BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The Palm Beach County School District announced late Thursday afternoon that it will remain CLOSED on Friday. There will be NO SCHOOL for students. We note Broward County Public Schools and all area private schools are resuming education on Friday. Parents contacting BocaNewsNow.com are infuriated by the Palm Beach School District’s decision to not offer virtual or other education. Here’s the announcement:
[In a message to families and staff, Superintendent Michael J. Burke announced the following: Palm Beach County and our region felt the impacts of Hurricane Milton yesterday. Once conditions were safe, School District crews were immediately deployed this morning to inspect our campuses and administrative buildings.
All schools and District offices will remain closed tomorrow, October 11. School District staff should not report to work unless directed to do so by their supervisor.
While we are pleased to report that no schools sustained any major damage, we continue to work across our 182 campuses to ensure all have power, air conditioning, and safe access. Many families in our communities, including District employees, were impacted by this storm. The long weekend will afford some additional time to recover and reopen schools for students on Tuesday, October 15.
Our teams continue working hard to prepare campuses to welcome students and staff back next week. Please keep in mind that Monday, October 14 is already a day off for students because of a planned Professional Development Day for staff.
Although schools and offices are closed, much work continues behind the scenes. The School District supported Palm Beach County in the opening of five shelters at schools that welcomed nearly 1,000 people, and our School Food Service team served nearly 2,400 meals. School Police worked throughout the storm, ensuring safety and security on all of our campuses. Principals, Maintenance and Plant Operations teams, custodians, and support staff continue assessing and preparing schools.
I extend my sincere thanks to our entire team, as well as the community, for their support of our School District. We understand that many people may still be experiencing power outages, damage to homes, and other storm-related issues in their neighborhoods. We encourage everyone to exercise additional caution while driving and getting around the community.
Our thoughts go out to those impacted by the storm here in Palm Beach County and across the state. If you require assistance, whether it’s emotional support, resources, or information on recovery efforts, you can dial 211 to reach the 211 Helpline for Palm Beach and Treasure Coast. 211 is a confidential, community helpline and crisis hotline service providing immediate guidance and support for families. Families and Team Palm Beach, thank you for your continued support of the School District of Palm Beach County.]
Parents contacting BocaNewsNow.com say the Palm Beach County School District needs to operate in two sections — the north section and the south section. The argument: students in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and Lake Worth shouldn’t miss school due to something that happens in the rural areas of the county an hour away.
“We just missed four days of school for nothing,” said a parent. “Between Helene and Milton, both of which did nothing in South Palm Beach County, these were four days were kids learned nothing. Palm Beach County must do better.”
