A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing the Florida Safe School Assessment Tool (FSAT) findings, which highlighted the district’s adherence to state-mandated safety protocols. This assessment confirmed that the district completed 25 security risk assessments, all compliant with state requirements. The district’s stance on security enhancements was underscored by Chief Sarah Mooney and Deputy Chief Vanessa Snow, who presented the need for ongoing improvements like additional fencing, card access systems, and enhanced lighting. They also addressed the necessity of reallocating resources due to new procedural mandates from the state legislature.

Moving to educational performance, Deputy Superintendent Ed Tierney and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Glenda Sheffield presented data comparing the district’s academic outcomes to other urban districts. The district demonstrated notable progress, with English Language Arts (ELA) scores increasing from 49% to 54% and mathematics scores rising from 51% to 55%. These achievements positioned Palm Beach County second in ELA and third in math among its urban peers. The board recognized these improvements as significant, despite the challenges of maintaining and enhancing these outcomes.

The board also delved into the performance of English language learners (ELL), who, despite facing challenges in ELA, outperformed the district average in math gains. The district ranked third statewide in learning gains for the lowest-performing 25% of students in both ELA and math. This success was attributed to the dedication of teachers and the strategic support provided by 90 staff members who transitioned to schools for direct student engagement.

In terms of educational funding, the Education Foundation presented an extensive report highlighting contributions totaling nearly $3 million for the fiscal year. Noteworthy initiatives included the Go Teach program, which awarded 88 grants impacting over 24,500 students, and the Red Apple Supply program, which has distributed school supplies valued at nearly $7.5 million since its inception. The board acknowledged the foundation’s vital support, emphasizing the importance of sustaining such efforts.

Teacher compensation was another focal point, with discussions centered on the challenges of attracting and retaining educators due to the high cost of living in Palm Beach County. Recent agreements to increase teacher salaries by 4% were seen as essential, not extraordinary, measures to ensure teachers can afford to live in the communities they serve. The board expressed a commitment to making 4% the new baseline for annual raises.

The meeting also addressed proposed school calendars for 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. Concerns were raised about the alignment of the school year start date with other states and the impact of holiday closures on childcare. The board discussed closing schools on specific dates for holidays like Juneteenth, emphasizing the need for clear communication to help families adjust.

In new business, the board approved the establishment of a Ben Carson reading room at Timber Trace Elementary, supported by the Carson Scholars Fund. This initiative adds to the district’s approximately 40 existing reading rooms, promoting literacy and educational enrichment.