Rachel Capitano

This document provides an overview of The School District of Palm Beach County, positioning it as a top choice for education. It highlights strong academic performance, including high graduation rates and advanced coursework, alongside robust Career and Technical Education programs developed with business partners. The district also emphasizes a well-rounded education through sports, arts, music, and dual language programs, in addition to adult education opportunities. A key priority is safety and security, ensured by on-campus police officers and mental and behavioral health support for students and families.

The session addressed insurance benefits, specifically reviewing the January through May claims data for the current and previous years, noting that claims were nearly identical despite a five-million-dollar increase in district funding. A significant deficit of five million dollars annually was highlighted for the high option HMO plan, even after implementing plan design changes such as raising the deductible and introducing ER coinsurance. Discussions included proposals for the upcoming year, such as suggesting a fifty-dollar monthly premium increase for employee/spouse coverage starting in 2021, coupled with allowing individual wellness rewards to offset this cost. Furthermore, negotiations were underway regarding dental insurance, which will see a carrier change in January with enhanced benefits and lower employee premiums. The overall goal of wellness program modifications is to incentivize individual participation even if a spouse does not participate, thereby driving improvements in employee health metrics.

The Board considered the approval of the Leader in Me Agreement with Franklin Covey Client Sales, Inc. This agreement provides professional learning sessions titled the 4 Essential Roles of Leadership for District and school-based administrators. These sessions are designed to support leadership development, trust, and vision execution at no financial cost to the district.

The board discussed the development of the next strategic plan, focusing on stakeholder engagement and an equitable approach to human capital management systems. Key topics included the proposed timeline for the strategic plan, the formation of a district subcommittee for community engagement, and the incorporation of equity-focused workshops. The board reviewed a proposed three-phase strategic planning process—pre-work, design, and implementation—and discussed the importance of measurable goals. Additionally, the potential for leveraging existing partnerships and grant-funded resources, such as the Teacher and School Leader Incentive Grant Program, was highlighted to support the strategic planning process.

The board conducted a strategic plan workshop followed by a regular board meeting. Key topics included the proposed timeline for the strategic plan development, the focus on stakeholder engagement, and the incorporation of an equity-focused framework. The board discussed the utilization of an existing grant partnership with the Insight Education Group to facilitate the strategic planning process and ensure equity remains a central theme. Additionally, the formation and composition of a district subcommittee tasked with creating a community engagement plan were reviewed, with board members providing feedback on missing departmental representation.