At the forefront of the meeting, the Board celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Dwyer Awards for Excellence in Education, which honors exceptional educators in the county. Additionally, Palm Beach County’s Teacher of the Week, Ms. Fogle, was recognized for her service to students.

The recognition continued as the new counselor of the year and the school counselors of the year for elementary, middle, and high school were acknowledged. Commendations also went to the site-based administrators of the year for their support of comprehensive school counseling programs. Furthermore, the Palm Beach School Counselors Association and their executive board received thanks for their backing.

The board also spotlighted the academic excellence of local students. The Palm Beach County National Academic Games All-Stars were lauded for their first-place team and individual awards at a national tournament. Graduating seniors were celebrated for signing agreements to become district teachers after completing their degrees.

The meeting took a somber turn as a moment of silence was held to honor two employees who had passed away.

In a demonstration of community support, the Education Foundation shared a heartening story about a substantial donation of rubber gloves from the Supervisor of Elections, which were distributed to the district’s medical academies. The Foundation also expressed its gratitude to the business community for their ongoing assistance and announced an upcoming move to a new facility to continue their work in support of the district.

The significance of mental health was a recurring theme throughout the meeting. The board approved a proclamation recognizing May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness and Trauma-Informed Care Month. The proclamation highlights the district’s dedication to addressing the well-being of its students and staff.

Another speaker called for an increase in school counselors to meet the mental health needs of students, further underscoring the community’s concern for this issue.

The board also heard from various community members during the public comments section. Concerns were raised about the non-reappointment of a teacher, the importance of accurate Black history education, and the challenges faced by individuals within the school system. One speaker introduced a non-profit organization aimed at providing academic and lacrosse programming to students in need.

As the meeting progressed, proclamations for Haitian Heritage Month, Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, and Holocaust Remembrance Day were approved.

The meeting culminated with the unanimous approval of the FY’25 Instructional Materials Program.