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Palm Beach County Central Region reviews recent highlights and staffing plans for Wellington schools
Summary
A Central Region representative for the Palm Beach County School District presented spring updates for 11 Wellington schools, including enrollment shifts tied to a new elementary school, recent student achievements, expanded tutorial programs and interim leadership plans at New Horizons Elementary.
A Palm Beach County School District Central Region representative briefed the Village of Wellington Education Committee on March school-level activity across all 11 Wellington schools, highlighting student awards, new tutorial programs funded by the Achilles Spinelli grant and administrative changes at New Horizons Elementary.
The district representative said the district remains "A rated" and that the current strategic plan runs through 2027; a new five-year plan will be drafted beginning next year. She said Binks (Banks) Forest Elementary will reduce enrollment by about 500 students when the newly named Saddle View Elementary opens in August and that the two schools are coordinating transitions with parents and principals to ease the move.
At Elbridge Gale Elementary, the Robo Gators robotics team won multiple trophies, including a Robot Design Finalist award, and the school is offering tutorials funded by an Achilles Spinelli grant. Crestview Trails (transcript: "Crestion Trails") reported a third-place finish in an essay contest, a productive school garden and a Kids Heart Challenge fundraiser that raised more than $16,777. Many elementary schools also listed upcoming School Advisory Council meetings and spring fundraisers.
District officials announced interim leadership at New Horizons Elementary: Diana Perez has taken an interim principal role while the district conducts focus groups next week to help select a permanent principal. "We will begin what we call a run of show, meaning we will begin, working on, selecting, highly qualified principal," the Central Region representative said.
Middle and high school updates included CTE recognitions, academic competitions and athletic championships. Palm Beach Central High School reported a dance-marathon fundraiser that raised more than $54,000 and listed May 16, 2025, as its graduation date at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Wellington High School’s graduation time moved to noon May 14, 2025, after a scheduling conflict at the fairgrounds.
Committee members asked clarifying questions during and after the presentation, including what "CTE" stands for and for specific plans to address instructional challenges at New Horizons. Dr. Nicole Green from the district’s Central Region later responded to questions about New Horizons’ academic direction, noting improvements in fourth-grade math after instructional and organizational changes.
The presentation included multiple requests for the district to return with more-detailed curriculum information once the district finalizes curriculum selections; the district representative said those materials will be provided later in the year.
Ending: The committee thanked district staff for the overview and for arranging school tours (committee members had toured Palm Beach Central High School), and the committee moved on to its next agenda item.
