League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County To Host 'Hot Topic Lunch' on School Year 2024

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Aug. 17, 2024 - PRLog -- (West Palm Beach, FL – August 14, 2024) The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County (LWVPBC) is inviting residents and parents to an upcoming lunch event focused on local education, including the proposed half-cent sales tax increase on the November ballot and how it would benefit our local public education system.

Wednesday, September 18 / 11 am to 1 pm

Hot Topic Discussion / In-Person

School Year 2024

The State of Education in Palm Beach County

+ Guest Speaker:  Michael Burke,

As the Superintendent of the High-Performing School District of Palm Beach County, he is passionate about ensuring academic excellence and paving the way to post-graduate success for the more than 170,000 students who attend 182 district-operated schools. He is deeply committed to the School Board's mission to educate, affirm, and inspire each student in an equity-embedded school system. As Superintendent of the tenth-largest district in the nation, Burke also oversees Palm Beach County's largest workforce of nearly 23,000 people.

+ Guest Speaker:  Gordon Longhofer

As President of the Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association, he represents more than 13,000 teachers. He began teaching in 1983 in Oklahoma and has been here since 1988, teaching Math and Vocal Music at Pahokee Middle High School for 18 years. His wife, oldest son, and daughter-in-law are also teachers. Longhofer has been an advocate for teachers as a union rep, board member, negotiations team member and Vice President. He also serves on the Governance Board and the Goals and Budget Committee of the Florida Education Association, as well as the Government Relations Committee.

One topic of discussion will be the proposed half-cent tax increase that would take place in 2026, after the full penny sales tax expires next year. If approved by voters, these funds will help purchase, maintain, and repair/refurbish facilities and equipment to create a positive learning environment for Palm Beach County students. All District-operated and charter schools in Palm Beach County will benefit from this measure.

Where:  Hilton Palm Beach Airport, 150 Australian Avenue in West Palm Beach 33406

Registration Fee: $40

Notes:

+ Doors open at 11:00 am. Lunch begins at 11:30 am, the program starts at noon.

+ Advance registrations and payment must be made online at www.lwvpbc.org.

+ Walk-ins cannot be accommodated. Fee is nonrefundable.

+ Deadline to register is September 6, 2024.

Attached Image:

LWVPBC September Hot Topic

Available for Interview:

Kathi Gundlach, LWVPBC President

Kathi.lwvpbc@gmail.com

Media Contact:

Gary Schweikhart, PR-BS

561.756.4298 / gary@pr-bs.net