Page 5 - Superintendent Annual Report 24-25

Committed and Impactful Employees
Our dedicated team drives our success. We continue our proactive recruitment efforts for Team Palm Beach, including our Grow
Our Own initiatives through the Palm Beach Associate Teacher Program, and note our significantly low teacher vacancy rate. We
also successfully negotiated salary increases with all employee groups and came to an agreement on a three-year plan with our
employees to support the long-term stability of our health insurance fund. Sound financial management remains fundamental to
our operations. We maintain healthy budget reserves and stellar credit ratings. Once again, we received a clean audit opinion on our
annual external financial audit, demonstrating our commitment to fiscal responsibility. We also continue our Catch the Wave efforts
to embed customer service throughout our school district, from front office staff to regional and district administrators, prioritizing
excellent customer service for our colleagues and the community.

Our Facilities Management team continues to be actively engaged in providing our students with modern and suitable learning envi-
ronments. This year, we celebrated the opening of the modernized Grove Park ES and Pine Grove ES, and construction is underway
to open our newest school, Saddle View ES, in 2025-2026. We also opened Phase 1 of the Historic Carver Technical Education
Center and are currently building Phase 1 of the Historic Roosevelt Technical Education Center. Additionally, we are continuing the
modernization of West Riviera Beach ES and RISE Academy (formerly South Intensive Transition).
We have taken all necessary steps to comply with USDOE and FDOE certification requirements, safeguarding an estimated $300
million in federal funding that supports our students with the greatest needs. We also celebrate that all 28 of the 2024-2025 Dwyer
Awards Finalists were from District schools, marking a clean sweep for our District for three consecutive years. This year, we expanded
District-wide Community Experiences for all students in Grades 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, and 12, providing valuable opportunities for real-world
learning and connecting our students with many amazing venues across Palm Beach County. Our robust community partnerships
continue to enhance our students’ experiences across diverse programs, including Arts (Visual, Performing, and Communication),
Agritechnology, Aviation and Aerospace, Construction and Trades, Culinary, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity, Education, Finance,
Fire Academy, HVAC/R, Hospitality and Tourism, and Medical and Veterinary Sciences.
Beyond the classroom, our students have excelled in numerous competitions. We recognize our numerous State Champions,
including:
• Individual Boys Weightlifting at Forest Hill Community HS, Jupiter Community HS, and Glades Central Community HS
• Girls Competition Cheer at Olympic Heights Community HS and Wellington Community HS
• Boys Track at Spanish River Community HS and Dr. Joaquín García HS
• Individual Girls Bowling at West Boca Raton Community HS
• Girls Flag Football at Seminole Ridge Community HS
• Boys Football at West Boca Raton Community HS
• Girls Beach Volleyball at Jupiter Community HS
• Girls Softball at Wellington Community HS
• Girls Track at Pahokee Senior HS

In recognition of the strength and quality of our District, many of our schools and administrators received well-deserved honors and
awards. These accolades include Cypress Trails ES and Plumosa School of the Arts each receiving the ECTAC Exceeding Expectations
Award, Pioneer Park ES earning the Imagine Learning School of Excellence Award, Hidden Oaks K-8 being named a National Forum
School to Watch, and both A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts and Suncoast HS being recognized as Top 100 High Schools by U.S.
News & World Report. Numerous administrators across multiple schools were also honored for their contributions and outstanding
educational leadership. Furthermore, dozens of our leaders received training to become mentor leaders, actively participating in
our Leaders Growing Leaders programs to develop the next generation of principals and assistant principals.

The Board elected Mrs. Karen Brill from District 3 as chair and Mrs. Marcia Andrews from District 6 as vice chair. We also welcomed
three new members to our School Board: Mr. Matthew Jay Lane, Esq., representing District 1; Ms. Virginia Savietto, representing
District 2; and Ms. Gloria Branch, representing District 5.
These accomplishments reflect the diligent work, commitment, and collaborative spirit of our entire school district community.
Together, Team Palm Beach anticipates another productive year as we continue to educate, affirm, and inspire each student, proving
that we are “Your Best Choice” for education in Palm Beach County.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Burke
Superintendent

EDUCATE | AFFIRM | INSPIRE 5