Palm Beach County School Board Boosts Teacher Pay, Plans Security Upgrades
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Meeting Date:
04/26/2024
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Recording Published:
05/23/2024
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Duration:
14 Minutes
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State:
Florida
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County:
Palm Beach County
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Towns:
Acacia Villas, Atlantis, Belle Glade, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Briny Breezes, Cabana Colony, Canal Point, Cloud Lake, Delray Beach, Glen Ridge, Golf, Greenacres, Gulf Stream, Gun Club Estates, Haverhill, Highland Beach, Hypoluxo, Juno Beach, Juno Ridge, Jupiter, Jupiter Farms, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Kenwood Estates, Lake Belvedere Estates, Lake Clarke Shores, Lake Harbor, Lake Park, Lake Worth Beach, Lantana, Limestone Creek, Loxahatchee Groves, Manalapan, Mangonia Park, North Palm Beach, Ocean Ridge, Pahokee, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Shores, Palm Springs, Pine Air, Plantation Mobile Home Park, Riviera Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Royal Palm Estates, San Castle, Schall Circle, Seminole Manor, South Bay, South Palm Beach, Stacey Street, Tequesta, The Acreage, Watergate, Wellington, West Palm Beach, Westgate, Westlake
- Meeting Overview:
The Palm Beach County School Board, in a recent meeting, discussed substantial topics including a significant pay raise for teachers, enhancements in school security, and the allocation of funds between district-operated and charter schools. The board highlighted a 7% increase in teacher salaries, marking the highest raise reportedly given, attributed to rising property values. Additionally, plans were outlined for a $14.7 million investment in replacing school radios and a $3 million acquisition of police vehicles as part of a broader security initiative.
The meeting commenced with discussions on the financial reports for the second and third quarters. The second quarterly report ending December 31, 2023, revealed projections for the school district to collect $319 million in current millage, including a $25 million carryover from the prior year. Of the total generated funds, $281 million was designated for district-operated schools, with $38 million for charter schools. Charter schools also carried over $6.8 million, which has been disbursed.
The board celebrated the successful negotiation of a 7% pay increase for teachers, made possible by the increased property values over the past two years. The financial report also accounted for approximately $79 million spent on fine art teachers and $22.6 million on mental health initiatives, including the provision of mental health professionals at schools and co-located services with community mental health providers.
Moreover, the board discussed the school security budget, which includes funding for school police officers and additional security services. The projected spend on security was initially $31 million but was adjusted to $28 million, accounting for unfilled supplemental officer positions.
In regards to charter schools, the board noted that they continue to have carryover funds, with a current pass-through of $26 million. It was mentioned that charter schools are slower in submitting expenditure reports, but a more accurate financial standing was expected in the last report.
No contention was reported among charter schools regarding the distribution of funds. The schools had received settlement money from the district, which was unrestricted and could be spent within state statute guidelines, not limited to referendum activities.
Looking ahead, the school board has earmarked around $10 million of unallocated carryover funds from 2023 and an additional $150,000 related to 2024 for one-time initiatives that align with referendum categories. Specific plans include the upgrade of school radios and the purchase of school police vehicles.
Michael J. Burke
School Board Officials:
Barbara McQuinn, Alexandria Ayala, Karen Brill, Erica Whitfield, Frank A. Barbieri, Jr., Esq. (Board Attorney), Marcia Andrews, Edwin Ferguson, Esq. (Board Attorney)
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
04/26/2024
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Recording Published:
05/23/2024
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Duration:
14 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Florida
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County:
Palm Beach County
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Towns:
Acacia Villas, Atlantis, Belle Glade, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Briny Breezes, Cabana Colony, Canal Point, Cloud Lake, Delray Beach, Glen Ridge, Golf, Greenacres, Gulf Stream, Gun Club Estates, Haverhill, Highland Beach, Hypoluxo, Juno Beach, Juno Ridge, Jupiter, Jupiter Farms, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Kenwood Estates, Lake Belvedere Estates, Lake Clarke Shores, Lake Harbor, Lake Park, Lake Worth Beach, Lantana, Limestone Creek, Loxahatchee Groves, Manalapan, Mangonia Park, North Palm Beach, Ocean Ridge, Pahokee, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Shores, Palm Springs, Pine Air, Plantation Mobile Home Park, Riviera Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Royal Palm Estates, San Castle, Schall Circle, Seminole Manor, South Bay, South Palm Beach, Stacey Street, Tequesta, The Acreage, Watergate, Wellington, West Palm Beach, Westgate, Westlake
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