Page 98 - Superintendent Annual Report 2023-24

Custodian Hiring Initiative

At the District, we take pride in recognizing the vital contributions of our dedicated custodians. These unsung heroes play
an essential role in maintaining the cleanliness and functionality of our schools, creating a healthy, conducive environment
for learning and growth.

Dedicated to supporting District schools, our Maintenance and Plant Operations (MPO) Department is central to
distributing information regarding the application, hiring, and onboarding process. Working collaboratively with the
District administration, MPO ensured a seamless recruitment experience, meticulously pre-screening over 300 potential
custodial candidates.

As part of our collaborative efforts, the MPO Department and its internal recruiting staff actively participated in 24 job fairs
throughout FY24. This engagement showcased the diverse opportunities within the District and ensure that prospective
candidates were well-informed about the roles and responsibilities associated with being a valued member of our custodial
team.

Together, we create an environment where excellence in education begins with the dedication of every individual
contributing to the success of the School District of Palm Beach County.

MPO staff engages with
a diverse talent pool at
a Custodian Job Fair.

Labor Relations

In FY24, the District continued to foster positive employee relations while providing competitive wage increases and ensuring
compliance with labor laws. The Department of Labor Relations successfully negotiated mid-contract revisions with
labor unions. The District’s bargaining team successfully demonstrated the School Board’s commitment to its employees,
including all non-bargaining staff, by providing unprecedented recurring wage increases for nearly all employees of 5% to
7%, and total salary packages between 7.5% and 10.6%.

Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association
After previously signing a three-year collective bargaining agreement, both sides focused on compensation, resulting in one
of the highest teacher raises in the District’s history. For the first time, the District’s starting teacher pay rose to $51,500,
becoming one of just a handful of school districts in Florida with a starting salary above $50,000. With an average recurring
increase of 7%, teachers rated as "highly effective" received an unprecedented 7.5% increase. Teachers rated “effective” and
“developing or need improvement” received 6.10% and 2.05%, respectively. All bargaining members received a one-time
bonus of $1,500 or at least 3% of base salary, whichever was greater.

98 Superintendent Annual Report 2023 - 2024