The board meeting prominently featured General Counsel ShawonToyia Bernard’s presentation on the OGC’s achievements and strategic focus areas for the fiscal year 2024. Bernard outlined the OGC’s district support mechanisms, the new growth plan, and community engagement efforts. She highlighted the principal legal toolkit enhancement, a resource that received positive feedback from school principals for providing guidance on common issues.

Bernard also detailed the special projects committee’s success in securing certified court interpreters for non-English speaking populations and improving internal office procedures. The office systems and expectations committee’s initiatives, like organizing events to promote staff collaboration and creating a positive work environment, were also discussed. Bernard emphasized that the OGC functions as a full-service law firm, reducing the need for outside counsel and resulting in cost savings for the district.

Board members expressed their gratitude for the OGC’s efforts. One member, notably Frank Barbieri, praised the attorneys for their exceptional knowledge and support, stating, “I have not run into a situation where they didn’t know what they were doing.” Another member, Erica Whitfield, highlighted the importance of the summer intern program and the engagement of OGC staff with students.

The discussion also covered specific practice groups within the OGC. The academic group increased the number of hearing officers for discipline cases and supported the district’s re-engagement and truancy project. The business operations group reviewed over 1,200 contracts and played a role in negotiating settlements that benefited the district financially. The governance group focused on compliance and policy development, streamlining these processes and providing training on student privacy rights.

The board further acknowledged new team members and bid farewell to departing staff, emphasizing the continuity and growth within the OGC. Marcia Andrews commended the legal team’s alignment with the district’s strategic plan and the significance of their legal toolkit for field personnel. She also noted Bernard’s achievement in obtaining board certification in education law, distinguishing her as one of the few certified individuals in Florida.

Superintendent Michael Burke echoed these sentiments, thanking the entire OGC for their collaboration, which he described as integral to the functioning of Team Palm Beach. Burke recognized the OGC’s role in addressing major issues weekly, contributing to the district’s operational efficacy.

The meeting then transitioned into a workshop format, focusing on proposed minor changes to existing IT policies, aligning them with current state board rules. Deepak Agarwal, Chief of Information Technology, introduced these changes, which included updates to Policy 2.37 concerning summer school and Policy 8.01 covering pupil progression. Chief Academic Officer Dr. Glenda Sheffield elaborated on revisions aimed at clarifying promotion, placement, and graduation requirements across various educational levels, including adult education.

The board discussed the implications of House Bill 1079, which affected K-4 math intervention requirements. It was clarified that middle school students taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses could not receive AP designation on their transcripts prior to ninth grade. The necessity for middle school students to take end-of-course exams was also addressed, with stipulations that failure to participate in makeup sessions would result in an F grade.

High school policy updates included requirements for students with disabilities, emphasizing the need for all students to earn a standard diploma. The revisions also covered dual enrollment agreements with local colleges. Additionally, community service requirements for the Bright Futures scholarship program were updated, with various forms of volunteer work counting towards this requirement. New legislative mandates introduced criteria for personal financial literacy, requiring students entering ninth grade to earn credits in this area for graduation.

The board also addressed updates to the Career and Technical Education (CTE) graduation pathway and the ACE diploma program, aligning them with current state graduation requirements. Another legislative change discussed was the Florida Seal of Fine Arts, with requirements outlined for students interested in obtaining this seal.

As the meeting progressed, the board reviewed and approved four sets of minutes and addressed the appointment of an alternate member to the Value Adjustment Board (VAB). Superintendent Burke shared positive reflections on the first week of the school year, highlighting successful visits to various schools and celebrating achievements such as Spanish River High School’s 100% graduation rate.