Public Meeting Announcement: Notice of Proposed Rule Adoption (School Boundaries): 3/11/2026
RULE TITLE: Consolidation of the attendance boundaries for 2 elementary schools, assigning the entirety of 1 elementary school to the newly consolidated attendance boundary, and a boundary change for a portion of 1 elementary school in Palm Beach County commencing in the 2026-27 School Year;
RULE NUMBER: Chapter 9 (unnumbered rule);
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: This action implements the School Board's power to assign students to schools and adopt school attendance areas as deemed necessary by it for efficient operation of the District school system. See School Board Policy 5.01 on Student Assignment. These changes resulted from the adjustment of attendance boundaries to establish a new PK-2 and 3-5 grade configuration, Lincoln Elementary School being repurposed, and to better utilize school capacity;
SUMMARY: Recommending a rule providing for the consolidation of the current Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune & West Riviera Elementary School attendance boundaries, with West Riviera Elementary School to serve grades PK-2 and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School to serve grades 3-5. In addition, all students currently zoned to Lincoln Elementary School, which will be repurposed, would be assigned to the newly consolidated West Riviera Elementary School (PK-2) and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School (3-5) attendance boundary. It is also recommended that a portion of the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School attendance boundary be assigned to Washington Elementary, commencing in the 2026-27 School Year;
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: F.S. 120.81 (1) (a); 1001.32(2); 1001.41(1) and (2); 1001.42(4) and (29); Article IX, Section 4 of the Florida Constitution;
LAWS IMPLEMENTED: F.S. 1001.41(1) and (6); 1001.42(4)
CONTACT PERSON: Joseph M. Sanches, Chief Operating Officer (joseph.sanches@palmbeachschools.org)
TEXT AND MAP of the proposed rule adoption may be obtained without cost from the District’s website at http://www.pbcschoolzones.info as “Study RB-1 – Superintendent’s Recommendation” or at https://palmbeachschools-org.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/. A hard copy may also be obtained by request from the Board Office located at 3300 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COST: The Agency has determined that a SERC is not required and has not prepared a SERC. The Agency has determined that based on information, including that contained in the proposed rule and the Board report, the rule is not expected to require legislative ratification. Any person who wishes to provide the District with information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or to provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative, must do so in writing to the Board Clerk within 21 days of the publication of this Notice.
SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Michael J. Burke, Superintendent of Schools.
RULE DEVELOPMENT NOTICE WAS PUBLISHED: January 16, 2026 on the District’s Legal Notices Webpage.
MEETING: This proposed rule adoption (second reading) will be considered at a Regular School Board meeting on March 11, 2026, beginning at 5:00 PM. The School Board Meeting which includes boundaries will occur in the Fulton-Holland Educational Services Center School Board Chambers at 3300 Forest Hill Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida. Members of the public will have an opportunity to speak pursuant to Board Policy 1.03.
AGENDA: A copy of the agenda will be available in advance on the District’s web site at https://palmbeachschools-org.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/ Pursuant to the provisions of the American with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours in advance by contacting Toni Sinclair, Board Clerk at 561-434-8136. A person may submit written comments (12 copies) about the proposed action to the Clerk no later than the time of the meeting. This meeting is open to the public and public comment is accepted on this matter. Please contact the Clerk at the number provided prior to noon the day of the meeting, or by submitting a blue card to the Clerk at the meeting prior to the start of the meeting.
SUMMARY OF RULE (PROPOSED ELEMENTARY BOUNDARIES)
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Effective in August 2026, it is proposed that:
The current Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune ES & West Riviera ES attendance boundaries be consolidated, with West Riviera ES serving grades PK-2 and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune ES serving grades 3-5;
All students in the current Lincoln ES attendance boundary be assigned to the newly consolidated West Riviera ES (PK-2) & Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune ES (3-5) attendance boundary;
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune ES to Washington ES
SACs 081B, 081C, 081E, 081F, 081H & 081J