Palm Beach County Superintendent Mike Burke joined local leaders, business owners, and a student at the Palm Beach North Chamber’s annual back-to-school breakfast in Palm Beach Gardens to discuss the district’s progress, workforce readiness, and community involvement in education.

Renovations and New Teaching Methods

On Thursday, Burke highlighted renovated campuses and new teaching methods as signs of the district’s forward momentum. “Going into this school year, we felt like that early work is starting to pay off and we hope to see some bigger gains ahead,” Burke said.

The discussion also focused on the importance of soft skills for students entering the workforce, such as teamwork and communication. “CEOs often bring up how important soft skills are when hiring. What’s your take on soft skills and what do you tell parents?” asked Thomas Kilkenny, a senior at William T. Dwyer High School.

“[With AI] the human factor is that much more important,” Burke said. “First you’ve got to be able to work as part of a team and be able to communicate.”

Community Involvement and Education Funding

Local businesses were encouraged to partner with schools by creating pathways for future job opportunities and providing students with hands-on experience. The conversation also addressed the need for continued support for education funding, which will appear on the November ballot.

“The state is really behind on funding education,” Kilkenny said. “In terms of funding, we are 46 in the nation,” Burke said. “Please consider that as you get ready to vote. I know there’s a lot going on with property tax, and I don’t want to take too much time on that. But this is really, really important to our school district.”

Attendees contributed by bringing school supplies for students and teachers at Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in education.

Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.