Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Reorganization topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Palm Beach County School Board swears in three new members; all pledge focus on students
Summary
Matthew Lane, Virginia Savietto and Gloria Branch were sworn in at a special reorganization meeting and each pledged priorities including student achievement, safety and community engagement.
Matthew Lane, Virginia Savietto and Gloria Branch were sworn in as members of the Palm Beach County School Board at a special reorganization meeting that opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jamie Goodman administered the oath to Matthew Lane, Dahlia Weiss administered the oath to Virginia Savietto and Richard Bridal administered the oath to Gloria Branch, the board announced. After each oath the newly sworn members offered brief remarks to colleagues, staff and family members seated in the room.
"This job is the opportunity of a lifetime," said Matthew Lane, who noted the district serves more than 70,000 students and pledged to "make a difference" in their lives. Lane thanked family and campaign supporters and said he believes a positive, coalition-building approach helped him win the election.
Virginia Savietto said she was "grateful" for the opportunity and described her immigrant family background, thanking parents who "faced language barriers and cultural challenges" to create a better future. Savietto said she will work to "increase parental engagement, implement initiatives that prepare students for life beyond graduation and ensure a focus on school safety and mental health access." She invited Pastor Josh Dugan of Life Church West Palm Beach to offer a blessing.
Gloria Branch thanked supporters and her family, described a long local history in education and substitute teaching, and said she supports Superintendent Mike Burke. Branch said her priorities include ensuring students learn basic skills and maintaining fiscal responsibility in district operations.
The superintendent and board chair congratulated all three new members and the clerk completed a roll call showing all seven district seats present. The board paused for photos and announced a short break before continuing with organizational business later in the day.
The remarks mark the start of the board's two-year term for the incoming members; no formal policy votes were taken during the oath-and-remarks portion of the meeting.
