Page 100 - Superintendent Report 2021-22

Appropriations Request - 2022
In 2022, the District advocacy efforts under Superintendent Burke resulted in the awarding of a
Florida Appropriations Request for $397,288 approved by the Governor for West Tech. This funding
assists citizens living in the state’s highest poverty area in learning commercial driving, welding, and
home health care skills to gain access to career opportunities that will lead to sustainable, year-round
employment. SDPBC was the only school district to gain appropriations project approval from the
governor this year. According to the Governor’s Office of Budget, this was directly attributed to
persistent advocacy efforts from the District staff and superintendent.

Florida Department of Education - Legislative
The Florida Department of Education summoned the superintendent on four separate occasions in
2022 to respond to decisions made on COVID-19 mitigation issues. Mr. Burke answered respectfully
and knowledgeably to decisions made before and after he was appointed superintendent. Each
time, the District staff and superintendent successfully rose to the occasion to present the case from
a fact-based perspective.

Federal - Legislative
The superintendent and his team did not waste time initiating meetings with the new administration,
the new US Department of Education, and new congressional leaders. These robust relationships
assist our District in having advanced knowledge of upcoming legislation and a variety of new
federal grants. It helps our District to be first in line to seek every available opportunity for our
students. In addition to on-the-ground efforts seeking the passage of COVID-19 Emergency Relief
bills and the Council of Great City Schools, District staff also identified and won a $1M mental health
grant from Congresswoman Frankel and a $500,000 grant for PBC Caregiving Youth.

Local Partnerships with Electeds and Business Leaders

Superintendent Burke and his team conscientiously work to forge strong, supportive relationships
with locally elected individuals and those in the business community. The superintendent and District
staff realize that keeping our community leaders well informed on legislative and fiscal issues is
essential to our mutual success. Our local leaders can assist by engaging in awareness campaigns
on our behalf for items such as ballot referendums in the event newly enacted laws do not permit
school districts to inform stakeholders of the ballot contents directly.

100

8/23/22 2:55 PM
Superintendent Report 2021-22.indd 100
Superintendent Report 2021-22.indd 100 8/23/22 2:55 PM