City Commission

City of Delray Beach 100 NW 1st Avenue - Delray Beach, Florida 33444 Phone: (561) 243-7000 www.delraybeachfl.gov Minutes - Final Tuesday, June 17, 2025 4:00 PM Workshop Meeting at 4:00 PM Delray Beach City Hall or Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc2j0JhnR8Hx0Hj13RhCJag/s treams City Commission Mayor Thomas F. Carney, Jr. Vice Mayor Rob Long Deputy Vice Mayor Angela Burns Commissioner Tom Markert Commissioner Juli Casale City Commission Minutes - Final June 17, 2025 Pursuant to Section 3.12 of the Charter of the City of Delray Beach, the Mayor has instructed me to announce a Workshop Meeting of the City Commission to be held for the following purposes: WS.1. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN EDUCATION ELEMENT POLICY AND GOAL CONSIDERATIONS Sponsors: City Manager Department Attachments: Agenda Cover Report Education Policy Amendment Tracking Chart DIA Amendments GOP Amendments The June 17, 2025 Workshop Meeting was called to order at 4:07 p.m. Alexis Givings, City Clerk, called the roll, and the following were present: Present 4 - Commissioner Tom Markert , Mayor Thomas F. Carney Jr., Deputy Vice Mayor Angela Burns and, Commissioner Juli Casale Absent: 1 - Vice-Mayor Rob Long Others present were: Terrence Moore, City Manager Lynn Gelin, City Attorney Alexis Givings, City Clerk Mayor Carney opened the meeting by discussing the Comprehensive Plan and the need to amend it to improve the educational components for the City’s public schools. He emphasized that the first step would be to identify the various City departments that allocate funding for education to determine the actual amount being spent. He specifically highlighted Carver Middle School, Village Academy, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Atlantic High School as underperforming institutions. He mentioned that the Chairman of the School Board shares this concern, as she had expressed during their meeting. He also referenced a competitive assessment and cluster study conducted by the Greenway Strategy Group in 2018, which evaluated the City’s schools and suggested engaging Greenway to perform an updated analysis. Commissioner Casale proposed that a productive first step would be for the School Board to visit the schools, beginning with Carver Middle, Atlantic High, and Village Academy, to evaluate any shortcomings. Following this assessment, they should meet with the Commission to share their findings and discuss the Commission's requests for enhancing school performance. At that time, the Commission would have a strong basis for amending the Comprehensive Education Plan. City of Delray Beach Page 2 Printed on 7/11/2025 City Commission Minutes - Final June 17, 2025 Mayor Carney stated that his goal was to request at a future meeting $25,000 from the Commission to conduct an updated assessment by Greenway Strategy Group and an additional $25,000 to fund another comprehensive review/education study conducted by Florida International University (FIU). He stated that these two studies would provide independent analyses. Commissioner Casale proposed contacting the County School Board for their latest assessments on the schools before engaging in other studies. Mr. Moore suggested revisiting this item at the Commission Meeting on July 15th, after he and the relevant staff have contacted the School District of Palm Beach County for any relevant information they can provide on the matter. He noted that the Commission might also consider the possibility of engaging external consultants at that time. Deputy Vice Mayor Burns requested that the School Board's report include an update regarding the early prevention and wrap-around services. WS.2. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Carney opened the floor to anyone who wished to speak on this item. Marjorie Waldo, 316 NW 2nd Avenue, Delray Beach Discussed her professional career as an educator and a member of the Education Board, highlighting that the majority of students are at risk. She pointed out that the only meal many of these students receive each day is the lunch provided by the school. She suggested reallocating the funds intended for the studies that the Mayor wants to conduct towards addressing the issues faced by the school. Allison Turner, 145 NE 6th Avenue, Delray Beach Was present on behalf of the Delray Chamber Education Fund, a non-profit arm of the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce. Reported that the Chamber raised $46,400 for education last year. This year, their focus is on securing funds through grants submitted by school administrators and educators. She emphasized the importance of strengthening schools to build a more robust workforce. She mentioned the Bus Shelter Program contributed to the schools’ fundraising efforts last year. Christina Morrison, 1000 Lowery Street, Delray Beach Discussed the similarities between Delray Beach schools and those in City of Delray Beach Page 3 Printed on 7/11/2025 City Commission Minutes - Final June 17, 2025 Wellington, highlighting how Wellington addresses its educational challenges by providing incentives for teachers, etc. She suggested that implementing "Ready to Work Programs" in high schools would be a valuable initiative. Seeing no one else present, Mayor Carney closed public comments. There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Carney adjourned the meeting at 4:46 p.m. The City shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of a service, program, or activity conducted by the City. Please contact the Human Resources Department at (561) 243-7125 at least 24 hours prior to the program or activity for the City to reasonably accommodate your request. Adaptive listening devices are available for meetings in the Commission Chambers. City of Delray Beach Page 4 Printed on 7/11/2025