FACE BARRIERS EACH AND EVERY DAY. WHY WOULD YOU ERASE THEIR REALITY TO PROTECT A POLITICAL FANTASY. HEAR ME CLEARLY, BOARD.
ACROSS THE COUNTRIES, THE COURTS ARE REVIEWING THE LEGALITIES OF THE DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER. THE LAW IS UNSETTLED. SO WHY WOULD YOU SETTLE IT HERE? YOU HAVE THE POWER TO WAIT THE POWER TO LEAD.
WE URGE YOU TO RESINT YOUR PREVIOUS VOTE OR AT THE VERY LEAST, DELAY THE POLICY THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT. UNIFIED STANDS WITH THE NAACP IN VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND HERE
WHAT IS WE COMMIT TO DO. IF NECESSARY WE COMMIT TO LITIGATE BECAUSE SILENCE IS NOT NEUTRALITY.
SILENCE IS COMPLICITY. >> Chair: Dr. RAY WHITELY AND ALFRED FIELDS. >> CORRECTION I'M NOT A DOCTOR YET. BUT I AM IS A PASTOR.
GOOD EVENING MADAM CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS AND TO ALL THAT CAN HEAR MY VOICE. I AM NOT ONLY STANDING HERE AS THE LEAD ORGANIZER OF FAITH IN FLORIDA, I'M STANDING HERE AS A SERVANT OF THE MOST HIGH GOD AND GRANDFATHER OF 10 CHILDREN IN
PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM. WE DIDN'T COME HERE TONIGHT FOR BUSINESS AS USUAL. WE STAND AT A SPIRITUAL CROSSROADS BETWEEN THE RIGHTEOUS PATH OF JUSTICE AND THE DANGEROUS ROAD OF POLITICAL
SURRENDER. TITLE VI OF THE SIMPLES ACT-- OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT WAS NOT A MATTER OF CONVENIENCE. IT WAS BORN FROM STRUGGLE. BAPTIZED IN THE BLOOD OF MEDGAR
EVERS THAT DID NOT WELCOME THEM. THE LAW WAS BUILT TO PROTECT THE EXCLUDED, NOT TO ENSHRINE THE
DISCOMFORT OF THE PRIVILEGED THAT RIGHTS THAT SACRED PURPOSE. THIS DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER IS NOT A GUIDANCE. IT'S A BETRAYAL, A BETRAYAL OF
OUR ANCESTORS, BETRAYAL OF OUR CHILDREN AS MICAH TELLS US. TO ACT JUSTLY AND SHOW MERCY AND WALK HUMBLY BEFORE YOUR GOD.
THIS IS A FALSE DECLARATION IT ASKS YOU TO EDGE THIS LIE IN DISTRICT POLICY. THIS IS NOT LEADERSHIP THIS IS MORAL INFIDELITY.
TO VALIDATE THIS AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN. SO I SPEAK TODAY TO YOU WITH THE MORAL CONVICTION OF A PREACHER AND THE CONCERN OF A GRANDFATHER AS THE LORD SAID TO ISRAEL,
CHOOSE THIS DAY WHOM HE WILL SERVE, WILL HE SERVE POWER OR PRINCIPLE? COMFORT OR CONSCIOUS? LET JUSTICE ROLL DOWN LIKE WATER AND RIGHTEOUSNESS LIKE A MIGHTY STREAM, NOT BURIED IN FINE
PRINT, NOT BENT BY POLITICAL WIND, BUT ALIVE IN THE TESTIMONY OF A SCHOOL BOARD THAT STOOD FIRM WHEN OTHERS BOW. WE. AND ALL THE FUTURE GENERATIONS TO UPHOLD VALUE OF JUSTICE AND
TRUTH. SCWHRK THANK YOU. ALFRED FIELDS FOLLOWED BY. >> GOOD EVENING.
MY NAME IS ALFRED FIELDS. >> I KNOW YOUR JOBS ARE NOT EASY. I SAT THROUGH THE ENTIRE MEETING TODAY AND HEARD THE COMPLEX DECISIONS HAVE YOU TO MAKE.
I UNDERSTAND THE AGONY OF HAVING TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE GOING TO AFFECT AND REPEATING EVERYTHING THAT WAS JUST SAID TO
YOU, I'M GOING TO TALK WITH YOU. AND SAY TO YOU YOU ARE A POLICYMAKER. YOU ARE POLICYMAKERS. AND OUR SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
CARRIES OUT THE POLICIES. HE DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE POLICY. WITHOUT COMING TO YOU FIRST WE
HAVE A CONGRESS THAT ARE POLICYMAKERS AND THEY SET THE BUDGET. YOU TALKED ABOUT BUDGETS TODAY. WHEN YOU SET THE BUDGET I HE
CAN'T CHANGE THE BUDGET WITHOUT COMING BACK TO YOU. SO WHAT I'M SAYING TO YOU, CONGRESS DID NOT CHANGE THE BUDGET. CONGRESS DID NOT CHANGE THE
POLICY. SO I'M SAYING TO YOU DON'T ALLOW FEAR HAVE YOU CHANGE YOUR
POLICIES WHEN YOU KNOW THEY'RE NOT FAIR. YOU HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG. THE POLICIES THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE ARE HELPFUL MUCH AND SO WE ARE HERE TO WORK WITH YOU. WE ARE LEER TO STRENGTHEN OUR
SCHOOL SYSTEM, WE ARE HERE TO BETTER OUR COMMUNITIES. SO I SAY TO YOU, WORK WITH US. TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BE GUTTED PIECE BY PIECE. AND CAVE INTO THREATS THAT ARE
NOT FOUNDED. AND POLICY. YOU ARE POLICYMAKERS SO... >> Clerk: THANK YOU.
DEDRYCK STRONG. >> GOOD EVENING, I'M DEDRYCK STRONG, PRESIDENT OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY BRANCH OF THE NAACP MUCH THE SPEAKERS WHO HAVE COME BEFORE ME TO TALK ABOUT THE POTENTIAL ROLL BACK OF YOUR DEI
POLICIES HAVE COME TO YOU AND TRY TO APPEAL IN A MORAL SENSE. I LIKE TO DRY A DIFFERENT APROP. THE DAY AFTER YOU ALL TOOK THIS VOTE ON APRIL 23, THERE WERE THREE FEDERAL COURT DECISIONS
THAT WERE DECIDED D.C. MARYLAND AND NEW HAMPSHIRE AND I WOULD LIKE TO READ FROM YOU FROM THE OPINION OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE COURT BECAUSE THIS IS THE LEGAL BASIS UPON WHICH YOU ALL SHOULD NOT SHOULD NOT ROLL BACK THE DEI
POLICIES. THE COURT IN THE NEW HAMPSHIRE CASE INDICATED THAT THE LETTER THAT PROMPTED YOUR VOTE TO REPEAL THESE DEI POLICIES WAS UNCONSTITUTIONALLY VAGUE. UNCONSTITUTIONALLY VAGUE. AND IN STATING THAT, WHAT THE
COURT SAID IS VAGUE LAWS AND GENDER SELF SENSORSHIP CAUSES CITIZENS TO STEER FAR WIDER OF THE UNLAWFUL ZONE THAN IN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE FORBIDDEN AREAS CLEARLY MARKED AND WENT FURTHER TO SAY, SUCH SELF CENTRALERSHIP IS HARMFUL TO OUR
DEMOCRACY AND THE RIGHT TO SPEAK FREELY AND TO PROMOTE DIVERSITY OF IDEAS AND PROGRAMS IS ONE OF THE CHIEF DISTINCTIONS THAT SETS US APART WHAT THE COURT IS
SAYING THESE LAWS ARE VAGUE. IT WENT FURTHER TO STATE THAT THEY DON'T EVEN IDENTIFY OR DEFINE WHAT DEI IS OR WHAT A DEI PROGRAM IS. AND WHAT THE COURT IS WARN ARE WARMING ARE-- WARNED AGAINST IS
INSTITUTIONS LIKE YOURSELF OVER CORRECTING YOURSELVES. YOU ARE LOOKING TO REPEAL YOUR DEI POLICIES THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR YEARS. NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM UNTIL NOW. THAT HAS NEVER BEEN ANY PRIOR DISCUSSION BEFORE YOU GOT THE DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER IN FEBRUARY RS TO REPEAL THESE POLICIES. SO YOU ARE ONLY DO IT BECAUSE OF THE LETTER.
BUT IF THE COURTS ARE TELL TELLING YOU THAT THE LETTER IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, WHY THEN WOULD YOU ACT BASED ON AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL LETTER? YOU HAVE THE FORCE OF LAW BEHIND YOU. THREE TBD DECISIONS. WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU TAKE A STEP BACK.
BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE THE LEGAL -- YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS LEGALLY. TAKE A STEP BACK AND AT LEAST WAIT UNTIL THE CASES PLAY OUT IN THE APPELLATE COURTS AND THE U.S. SUPREME COURT IF IT GETS TO THAT POINT. BUT PLEASE DON'T OVER CORRECT YOURSELVES ON AN UNCONSTITUTIONALLY VAGUE LETTER.
THANK YOU. >> Chair Brill: THANK YOU. SO BOARD MEMBERS, THAT ENDS OUR SPEAKERS AND IT BRINGS US TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA. I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION BY Ms. BRANCH SECOND BY
Mr. LANE. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? POD. MOTION CAR-- OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES WITH SIX BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT. THAT BRINGS US TO NEW BUSINESS. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT. >> Supt.Burke: I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE DEVELOPMENT OF PROPOSED REVISED POLICY 1.54
UNITARY SCHOOL DISTRICT. >> Chair Brill: MOTION BY Ms. BRANCH SECOND BY Ms. WHITFIELD. ANY DISCUSSION? MR. FERGUSON. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. ON 1.04, I HAD IT UP.
HAVE I TO PULL IT BACK UP AGAIN. I APOLOGIZE, MADAM CHAIR. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THE PART THAT IS BEING STRUCK MINORITY TO MAJORITY TRANSFER RULE, I DON'T
OPPOSE THAT. I THINK IT SPEAKS TO A BIGGER ISSUE HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THAT WIN WOULD HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE-- ONE WOULD HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO RECEIVE A TOP NOTCH EDUCATION. SO TO THAT EXTENT, I'M HAPPY THAT WE ARE REMOVING THE MAJORITY TO MINORITY TRANSFER
RULE ALTHOUGH I THINK THE BIGGER ISSUE IS WHY DID WE BASICALLY ENDORSE THIS POINT THAT IF YOU ARE IN, SAY A LOWER ECONOMIC NEIGHBORHOOD THAT HAS HISTORICALLY UNDER PERFORMED IN RELATION TO ITS MORE AFFLUENT NEIGHBORS, YEAH, YOU CAN GO OVER
TO THE AFFLUENT NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE THE EDUCATION IS GOING TO BE BETTER OVER THERE, SUPPOSED GRASS IS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE. DID BEE NOT LEARN ANYTHING FROM THE BROWN V EDUCATION CASE? AND SO I THINK REMOVAL OF THIS HOPEFULLY WILL FACILITATE US
BEING MUCH MORE PROACTIVE IN TERMS OF DETERMINING WHAT A PARTICULAR SCHOOL OR A PARTICULAR STUDENT, A PARTICULAR COMMUNITY NEEDS TO SELF-ACTUALIZE, TO BE THEIR BEST SELF, SO TO THE EXTENT THAT THIS
MAJORITY TO MINORITY TRANSFER RULE IS STRICKEN, IF IT LEADS TO THAT WHICH I JUST SPOKE ABOUT, I'M FINE WITH. WE HAVE SOME OTHER ISSUES THAT I WILL ADDRESS SOME SOME OF THE SUBSEQUENT POLICIES BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO KIND OF MAKE SURE THAT WE APPRECIATE THE FOREST AND NOT FOCUS ON THE
TREE IN REGARD TO POLICY 1.04. WE NEED TO DO ALL WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE FUNCTIONING IN AN APARTMENT MALLEVEL BECAUSE FEIGNINGLY THEY ARE NOT AND THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO SAY. >> Chair Brill: ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES. SIX BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT. >> >> Supt.Burke: I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE DEVELOPMENT OF PROPOSED REVISED POLICY 1.09 IS AUDIT COMMITTEE. >> Chair Brill: MOTION BY
Ms. WHITFIELD SECOND BY Ms. BRANCH. ANY DISCUSSION? MR. FERGUSON. >> Edward Ferguson: YES, MADAM CHAIR, 1.091. (4) A PARTLY FOR SOME OF THE REASONS THAT WERE STATED BY AS RECENTLY AS ATTORNEY STRONG AND
EFFECTIVELY EVERYBODY WHO SPOKE, 1.0914A TALKS ABOUT REMOVING ENCOURAGING MEMBERS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION REPRESENTATION FROM VARIOUS RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS. WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? WHAT ARE WE DOING IN SO WHEN YOU
-- WITH WE AS A BOARD, WHEN WE AS A BOARD VOTED TO ENACT THE EMERGENCY POLICIES, THE MAJORITY OF THE BOARD STATED, OR AT LEAST BY YOUR SILENCE IN REGARD TO MY REPRESENTATION THAT WERE YOU DOING IT OUT OF FEAR OF LOSING
UPWARDS OF $300 MILLION, THE LAW, THE COURT, THE CASES KALE DOWN THE NEXT DAY WHICH ESSENTIALLY VALIDATED MY OPPOSITION TO CHANGING OUR POLICIES. ONLY ONE BOARD MEMBER STATED THAT JUST AS A MATTER THAT THEY
THOUGHT THE POLICY SHOULD BE CHANGED THAT SOMEHOW THAT IS GOOD FOR ALL STUDENTS IF WE STRIP DOWN OUR POLICIES. SO IF I CAN STEAL FROM ATTORNEY STRONG YOUR PHRASE, THE FORCE OF LAW, YOU THE DEFINITELY HAVE THE FORCE OF LAW. WE HAVE THE FORCE OF LAW BEHIND US RIGHT NOW.
I MADE A NOTE EARLIER THAT YOU SAID WE NEED TO DO WHAT THE LAW TELLS US TO DO. YOU ARE RIGHT. WE DO. AND FOR THOSE BOARD MEMBERS, BOARD MEMBER LANE, YOU STATED YOU WERE CLEAR, I'M IN FAVOR OF AT LEAST, WHEN I WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT THE VIDEO, ANY TIME I
SAY ANYTHING, BOARD, FEEL FREE TO CORRECT ME IF I MISSPEAK. I TAKE NO OFFENSE TO THAT BUT MY RECOLLECTION OF WHAT YOU SAID IS THAT WE CAN NOTE RISK LOSING $300 MILLION BY NOT FOLLOWING THIS DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER BUT THAT WAS BEFORE THE LETTER WAS
DEEMED TO BE AS THE LAW CURRENTLY STATE, ILLEGAL. AND AS AN OFFICER OF THE COURT, YOU DEFINITELY UNDERSTAND THE LAW IN NOT BETTER THAN I DO ON MANY FRONTS IN THAT REGARD. I WOULD APPEAL TO THAT REASONABLENESS THAT YOU HAVE
EXPRESSED BOARD MEMBER BRILL, THE SAME THING. I'VE NEVER SEEN YOU VOLT IN CONTRADICTION OF THE LAW ON THE BOARD AND I'M SPEAKING TO YOU LIKE THIS PLEASE DO NOT TAKE
OFFENSE TO WHAT I'M SAYING. BUT I'VE NEVER SEEN YOU VOTE IN OPPOSITION TO THE LAW. BOARD MEMBER BRANCH THE LAW IS WHAT IT IS RIGHT NOW. AND YOU ALL HAVE READ, I PRESUME YOU ALL HAVE READ THE LETTERS
THAT OUR GENERAL COUNSEL PROVIDE US IN REGARD TO AN INJUNCTION. SHE STATED I CAN'T SPEAK TO A PERMANENT INJUNCTION, THAT IS DOWN THE ROAD. BUT AS THINGS STAND TODAY THE LAW SAYS LEAVE THE POLICIES
ALONE. >> Karen Brill: Mr. FERGUSON YOU CAN PUT YOURSELF INTO SPEAK I WILL STATE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT THE AUDIT COMMITTEE COMPOSITION AND I KNOW WHEN I APPOINT PEOPLE TO ANY OF THE COMMITTEES I LOOK FOR SOMEONE WITH EXPERTISE IN THAT AREA. SO THIS IS THE AUDIT COMMITTEE:
I LOOKED FOR SOMEBODY WHO HAS EXPERTISE IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA. AND QUITE FRANKLY DIDN'T LOOK TO SEE WHETHER WHAT AN ADVANTAGE OR DISADVANTAGE BASED ON HIS RACE, ETHNICITY OR NATIONAL ORIGIN. FOR ME, THIS IS WHEN YOU APPOINT
TO COMMITTEES YOU WANT TO HAVE PEOPLE REPRESENTING WHO ARE TRULY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE COMMITTEES THEY ARE ON AND THAT WILL BRING US TO MS. BRANCH. >> Gloria Branch: AGAIN I'M NOT VOTING IN FEAR OF ANYTHING. I'M VOTING FOR EVERYONE ALL
STUDENTS THIS WONDERFUL DIVERSE EXECUTIVE THIS WONDERFUL DIVERSE BOARD WE HAVE. SO I WANT TO BE CLEAR. I ACTUALLY NOMINATED SOMEONE FOR THE AUDIT COMMITTEE WHO IS LATIN. I'M NOT VOTING IN FEAR OF ANYTHING.
THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: Mr. LANE. >> Matthew Lane: I BELIEVE THAT OUR GENERAL COUNSEL'S RECOMMENDATION AND HER RECOMMENDED LANGUAGE IS CONSISTENT WITH THE SUPREME COURT DECISION IN STUDENTS
PREFER ADD MISSES VERSUS HARVARD AND THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS 14, 242, AND 14190. TO TAKE A COURSE OF ACTION OTHER THAN THAT, I BELIEVE WOULD JEOPARDIZE FUNDING FOR OUR NEEDIEST STUDENTS AND STUDENTS
WITH DISABILITIES. IT WOULD RISK LOSING FUNDING FOR MEALS FOR OUR MOST ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS. THEREFORE, I SUPPORT OUR GENERAL COUNSEL SEAN BERNARD'S RECOMMENDATION THAT WE MODIFY THIS LANGUAGE.
AND THAT'S MY REASONING. >> Karen Brill: MS. ANDREWS? >> Marcia Andrews: WE ARE ON THE AUDIT COMMITTEE RIGHT NOW AND I'VE SAT ON THIS BOARD FOR 15 YEARS AND I'VE APPOINTED PEOPLE TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND I'M ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE PERSON WHO CAN DO THE BEST JOB.
I'M NOT LOOKING AT ANY PARTICULAR RACE, I'M LOOKING AT A PERSON WHO CAN TRULY DO THE WORK. AND THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS I DO. I CHECK AROUND TO SEE WHO DO YOU KNOW? THAT CAN FIT THIS JOB THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR. SOMEONE THAT KNOWS MORE THAN ME
AS IT RELATES TO AUDIT. WHEN I'M MAKING A SELECTION THAT IS HOW I MAKE MY SELECTIONS. AS WE GO THROUGH ALL OF THESE POLICIES I HAVE TO LOOK AT MYSELF AND I KNOW I AM THE POLICY MAKER AND I WILL ALWAYS DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR ALL CHILDREN. THANK YOU. >> Karen Brill: THANK YOU.
Mr. FERGUSON? >> Edwin Ferguson: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. SO I SAID WHAT I SAID BECAUSE WE'RE CHANGING A POLICY BASED ON AS I COUNT SIX WORDS, VARIOUS RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS AND AND WE'RE DOING THAT BECAUSE WE
DON'T WANT TO RISK SUPPOSEDLY $300 MILLION BEING WITHHELD. AND, AGAIN, I WANT TO KEEP THINGS IN PROPER CONTEXT THAT IS WHEN THE BOARD THOUGHT THIS DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER, IF YOU WILL, WAS A LEGAL DIRECTIVE. A LAWFUL DIRECTIVE AND IT IS
DEEMED NOT TO BE. SO TO BE SO PROACTIVE IN THIS THING, IT SEEMS OUT OF PLACE. AND MADAM CHAIR I WOULD LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION OF GENERAL COUNSEL BECAUSE PERHAPS I MISREAD HER OPINION LETTER.
DO YOU SEE THIS DEAR COLLEAGUE AND I'M DOING THIS ON THE HEELS, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER THE OUTCOME OF THE HARVARD CASE IS WHERE YOU THINK THE LITIGATION THAT IS CURRENTLY FILED IN REFERENCE TO THIS CLEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER WILL
ULTIMATELY GO? MEANING THE SUPREME COURT YOU BELIEVE AT THIS POINT WILL RULE IN FAVOR OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND SAY YOU SHOULD FOLLOW THIS DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER DESPITE THE VARIOUS ISSUES THAT CURRENT PREVAILED ON TO SECURING THE
TEMPORARY INJUNCTION? >> PLEASE PAUSE THE CLOCK. >> I'M RELUCTANT BECAUSE WE ARE NOT IN A CLOSED SESSION. >> NOT SPECIFICS BUT I WANT TO
KNOW YOUR ULTIMATE CONCLUSION WOULD. IT BE YES, I THINK THAT THE SUPREME COURT WOULD ULTIMATELY SUPPORT THE ADMINISTRATION'S DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER OR BASED ON YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE SUPREME COURT WOULD BE IN OPPOSITION?
OR THIRDLY, I CAN'T SAY BECAUSE ATTORNEY LANE SAID THAT HIS UNDERSTANDING I BELIEVE OF THE LETTER IS THAT YOU BELIEVE THAT THE SUPREME COURT WOULD RULE IN FAVOR OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER DIRECTORS. >> Karen Brill: BEFORE YOU
ANSWER DO YOU WANT TO BRING THIS UP IN YOUR DISCUSSION ITEM AND YOU WON'T BE LIMITED IN THE TIME YOU CAN SPEAK. >> I AM AWARE OF THAT. >> I WANTED TO OFFER THAT. >> I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> WELL, AGAIN, I STRUGGLE WITH
ANSWERING THAT QUESTION BECAUSE THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION COULD POTENTIALLY PROVIDE A ROADMAP INTO WHAT MY ULTIMATE RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE. I THINK THAT I'VE SUMMARIZED
HOPEFULLY SUFFICIENTLY FOR THE BOARD WHAT MY POSITIONS ARE. ADDITIONALLY ON THAT SPECIFIC QUESTION AS WELL. >> BUT ATTORNEY LANE BELIEVES THAT YOU DID STATE, I THINK SUPREME COURT IS GOING TO RULE IN FAVOR OF THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION. -YEAR-OLD SEEING THAT AND I'M ASKING FOR YOU TO CLEAR THAT ISSUE UP. >> THAT WAS NOT MY UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT Mr. LANE STATED. BUT I GUESS I WILL LEAVE THAT TO HIM TO CLARIFY HIS POSITION. >> THE HARVARD CASE AND I
THOUGHT I HEARD YOU SAY YOU BELIEVE THAT ATTORNEY BERNARD'S LETTER SAYS I THINK THE DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER CASES ARE GOING TO GO THE SAME WAY IN TERMS OF SUPREME COURT RULING WITH REGARD TO THE HARVARD CASE AND THE SECOND CASE THAT YOU MENTIONED.
>> Mr. LANE YOU CAN ANSWER THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW ROBERTS RULES. JUST PRESS YOUR BUTTON TO SPEAK AFTER THE NEXT SPEAKER TO ANSWER. SORRY Mr. FERGUSON. WE CAN START THE CLOCK AGAIN. >> WELL, I CAN PAUSE SO THE NEXT PERSON CAN SPEAK AND I WOULD
LIKE TO HEAR FROM ATTORNEY LANE I'M DONE FOR NOW. >> IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM YOU HAVE TO GET A MOTION FROM THE BOARD FOR A THIRD TIME AROUND. NOW MS. BRANCH. >> I AGREE WITH VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS THANK YOU CHAIR. AND I CHOSE THE PERSONAL ON THE
OUGHT IT COMMITTEE BECAUSE SHE IS VERY QUALIFIED I WANT TO BE REALLY CLEAR WITH THAT. I PICKED SOMEONE WHO IS VERY QUALIFIED. THANK YOU. >> SO Mr. LANE DID YOU WANT TO MAKE ANY COMMENT OR YOU ARE OKAY? >> I WILL RESPOND. I'M NOT BASING MY RECOMMENDATION
ON A DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER WRITTEN BY A BUREAUCRAT WHO MAY OR MAY NOT STILL BE WORKING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. I BASED MY RECOMMENDATION BASED UPON MY READING OF THE LAW IN STUDENT FOR FAIR ADMISSIONS
VERSUS HARVARD AND UNC AS WELL AS THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS. EXECUTIVE ORDER 214242, AND 14190. >> DO YOU WANT TO READ THOSE TO ME? >> I COULD BUT THEY ARE LONG IT WOULD TAKE SOMETIME.
I COMMEND THEM TO YOUR -- I THINK YOU SHOULD READ THEM. >> I THOUGHT I DID. >> Mr. FERGUSON IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK YOU HAVE TO HAVE A MOTION. >> I CAN WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT ONE. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES Mr. FERGUSON HOW DID YOU VOTE? >> OPPOSED. >> EVERYBODY ELSE IS IN FAVOR? OKAY. SO MOTION CARRIES. WITH FIVE BOARD MEMBERS IN FAVOR AND Mr. FERGUSON OPPOSED. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT?
>> COS3, REVISED POLICY 3.05, EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY. >> MOTION BY MS. WHITFIELD AND SECONDED BY MS. BRANCH. ANY DISCUSSION? Mr. FERGUSON DID YOU WANT TO SPEAK? >> YES, JUST TO SAVE TIME BECAUSE I KNOW YOUR VOICE IS STILL RECOVERING FROM YOUR
ILLNESS. I WANT TO SPEAK ON ALL OF THESE. DO I NEED TO FILE A REQUEST TO SPEAK OR TELL YOU THAT I WANT TO SPEAK ON ALL THESE 10 POLICIES. >> I CAN GO TO YOU AUTOMATICALLY. >> I DID.
NO PROBLEM. YES IT'S MORE OF THE SAME. AND AGAIN GOING BACK TO WHAT ATTORNEY LANE BOARD MEMBER LANE JUST SAID AS FAR AS THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS, THAT'S NOT THE BAY -- WHEN I READ THE CASE LAW I
DIDN'T SEE A LOT OF WEIGHT GIVEN BY THE JUDGES TO THESE EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT RESPECTFULLY BOARD MEMBER LANE IS RELYING ON. AND AGAIN, CURRENTLY, THE LAW IS THAT THE DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER AND ANYTHING THAT ARISES OUT OF
IT IS NOT ENFORCEABLE IT IS NOT LAW IT IS NOT BINDING SO THE THREAT THAT MULTIPLE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SEEM TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT SPECIFICALLY THAT UPWARDS OF $300 MILLION WILL BE WITHHELD FROM OUR NEEDIEST STUDENTS BECAUSE OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER, THAT
THREAT IS NOT REALISTIC RIGHT NOW IT'S NOT PLAUSIBLE. IT'S NOT IMMINENT. SO, AGAIN, TO SELF CORRECT WHEN THE LAW DOES NOT MANDATE SEEMS TO ME COUNTERINTUITIVE AND I UNDERSTAND CERTAIN PERSONS MAYBE
CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IF, WHAT IF? BUT THE IF IS NOT CURRENT. SO I THINK IT'S IMPROPER FOR US TO CHANGE THESE THINGS. YOU ALL WE ALL HAVE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF E-MAILS FROM PERSONS ACROSS THE COUNTY AT MINIMUM WE'VE HEARD A LOT FROM PERSONS
OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF BOARD MEETINGS TODAY INCLUDED WHO ARE SAYING DON'T CHANGE THIS. AND, AGAIN, THE QUESTION I GUESS FOR ME WOULD BE DO WE FOLLOW POLITICAL PRESSURE OR DO WE FOLLOW THE LAW? BECAUSE RESPECTFULLY, AND I'M
SPEAKING TO ATTORNEY LANE AS MY COLLEAGUE IN THE LAW THE LAW SAYS THAT THOSE EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND SPECIFICALLY THE DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTERS DO NOT AND SHOULD NOT DIRECT US TO MAKE ANY CHANGES. IF YOU ALL SAID I WANT TO CHANGE THE AUDIT COMMITTEE POLICY
BEFORE THE DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER FROM MY POSITION I WOULD RESPECT THE CHANGE MORE THAT YOU SELECTED SOMEBODY WHO HAPPENED TO BE BLACK OR LATINO. BUT THE AVERAGE PERSON, I GUESS I AM, IS SAYING THAT THERE IS A CORRELATION HERE. YOU DIDN'T DO THIS UNTIL THE
LETTER CAME THROUGH SO IT LOSES MERIT RESPECTFULLY IN THAT REGARD. AND I SEE PERSONS ARE SAKING THEIR HEAD WHO SHOULDN'T BE SHAKING THEIR HEAD AS FAR AS THAT GOES. BUT THE LAW IS THE LAW. AND SO NO ONE HAS A CRYSTAL BALL AND I DON'T THINK GENERAL
COUNSEL WOULD DISPUTE ME ON THAT THE LAW SAYS WE SHOULD LEAVE THINGS ALONE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WITH FIVE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT AND Mr. FERGUSON OPPOSED. Mr. SUPERINTENDENT?
>> CSO4 I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE REVISED POLICY 5.105, STUDENT REASSIGNMENT. >> MOTION AND SECONDED AND Mr. FERGUSON? >> JUST THE POINT THE ABSURDITY TO THE MINORITY RULE THE REASON
YOU NEED D.E.I. POLICIES. I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IT IS AN INSULT TO PERSONS WHO MAY LIVE IN LOWER ECONOMIC COMMUNITIES SHALL WE SAY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES THAT YOU THINK I, WE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO TO BEVERLY LITTLES TO
GET A GOOD EDUCATION WHERE CAN'T THEY GET A TOP EDUCATION WHERE THEY LIVE HAD? I'M FINE MOVE THIS ANTIQUATED LANGUAGE FROM THE POLICY INSULT TO ANYONE WHO IS REMOTELY INTELLIGENT. THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
ALL IN FAVOR. ALL OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> COS5 PROPOSED POLICY POLICY 5.106, CHOICE SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS. >> MOTION AND SECONDED.
>> NO COMMENTS ON THIS, MADAM CHAIR. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. COS6 I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE REVISED POLICY 5.60,
ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN K-12 EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. >> MOTION AND SECONDED Mr. FERGUSON. >> WE LOOK AT SECTION FIVE PARTICIPATION, WHAT IS WRONG WITH HAVING DIVERSITY? IT SAYS SHALL SELECT AS OPPOSED
TO ENCOURAGE WHAT IS WRONG WITH SAYING YOU SHALL DO IT? WE HAVE AN ISSUE HERE. WE HAVE DIVERSITY STUDIES. THAT HAVE BEEN DONE FOR QUITE SOMETIME. SO FOR US TO TURN A BLIND EYE TO THE REALITY I THINK IS NOT GOOD.
AND I DON'T THINK IT BODIES WELL FOR HOW WE WILL BE JUDGED IN FUTURE TIMES. THE LAW IS THE LAW AND THE LAW SAYS WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO, AND SINCE WE DO NOT HAVE TO AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO, I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT $300 MILLION BEING
WITHHELD BECAUSE THAT IS GOING TO BE COLLATERAL DAMAGE ACROSS DIFFERENT POLITICAL SPACES. AND SPACES THAT PARTIES DECIDED TO DRAFT THE LETTER WILL BE PUNISHED FOR BY DOING THAT. THEY WON'T DO IT. THE BULLY WILL NOT DO IT THE
SO-CALLED BULLY WILL NOT DO IT. AND YOU ALL HAVE SEEN ENOUGH INSTANCES UP TO THIS POINT WHETHER WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TARIFFS OR TALKING ABOUT A MYRIAD OF THINGS. IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. AS FAR AS THAT GOES. SO I MEAN THAT IS WHAT I HAVE TO
SAY. I DON'T WANT US TO BE HERE UNTIL 8 OWE 9:00 ABOUT THIS, BUT I THINK THAT I'M GOING TO SAY THIS IN AS FRIENDLY A WAY AS POSSIBLE.
I THINK WE ARE DOING A LOT OF DAMAGE BORDERLINE IRREPARABLE DAMAGE HOW WE ARE PERCEIVED BY PEOPLE WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO INSURE OUR EXISTENCE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.
MEDITATE ON THAT AS YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE CHANGES OUR LOCAL LAWS IN SPITE OF THE FACT THE FEDERAL LAW SAYS WE DON'T HAVE TO FOLLOW THE SUPPOSED LAW THAT IS MAKING US CHANGE OUR LOCAL LAWS. THIS IS AS SIN 9. YOU ARE NOT AS 9.
BUT THIS IS AS SIN 9 ACTION WE ARE TAKING AND YOU CAN'T BE AFRAID TO DO RIGHT. YOU CAN'T BE AFRAID TO DO RIGHT. WE ARE SETTING A POOR PRESS DEN FOR EVERYTHING. CAPITULATE THAT IS NOT HOW TO LIVE LIFE.
I WOULD RATHER HAVE 10 AMAZING YEARS OF LIFE THAN 100 IN THE DOLDRUMS AND I WILL STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT FOR MY CONSTITUENTS. I REPRESENT ALL STUDENTS AND ALL FAMILIES IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. AND OVERWHELMINGLY SAY THEY TEAR
NOT IN SUPPORT OF THIS. IF I HAVE TO GO DOWN WITH THE SHIP I WILL BE GLAD TO GO DOWN WITH THE SHIP I WILL CONTINUE FIGHTING FOR THE FAMILIES AND EN I ENCOURAGE YOU ALL IN FUTURE VOTES YOU KEEP THAT IN MIND, TOO. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I WAS LOOKING AT THIS POLICY AND THINK BEING OUR LEGISLATIVE CONVERSATION WE HAD EARLIER. I'M WONDERING IF WE CAN ADD IN THE PART ABOUT THE PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS BE ALLOWED TO APPLY TO GO TO PARTICIPATE IN
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES INTO THIS DEVELOPMENT. BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO ADJUST IT BASED ON THE STATE LAWS THAT JUST RECENTLY CHANGED. SO AS WE'RE DOING THIS DEVELOPMENT MAYBE THAT CAN BE ADDED IN BY STAFF BEFORE OUR NEXT DEVELOPMENT HAPPENS.
OTHERWISE WE'LL HAVE TO PUT THE POLICY UP AGAIN. >> I THINK IT CAN WORK WITH THE TEAM TO SEE HOW THAT STAFF SHOULD IMPACT THIS POLICY. >> OKAY. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED?
Mr. FERGUSON HOW DID YOU VOTE? >> I VOTED IN OPPOSITION TO THAT POLICY. >> MOTION PASSES 5 IN FAVOR WITH Mr. FERGUSON AGAINST IT. >> COS7 I RECOMMEND THE BOARD
APPROVE REPEALED DEVELOP THE OF PROPOSED POLICY 6 WITHIN .42, DIVERSITY IN BUSINESS PRACTICES. >> MOTION AND SECONDED. Mr. FERGUSON. >> THANK YOU. IT APPEARS THIS POLICY WAS PLACED ON OUR BOOKS BACK IN
AUGUST OF 2001. SO I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WERE ON THE BOARD BUT IT APPEARS IF READING IT STRUCK THROUGH NO TOTALITY THAT WOE FELT WE NEEDED TO ENSURE DIVERSITY. OBVIOUSLY DIVERSE I PRESUME THE BOARD AT THAT TIME THOUGHT
DIVERSITY WAS GOOD IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CHILDREN TO REPRESENT THAT THING WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO BE. COLLABORATIVE. NOT DISSOCIAL ACTIVE. NOT ARROGANT NOT CONDESCENDING NOT A BULLY. NEVER FORGET WE SHOULD NEVER
FORGET THIS... WE'RE JUST ERASING YEARS AND YEARS OF LABOR BY PEOPLE WHO ARE NO WORSE THAN US, CAN'T SAY THEY ARE BETTER THAN US BUT THEY WEREN'T WORSE THAN US. GOING TO ERASE ALL THIS NOT
BECAUSE OF LAW, BUT BECAUSE OF POLITICAL PRESSURE. NOBODY IS GOING TO BE HERE FOREVER. SO DON'T VOTE IN HOPES OF PRESERVING YOUR TIME HERE. DO WHAT YOU CAN WHILE YOU CAN AND LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY.
AGAIN, I'M NEVER BOW DOWN TO A BULLY. WHATEVER THE BULLY WANTS TO BRING MY WAY BRING IT AND I WILL BE BRINGING THINGS BACK AT WELL. THAT IS THE MINDSET THAT I HAVE AND PEOPLE WHO I SEE WHEN I ADVOCATE AND SPEAK THE WAY I DO UP HERE AND SOCIALIZE WITH YOU ALL OFF THE DAIS THIS IS HOW IT
IS AND THAT IS HOW IT'S GOING TO BE. WE ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY RIGHT NOW. AND I WON'T SAY I TOLD YOU SO WHEN THE SUPREME COURT ULTIMATELY VOTES IN FAVOR OF MY POSITION. BECAUSE IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT RECENT OPINIONS THEY JUST VOTED
DOWN THE OKEECHOBEE CASE. OKLAHOMA CASE. THEY ARE NOT THE ACCOLADES THAT YOU ALL THINK THEY ARE. THEY ARE A STUDENT SCHOLARLY PEOPLE AND THEY ARE NOT VOTING ON POLICY POLITICAL LINES WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS PUBLIC
EDUCATION LOOK AT THAT. SEE THAT FOR WHAT IT IS. STAND OUT AND BE BOLD. WE ARE DOING MORE DAMAGE TO PUBLIC EDUCATION HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY SPECIFICALLY THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY WE ARE DOING MUCH MORE DAMAGE THAN $300 MILLION THAT COULD BE
WITHHELD BY THE ADMINISTRATION. AND AGAIN WILL NOT BE WITHHELD BY THE ADMINISTRATION. IT WON'T BE. THE ADMINISTRATION WON'T HURT ITS ENEMIES YOU THINK THEY ARE GOING TO HURT THEIR FRIENDS? THINK THIS THROUGH.
I YIELD MY TIME. THANK YOU. >> VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS? >> Mr. FERGUSON I DO HEAR YOU. AND YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN IN THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT A LONGTIME. AND WE HAVE GROWN HERE IN THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. I'M SO PROUD OF US.
I BELIEVE WE'VE LEARNED FROM PAST MISTAKES THAT WE'VE MADE AS IT RELATES TO THINGS THAT WE HAVE WRITTEN TO SAY THE EQUITY PIECE THAT WE HAD TO HAVE IT IN WRITING I THINK WE ARE IN A PLACE NOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO ALWAYS TRY TO DO THE BEST WE CAN
TO BE FAIR WITH ALL OF OUR CHILDREN, WITH ALL OF OUR ADULTS THAT WORK FOR US AND THOSE THAT TRULY WANT TO WORK FOR US. IN OUR BUSINESS PRACTICES AS I SIT HERE AND LOOK AT WHAT WE DO EACH DAY I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE BOARD MEMBERS AND THE SUPERINTENDENT THAT SITS HERE
WITH ME, THAT WE WILL ALWAYS TRY TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT. I DON'T HAVE TO HAVE IT WRITTEN ON A PIECE OF PAPER FOR ME TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND VOTE FOR THE RIGHT THING. IT'S BEING REMOVED FROM THIS PIECE OF PAPER AND THAT'S FINE WITH ME. BECAUSE I'M GOING TO STAND UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT FOR PEOPLE.
AND I DON'T HAVE TO HAVE IT WRITTEN. I CERTAINLY AM CONCERNED AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I TAKE CARE OF ALL OF THE CHILDREN IN PALM BEACH COUNTY AND WHATEVER COMES FROM THE LEGISLATIVE AT THE STATE LEVEL OR FEDERAL LEVEL, LET THAT BE WHATEVER IT IS. I'M GOING TO ALWAYS BE FIGHTING
FOR THE CHILDREN HERE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. AND THE PEOPLE HERE. AND I REALLY DO BELIEVE HAVING SAT ON THIS BOARD FOR 15 YEARS I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN EVERYBODY SITTING HERE. THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE FINE BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT. I DON'T HAVE TO SEE IT ON A PIECE OF PAPER.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU AND DITTO VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS. THANK YOU FOR EXPRESSING THAT SUPERINTENDENT BURKE? >> I JUST WANT TO ADD CONTEXT WITH THIS POLICY AND THE NEXT TWO. WE HAD NOT HAVE AN DIFFERENT MB
PROGRAM SINCE 2017 WE HAD IT TO HAVE THOSE PROGRAMS. YOU HAVE TO PROVE THE DISPARITY AND DO A DISPARITY STUDY AND PUT REMEDIES WHAT YOU ARE ABLE TO PROVE IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY. THESE POLICIES WERE DUE FOR TO BE WE WERE NOT LIVING UP TO OUR
OWN POLICIES PRIOR TO THIS ACTION. IF DOWN THE ROAD THIS IS SOMETHING THE BOARD WOULD WANT TO REVISIT THAT MAY BE POSSIBLE AFTER WE HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE HOW EVERYTHING SHAKES OUT. AND I DO WANT TO SAY EXPLAIN AND I'M NOT THE ATTORNEY HERE BUT
EXPLAIN WHAT BROUGHT ME TO THESE RECOMMENDATIONS INITIALLY, IT WAS NOT THE DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER IT WAS THE D.E.I. CERTIFICATION FORM THAT I HAD TO SIGN ISSUED BY U.S. AND REQUIRED FROM THE FLORIDA COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION ALL 67 DISTRICTS DESIGNED.
IT WAS THAT SIGN OFF THAT MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT IF I WAS IN VIOLATION OF THE HARVARD RULING OR TITLE 6 AS THEY INTERPRET IT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION THAT THE FUNDING WAS AT RISK. WE WERE TRYING TO PROTECT THE FUNDING AND I STILL FEEL LIKE WE
ARE ON A GOOD COURSE BECAUSE WHILE THERE WERE IMMEDIATE CHALLENGES THE NEXT DAY THAT WERE SUCCESSFUL, WE DO NOT KNOW THE TIMING OR THE OUTCOME OF THOSE DECISIONS. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO OUR GENERAL COUNSEL TO OPINE HOW THE SUPREME COURT IS GOING TO RULE. OR TO CHALLENGE BOARD MEMBERS ON
THEIR POSITIONS. THIS IS THE BEST RECOMMENDATION WE COULD COME UP WITH. AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT. >> THANK YOU Mr. BURKE. MS. BRANCH. >> THANK YOU SUPERINTENDENT BURKE FOR CLARIFYING THAT IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DEAR
COLLEAGUE LETTER AND I AGREE WITH VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS, I'M GOING TO STAND UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT FOR ALL STUDENTS. I DON'T VOTE FOR A POLITICAL PRESSURE EVER. I DON'T GET BULLIED. I DON'T GET INTIMIDATED I VOTE FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AND ALL STUDENTS. THANK YOU.
>> Mr. FERGUSON? >> SO MANY THINGS. BUT AGAIN I'M HEARING COMMENTS THAT I SHOULD NOT BE HEARING AT THIS POINT IN TIME. AND I'LL DEAL WITH THAT AS A
FRIEND A WORKING FRIEND OFF THIS DAIS. SOME OF OUR STUDENTS CLEARLY SAID THEY WEREN'T IN SUPPORT OF THIS THAT DOES FLY IN THE FACE OF THINGS I HEARD BY MY GOOD COLLEAGUE. JUST BECAUSE YOU WEREN'T YOU AS
IN THE DISTRICT, WE WEREN'T DOING SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOING DOESN'T MEAN WE SHOULD NOW SAY SKIP IT. LOOKING AT IF WE'RE UP TO 6.143,
6.142, THEY ARE SISTER POLICIES. THE CHRONOLOGY OF EVERYTHING IS LAID OUT IN 6.143 IT'S WHAT THE PRIOR BOARD SAID, Dr. JOHNSON WHEN HE WAS A SUPERINTENDENT YOU SAW FIT TO SET FORTH THESE THINGS. AND BOARD MEMBER ANDREWS YOU
DON'T NEED TO SEE IT IN WRITING BUT THAT IS THE THING THE FIRST TIME I THINK TRULY WE'VE WE ARE NOT CROSSING SWORDS YOU ARE MY BIGGEST ALLY AND YOU ARE AN AMAZING PERSON BUT SINCERELY YOU ARE AN AMAZING PERSON. BUT THESE POLICIES ARE NOT JUST
FOR US AS A BOARD THESE ARE FOR PEOPLE WHO COME AFTER US. SOME THINGS NEED TO BE SEEN. SOME THINGS NEED TO BE SEEN IT CAN'T BE OUT IN THE ETHOS I HEAR THIS IS IT WHAT THEY DID. NO, WE NEED TO STAND AND SAY ON THIS DAY, THIS BOARD BELIEVES
AND WILL FOREVER BELIEVE THE FOLLOWING AS EVIDENCED BY WHAT WAS SET FOR IN 6.143. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, THE DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT HAPPENS IT'S ALL RELATED THAT IS THE POINT OF IT ALL WHY I'M HOPING THAT CERTAIN
ORGANIZATIONS FILE HEARINGS HERE IN FLORIDA. TO MAKE ME OUT TO BE A TRUTH TELLER THEN, THEN WHAT WILL YOU SAY WHEN WE PREVAIL IN THE 11TH CIRCUIT? BECAUSE RIGHT NOW MAYBE NOT ANYBODY ON THIS BOARD BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT LEGAL SCHOLARS I ASSUME, MAYBE ATTORNEY LANE IS IN THAT REGARD, I CERTAINLY AM
NOT. BUT I DO UNDERSTAND MORE THAN AVERAGE PERSON IN TERMS OF THE APPELLATE PROCESS HERE. YOU ALL CANNOT SAY WHOEVER SAID WHAT WAS SAID I KNOW WHO SAID IT SHOULD NOT HAVE SAID THAT. THAT DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER WAS
PART OF THE IMPETUS FOR THIS CHANGE AND THE EXECUTIVE ORDER IS ALL A WEB ALL TIED TOGETHER. SO YOU CAN BE'S NOW PARS OUT AND SAY WE WEREN'T DOING IT -- YES, WE WERE. I DON'T WANT TO BREAK CONFIDENCE AND AIRING DIRT WHAT IS DIRTLY
LAUNDRY BECAUSE IT STINKS. BUT THAT DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER IS THE IMPETUS FOR WHERE WE ARE AND THE LAW OF THE LAND SAYS DON'T FOLLOW IT SO STOP BREAKING THE LAW AND VOTE AGAINST THE CHANGES. >> MS. WHITFIELD. >> I WANT TO SAY THAT MANY OF
THESE POLICIES GOING FORWARD THAT WE'VE HAD WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, THE CHANGES ARE VERY MINOR AND I DON'T THINK IT IMPACTS THE WORK WE ARE EDOING IN THE DISTRICT BUT I THINK IT IS A PLACE THAT WE CAN BE ASSURED I THINK WHAT THE
ATTORNEYS HAVE DONE HERE GOING THROUGH ALL OF OUR POLICIES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE STANDING UP. WE'VE TOLD PEOPLE FOR YEARS WE WERE NOT DISCRIMINATING THROUGH PROMOTING PEOPLE BASED ON RACE THROUGH MAKING SURE THAT ALL THESE LITTLE PIECES IN HERE WE
HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR YEARS WE HAVE NOT BEEN DOING THAT. AND I BELIEVE WE REALLY HAVEN'T BEEN DOING IT. GOING THROUGH THE POLICIES AND DOUBLE-CHECKING WAS A GREAT JOB BY THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO REALLY SPEND SO MUCH TIME TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE THAT THE
WORDS WE'RE SAYING MATCH OUR POLICIES I'M HAPPY ABOUT THIS. THIS ONE POLICY HERE, THE MWBE THIS IS SOMETHING I THINK WE SHOULD REVISIT IN THE EVENT THAT THE LEGAL SITUATION CHANGES. I THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMMUNITIES TO
REALLY MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GIVING THE WEALTH OF OUR DISTRICT TO EVERYONE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND THAT'S BEEN APPROPRIATELY DONE. BUT SINCE WE HAVEN'T USED THIS POLICY OR NEEDED TO USE THIS POLICY IT IS NOT BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T HAD THE POLICY ON THE
BOOKS IT'S BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T HAD A NEED OVER THE LAST MANY YEARS TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE OF MINORITY AND BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES ARE GETTING WORK BECAUSE THEY WERE ALREADY GETTING IT WE ARE ALREADY ACHIEVING THIS. SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK INTO IT AS
SOON AS WE GET THE LEGAL SITUATION SITUATED AND THEN BRING IT UP-TO-DATE. THESE ARE SUPER OLD POLICIES. THEY ARE VERY OLD. THEY ARE ANTIQUATED AND THEY WOULD NEED TO BE REWORKED ANYWAY. IF THIS IS SOMETHING WHEN WE GO FORWARD WITH THE CHANGES IN THE
LEGAL SETTING THAT WE'RE IN, I WOULD LOVE TO COME BACK TO THIS AND BRING IT BACK UP-TO-DATE. CURRENTLY IT'S ANTIQUATED AND I DON'T THINK IT FITS AND WE'VE SHOWN WE DON'T NEED IT. THAT IS THE REASON WE NEED TO GO THROUGH AS IS. THANK YOU.
>> VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS? >> MRS. WHITFIELD AND Mr. FERGUSON YOU SIT NEXT TO ME AND YOU ARE ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE. I WANT TO TELL YOU OUR DISTRICT HAS GROWN SO MUCH OVER THE YEARS. AND THINGS THAT WE HAD TO HAVE IN PLACE AND WE'RE CHANGING THIS
POLICY NOW BUT AS YOU LOOK AT THIS, WE'VE GROWN WAY PAST A LOT OF THIS. I WORK WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE ALL OVER PALM BEACH COUNTY. AS WELL AS TALKING ABOUT EQUITY AND ACCESS AND DOING RIGHT THING. AND I JUST FEEL GOOD THIS BOARD
AND THESE BOARD MEMBERS AND THE SUPERINTENDENT WE'RE ALWAYS OUT TRYING TO MAKE IT BETTER. AND THESE WORDS WERE HERE THAT WE DIDN'T EVEN USE. AND WE MAY NOT HAVE TO COME BACK AND DO ANYTHING WITH IT BECAUSE THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN NOW BASED ON THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SITTING HERE RIGHT NOW I BELIEVE WE ARE
GOING TO DO THE RIGHT THING. WHOEVER IS SITTING IN ANY OF THESE SPOTS IF WE ARE NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING I HOPE THEY WOULD RESEARCH THE POLICY AND BRING IT BACK TO MAKE A CHANGE. BUT I THINK WE'RE ON THE RIGHT ROAD FOR WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO HAVE ACCESS FOR EVERYONE WITH
EQUITY AND EQUALITY. SO THAT WE WORK TOGETHER FOR THE BETTERMENT OF EVERYBODY NOT JUST OUR STUDENTS, OUR BUSINESSES, OUR EMPLOYEES AND OUR COMMUNITY. SO I JUST THINK WE ARE IN A GOOD PLACE AND THIS DOESN'T BOTHER ME. I THINK WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES WITH FIVE BOARD MEMBERS IN FAVOR AND Mr. FERGUSON IN OPPOSITION. >> COS8 I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE REPEAL DEVELOPMENT OF PROPOSED REVISED POLICY 6.143,
DIVERSITY AND EQUITABLE UTILIZATION IN BUSINESS. >> MOTION BY VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS AND SECONDED BY MS. BRANCH. Mr. FERGUSON. >> THANK YOU. I JUST LOOKED UP THE DEFINITION OF ANTIQUATED WHICH MEANS OLD-FASHIONED OR OUTDATED. AND IT WAS A STATEMENT MADE THAT
WE'VE SHOWN THEM THEM AT LARGE THAT WE DON'T NEED THIS TYPE OF POLICY INSIDE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. BUT IF YOU SCRATCH THE PAINT OF THESE POLICIES AND OUR ACTIONS, WE HEARD THE SUPERINTENDENT STATE WE HAVE NOT BEEN FOLLOWING THESE POLICIES.
THAT IS NOT GOOD. AND IF YOU ASK -- IF WE DID AN OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE ALLOCATION OF CONTRACTS, TO SO-CALLED MINORITY PEOPLE, WOMEN, AFRO-AMERICANS AND LATINOS AND THINGS OF THAT
NATURE BASED ON THE COMPOSITION OF OUR POPULATION AND BASED ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE VENDORS PEOPLE WHO ARE ALL QUALIFIED TO DO THE WORK I'M CONFIDENT WILL YOU SEE WE ARE NOT NECESSARILY DIVVYING OUT THE CONTRACTS AND ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE
CONSIDERED REMOTELY FAIR, EQUITABLE. INCLUSIVE. DIVERSE. THESE ARE NOT [INAUDIBLE] THESE ARE WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE CURRENT SITUATION IF YOU CAN'T SAY I NEED TO DROP FIVE POUNDS I NEED TO DRINK MORE WATER MAYBE I
NEED TO READ MORE WHATEVER THE CASE MAYBE YOU ARE FOOLING YOURSELF. AND THIS IS WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE. NOBODY WANTS TO FACE THE TRUTH. SOMETIMES THE TRUTH IS UGLY AND A LOT OF TIMES IT'S HARD BUT THIS COUNTRY WAS BUILT ON PEOPLE BUILT ON AND BY PEOPLE WHO
WEREN'T AFRAID TO FACE HARD TRUTHS. FACING UGLY TRUTHS AND PUSH PAST. WE CAN'T BE SNOWFLAKE LIKE IN OUR LIFE. TO NOT WANT TO RUN INTO THE HEAT AND FACE THE HEAT. THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS THAT
COME OUT OF HEAT AND TRIALS OF CONTRIBUTE LOSES. I TOLD YOU THAT YOUNG MAN AT VILLAGE ACADEMY HE COULD HAVE CURLED UP IN A BALL. HE WAS NOT IN A GOOD SPACE AND HE PUSHED PAST THAT AND THERE IS A HIGHER MARK HE IS GOING TO GET TO. I'VE HEARD NOTHING IN THIS LAST
30-45 MINUTES YOU HAVE ALLOWED ME TO EXPRESS MY REAL CONCERNS ABOUT THESE CHANGES I'VE HEARD NOTHING LEGALLY THAT SUPPORTS OUR DECISION TO VOTE THE WAY WE'RE DOING. BECAUSE, AGAIN, THE LAW SAYS THAT THE DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER AND ALL THOSE DIFFERENT DATA
POINTS THAT HAVE BEEN MENTIONED BY PERSONS ON THIS BOARD AND ALSO THE SUPERINTENDENT, THE COURTS ARE NOT IN SUPPORT OF THE CONCLUSIONS YOU ALL ARE REACHING AND YOU HAVE A LARGE PORTION OF YOUR POPULATION THAT IS BLACK THAT IS LATINO, THAT IS FEMALE.
AND THAT IDENTIFIES AS LGBTQ+. AND WHO HAVE CLEARLY TOLD YOU ALL THAT THEY ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS. YOU HAVE THE FACTS AND THE LAW IN YOUR FAVOR NOT TO CHANGE THIS. STOP CAPITULATING TO POLITICAL PRESSURE. THANK YOU. >> MRS. WHITFIELD.
>> THANK YOU. TO THE CHAIR TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, I JUST WONDERING IF WE COULD HEAR FROM OUR C.O.O. ABOUT THIS? I DO BELIEVE THOUGH WE ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE SPREADING THIS TO MANY
PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS AND BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS BUT I COULD BE WRONG. PLEASE TELL ME IS THAT SOMETHING WE ARE NOT DOING? >> Mr. SANCHEZ WOULD YOU LIKE
TO JOIN US? >> APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT. SO JUST TO CLARIFY WE HAVE BEEN
FOLLOWING APPLYING PREFERENCES FOR SBE AND NOT MWBE FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. AND THAT HAS RESULTED IN OUR OPINION IN GOOD PARTICIPATION BY MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES.
WE ARE PUTTING TOGETHER REPORTS THAT IS GOING TO DEMONSTRATE THAT. BUT AT THE PRIME LEVEL AND AT THE SUBCONTRACTOR LEVEL TALKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT CONSTRUCTION SIDE BECAUSE I THINK WE'RE DOING BETTER ON THE CONSTRUCTION SIDE THAN WE ARE DOING ON THE
BUSINESSES SERVICE SIDE AT THIS POINT. BUT WE HAVE GREAT PARTICIPATION FROM MINORITY PRIME CONTRACTORS WHO ARE DOING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF WORK WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. AND ALSO SUBCONTRACTORS BOTH
HISPANIC, BLACK AND ALSO WOMEN BUSINESSES. NOT AS MANY ASIANS AS WE WOULD LIKE BUT THE MEASURE IS NOT THE POPULATION OF AFTER FAN AMERICANS OR HIPS IN A HISPANICS IN THE COMMUNITY BUT THE FIRMS
READY AND ABLE TO DO THE WORK. SO IN THAT COMPARISON WE ARE DOING A PRETTY GOOD JOB ON THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SIDE. MORE SO MUCH BETTER ON THE CONSTRUCTION SIDE THAN THE DESIGN SIDE. WE STILL IS NOT ENOUGH AFTER FAN
AMERICANS IN PARTICULAR ARCHITECTS TO SATISFY WHAT WE LIKE TO BE DOING. WE'RE DOING GOOD WITH THE HISPANIC DESIGNERS. BUT LIKE I SAID THE GOODS AND SERVICES SIDES IS WHERE WE WANT TO BUILDUP AND DO BETTER IN THAT
AREA. IN TERMS OF COMPLYING WITH THE POLICY I WANT TO MENTION THAT, I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT WE ARE APPLYING THE PREFERENCES FOR SBE AND NOT SO MUCH FOR MWBE AND YOU
CAN'T REALLY ONE OF THE BASES IS WE HAVE YOU CAN'T IMPLEMENT A PREFERENCES FOR MINORITY WOMEN BUSINESSES YOU CAN'T IMPLEMENT A RACE AND GENDER CONSCIOUS PROGRAM IF YOU ARE RACE AND GENDER NEUTRAL PROGRAM IS
ALREADY WORKING. AND IT'S DEBATABLE WHETHER THAT IS WORKING OR NOT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DO ANOTHER DISPARITY STUDY TO PROVE WHETHER IT'S WORKING OR NOT. YOU HAVE TO SPEND THE MONEY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE LINING UP WITH WHAT IS READY AND WILLING
AND AVAILABLE. >> THANK YOU, Mr. SANCHEZ I APPRECIATE THAT EXPLANATION. >> Mr. FERGUSON? >> THANK YOU. SO SUPERINTENDENT SAID THAT THE POLICIES HAVE NOT BEEN FOLLOWED. Mr. SANCHEZ JUST STATED THAT
WHAT YOU SAID SO THIS WHOLE CIRCULAR ARGUMENT IS NOT GETTING US ANYWHERE IT IS JUST AN EXCUSE. AND IN THE WHOLE TIME, WE'RE NOT FOLLOWING THE LAW. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY CAN TRULY SAY WE'RE DOING THIS FOR THE
BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILDREN. BECAUSE THE LAW CURRENTLY SAYS YOU CAN'T DO YOU BEING THE FEDERAL AND STATE ADMINISTRATIONS CAN'T DO WHAT THEY ARE DOING. SO THE FACT THAT 67 COUNTIES I WANT TO SPEAK TO THAT TOO. THE FACT AT THAT TIME 67
COUNTIES SIGNED OFF ON THAT ASK YOURSELF WHY? WE ARE IN FLORIDA. BECAUSE I KNOW FOR A FACT THERE ARE MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT DID NOT SIGN IT THE WAY WE SIGNED IT. THEY SAID LOOK WE'RE FOLLOWING ALL STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS.
AND ONE OF THE SPEAKERS MENTIONED THAT I BELIEVE IT WAS Mr. RODRIGUEZ BUT REGARDLESS HE MADE A TRUE STATEMENT THERE. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY I DON'T CARE WHO ALL SIGNS IT. YOU SIGN TO DO BEFORE THE COURT RULED THE WAY IT DID THE DAY
AFTER, THE LAST VOTE. SO IT IS A NEW DAY NOW. YOU GOT MUCH MORE CLARITY IN REGARD TO WHETHER THESE ACTIONS COLLECTIVELY TAKEN BY THE ADMINISTRATION ARE LAWFUL. CURRENTLY THE LAW ON THE LAND SAYS IT'S NOT. SO I THINK IT WILL BEHOOVE US TO
KEEP ON TRUCKING BUSINESS AS USUAL ON MY PART OF THE TOWN AND DO WHAT WE KNOW OUR CONSTITUENTS WANT US TO DO I HAVE NOT HEARD ONE PERSON COME FORWARD AND SAY I THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA. MAYBE THEY ARE DOING IT BECAUSE THEY ARE THINKING THIS WILL
WORKOUT IN MY FAVOR YOU HAVE HEARD FROM PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY, DIFFERENT VIEWS, RACES AND RELIGION AND AGES SAYING THIS IS BAD. THIS DOES NOT MAKE ME FEEL GOOD. AND YOU NEED TO WE NEED TO LISTEN TO THAT. AGAIN, WE'RE DOING MUCH MORE
THAN $300 MILLION OF DAMAGE TO US BY DOING THIS I PROMISE YOU. YOU'RE HELPING TO ENSURE THAT THE MICRO SCHOOL ALSO POP-UP AND NEEDY AREAS OF THE COUNTY WHICH WILL FURTHER ERODE OUR ECONOMIES OF SCALE. YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT FROM
A BUSINESS STANDPOINT THIS IS BAD BUSINESS. MARK MY WORDS ON THAT. THANK YOU. >> Mr. BURKE? >> I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT Mr. SANCHEZ GAVE THE CORRECT EXPLANATION THERE. I SHOULD HAVE CHOSE MY WORDS MORE CAREFULLY WE ARE NOT OUT OF
COMPLIANCE BUT WE PIVOTED TO THE RACE NEUTRAL SBE PROGRAM AND THAT IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN WITH FOR SEVERAL YEARS. >> MS. BRANCH? >> I'VE HEARD FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTY AND MY CONSTITUENTS THAT THEY ARE NOT FOR THIS EITHER. SO THEY DON'T WANT THESE
POLICIES. LIKE VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS SAYS IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE ON PAPER. WE NEED TO BE HIRING THE MOST QUALIFIED PEOPLE. AND NOT JUST BECAUSE THE POLICY SAYS THAT SO AGAIN, NOT FOR ALL THESE POLICIES. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR?
ALL OPPOSED. Mr. FERGUSON HOW ARE YOU VOTING? >> UNQUESTIONABLY AGAINST THIS. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE I CAPTURE WHAT YOU ARE THINKING. MOTION PASSES WITH FIVE BOARD MEMBERS IN FAVOR AND Mr. FERGUSON IN OPPOSITION.
>> COS9 I RECOMMEND THE BOARD APPROVE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW POLICY 6.134 SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM. >> MOTION AND SECONDED.
THE PEOPLE VOTING IN FAVOR OF CHANGING THIS ARE NOT WHO WAS MANTS FOR THE POLICY TO PROTECT. AND THEY ARE BRAINWASHED WHY WOULD YOU VOTE AGAINST YOUR PERSONAL INTEREST THAT IS THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY.
I PROMISE YOU THEY ARE NOT WOMEN. WELL, THERE MAYBE WOMEN I TAKE THAT BACK. BUT I'M CONFIDENT THEY ARE NOT AFTER AFRICAN-AMERICANS NOT LATINOS NOT LGBTQ+ AND I WILL SAY THE OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF THE PEOPLE ARE ALSO NOT WOMEN WHO
UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS POLICY MEANS TO THEIR PERSONAL INTEREST. SO YOU EITHER ARE NOT IN ONE OF THOSE GROUPS OR IGNORANT LACK KNOWLEDGE DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE DUMB BUT YOU JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT IS THE ONLY WAY YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS
PARTICULARLY WHEN IT'S NOT LAWFUL. NOBODY HERE IS ADDRESSED MY QUESTION IT HAPPENS I ASK A QUESTION AND I GET AN ANSWER ON SOMETHING YOU HEARD MAYBE I NEED TO TALK WITH SUBTITLES I MADE
THAT JOKE BEFORE MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THAT AND HAVE A DIGITAL THINGS SO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING BUT NOBODY ANSWERED THE QUESTION THAT I POSED THAT THE LAW CURRENTLY SAYS WE SHOULD NOT BE CHANGING THIS BUT WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CHANGE THIS ANYWAY
PROACTIVELY, PREEMPTIVELY THOUGH THERE IS NO LAW ON THE BOOKS THAT MANDATES THIS ACTION. THAT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME. YOU WOULD NOT PASS THE BAR DOING THAT. THE BEST ANSWER RIGHT NOW IS TO LEAVE THINGS AS IT IS NOT COME UP WITH YOUR OWN SET OF FACTS
THE FACTS ARE WHAT THEY ARE. YOU HAVE THE LAW AND THE FACTS SAYING LEAVE THIS STUFF ALONE AND EVERYBODY TELLS ME YOU DON'T NEED TO PUT IT IN WRITING. I GOT THESE UNSEEN CONSTITUENTS WHO BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD CHANGE IT. AND I DO BELIEVE THERE ARE PERSONS WHO BELIEVE WE SHOULD
CHANGE IT HOW DO YOU GET A DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THE LAW AND THE FACTS ARE NOT IN THEIR FAVOR AND SOMETIMES YOU LOSE AS EVIDENCED BY THIS IS A WIN OR LOSS SITUATION I'M LOSING TODAY. BUT WE AS A DISTRICT ARE GOING
TO LOSE MUCH MORE THAN THE CURRENT BY WHAT WE ARE ACTIONS WE ARE SETTING OURSELVES UP TO FAIL. I HATE WE'RE DOING IT BUT WE'RE DOING IT SO WE CAN WEAR THAT ALBATROSS AROUND OUR NECK IN FUTURE YEARS.
THANK YOU. >> FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES WITH FIVE IN FAVOR AND Mr. FERGUSON IN OPPOSITION. >> COS10 REVISED POLICY 7.081 NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT.
>> MOTION BY VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS AND SECONDED. Mr. FERGUSON. >> THANK YOU. THE PART THAT IS BEING STRICKEN SAYS THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL PROMULGATE DIRECTIVES WHICH WILL PROVIDE FOR AFFIRMATIVE EFFORTS ON THE PART OF THE DISTRICT TO
RECRUIT MINORITY/WOMEN BUSINESSES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BID PROCESS. WE HAVE A WAYS TO GO IN REGARD TO GETTING MORE WOMEN AND MINORITY PERSONS QUALIFIED. AND THEN BIDDING ON THESE DIFFERENT DEALS WE DO. YOU CAN PULL THE DATA. WE DON'T HAVE TO SPECULATE AND
TALK WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW THAT IS THE EASY PAPER TRAIL. AND SO I THINK WE HAVE MUCH MORE TO DO AND I'M PRETTY SURE MOST OF THE PEOPLE EVERYBODY ON THE STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE WHO HAVE SPOKEN TO TODAY WILL
ADMIT THERE'S MORE TO DO AND HAVING IT IN WRITING EVERY BOOK THAT I HAVE READ BY PEOPLE THAT ARE MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN I WILL EVER BE SPEAKS TO THE POWER OF WRITING THINGS DOWN. YOU WANT TO BULK UP, SLIM DOWN, BE MORE POSITIVE WHATEVER THE CASE MAYBE, YOU NEED TO SEE IT
IN WRITING. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ OR NEED TO SEE IT IN WRITING THAT IS FINE BOARD MEMBER BUT I'M TELLING YOU MY EXPERIENCE THE SAME WAY THAT YOU REPRESENTED THE GHOST CONSTITUENTS ARE ADVOCATING FOR YOU TO HELP CHANGE THIS LAW.
BUT I'M GOING TO JUST DON'T INTERRUPT ME PLEASE I WILL NEVER INTERRUPT YOU. AGAIN, BOOKS THAT I'VE READ SEEM TO SPEAK TO THE VALUE AND I'M SURE MANY OF THE PEOPLE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WATCHING THIS TODAY OR IN THE FUTURE MOST OF YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING
ABOUT IS THE TRUTH. IF YOU WANT TO SEE SOMETHING HAPPEN YOU PROBABLY WANT TO WRITE IT DOWN AND REMIND YOURSELF THAT IS WHAT THE POLICIES DO. IT'S EASY FOR US TO GET OFF TRACK IF WE DON'T HAVE THE THING IN WRITING.
SO, AGAIN, I DON'T YIELD TO BULLIES. I WILL SAY I HATE BULLIES. I'VE NEVER BEEN A BULLY. I'VE KICKED A FEW BULLIES ASSES AND THEY'VE TRIED TO KICK MY AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND I DON'T THINK THEY WILL BE
SUCCESSFUL THIS TIME EITHER. MY HEART IS ACHING TO THE EXTENT WE ARE DOING THIS FOR THE REASONS I HAVE SAID ADD NAUSEAM AND I'M NAUSEOUS MAYBE YOU SHOULD BE NAUSEOUS WE SHOULD ALL BE SICK MAYBE FOR DIFFERENT REASONS WE NEED TO FEEL THIS AND
I WANT US TO WEAR IT. BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED FOR THE STUDENTS DEFINITELY IN DISTRICT 7 AND I KNOW I HAVE SOME SUPPORTERS IN DISTRICT 1, 6, 4, AND ALL SEVEN DISTRICTS ARE ACHING RIGHT NOW FEELING THIS
HIT. SO BOARD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INDULGENCE I LOOK FORWARDED TO WORKING TO DO WHAT WE CAN WHILE WE CAN. AT THIS POINT I WILL REST I HAVE NO FOLLOW-UP ON THIS POLICY. >> MRS. BRANCH.
>> I DON'T NEED TO SEE ANYTHING IN WRITING I DON'T HAVE GHOST PEOPLE TELLING ME THIS I GOT ELECTED FOR A REASON BUT I VOTE FOR WHAT IS IS RIGHT. BULLIES DON'T BOTHER ME EITHER. I WANT TO BE CLEAR YET AGAIN THAT I DON'T NEED TO SEE IT IN WRITING. NOBODY IS GOING TO BULLY ME.
I DON'T VOTE FOR THINGS FOR POLITICAL PRESSURE AND I DON'T HAVE GHOST CONSTITUENTS TELLING ME HOW TO VOTE. THANK YOU. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY WITH Mr. FERGUSON IN OPPOSITION FIVE IN FAVOR.
THAT IS NOW GOING TO BRING US TO OUR BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS BRD1 Mr. FERGUSON A PAUSE PERMITTED CHANGES TO DISTRICT DAMENT POLICIES. QUICKLY BOARD I DO THINK WE HAVE VOTED TO MAKE PRELIMINARY CHANGES TO OUR PERMANENT
POLICIES THAT SET FORTH IN THESE 10 POLICIES THE NEXT QUESTION IS WHEN DO WE COME BACK TO FINALIZE THESE? I THINK IT WOULD BE PRUDENT OF US TO STRETCH THIS OUT AS LONG AS POSSIBLE TO LET THE THING PLAY OUT IN THE COURT.
WHAT AS LONG AS POSSIBLE IS I'M NOT SURE. BUT I DEFINITELY WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO NOT BRING THIS BACK IN THE SUMMER MONTHS OF 2025. MY PERSONAL REQUEST IS THAT WE DELAY TAKING ACTION ON THIS UNTIL, SAY, THE WINTER OF 2026.
THE BOARD WILL BE CONSTITUTED IN ITS CURRENT CAPACITY BUT THAT WILL GIVE US TIME TO SEE IF THIS CAN GET TO A HEAD. I THINK THE SUPREME COURT -- THIS IS MY OPINION ONE LAURA MUNGS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LAWYERS BUT I THINK THIS IS GOING TO COME TO A HEAD SOONER
THAN LATER. I DON'T THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE SUPREME COURT I THINK IT IS -- IT MAY GET TO THE SUPREME COURT. IF THERE IS ANY SPLIT OF AUTHORITY WHICH HONESTLY PROBABLY WON'T BE THRIT OF AUTHORITY BUT IF THERE IS SPLIT OF AUTHORITY IT WILL GET TO THE SUPREME COURT BEFORE AUGUST OF
2026. AND SO I'M ASKING YOU BOARD IF WE CAN KIND OF DELAY THE FINAL VOTE ON THESE POLICY CHANGES UNTIL SOMETIME IN THE WINTER 2026. THANK YOU. >> I WILL ASK OUR GENERAL COUNSEL TO SPEAK TO WHAT THE
TIMELINE REQUIREMENTS ARE WHEN WE DEVELOP AND WHEN WE VOTE ON POLICIES? >> SURE ABSOLUTELY. I BELIEVE IT'S ALREADY NOTED IN BOARD DOCKS BUT THE NEXT TIME THIS POLICY IS SLATED FOR ADOPTION IS JULY THE 16TH.
AND SO THAT'S BY STATUTE. HOWEVER THAT MIGHT PLAY INTO I GUESS THE DISCUSSION THAT'S FOR CONTEXT AND GIVES THE BOARD A LITTLE BIT OF A TIMELINE WHEN THIS WILL BE COMING BACK AROUND FOR ADOPTION. >> SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS
STATUTORILY WE HAVE TO BRING IT BACK AT A CERTAIN PERIOD AND TO Mr. FERGUSON'S POINT IF THE COURTS WERE TO RULE DIFFERENTLY WE COULD ALWAYS COME BACK AND DO POLICIES OVER AGAIN? Mr. FERGUSON, I SEE YOU WANTED TO SPEAK BUT VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS
HAS ASKED TO SPEAK FIRST. >> THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY QUESTION, CHAIR BRILL. ABOUT THE PROCESS WHEN THE POLICY WOULD COME FORTH THE NEXT TIME AND THIS NEXT TIME OF READING WILL THAT BE THE FINAL ONE OR WILL IT COME BACK AGAIN? >> THAT WILL BE FOR ADOPTION
THAT WILL BE FINAL. >> OKAY. >> Mr. FERGUSON? >> A POINT OF CLARIFICATION TO THE GENERAL CON SELL WHAT STATUTE MANDATES THE TWO MONTHS? THAT WASN'T MY UNDERSTANDING IN PRIOR CONVERSATIONS WHAT STATUTE ARE YOU REFERENCING? >> IT'S A TIMELINE.
I WONDER IF ONE OF THE ATTORNEYS HAVE IT UP IN FRONT OF THEM THAT SPEAKS TO THE PERIOD OF TIME AFTER WE GO THROUGH DEVELOPMENT ANYONE OF YOU THAT MIGHT HAVE THAT COME UP AND SPEAK TO THE
REFERENCE TO THE STATUTE NUMBER. >> GOOD EVENING IT'S CHAPTER 120 IS THE RULEMAKING PROCESS. >> FLORIDA STATUTE 120? DO YOU HAVE THE SPECIFIC SECTION OF 120?
>> . >> WHILE WE LOOK FOR THE STATUTE NUMBER AND ALLOW COUNSEL TO LOCATE THAT AND THEN WE CAN SHARE OUT THAT INFORMATION TO THE BOARD IF WE WANT TO CARRY ON. >> WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE TO CARRY
ON WITH. I THINK WE CAN PAUSE FOR A MOMENT. >> PLEASE.
>> IT'S CHAPTER 120.54 THE RULEMAKING PROCESS IT CODIFIES THE EMERGENCY RULEMAKING AS WELL THE REGULAR RULEMAKING PROCESS. >> I'M SPEED READING IT NOW.
I'M NOT SEEING THE 60-DAY PROVISION THAT WAS REPRESENTED JUST YET CAN YOU EXPEDITE THINGS CAN YOU POINT ME TO THE SECTION THAT SAYS THERE IS A 60-DAY WINDOW IN WHICH CHANGES MUST BE MADE?
ROUGHLY 60-DAY WINDOW?
YOUR QUESTION IS THE 60 DAYS? >> I THOUGHT I HEARD ATTORNEY BERNARD WE HAVE TO BRING THIS FORWARD FOR FINAL APPROVAL IN JULY WHICH IS ROUGHLY 60 DAYS FROM NOW. >> HIGHER RULEMAKING PROCESS HAS TO BE IN 90 DAYS OTHERWISE IF IT'S NOT DONE IN 90 DAYS IT HAS
TO START AGAIN. THE REASON WHY WE ARE IN THIS TIME-FRAME WITH THESE POLICIES IS BECAUSE OF THE EMERGENCY ADOPTION WHICH YOU HAVE THE 90 DAYS FROM THE TIME OF THE EMERGENCY ADOPTION. >> SECTION J OR RULE PUBLISHED IN THE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE
CODE 90 DAYS AFTER THE RULE IS FILED? IS THAT THE FINE 0 DAYS YOU ARE REFERRING TO. I DIDN'T REALIZE THESE WERE ADMINISTRATIVE CODES WE WERE ENACTING.
>> I'M LOOKING UP THE SPECIFIC REFERENCE. >> I'M TRYING TO BE EDUCATED. I KNOW WE LIKE TO VET THINGS OUT BEFORE. BUT YET THERE WAS IN MY MIND I DIDN'T APPRECIATE THERE WAS A 90 DAY RULE I WAS FOCUSED ON TODAY
TO WHENEVER I DID NOT REALIZE THERE WAS ANY REGULATION IN THIS REGARD. SO I'M ASKING TO BE EDUCATED AND I'M SURE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ARE PROBABLY APPRECIATE THIS AS MUCH AS I DO AS WELL. SO I'M NOT TRYING TO ANTAGONIZE ANYTHING OTHER THAN EDUCATE MYSELF I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT
FOR ALL OF US TO BE OPEN TO EDUCATION. THIS IS WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO NOW. >> IT'S LOCATED IN 3D. >> 3D.
MODIFICATION WITHDRAWAL PROPOSED RULES. >> CORRECT. >> SPECIFICALLY SPEAKING TO THE 90 DAYS IN SECTION C. SORRY. 3C. >> SECTION D?
>> IT'S 3D, AND THEN MOVING DOWN IN THAT SECTION IT TALKS ABOUT THE 90 DAYS. >> OKAY. SO YOU MEAN DC IF THE RULE REQUIRES RAD INDICATION MORE THAN 90 DAYS THE RULE FILED FOR
ADOPTION WITHOUT THE LEGISLATURE RATIFYING THE RULE THE RULE CAN BE REDRAWN BUT IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE DIRECTING ME TO? >> CORRECT. BASICALLY, THE TIMELINE STARTS OVER AGAIN IN TERMS OF THAT THE
ADOPTION OR THE REVISION PROCESS. >> SAYS THE RULE MAYBE WITHDRAWN BUT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED WE WOULDN'T BE WITHDRAWING THIS PROPOSAL AND WE WOULDN'T BE MODIFYING IT EITHER.
I'M SAYING CAN WE DELAY IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS RULE FURTHER DOWN TO SEE HOW THINGS SHAKE OUT IN THE APELLET CIRCUIT APPELLATE COURTERS THE U.S. SUPREME COURT IF THERE WAS A DIVERGENCE OF OPINIONS BETWEEN
THE CIRCUITS THAT HAVE THE CASES RELATED TO THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING FOR THIS LAST HOUR OR SO. >> SO IN SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE PROCESS AS WE ARE CURRENTLY IN BECAUSE OF THE EMERGENCY ADOPTION RULES, IF WE WERE TO DELAY OUTSIDE OF THE
JULY 16TH DATE, THEN WE WOULD BE OUTSIDE THE WINDOW FOR THE EMERGENCY POLICIES. >> AND WHY IS THAT A PROBLEM? >> I'M GIVING YOU THE RULEMAKING PROCESS. IF THE BOARD DECIDED THEY WANTED TO GO OUTSIDE OF THAT PROCESS,
THEN THERE ARE THE RESULTS OF THAT THAT WOULD HAPPEN. MEANING THAT THE EMERGENCY RULES WOULD THEN NOT BE IN -- WOULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED AT THAT TIME. SO THAT WOULD BE THE CONSEQUENCE OF NOT MOVING FORWARD WITH THE POLICIES THEN WOULD BE A REVISION TO THE POLICIES BEFORE
THE EMERGENCY ADOPTION. >> HOW IS THAT ANY DIFFERENT WHAT I'M PROPOSING? SO YOU ARE SAYING IF WE DON'T HAVE THE SECOND READ OF THIS, OBVIOUSLY THE EMERGENCY RULING THAT HAS A TIME CERTAIN AFTER
WHICH TIME IT LOSES ITS EFFECT. BUT OKAY. BUT MY THOUGHT WAS IF YOU DELAY THE SECOND READING OF THE PERMANENT CHANGES UNTIL SOME DATE IN THE FUTURE THAT HAPPENS TO BE PAST 90 DAYS OF FILING OF THE EMERGENCY RULING, THAT
DOESN'T PROHIBIT US FROM AT SOME POINT IN TIME IN THE FUTURE ENFORCING THESE CHANGES THAT WE MADE TODAY. RIGHT? >> SO IF YOU ALLOW THE TIME TO LAPSE, THEN IT WOULD REVERT BACK
TO THE APRIL 22 THE BOARD POLICIES AT THAT POINT. SO THEN IT WOULD REQUIRE THE BOARD TO THEN ENTER THE RULEMAKING PROCESS AGAIN IN ORDER TO MOVE TO THE REVISIONS THAT AS THEY HAVE BEEN PROPOSED NOW. >> SO IT WOULD BASICALLY INVALIDATE THE VOTE FROM TODAY
YOU ARE SAYING? >> IT WOULDN'T INVALIDATE THE VOTE BUT IT WOULD REVERT THE POLICY. >> INVALIDATE IS STALE HAVE NO FORCE OF LAW. WHICH TERM WOULD YOU LIKE? WOULD YOU PREFER BETTER? >> MEANING THAT THE VOTE WOULDN'T BE INVALIDATED THE VOTE
WOULD STAND AS IT WAS ON APRIL 23. HOWEVER, IF THE BOARD DECIDED NO THE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE VOTE THEN THE POLICIES WOULD REVERT BACK TO WHAT THEY WERE PRIOR TO THAT VOTE. >> SO, AGAIN, THE ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN TODAY.
WOULD IT HAVE NO LEGAL EFFECT ON THE DISTRICT IF WE DON'T FOLLOW-UP AT THE JULY BOARD MEETING AND VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE CHANGES THAT WE VOTED TO MAKE TODAY? DO YOU BELIEVE THAT? >> LEGAL EFFECT...
>> THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN VOTED ON THE BOARD TODAY I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE EMERGENCY CHANGES I'M TALKING ABOUT THE CHANGES THAT THE BOARD HAS VOTED TO MAKE TO THE 10 POLICIES WE'VE DISCUSSED TODAY. IF THAT SECOND READING IF YOU
WILL, IS NOT DONE UNTIL SOME POINT AFTER THE JULY MEETING ARE YOU SAYING THEN THAT THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TODAY COULD NOT BE YOU CAN PICK THE TERM YOU WOULD LIKE TO USE.
BUT THAT THESE CHANGES WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE ENACTED AT A LATER TIME BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T DONE ON OR BEFORE OUR JULY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING? >> THAT IS CORRECT. IF IT WAS DELAYED THEN YOU THE BOARD WOULD HAVE TO ENTER THE ENTIRE RULEMAKING PROCESS AGAIN.
>> START OVER. >> CORRECT. OKAY. I UNDERSTAND THAT. THANK YOU FOR THAT. I APPRECIATE THAT. >> DOES ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO WEIGH-IN? WELL, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE WE
CAN'T VOTE BUT I DON'T HEAR ANYBODY'S SUPPORT. SO THAT WILL BRING US TO BD2. >> THANK YOU. SO THIS ONE IS ONE AND I THINK YEAH WE DID THAT THIS SCHOOL YEAR. REMEMBER WE'RE REIMAGINING THE
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN RIVIERA BEACH. WE KNOW THAT YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR, I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY I THINK WE ALL DO AGREE THAT WE SHOULD EXPECT AND CAN GET MORE OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS AND SPECIFICALLY OUR STUDENTS AT
RIVIERA BEACH THAT IS WHY FOR THOSE WHO MAY THAT REMEMBER, I INITIALLY PROPOSED AND THE BOARD WAS KIND ENOUGH TO FOLLOW MY REQUEST THAT WE BIFURCATE IN A WAY THAT HASN'T BEEN DONE ON A LARGE SCALE. THE GREATER MAJORITY OF CHILDREN
PRE-K THROUGH SECOND GRADE STARTING NOT THIS SCHOOL YEAR BUT THE FOLLOWING SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE AT RIVIERA AND 3-5 WILL BE AT BA THAN. WE THINK THAT WILL GIVE OUR TEACHERS IN THE FORMATIVE YEARS AGES 4-8, THE CHANCE TO TOW
DISCUSS ON THE SPECIFIC SKILL SETS THAT WILL MAKE JOHNNY AND JANE THEIR BEST SELFS AND NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE INHERENT IF YOU WILL, DISTRACTION AND ANGST, THAT A LOT OF SCHOOLS FEEL FROM THE PRINCIPAL ON DOWN IN REGARD TO PM ONE, PM2 AND
PM3. AND SPEAKING TO MOST OF THE PRINCIPALS IN RIVIERA BEACH, THERE WAS A DISCUSSION THAT WAS HAD IN REGARDS TO HOW DO WE TRULY PUSH THE GREATER MAJORITY OF THE CHILDREN IN RIVIERA WE HAVE TO A HIGHER LEVEL. BECAUSE A LOT OF THEM BECAUSE OF
ECONOMIC CONSTRAINTS THEY SUFFER WHAT WE CALL THE SUMMER SLIDE. SO WHEREVER THEY FINISH THIS YEAR, A FAIR NUMBER OF THEM I WON'T SAY A MAJORITY BUT A FAIR NUMBER ENOUGH THAT I THINK WE NEED TO COMBAT IT. LOSE SOME OF THE MAST INDUSTRY
THAT THEY ESTABLISHED BY THE END OF THE YEAR AND THE PROBLEM IS WE GET INTO THIS TRIAGE TYPE OF EDUCATION WHERE IN WHICH WE'RE SPENDING A FAIR AMOUNT OF TIME IN THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR TRYING TO GET THEM BACK UP TO SPEED WHAT THEY SUPPOSEDLY LEARNED THE LAST SCHOOL YEAR WHICH THEN
DIRECTLY AFFECTS THEIR ABILITY TO PERFORM AS WELL AS THEY NEED TO PERFORM IN NEXT YEAR'S ASSESSMENT WHICH THEN AFFECTS THE OVERALL SCHOOL GRADE. SO WHEN YOU SEE A LOT OF TIMES SCHOOLS THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY C'S AND D'S EVERY SINGLE YEAR,
PART OF THAT IS THAT REMEDIAL REMEDIATION THAT HAS TO HAPPEN IN THE FIRST NINE WEEKS OR MORE FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS. SO IN SPEAKING WITH A NUMBER OF THE PRINCIPALS IN RIVIERA BEACH, THEY WELCOME US DOING YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL IN RIVIERA BEACH.
BECAUSE WE THINK THAT THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO BETTER GUARD AGAINST THE SUMMER SLIDE. YOU HAVE CHILDREN THAT A LOT OF TIMES ONE PRINCIPAL REPRESENTED TO ME, THAT THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL IS THE WORST DAY OF SCHOOL AT THIS PRINCIPAL'S SCHOOL BECAUSE THE KIDS KNOW
THEY DON'T HAVE THAT ROUTINE THAT SCHOOL PROVIDES THEM. THEY ARE JUST GOING TO BE HOME. NOT ENGAGED. NOT TRAVELING ANYWHERE WHERE SOME AREAS OF THE COUNTY WE KNOW OUR CHILDREN CAN COUNT ON SUMMER VACATION WHETHER IT BE IN EUROPE
OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTRY OR DOING A TOP TECH SUMMER PROGRAM THEY ARE STILL BEING EDUCATED AND HAVING FUN AND OTHER STUDENTS WHOSE FAMILIES DON'T HAVE THOSE MEANS THEY ARE RELEGATED TO AGAIN JUST LIKE BEING IN A WAITING ROOM. THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE PLACES WILL
GO FROM DR. SEUSS. IT'S NOT GOOD FOR THEM IN THAT REGARD. AND SO BOARD I'M GOING TO REPRESENT TO YOU WE'VE ALREADY STARTED DOING SOMETHING I'M CONFIDENT WILL BE TRANSFORMATIVE. AND SIMILAR TO THAT CLEAR CONNECT WHATEVER THE EAR DEVICES WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IT'S GOING
TO FURTHER PUSH US TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE IN TERMS OF DOING INNOVATIVE THINGS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CHILDREN. I WOULD LIKE US TO TO GET YOU ALL'S POSITION ON THIS IN REGARD TO SETTING UP A STRUCTURE IN
WHICH IN RIVIERA BEACH ONLY AT LEAST FOR NOW, WE GO TO YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL BECAUSE I THINK IN SPEAKING WITH THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS THE PRINCIPALS, MYSELF BEING A BUSINESS OWNER FOR 20 YEARS IN RIVIERA BEACH I HAVE AN
UNDERSTANDING OF THE GREATER MAJORITY OF THE FEELINGS AND SYMPATHIES OF THE RESIDENTS I THINK THIS WOULD BE A GREAT THING AND IT IS A MATTER OF PRACTICALITY DOING WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILDREN THAT IS WHY I WANTED TO BRING THIS BEFORE YOU AND I REALLY HOPE THAT YOU ALL CONSIDER THIS.
AND I THINK YOU CAN HAVE POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTY AS WELL. BUT I SAY LET'S START IN RIVIERA BEACH BECAUSE OF THE GEOGRAPHY OF IT ALL IT'S EASIER TO DO IT THERE THAN A WEST PALM BEACH OR BOCA OR DELRAY.
BECAUSE ALL SCHOOLS AREN'T NECESSARILY IN THE SAME SPACE. THAT WE SEE THE SCHOOLS IN RIVIERA BEACH TO BE. THIS IS WHY I WANTED TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH YOU ALL. >> I WILL START OFF THE CONVERSATION JUST BY SAYING ALTHOUGH I THINK IT IS A WONDERFUL IDEA AND I KNOW WE'VE
THROWN IT AROUND IN THE PAST, WE SAT THROUGH A BUDGET WORKSHOP WHERE WE HEARD ABOUT THE UNCERTAINTY OF WHAT OUR BUDGET IS GOING TO BE. WE ARE IN A SITUATION RIGHT NOW WHERE I JUST DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE GIVING ANY DIRECTION
BECAUSE YEAR-ROUND SCHOOLING IS GOING TO COST. IT'S COSTLY PROPOSITION. AND AFTER HEARING WHAT WE'VE HEARD ABOUT THE BUDGET THAT FACT THAT THE STATE HAS NOT FINALIZED THEIR BUDGET, I JUST DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH EMBRACING ANY NEW PROGRAMS.
I THINK DOWN THE ROAD IT COULD BE A POSSIBILITY. I THINK I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE MOTIVATION AND THE RATIONALE. BUT I JUST TOO FEARFUL ABOUT WHAT THE BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS WOULD BE WITH THIS UNCERTAINTY THAT WE HAVE IN THE BUDGET.
MS. WHITFIELD? >> THANK YOU. YEAH, THIS IS SOMETHING I WAS ALWAYS INTERESTED IN DOING. WE TALKED ABOUT IT MANY YEARS AGO. I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA IF WE DID GO THAT DIRECTION I WOULD SAY WE WOULD NEED TO DO A PILOT PROGRAM TO SEE HOW IT WOULD GO
IN ONE SCHOOL. BUT SIMILAR TO MS. BRILL, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT TAKING ON ANYTHING NEW RELATED TO AN ENTIRELY NEW SCHOOL OPERATION. I THINK THAT'S A LOT RIGHT NOW. BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT I'VE ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN SEEING US DO HERE.
MAYBE WE COULD HAVE STAFF GIVE US ANY FEEDBACK THEY HAVE ON IT IN A FUTURE MEETING MAYBE NOT THIS ONE. BUT SOMETHING THAT I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT WOULD BE INTERESTING. THANK YOU. >> VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS? >> YES. I DO THINK THAT IS A GREAT IDEA.
AND I LOVE TO SEE YOU WORK CLOSELY WITH SUPERINTENDENT BURKE SINCE THE PRINCIPALS ALREADY ONBOARD. PUT THE NUMBERS TOGETHER TO SEE HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST IF WE DO IT. AND IF WE'RE THINKING NOT FOR THIS COMING SCHOOL YEAR MAYBE
THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, YEAH, IT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT'S WORTH LOOKING AT THE MAYOR OF RIVIERA BEACH IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED WITH THE PRINCIPALS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THROUGH ATTORNEY FERGUSON. SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A PACKAGE COME BACK TO ME AS WHETHER WE
COULD DO IT. WE'LL KNOW BY THEN HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAVE AND HOW OUR SITUATION IS LOOKING BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US SEE HOW WE CAN DO IT AND BRING IT BACK FOR ME TO DIGEST IT TO A VOTE. >> MRS. BRANCH.
>> I AGREE. I THINK THE BUDGET IS AN ISSUE BUT I AGREE WITH MRS. WHITFIELD AND CHAIR BRILL. I KNOW IN BOCA THEY HAVE THE FULLER CENTERS FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN SO THEY HAVE A CAMP FOR THEM SO THEY CAN HAVE FUN AND STILL LEARN AND
READ AND DO ART AND ACTUALLY PLAY OUTSIDE AND HAVE FUN AND GO ON FIELD TRIPS. IS THERE ANYTHING IN RIVIERA THAT WHERE THEY COULD HAVE A CAMP FOR THE KIDS TO DO THAT? BECAUSE YOU KNOW, YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL, I HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING BUT TO GIVE THEM A LITTLE
BIT OF A BREAK BUT YET THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE FUN IN A CAMP AND STILL READING AND DO ART AND FIELD TRIPS ET CETERA. IS THERE ANYTHING IN RIVIERA BEACH THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO SERVICE THESE KIDS DURING THE SUMMER?
>> LET ME ASK YOU A QUICK QUESTION. HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE ENROLLED IN THIS PROGRAM YOU MENTIONED THE CITY OF BOCA PUTS ON? >> THE FULLER CENTER IT'S HUNDREDS. THEY HAVE A EAST AND WEST CAMPUS AND THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR 50 PLUS YEARS I WAS ON THE BOARD. >> RIVIERA BEACH IS ONE OF THE
LARGEST STUDENTS WHEN YOU -- CITIES WHEN YOU CONSIDER STUDENT POPULATION THERE ARE THOUSANDS IN THE CITY WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. BUT THEY WILL BE YEAR-ROUND IN ONE SCHOOL? >> YEAR-ROUND DOESN'T MEAN YOU GO TO SCHOOL FROM JANUARY TO DECEMBER 5 DAYS A WEEK.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL AND WHAT WE HAVE IS THAT THE SUMMER BREAK WOULD BE SHORTER AND THERE MAYBE BREAKS DISPERSED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THAT YOU WON'T HAVE IN OUR TRADITIONAL SCHOOL. JUST -- >> WELLLE.
>> IT IS YEAH WHEN YOU FIRST JESUS YEAR-ROUND GIVE THE KIDS A BREAK. >> I'M TRYING TO THINK CAN'T THE KIDS HAVE FUN AND STILL LEARN AND HAVE GO TO CAMP LIKE OTHER KIDS DO AND FIELD TRIPS AND IF THERE'S THOUSANDS OF KIDS THEN HOW IS THAT GOING TO WORK FOR YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL IN ONE SCHOOL?
>> WELL, IT WOULDN'T BE ONE SCHOOL IN THAT REGARD WHAT BOARD MEMBER WHITFIELD PROPOSED WOULDN'T WORK UNLESS YOU DID YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL IN WASHINGTON. REMEMBER SAY WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY ALL CHILDREN IN PRE-K THROUGH SECOND WOULD BE AT WEST RIVIERA. AND KIDS GRADES 3-5 WILL BE AT
BA THUNE. SO YOU WOULD HAVE TO USE TWO SCHOOLS IN THIS PROPOSAL. SO IF THERE WAS NOT -- LET ME ASK THIS TO THE BOARD IF THERE WAS NOT A SUBSTANTIAL
FINANCIAL IMPACT TO THE DISTRICT, WOULD THERE BE OPPOSITION TO YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL AS A THE PHRASE THAT SOMEBODY USED AS A PILOT PROGRAM, WOULD THERE BE OPPOSITION? IF THERE WAS NOT A SUBSTANTIAL,
I GUESS, USE SPES FESSTY LIKE IF IT DOESN'T COST MORE THAN 10% MORE TO DO YEAR-ROUND SCHOOLING WOULD THERE BE OPPOSITION TO DOING A PILOT PROGRAM IN RIVIERA BEACH BETWEEN THOSE TWO SCHOOLS?
WEST RIVIERA AND BA THUNE ELEMENTARY? WHAT SAY YOU BOARD MEMBER LANE? >> ARE YOU GOING TO REQUIRE THE STUDENTS TO DO THIS? IF I HAPPEN TO BE ENROLLED IN THAT SCHOOL MY SON IS ENROLLED IN THAT SCHOOL HE IS GOING TO
HAVE TO GO YEAR-ROUND. >> THAT IS WHAT I'M SAYING BOARD MEMBER LANE NOT AS IF THEY ARE GOING TO SCHOOL 52 WEEKS OUT OF THE YEAR. THEY STILL HAVE BREAKS THEY WOULD NOT BE IN SCHOOL ANYMORE DAYS THAN STUDENTS ARE IN SCHOOL JUST THAT THE BREAKS FALL AT
DIFFERENT TIMES YOUR SUMMER BREAK IS SHORTER. THAT'S WHERE WE SEE SCHOOLS HISTORICALLY HAVE DEFICITS IN THE LOWER ECONOMIC ENDS THAT IS WHERE MOST OF THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS TELL ME THE GREATEST DAK IS DONE BY THEM BEING SEPARATED FROM THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS FOR
SUCH A PERIOD OF TIME. THEY LOSE IF YOU WILL THE EDUCATIONAL. >> THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION YES, THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED. >> JUST LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO BE REQUIRED EVERYBODY GO PRE-K THROUGH 2. >> SO KIDS IN PALM BEACH GARDENS
GET TO HAVE SUMMER OFF AND THE KIDS IN RIVIERA BEACH? >> NO, THEY HAVE SUMMER OFF, TOO. >> YEAR-ROUND? >> YES. >> THEY WILL HAVE SUMMER OFF IT WON'T BE AS LONG. THE AVERAGE SUMMER ROUGHLY EIGHT WEEKS. I'M SAYING IT WOULD BE MORE LIKE
FOUR WEEKS AS OPPOSED TO EIGHT WEEKS AND AGAIN, THE PRINCIPALS ARE TELLING ME EASTERN THAT THERE IS A VERY APPRECIABLE PORTION OF THEIR POPULOUS THAT LAMENT BEING OUT OF SCHOOL FOR AS LONG AS THEY ARE. SO, AGAIN, MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN WHERE THEY ARE.
I THINK THAT THE YEAR-ROUND IS A NOVEL PROPOSITION THAT I REALLY WOULD LIKE US TO LOOK INTO. IF YOU SAY IT IS A MATTER OF COST, WELL THAT IS SPECULATIVE AT THIS POINT. LET'S GO AHEAD AND VERIFY THAT. I KNOW YOU SAY IT FEELS LIKE BUT
LET'S STAFF DO WHAT THEY GET PAID THE BIG BUCKS TO DO LET'S HAVE A WORKSHOP AND VET THAT OUT. BOARD MEMBER LANE IF YOUR CONCERN IS TIME OFF FROM SCHOOL, THEN AGAIN WE CAN FIGURE IT OUT. BECAUSE WHAT IF THEY ARE GETTING LESS TIME IN THE SUMMER THEY ARE
GETTING MORE TIME SOMEWHERE ELSE. THEIR BLOCK IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT HOW THEY ARE. AGAIN I WANT TO EMPHASIZE TO YOU THAT THEY WON'T BE IN SCHOOL ANYMORE DAYS THAN WE CURRENTLY ARE IN. IT'S JUST THAT THE SUMMER BREAK WILL BE ABRIDGED ABBREVIATED BUT THEY WILL BE GETTING BREAKS IN
OTHER PARTS OF THE YEAR. >> HAVE YOU RUN THIS BY THE PARENTS? >> I HAVE IN THE PAST, YES. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I'M NOT PUTTING MY HEAD IN A HAT AND COMING UP AND SAYING I FOUND THIS NEW RELIGION. THERE ARE PEOPLE IN SUPPORT OF IT. AND THERE WILL BE MORE PEOPLE
I'M CONFIDENT THAT WILL BE IN SUPPORT OF IT IF THEY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS GOING TO RESULT IN HELP PUSH THEIR CHILDREN TO A HIGHER LEVEL. BECAUSE MOST PARENTS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY WANT THAT FOR THEIR CHILDREN. AND RIVIERA BEACH IS NO DIFFERENT. >> THERE IS NO QUESTION THERE IS
A DROP-OFF IT TAKES A LONGTIME TO PICK BACK UP. I CAN'T IMAGINE FIVE PARENTS IN RIVIERA BEACH WHO WOULD AGREE TO HAVE THEIR KIDS NOT HAVE SUMMER BREAK. >> THEY DO HAVE SUMMER BREAK. >> TO HAVE A SHORTER BREAK AND EVERYBODY ELSE CHECK IT OUT WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
>> THINK ABOUT IT THEY ARE GOING TO SAVE ON SUMMERTIME PROGRAMS EVERYBODY DOESN'T GET INTO THE FREE PROGRAMS NOW YOU GOT TO PAY. >> LET ME GO BACK THROUGH THE PEOPLE THAT PRESSED THEIR BUTTONS JUST TO THROW BACK OUT,
I KNOW YOU MENTIONED I KNOW WITH YEAR-ROUND SCHOOLING THEY GET MORE BREAKS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR BUT I WANT TO RAISE TO YOUR ATTENTION WHAT HAPPENS WITH WORKING PARENTS WHEN THE CHILDREN ARE OFF FROM SCHOOL WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE IS IN SCHOOL. YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER AND
THAT WILL BRING US TO MS. BRANCH. >> I KIND OF WAS BOARD MEMBER LANE. THERE IS A DROP-OFF WITH LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF STUDENTS ALL OVER OUR COUNTY. COULD THEY HAVE A CAMP AT BOTH OF THOSE SCHOOLS?
BECAUSE I KIND OF HEAR WHAT CHAIR BRILL JUST SAID THAT I THINK LOGISTICALLY IT IS A LOT AND FOR THE PARENTS I'M OFF THIS WEEK BUT EVERYBODY ELSE IN IN SCHOOL AND THEY HAVE TO FIND DAYCARE I THINK IT WOULD BE A NIGHTMARE MAYBE NOT A NIGHTMARE
BUT CLOSE TO IT. BUT I WOULD BE THE CITY OF RIVIERA BEACH LOOK INTO I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE A CAMP AND THEY CAN STILL READ AND HAVE FUN AND DO ART AND FIELD TRIPS LIKE I ALREADY SAID. BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS
FEASIBLE THERE OR NOT. >> VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS. >> I GO BACK TO TAKING IT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT AND WORKING ON ACTION PLAN TO SEE IF IT CAN BE DONE. I REMEMBER WHEN WE HAD YEAR-ROUND JEWEL IN JUPITER PLRKS LANE, WAY BACK IN THE DAY.
AND IT WENT FOR A WHILE BUT WE HAD TO STOP IT BECAUSE IT WASN'T SUCCESSFUL. BUT I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING Mr. FERGUSON. AND I WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH IT COULD COST, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE INPUT SOMETHING IN WRITING FROM THE PEOPLE THE PARENTS AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY AND THE
PRINCIPALS THAT YOU SAY YOU'VE SPOKE AND TO THEM THAT IS A PACKAGE THAT Mr. BURKE CAN HELP YOU WITH HIS STAFF WORK ON TO BRING IT BACK TO US. WE ARE MERELY TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS HERE. BUT I'D LIKE TO SEE A REAL STUDY DONE BECAUSE IF IT CAN BE SUCCESSFUL I'D LIKE TO HAVE IT
IN MY DISTRICT. >> MS. WHITFIELD. >> SIMILAR TO MRS. ANDREWS I WAS THINKING THIS NEEDS TO BE A WORKSHOP OR WE NEED TO STOP THE DISCUSSION I DON'T THINK WE CAN DECIDE AMONG US HERE NOT THAT I DON'T HAVE IDEAS I DO.
BUT IF WE WANT TO MOVE THIS FORWARD I THINK WE NEED TO PLAN A WORKSHOP FOR IT WHERE STAFF CAN GET INTO THE NITTY-GRITTY WHAT IT WOULD TAKE AND HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST. >> Mr. FERGUSON. >> YES, A WORKSHOP THE QUESTION ARE NOT BEING ANSWERED I SAID TO
DO A WORKSHOP I KNOW THE POLICY AND HOW THE PROCEDURE WORKS. I WANTED TO KNOW IF YOU HAD AN APPETITE FOR A WORKSHOP. I WASN'T THINKING WE WERE ABOUT TO ESTABLISH A YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL POLICY DURING A DISCUSSION ITEM. COME ON. OF HAVING SAID ALL THAT, ARE
THREE OF YOU INTERESTED IN US WORKSHOPPING THIS TO BE DETERMINED BY THE AGENDAS SET BY THE SUPERINTENDENT. BUT ARE AT LEAST THREE OF YOU AMENABLE TO HAVING A CONVERSATION? >> THE REASON I AM OPPOSED TO IT JUST UNTIL WE SEE WHAT THE FINAL
BUDGET COMES IN AT. THAT TAKES STAFF TIME IT WILL TAKE STAFF TIME AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE THEM STUDYING THE ISSUE IF IT'S NOT FEASIBLE AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BUDGET IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE. BRING THIS BACK AFTER WE KNOW WHAT OUR BUDGET LOOKS LIKE. SAYING WE WANT TO HAVE A
WORKSHOP IS IN THE EASILY DONE. THE STAFF WILL HAVE TO PUT A LOT OF TIME INTO IT AND MAYBE YOU NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WILL Mr. BURKE ONE-ON-ONE FIRST AND SEE WHAT THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS ARE. I AM NOT OPPOSED TO THE IDEA AT ALL. I DO THINK IT COULD VERY WELL BE
HELPFUL THERE. BUT WHAT I AM OPPOSED TO IS MOVING FORWARD EVEN WITH A WORKSHOP WHEN WE ARE IN SUCH A PRECARIOUS SITUATION WITH REGARD TO OUR BUDGET. Mr. LANE? >> BUT, MADAM CHAIR MY QUESTION WASN'T ANSWERED TWO BOARD
MEMBERS SAID YES WE WOULD LIKE TO WORKSHOP. YOU AS YOUR ONE VOTE AS CHAIRPERSON BUT ONE VOTE YOU SAID YOU DON'T THAT'S FINE. THE OTHER TWO MEMBERS DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO WEIGH-IN. >> GENERAL CON SELL WANTS TO SPEAK. >> I WANTED TO CAUTION BOARD MEMBER FERGUSON ABOUT SPEAKING
ABOUT A VOTE ON A DISCUSSION ITEM. ON A DISCUSSION ITEM THE BOARD CANNOT TAKE UP A VOTE BUT CAN BY CONSENSUS, YOU KNOW, ASK THE SUPERINTENDENT TO DO A WORKSHOP.
>> CONSENSUS IS ME ESPOUSING MY VOTE FOR IT. THREE OF US SAID WE'RE INTERESTED IN HAVING A FUTURE AS A CURRENTLY STANDS UNDETERMINED STATE THAT WHICH DO WORKSHOP THIS AND THAT IS WHAT I ASKED AND CHAIR BRILL STATED SHE
OPPOSES IT WHICH IS HER RIGHT AND I RESPECT THAT. BUT THE QUESTION IS THE OTHER TWO BOARD MEMBERS DID NOT WEIGH-IN ON THAT. AND CANDIDLY I'M ASKING BECAUSE WE HAVE TO UNDER THE SUNSHINE LAW I NEED YOU ALL TO WEIGH-IN AS WELL. WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN
HAVING A WORKSHOP AT SOME DATE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT IN REGARD TO THIS FEASIBILITY ISSUE REGARDING YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL WHAT IT REALLY MEANS WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE AND THOSE TYPE OF THINGS?
BOARD MEMBER LANE AND ANDREWS AND MYSELF SAID YES AND BRANCH AND WHITFIELD ASKING TO WEIGH-IN AS WELL. >> I AGREE WITH CHAIR BRILL TO DO IT AFTER THE BUDGET. IT TAKES A LOT OF STAFF TIME SO I'M NOT FOR DOING IT NOW LATER IN THE FUTURE. YES. >> AWESOME.
>> THAT'S FOUR. >> FOUR OF US ARE ASKING THE SUPERINTENDENT AT SOME POINT IN TIME AFTER THE BUDGET AND WHAT HAVE YOU LET'S BRING THIS BACK AS A WORKSHOP AND SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. >> WHAT I WAS SAYING NO, I DON'T WANT TO DO IT RIGHT NOW.
MAYBE IN A YEAR. I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE TIME RIGHT NOW. >> I'M STILL NOT HEARING THE SUPPORT FOR DOING IT NOW. >> WHAT IS NOW? WHEN YOU SAY NOW? >> ARE YOU SAYING BRING IT BACK IN A YEAR WHAT ARE YOU SAYING? I'M TRYING TO FOLLOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
>> LET ME TRY IT AGAIN. WHAT I'M ASKING IS FOR US TO SET A WORKSHOP AT A DATE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT DURING WHICH WE HAVE A WORKSHOP TO DISCUSS THE PROS AND CONS SHALL WE SAY OF YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL IN RIVIERA BEACH.
I AGREE WITH YOU WHO HAVE STATED HEY WE SHOULDN'T DO IT IN THE NEXT MONTH OR TWO BECAUSE WE HAVE BUDGETARY ISSUES AND A FINITE AMOUNT OF TIME. I NEVER SAID TO DO IT AND GOING TOWARDS 2026. BUT YOU ALL CAN CHECK THE TAPE LATER. BUT I DEFINITELY WOULD LIKE TO
HAVE THIS DISCUSSION AT SOME POINT DURING THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR IN REGARD TO THE FEASIBILITY OF YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL IN RIVIERA BEACH FOR THE REASONS THAT I SHARED WITH YOU ALL HERE TODAY.
>> MADAM CHAIR, PLEASE. >> I KNOW. UNQUESTIONABLY BOARD MEMBERS ANDREWS AND LANE SAID YEAH, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS IN THE FUTURE. I WASN'T HOLDING Mr. BURKE'S HEELS TO FIRE AND SAYING BRING US BACK IN THREE MONTHS I DIDN'T SAY THAT. THREE OF THEM SAID YES.
BOARD MEMBER BRANCH CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG YOU SAID, HEY NOT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT TAKES TIME OUT OF STAFF I'M THINKING MORE TOWARD THE WINTER MOTION. >> LET'S LIKE MAYBE AFTER THE BUDGET IS ALL DONE, CAN HE BRING IT BACK UP? >> THAT WOULD BE MY SUGGESTION
BECAUSE I'M NOT HEARING CONSENSUS. >> TO HAVE A WORKSHOP AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGETARY ISSUES ARE TAKEN CARE OF WHY NOT AGREE TO DO THAT NOW AND THAT GIVES SUPERINTENDENT BURKE THE DIRECTION SAY OKAY 9 ONCE WE GET
PAT THE WINDOW >> I DON'T SEE WE HAVE CONSENSUS WE CAN'T VOTE I'M NOT SEEING CONSENSUS.
>> BOARD MEMBER BRANCH ARE YOU SAYING YOU WOULD BE COMFORTABLE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION IN 2026. >> I'M NOT FOR HAVING IT NOW, TODAY, TOMORROW, STAFF HAS IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME. SO I'M NOT FOR DOING ANYTHING FOR IT RIGHT NOW.
AFTER THE BUDGET IS DONE WHAT I'M ASKING. >> I AM OKAY WITH YOU BRINGING IT BACK UP FOR US TO DISCUSS AND HAVE SUPERINTENDENT BURKE LOOK INTO IT. >> AND BOARD MEMBER WHITFIELD HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS BUSINESS? >> I THINK CONSENSUS MEANS WE
ALL NOD OUR HEADS IN CONSENSUS AND I DON'T THINK YOU ARE GETTING THAT. I THINK WE NEED TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ITEM. >> CONSENSUS IS FOUR OR MORE PEOPLE VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE THING IT IS NOT UNANIMOUS. THAT HAS NEVER BEEN THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS. >> CONSENSUS IS THE GENERAL
DIRECTION OF THE BOARD AND THE GENERAL DIRECTION IS NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM. I APOLOGIZE. >> DO YOU WANT TO GO ON TO THE NEXT ITEM? >> JUST WANT A CLARIFICATION
FROM YOU BECAUSE WE SPOKE ABOUT METAL DETECTORS AT THE LAST BOARD MEETING THERE WERE FOUR MEMBERS AND BASED ON THAT I THOUGHT WE FOUND CONSENT TO MOVE FORWARD TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF METAL DETECTORS. WHERE MAYBE BECAUSE IT'S NOT
WRITTEN DOWN THAT MIGHT BE A PROBLEM BUT WHERE DOES CONSENSUS DEFINED TO BE SOMETHING MORE THAN FOUR OUT OF THE SEVEN BOARD MEMBERS? I THOUGHT MAJORITY RULE SYNONYMOUS WITH CONSENTED. >> I DON'T SEE A MAJORITY RULE
OF ANYTHING NOW WITH ALL DUE RESPECT I SEE HOW PASSIONATE YOU ARE. >> DON'T CHARACTERIZE IT I WANT CLARIFICATION I NEED TO KNOW WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. AGAIN ISN'T CONSENT FOR PURPOSES OF GIVING DIRECTION TO THE SUPERINTENDENT FOUR OR MORE BOARD MEMBERS?
GENERAL COUNSEL I'M ASKING. FOUR OR MORE? THAT IS CORRECT. BUT ON MY COUNT THERE WAS NOT FOUR OR MORE IN AGREEMENT FROM WHAT I CAN SEE. >> I AGREE WITH THAT. AND BOARD MEMBER BRANCH SAYS SHE WANTED TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER WE
GOT THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE UNCERTAINTY AND MY THOUGHT IS WHY WASTE TIME AT A FUTURE BOARD MEETING TO REMIND EVERYBODY THIS IS WHAT WE SAID ON 5-28-25. THREE OF US SAID WE WERE READY TO GIVE DIRECTION TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.
ONE SAID NO NOT RIGHT NOW. BOARD MEMBER WHITFIELD I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT YOUR SENT. WAS NO NOT RIGHT NOW BUT REGARDLESS, TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO REMEMBER ALL THOSE THINGS. BOARD MEMBER BRANCH SAID NOT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I DON'T WANT
TO TAKE TIME FROM STAFF. MY WORDS NOT YOURS. WE HAVE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO THAN TO HAVE THIS WORKSHOP ON THE FEASIBILITY OF YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL IN RIVIERA BEACH. AND THEN I ASKED WHAT IS NOW WHEN? THAT IS WHEN THINGS WENT OFF THE RAILS.
THAT IS WHAT I WAS SAYING TO BOARD MEMBER BRANCH YOUR ANSWER IS NO AND FERGUSON BRING THIS BACK? ARE YOU SAYING NO NOT RIGHT NOW. >> WE NEED TO MOVE ON THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE 5:00 A.M. I AM SAYING NO.
>> Mr. FERGUSON, THE FEDERAL BUDGET ALSO HAS TO BE DECIDED ON AND I DON'T THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE UNTIL FURTHER DOWN THE LINE. I THINK WE NEED TO WITH ALL DUE RESPECT MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ITEM. THE SECOND IS VILLAGE ACADEMY. THAT HAPPENS TO BE A DISTRICT
SEVEN SCHOOL AND I GOT THE DATA FROM STAFF WE HAVE PRESENTLY 65 STUDENTS IN GRADES 9-12 FOR A SCHOOL BUILT TO AS I UNDERSTAND HOUSE 345. THEY HAVE LESS THAN 20% OCCUPANCY. WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTED OUT OF
VILLAGE ACADEMY 20 YEARS AGO, APPARENTLY IS NOT WHERE THEY ARE NOW. STUDENTS ARE CHOOSING TO GO 0 OTHER SCHOOLS WHETHER IT BE ATLANTIC OR WHATEVER. I THINK WE NEED TO BE PROACTIVE IN TERMS OF PRESERVING VILLAGE ACADEMY LESS WE LOSE VILLAGE ACADEMY.
AND SO I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT IN REGARD TO CONVERTING VILLAGE ACADEMY TO BE LIKE THE HENDERSON SCHOOL AT FAU EVERYBODY THAT GOES TO THE SCHOOL IS SCHEDULED TO BE IN THE DOING THE DUAL ENROLL. PROGRAM EVERYBODY WOULD HAVE THE
AA IN ADDITION TO THE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO CONSIDER IN VILLAGE ACADEMY IN SPEAKING TO THE RESIDENTS MOST OF THE CHILDREN WHO CHOOSE NOT TO GO TO VILLAGE ACADEMY GO TO OTHER PLACES BECAUSE THEY WANT THE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
MY THOUGHT WAS IT WILL BE A SMALL SCHOOL THEY HAD 10 STUDENTS IN 12TH GRADE THIS YEAR. AND WE ME BEING MYSELF AND BOARD MEMBER WHITFIELD SAT THROUGH AN HOUR-AND-A-HALF GRADUATION FOR NINE STUDENTS TO GRADUATE. THIS IS A PROBLEM. WITH THE NEW LEGISLATION IN
TERMS OF CONVERGES I THINK WE NEED TO BE PROACTIVE IN PRESERVING OUR SPACE AT VILLAGE ACADEMY. I DO THINK TO HAVE A COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM AT VILLAGE ACADEMY CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT SOON UP COMING YEARS THANKS TO Mr. BURKE'S LEADERSHIP
WE'LL HAVE A PATHWAY FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ALSO OBTAIN VOCATIONAL CERTIFICATIONS AT THE OLD CARVER HIGH SCHOOL THAT IS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF VILLAGE ACADEMY. I CAN ENVISION AND NOT SO DISTANT FUTURE WHERE WE HAVE OUR
COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL TRACKED AND THE I WOULD LIKE US TO WORKSHOP THE FEASIBILITY OF CONVERSION OF VILLAGE ACADEMY FROM THE CURRENT CONSTITUTION TO A COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM TO ATTRACT SPECIFIC STUDENTS WHO
ARE NOT NECESSARILY WORRIED ABOUT THE HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME OR THE CHORALE PERFORMANCE OR WHATEVER ELSE THEY ARE HERE BECAUSE LOOK I WANT TO GET THIS HIGH SCHOOL DUAL ENROLLMENT DIPLOMA.
BUT WE GOT TO DO SOMETHING WITH VILLAGE ACADEMY WHAT CURRENTLY IS IN PLACE IS NOT WORKING AS EVIDENCED BY THE FACT IT HAS A PALTRY ENROLLMENT IN THE HIGH SCHOOL AND THAT IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE PRINCIPAL OR HER PREDECESSORS. IT IS WHAT IT IS RIGHT NOW AND WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING THERE
WHILE WE CAN. THANK YOU. >> I AM GOING TO JUMP IN FIRST AND FIRST OF ALL EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN SO YOU KNOW, BACK IN THE DAY WE ACTUALLY HAD SOMEONE FROM COBRA WHO WORKED AT PALM BEACH SCOOT COLLEGE WHO PROPOSED AN EARLY MIDDLE COLLEGE
FOR ODYSSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL. IT NEVER GOT TO THE BOARD BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT WAS THEY DIDN'T CATCH TRACTION BUT I DO AGREE WE SHOULD HAVE A WORKSHOP OR SEE WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENT
SUGGESTS FOR VILLAGE ACADEMY. I'VE SPOKEN TO THE SUPERINTENDENT. THERE WAS SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT AN EXISTING CHARTER SCHOOL TAKING OVER VILLAGE ACADEMY. IN COLLABORATION WITH A NEARBY
COMMUNITY I WILL NOT GO INTO THE DETAILS. BUT THEY WERE PLANNING ON MAKING A MOVE TO CONVERT VILLAGE ACADEMY JUST FOR THAT VERY REASON. I THINK THAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS THAT SCHOOL. I THINK WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO FIX WHAT IS GOING ON AT THAT
SCHOOL. SO I WOULD BE OPEN TO HEARING WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENT SUGGESTS AND MAYBE IT IS A COLLEGIATE SCHOOL. BUT THAT SCHOOL IS A GEM IN THE COMMUNITY. IT PROVIDES SERVICES REALLY FROM BIRTH THROUGH GRADUATION. IT PROVIDES IT SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITY.
IT SUPPORTS THE PARENTS. YOU KNOW IT PROVIDES EVERYTHING FROM HEALTH SERVICES, FOOD, SO I WOULD BE OPEN TO A CONVERSATION ON WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP THAT SCHOOL TO CONVERT IT INTO SOMETHING THAT WOULD ATTRACT THE COMMUNITY.
MASSACHUSETTS WHITFIELD. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS UP Mr. FERGUSON I AGREE THAT VILLAGE NEEDS ANOTHER LOOKING AT SO WE CAN SEE HOW WE CAN SUPPORT THAT SCHOOL. I DO THINK EVERY SCHOOL SHOULD BE A COLLEGIATE SCHOOL. EVERY SCHOOL SHOULD HAVE THE
ABILITY FOR STUDENTS TO TAKE AP, IB, ACE, WHATEVER THE PROGRAM IS THAT GETS THEM AS MANY CREDITS BEFORE THEY WALKOUT OF OUR DOOR. I THINK THAT IS THE IT SHOULD BE THE GOAL OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL DISTRICT. I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE CLASS SIZE OF VILLAGE.
BECAUSE TO BE ABLE TO FUND AN AP CLASS IT'S DIFFICULT IF YOU ONLY HAVE A COUPLE OF KIDS WILLING TO TAKE IT. BEING ABLE TO GET ENOUGH KIDS IN THAT DOOR THAT'S LIKE YOU SAID MOSTLY KIDS ARE GOING TO ATLANTIC IF THEY WANT TO GET INTO THE HIGHER LEVEL CLASSES
BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE SO WE CAN GET MORE PEOPLE TO GO INTO THE CLASSES. I THINK THE REIMAGINING THE VILLAGE WOULD MAKE SENSE I WOULD BE OPEN TO HEARING FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT ABOUT AT THAT TIME. ALSO I THINK THAT THE FACT THAT IT'S ON THE SAME PROPERTY AS CARVER IS AMAZING AND THAT COULD
LEAD TO A SITUATION LIKE WE'RE DEALING WITH AND TALKING ABOUT WEST TECH AND HAVING KIDS DO PROGRAMMING FOR TECHNOLOGY AND VOCATIONAL WHERE THEY GO FROM ONE SCHOOL TO THE NEXT THIS COULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT. I LOOK FORWARD HEARING WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS TO SAY.
>> THERE'S THE FOUR PEOPLE. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THIS. >> MRS. ANDREWS. >> DITTO. I REMEMBER WHEN THE STARTED VILLAGE ACADEMY. THE MONEY IS THERE AND THAT COMMUNITY AND SO Mr. FERGUSON THIS IS GREAT THAT YOU BROUGHT THIS UP.
WE WANT TO HEAR MORE GET WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT. WE CAN'T LET IT GO TO CHARTERS OR ANYWHERE ELSE LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR THE COMMUNITY. >> SO Mr. FERGUSON YOU HAVE SUPPORT FOR THIS WORKSHOP. >> GREAT. >> OKAY. SO THAT'S THE END OF OUR AGENDA I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> MOTION BY EVERYBODY WE'LL MAKE IT VICE-CHAIR ANDREWS AND SECONDED BY MS. WHITFIELD. YOU DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY DRIVE SAFE I WILL NOT BE WITH YOU TOMORROW. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE
SPREADING MY GERMS AT THE RETIREMENT. AS I'M SITTING HERE FADING FAST I THINK I'M GOING T