District and board leaders urged the delegation to support career and technical education (CTE) expansions, citing strong student participation and local employer partnerships.

"We had 21,000 plus students take an entry certification exam with 75 percent of them passing last school year," Superintendent Michael Burke said, describing industry‑recognized credentials as a pathway to high‑wage local jobs in construction, health care, hospitality and technology. He identified local business partners (Weitz Construction, Jupiter Medical Center) and noted that the district hopes to deepen employer connections for Choice and CTE programs.

Board member Marsha Andrews described ongoing efforts to reopen and expand the Westech technical center in the Glades community, emphasizing a certified CDL testing site and apprenticeship pathways. The district listed Westech and Roosevelt Elementary as special appropriation requests the board will seek from the legislature.

Officials also emphasized dual‑enrollment benefits: 130 graduates last year earned two‑year associate degrees at Palm Beach State College, saving families an estimated $3.5 million in tuition for that cohort.

District leaders asked legislators to support targeted investments in CTE faculty development, equipment and partnerships that will allow more students to graduate work‑ready or equipped to continue to postsecondary training.