Palm Beach County schools named 'academically high performing'; board member outlines 2026 legislative priorities

At the Royal Palm Beach Education Advisory Board meeting Nov. 10, 2025, school board member Ms. Andrews read a formal designation from the Florida Department of Education saying the Palm Beach County School District was named an "academically high performing school district" for the 2024–25 school year, one of 13 districts statewide.

"The designation recognized the district's consistent success and school performance, financial accountability, and class size adherence," Ms. Andrews read to the board, noting the recognition reflects districtwide work on academics and supports. She said the district guarantees a seat at the neighborhood school and currently offers over 330 specialized choice and career programs from pre‑K through grade 12.

Ms. Andrews used her remarks to preview the district's 2026 legislative priorities as discussed with the county's legislative delegation. Top items included full funding for school safety and any new state mandates, continued support for referendum funding that supplements classroom resources, increased per‑pupil funding for students with disabilities and English‑language learners, and expansion of full‑day, all‑day pre‑K options.

She told the board the district has lost approximately 6,000 students in recent years — a trend she and other presenters attributed to multiple factors including high housing costs and broader demographic shifts — and that restoring enrollment and funding levels is a priority. Ms. Andrews called on the board and community to support upcoming legislative outreach and the next referendum.

The remarks were informational; there were no formal actions or votes recorded on legislative priorities during the meeting. The board requested that the district send the 2026 priorities document to council and advisory board members for review.