Edward Ferguson, president of the Classroom Teachers Association, addressed the board during the public comment segment, stressing the urgency of revitalizing teacher recruitment and retention efforts. He emphasized the necessity of providing competitive salaries, comprehensive healthcare benefits, and supportive working conditions for teachers. Ferguson pointed out that the general revenue fund reflects a 7% increase in appropriations and revenue, alongside an improvement in the financial condition ratio from 13% to 14.4%. He urged the board to prioritize these elements in budget discussions to acknowledge teachers’ roles in enhancing educational outcomes, particularly as the district was recently rated an “A” school district.

“You must examine needs and resources then allocate them in ways that achieve our mission to educate, affirm, and inspire our students,” Ferguson stated. He credited teachers for the district’s recent increases in student achievement and concluded his remarks with a call to action, urging the board to adopt a vision that benefits both teachers and students in the long term.

Superintendent Michael J. Burke presented two key agenda items concerning the millage rates and the budget. He noted that the recommendations for the millage levies are necessary to comply with truth-in-millage legislation. Burke explained that the budget development process has been ongoing since December 2023, with significant input from the Budget Advisory Committee. A representative from the committee reported a 3.3% increase in the base student allocation and funding designated for a state-mandated increase in teacher salaries, including charter schools.

Burke elaborated on the projected growth in student enrollment, attributing much of this growth to the Family Empowerment Scholarships. The increase in property values in the district was certified at 7%, but this does not directly translate to a proportional increase in per-student funding. The total budget is rising by approximately 7%, influenced by one-time funds and adjustments for the voucher program. However, the per-student funding sees a modest increase of about 2.8%.

The implications of the millage rate were also discussed, with the rate set at 6.31 mills, a 3.55% increase over the rollback rate, which would generate the same revenue as the prior year based on new property values. Despite this increase, an average homeowner with a taxable home value of $275,000 would see a tax decrease of approximately $39.33.

Ferguson further inquired about the impact of the Family Empowerment Scholarships on student enrollment, prompting a detailed explanation of how these vouchers are included in the district’s total student enrollment projections. The anticipated growth includes around 7,200 students from the voucher program, 400 from charter schools, and 1,000 from district-operated schools. Burke highlighted that Palm Beach County continues to see growth in district-operated schools, unlike other counties experiencing declines. He noted that the $1.2 billion allocated to the voucher program could have enhanced funding for public schools if reinvested there, emphasizing the financial implications of the current educational funding structures.

The board then discussed Agenda Item B1, adopting the proposed millage rate for fiscal year 2025 at 6.31 mills. The motion passed unanimously without further discussion. Subsequently, the board approved a budget totaling $558,195,558 for fiscal year 2025, following a motion from a board member and a second from another.

During the meeting, Superintendent Burke introduced a workshop on Policy 2.53 regarding volunteers in public schools. Revisions focused on clerical updates and safety protocol clarifications to ensure compliance with state laws. This was followed by a discussion on Policy 1.096 involving the Technology Advisory Committee, led by Heather Frederick, the Chief Financial Officer. The workshop addressed several IT-related policies, including the repeal of an outdated policy regarding cellular telephones. Emphasis was placed on implementing multifactor authentication (MFA) for employees to enhance security, a requirement tied to the district’s cyber liability insurance.

The board transitioned to a special meeting segment, approving previous meeting minutes unanimously. Superintendent Burke expressed pride in the district achieving an A rating for the 2023-2024 school year and highlighted a summer graduation ceremony celebrating over 100 graduates who completed their high school requirements. A reminder about the back-to-school sales tax holiday, running from July 29 to August 11, was also provided, coinciding with the school year start on August 12.

During public comments, speakers expressed support for the Learning Center High School Charter. Kathleen Laterno, a Jupiter resident, shared her personal connection as the mother of an autistic child who thrived at the Learning Center. She highlighted the school’s growth and exceptional staff over its 25-year history, asserting, “TLC students are different. But they’re in no way less.” Another speaker from Jupiter shared a similar sentiment, emphasizing the school’s role in providing specialized education for her autistic children.

The board moved on to discuss personnel matters, with a board member advocating for a comprehensive onboarding process for new board members. This included a proposal for a detailed onboarding packet to serve as a guide for both new and existing members. The conversation also highlighted the importance of timely communication with incoming board members and the value of the Florida School Board Association (FSBA) training.

Chairwoman Brill suggested that the board revisit its relationship with the FSBA, proposing that the issue be included in the next board meeting agenda. Ferguson supported the idea, emphasizing the need for early engagement with new members and the potential benefits of FSBA membership. The board reached a consensus to discuss FSBA membership in an upcoming meeting, assigning Ferguson to lead the discussion.