Page 5 - Superintendent Report 2023-24

Multiple departments supported this effort by providing certified instructors for the course as well as providing employees with time
to participate in this essential training. To assist supervisors with monitoring, a YMHFA Dashboard was created and schools achieving/
exceeding the goal were celebrated. At the close of this year, the results of our teamwork is evident in that 90.4% of all employees are
now YMHFA certified.

In addition to increasing awareness and enhancing the knowledge and skills of our employees, facility-based security upgrades
including the Centegix badge system helped bolster feelings of safety for students, parents, and employees. Furthermore, our Safe
Schools Ambassador (SSA) program provided an additional layer of support by equipping student leaders at select schools with
specific diplomatic communication skills for establishing and maintaining peaceful and respectful non-classroom interactions. In
order to ensure that every student feels affirmed, reduce bullying, and preserve positive campus climates, our SSA program expanded
the number of trainers this year from one to 18. The proactive focus on affirming our students is celebrated through our Whole
School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) culture. Wrapped around the District’s ultimate goal of improving student academic
achievement, the WSCC provides each school with resources and opportunities to address the health, wellness, and safety of all District
students and employees.

We INSPIRE.
Our District-wide commitment to inspire our students is evident throughout the many programs we offer all our students from our
youngest learners to our high school seniors. We strive to ensure that students of all ages are aware of the innovative programs offered
at our elementary, middle, and high schools through our annual Showcase of Schools. This event is hosted by the Department of Choice
and Career Options and provides students and their families the opportunity to explore more than 330 Choice and in-house programs
offered at schools throughout the District. Included this year were the new Aviation & Technology Academy at West Boca High and the
expansion of Cyber Security programs to six high schools. Furthermore, dual enrollment programs were expanded to include welding
and automotive. Expanding beyond specialized programs, high school students had the opportunity to attend at least one college and
career fair through our Claim Your Future event at the Palm Beach Convention Center or our annual College and Career Fair at South
Florida Expo Center.

Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, our many approaches to educating, affirming, and inspiring our students are reflected in the
implementation of various programs and through multiple community partnerships to support our schools. We expanded our dual
language offerings to include our first ever English/Haitian Creole dual-language program and we celebrated the accreditation of our
Chuck Shaw Technical Education Center. Also notable is the approval of the first secondary Behavioral Health Technician program
in Florida. This new program highlights our commitment to addressing the critical mental health needs of our students. Focused on
preparing our students for their future, our newly-expanded flexibility in Dual Enrollment eligibility allows for an increased number
of eligible students and our partnership with PBSC, FAU, and NSU in the “Growing Our Own Teachers” program demonstrates our
commitment to cultivating the best educators for our students.

The community joined our efforts through Al Packer Ford’s partnership to support automotive instructional programs, a $40,000
donation from Bank of America to expand our secondary financial literacy instruction, and a $300,000 J.P. Morgan Chase grant to
expand HVAC programs. Another community-wide acknowledgement of our amazing educators is evident through the results from
the 39th Annual William T. Dwyer Awards for Excellence in Education. This annual program of the Economic Council of Palm Beach
County Foundation recognizes outstanding educators across seven categories from public and private schools in Palm Beach County.
With overwhelming pride, I share that all 28 finalists across all seven categories are from our District-run schools. This unprecedented
honor provides ultimate affirmation of the amazing work of our educators, which are reflective of classrooms throughout our District.
The extraordinary achievements of this year were possible only through our goal-oriented, student-focused mindset across individual
classrooms, school administrative teams, and Regional/District leadership. With the resounding and ongoing support from our School
Board, I commit to remaining dedicated to our District Mission to educate, affirm, and inspire each student in an equity-embedded
school system. Team Palm Beach will continue to keep students first, encourage and assist each other, and serve our community to
ensure that the School District of Palm Beach County remains “Your Best Choice!”

Sincerely,

Michael J. Burke
Superintendent

EDUCATE | AFFIRM | INSPIRE // 5