Superintendent Michael Burke told local legislators on Tuesday that the Palm Beach County School District is "a rated" and has posted a series of academic gains, but that sustaining and expanding programs will require more state funding and policy changes.

"We are a school district and our school year is off to a great start," Burke said during a presentation that opened with a video showcasing opening‑day scenes at new and modernized campuses. He outlined district statistics — about 183 district‑run schools, roughly 170,000 students, nearly 23,000 employees, a 95.9 percent graduation rate and more than 35 million meals served annually — and framed several legislative priorities for the upcoming session.

Burke and the school board asked lawmakers to: protect the district’s current referendum millage that supplements salaries and programs; maintain statutory vaccination requirements in Florida law (cited in the meeting as Florida Statute 1003.22); continue funding for performance bonuses that support Advanced Placement and ACE coursework; expand funding for career and technical education; and consider full‑day VPK or higher reimbursement for VPK providers.

Why it matters: The district said new and growing programs — including a rise in the share of middle schoolers taking at least one high‑school course and an increase in high‑school students taking college‑level classes from 55 percent in 2022 to 71 percent — are producing measurable value for families. Burke highlighted that roughly 2,810 graduates were eligible for a full Bright Futures scholarship last year and that 130 graduates earned two‑year associate degrees via dual‑enrollment partnerships, saving families an estimated $3.5 million in tuition.

On teacher pay, Burke told the delegation that state categorical increases spread across districts produce modest local increases: a $100 million statewide pool translated to about $6 million for Palm Beach County, or roughly a 0.6 percent increase for a district with about 13,000 teachers. "We're doing everything we can to put a good competitive package on the table, but we could use more help when it comes to funding teacher salaries," he said.

Safety and student supports also topped Burke’s list. The district emphasized multi‑layered safety investments — including a fully accredited school police department that earned an Excelsior rating in its most recent accreditation — and proposed placing restroom signage and other materials to raise awareness of human trafficking and related student supports. The board said the Department of Education’s trafficking training rollout (expected in December, per Burke) and any additional state funding for mental‑health and safety staff would be welcome.

School board chair Karen Brill thanked legislators who worked on a statutory change (cited in the meeting as 1003.4283(a)) that allows marching band and certain Special Olympics activities to substitute for the PE requirement. That change, Brill said, costs the district little while expanding opportunities for students with disabilities.

What’s next: The district will bring the board’s legislative priorities to Tallahassee during Palm Beach County Days and requested that legislators continue to shield referendum revenue from broader property‑tax reductions. Burke offered to provide delegation members with the district presentation and follow‑up materials as lawmakers prepare bills.

Sources: Superintendent Michael Burke; Chair Karen Brill; presentation materials distributed at the meeting.