School District of Palm Beach County, Florida Packet Summary — July 29, 2026
Meeting Overview
The packet is for the Special Meeting for School Board Proclamations scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 1:30 PM. The meeting location listed in the packet is the Fulton-Holland Educational Services Center, Board Room.
The agenda includes a call to order, opportunities for agenda-topic speakers, approval of the agenda, a proclamation item, and adjournment.
Key Item on the Agenda
Posthumous Proclamation for Samuel Bruce McDonald
The packet includes COM1, a proposed Posthumous Proclamation for Samuel Bruce McDonald. The recommended action states that the Board approve the proclamation.
The packet describes the proclamation as recognizing Samuel Bruce McDonald for his contributions to the School District of Palm Beach County and the Palm Beach County community.
Samuel Bruce McDonald’s Career and Community Contributions
The proclamation document states that Samuel Bruce McDonald was born on May 3, 1928, in Blitchton, Florida, and passed away on May 29, 2026.
The packet states that he earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Talladega College and later earned a master’s degree in Education from Florida Atlantic University.
According to the proclamation materials, Mr. McDonald was part of the School District of Palm Beach County for 32 years, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and south area superintendent.
The packet states that in 1968 he became the first Black principal of a nearly all-white school in the county, Boca Raton Junior High, and later became one of the first Black administrators in the School District.
The proclamation materials state that Mr. McDonald served on community organizations and boards, including the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties and United Way of Palm Beach County. The materials also state that he served as Interim President/CEO of the Urban League.
The packet notes that he was the last living charter member of both the Gamma Gamma undergraduate chapter at Talladega University and the West Palm Beach alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
The proposed proclamation recognizes his influence on generations of learners, his community leadership, and his contributions to educational opportunities and achievement.
The packet lists the financial impact for the proclamation item as not applicable.
The item is associated in the packet with the strategic theme of Committed and Impactful Employees and the priority outcomes Educate, Affirm, and Inspire.
What to Watch at the Meeting
The Board is scheduled to consider the agenda item approving the Posthumous Proclamation for Samuel Bruce McDonald.
The packet does not provide meeting outcomes, votes, or final actions beyond the listed proposed agenda item and recommended action.
