About the Board
The Delray Beach Education Board is composed of thirteen dynamic citizens--eleven adults and two students--who have a passion for education. The primary goals of the Board are to advise the City Commission on educational issues, provide policy direction, and to create, host and promote programming and events that support local educational efforts. Education is a priority in Delray Beach, and the Board is committed to working closely with local schools, both public and private, the School District of Palm Beach County, and Delray’s business, cultural, and professional community.
Our Vision...
A community committed to promoting quality education through lifelong learning.
Our Mission...
The Delray Beach Education Board advocates for quality education and fosters partnerships among Delray Beach schools and the community.
Fulfilling Our Mission
The Delray Beach schools are part of the School District of Palm Beach County (palmbeachschools.org), the fifth largest disrtict in the State of Florida and the eleventh in the United States. Recognizing that the School District might be unable to respond readily to local issues, the Delray Beach City Commission established its own education advisory board in 1989.
During the 1990’s, the Board focused its advocacy role on retrofitting existing schools, the construction of new schools, and ensuring diversification through Choice programs. Examples of its first decade of accomplishments are the implementation of International Baccalaureate programs at an elementary, middle, and high school, a Montessori elementary school, later recognized as offering one of the top Montessori programs in the United States, and a kindergarten through twelfth-grade neighborhood school.
In its second decade, the Board sought input from community stakeholders who helped identify three areas for community focus and involvement: literacy, parental involvement, and business-cultural-professional partnerships. Several successful ongoing initiatives evolved during the decade: the Mayor’s Literacy Initiative, Principal For A Day, Atlantic Community High School Eagle Nest Homes, Digital Divide, Delray Beach-City of Character, and the Plumosa School of the Arts Foundation, Inc.
Read more about our initiatives.
Meetings
Education Board meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. (calendar) in the First Floor Conference Room at City Hall.
Education and child service organizations wishing to make their mission known to the Board and the City regularly present to the Board.
Agendas and minutes may be found here.
Education Coordinator
Janet Meeks, 243-7231 or Education@MyDelrayBeach.com
Membership
The Board, appointed by the City Commission, is made up of eleven members and one student member, each serving a term of two years, and one student member serving a term of one year. If you wish to apply, further information and a downloadable application form may be found here.
Qualifications
Each member must be a resident of, own property located within, be an owner, officer, director, or manager of a business located within, or have a child attending a public school located within the City of Delray Beach. When possible, the Education Board shall include members who have backgrounds in business, real estate, or education.
Current Members
LeAnne DeRigne. Her term expires July 31, 2013.
Jose Herrera. His term expires July 31, 2012.
Myra Leavy Bazemore. Her term expires July 31, 2013.
Julia Kadel. Her term expires July 31, 2013.
Isabelle Make. Her term expires July 31, 2013.
Amanda Orndorff is the Career Academy Coordinator at Atlantic Community High School. She taught TV Production and IB Film there for the past six years. She is in charge of the Student Government Association and is the Varsity Volleyball Coach. Amanda is currently finishing her Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University. Her term expires July 31, 2012.
Debra Kaiser, PhD., relocated to Delray Beach seven years ago with her husband and two children after working twenty-three years at Kraft Foods as a Research Director. She first joined the Education Board in 2004 after attending Resident's Academy and served as Chair for three years. In 2007, she partnered with the City to create and now serves as Volunteer Coordinator for 200+ students at Carver Middle School's Morning Program. Debbie also serves on the Plumosa School of the Arts Foundation, Inc. and volunteers at Plumosa, as well as serving as the Chair of the Hamlet C. C. Chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She rejoined the Education Board in 2010 and looks forward to another great adventure. Her term expires July 31, 2012.
Derline Pierre-Louis. Her term expires July 31, 2012.
Lee Cohen. His term expires July 31, 2013.
Shannon Schwartz. Her term expires July 31, 2013.
Angela Burns. Her term expires July 31, 2012.
Student Members
Trevis Pridgen. His term ends July 31, 2012.
Madison Aracri. Her term expires July 31, 2013.
