The Future Makers Forum emerged as a focal point of the meeting, with board members commending its impact on fostering leadership and advocacy among students. The event, held at Santa Lucia High School, saw an increase in participation, with 396 students attending, nearly doubling last year’s attendance. The forum featured 19 sessions, 15 of which were student-led, emphasizing peer-to-peer learning and engagement. Jeremiah, a fifth grader, introduced the forum with the statement, “Every voice belongs and every student can lead,” encapsulating the event’s goal of empowering students to take charge of their educational journey.

One board member shared the positive influence the forum had on their daughter, who integrated her experiences and insights into discussions at the state level. The board expressed a collective desire to sustain the program beyond its current funding, recognizing its potential to cultivate future leaders within the district.

In addition to student leadership, the meeting addressed health initiatives aimed at safeguarding student-athletes. A new statewide requirement mandates that incoming freshmen and students new to high school sports complete an electrocardiogram (EKG) as part of their athletic clearance. The board highlighted a collaborative event at Palm Beach Gardens High School, where over 300 students received EKGs, facilitated by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and the nonprofit “Who We Play For.” The initiative aims to enhance student safety by identifying potential cardiac issues early.

Board members emphasized the importance of community outreach to ensure families understand the EKG requirement and its benefits. Plans for additional EKG events across the county were discussed, with the goal of making the service accessible and affordable for all families, including those without insurance coverage.

Career and technical education initiatives were also a significant topic of discussion. Dr. Gerolene Johnson introduced efforts to align educational programs with labor market demands, focusing on college and career readiness. The district aims to prepare students for various pathways, including college enrollment, military enlistment, or direct employment. The board reviewed a report titled “Beyond Graduation: Creating Post-Secondary Ready Learners,” which identified key focus areas such as developing career pathways and enhancing career advising.

A crucial aspect of these initiatives is the collaboration with local businesses and industry partners, including the Palm Beach County Convention Center and Career Source Palm Beach County. The board stressed the importance of students earning industry credentials, which can be important for employment opportunities. New programs are set to launch, including an artificial intelligence academy at Palm Beach Gardens High School and biomed engineering at Atlantic High School.

The meeting also underscored the role of school counselors in advising students on available opportunities and the use of platforms like Zello for career advising. Dr. Johnson noted ongoing efforts to engage families in understanding these resources, with plans for parent universities and virtual sessions to facilitate parental involvement.

Student and family engagement was a recurring theme, with discussions on enhancing student voice within schools. The board considered proposals to develop a pilot program to test new strategies for student engagement and to leverage existing frameworks like student voice councils. These councils, supported by a grant, aim to represent a diverse cross-section of the student body and address school-specific issues based on student feedback.

The meeting concluded with a call for improved communication and collaboration between schools and families, emphasizing the importance of creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment. The board recognized the need for continuous updates on initiatives like Zello and the student voice councils, with plans for future presentations to further refine and enhance these programs.