[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6570615,"mediaKeyId","3203907-ee3d936f70b0682e8955468bda501e03","parentId",3203907,"title","District pushes to accelerate fleet leasing with Enterprise amid price and parts pressures","audioSeconds",1774,"startMs",5677000,"endMs",7451000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3203907-ee3d936f70b0682e8955468bda501e03&start=5677&end=7451","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3203907-ee3d936f70b0682e8955468bda501e03/thumbnail_5677000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6570615/Florida/District-pushes-to-accelerate-fleet-leasing-with-Enterprise-amid-price-and-parts-pressures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570615-9615225aa2f9507edb8cd8ccbf0ed96e/orig.mp4?Expires=1772825828&Signature=gEs-NKP61LECxt9fvScxklCeMJiH7mjwEE9T4e~kLtbRIWc3PqI8BdM7IUzpltJgo9I9ZTgk8LZyrnAkrNpXw9Q5unvFweMSZWc5YIARpyApg9nIvhHQdiS5A5R56IJNZE2DL5hICG2R0S4j-8S9HIfsH~MYuAsRA011ITHo-nxHMZAAmrrTcx3bVnmO-Ow82RCGeYRggq2RnnW0L-ClonWF8bTKGwFzkPy7d0C2YxtxuV3LqXri0vikav3W5eiFonJb75FvxR327bGHPGX4lL7OiBDRV8hNKktJDNwCvsq3B4RlcGMOeB5BRYXjdcZtydAAakI8lDH02y6Q-b00dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Polk County Public Schools","date","2025-05-06T21:59:50.507Z","article","Polk County Public Schools staff recommended accelerating an expansion of the district’s vehicle-lease program with Enterprise Fleet Management, saying May 6 that replacing older support vehicles would improve safety and reduce maintenance costs.

Assistant Superintendent Rob Davis and Enterprise representatives told the board their 2021 pilot of leased vehicles produced a net return on investment and improved safety and reliability. Davis said a district inventory showed dozens of aging vehicles — some 17 to 25 years old — and that tariffs and parts shortages are already pushing projected costs up; staff warned that delaying purchases could add as much as $2.5 million in higher lease costs over the life of a replacement program.

Nut graf: Enterprise estimated that replacing district support vehicles five years or older and adopting a full maintenance package would reduce fuel and maintenance costs over a 10-year horizon and free district technicians to focus on buses and specialized equipment. The district also plans to auction surplus vehicles it does not need.

Enterprise staff described safety upgrades available in newer vehicles (for example, collision-mitigation and anti-lock braking features) and said a fixed maintenance package would standardize fleet maintenance costs and provide roadside assistance. Davis said a prior pilot of 38 units returned about $76,354 over the pilot period and exceeded savings expectations.

Board members generally supported moving forward. Some asked about ordering windows and lead times; Enterprise representatives said manufacturers are closing ordering windows and current market uncertainty favors acting sooner. Davis said a June agenda item would request authority to sell surplus vehicles at auction and to expand the lease program.

Ending: The board indicated support to consider a back-to-back agenda item for formal action at the next regular meeting; staff will return with a procurement and funding plan.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Work Session | May 6 , 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Polk staff told the board May 6 they recommend accelerating a vehicle lease expansion with Enterprise Fleet Management to replace aging district support vehicles, citing maintenance savings, safety features, and rising vehicle and parts costs that could make delay more expensive.","taxTitle","Polk, School Districts, Florida","taxId",13112,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6570619,"Polk staff recommend closing or consolidating several alternative and virtual programs to free funds for raises",765,8173000,8938000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3203907-ee3d936f70b0682e8955468bda501e03&start=8173&end=8938","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3203907-ee3d936f70b0682e8955468bda501e03/thumbnail_8173000.jpg","/articles/6570619/Florida/Polk-staff-recommend-closing-or-consolidating-several-alternative-and-virtual-programs-to-free-funds-for-raises","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570619-a34a9a9eaf5a9a4ebc595a2b8334b8a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1772825828&Signature=AkciWczEQQt5ptXD5W1O2mTef~liW0SRVZQGllp3EaZqEKAvbDGCkkHMXGHl4-gESU5934jiv39kmE7DDbm~6jTLrUY6Fmjguy9n8E~K2wnOQo1gTvFIY6dOlQm1iQU3Qb89AcuhCJw9ko~4ATxrAieM6lMdCnkk3N-6~Bh4Srgah2DHcQmJNkHA8-HUqz9JG9EkwDyh9EvQJsZQc2zdQMLd6n2jgda-DfmRjS8hr4c8LDEjM9NmSLBqLxB1FmWDJlLTBKG3BRThByN4nEJ6exgsYNWtRZ2P-lUgWi3GYsXzSgh6x~F2FBtniJraz7y9mZO-OhS6EKueB5a2eJEllA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Polk County Public Schools staff presented a plan May 6 to consolidate or eliminate several alternative-education and virtual programs and reassign staff to address budget pressures and fund negotiated salary increases.

The presentation identified Fresh Start (a dropout-retrieval program), Polk Virtual (full- and part-time virtual options), and Real Academy (an acceleration model for students multiple grade levels behind) as primary targets for consolidation or closure. Staff said Fresh Start serves 81 students across three locations and could be transitioned to existing dropout-retrieval alternatives such as Grad Alliance; Polk Virtual runs at a net annual loss of about $3.1 million; and Real Academy’s three sites could be reduced to two to improve program efficiency.

Nut graf: District staff told the board these changes could yield estimated recurring savings of roughly $5.59 million — a combination of program savings and contract reductions — that would cover the additional cost of proposed salary increases negotiated this spring. Staff stressed the plan is intended to reassign, not eliminate, most positions and to provide placement and hiring supports for affected employees.

Superintendent Hyde and staff said the goal is to reallocate resources to programs with stronger outcomes and lower per-student costs. The staff presentation noted declining Real Academy enrollment and mixed outcome metrics; staff proposed retaining Edgenuity for secondary credit recovery and preserving Graduation Enhancement resources at high schools. For Polk Virtual, staff proposed closing the district-run program and helping families transition to Florida Virtual School or zone schools.

Board members asked about messaging, timelines and employee placements. HR and communications staff said administrators would notify program leaders and then meet with affected staff and unions; a job fair was already scheduled May 13 to offer alternative placements. Hyde told the board he sought consensus to proceed and said he would present formal action for the board at the June meeting if the board did not object. Several members indicated support during the work session.

Ending: Staff will begin outreach to program administrators, union representatives and affected employees and return with details and any required formal actions at the June meeting.","District staff recommended May 6 reducing Real Academy sites from three to two, closing Fresh Start and reorganizing Polk Virtual and other contracts; administrators said the changes could save roughly $5.6 million and help cover negotiated teacher pay increases.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6570624,"Polk board gives consensus to relocate Alta Vista to Scenic Terrace and add sixth grade next year",1420,10704000,12124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3203907-ee3d936f70b0682e8955468bda501e03&start=10704&end=12124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3203907-ee3d936f70b0682e8955468bda501e03/thumbnail_10704000.jpg","/articles/6570624/Florida/Polk-board-gives-consensus-to-relocate-Alta-Vista-to-Scenic-Terrace-and-add-sixth-grade-next-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570624-689a6e47e2afdd592f10f79030abacfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1772825828&Signature=Ib7HnkQ9I7PwKvVbTULagxkXx1ku6iUwwjeVAwJIentspgQTOh3wN4WHvN75C-Oc0Cu3eQ04dcsGIh3aAgqSUQOJ~xTqc83EQ6uKwUUfz3MZed1p5vb5uQhLsQF~H2g5xwxe572RVdbU9Pr3ATyJpnk68rpx5Zur9M9avfl72c59aS0rfmHQvHqDK4ySD1Fn6aAn048lEaezhiV9uRjAq8LvZZvDlugl9UOTo7PV2BQBKsGcDd-LQFZkeCG2ElUraEz-RThgGXfLjxg6Bx7ggjdT-irJ2aQAKm7pofpXI9lVjkhzf6yqSN85yxhke72D60~h~Elqt8Yfw1rwPzAw0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Polk County School Board members gave consensus May 6 for Superintendent Jacob Hyde to move forward with relocating Alta Vista to the Scenic Terrace campus and to add sixth grade in the 2025–26 school year.

Board Chair William Allen said staff held a community forum at Alta Vista and surveyed parents and staff; he told the board parents and staff were overwhelmingly receptive to the move. Hyde said he will begin communicating with families and staff immediately and has drafted letters and follow-up forms for rising fifth-grade families who intend to enroll as sixth graders.

Nut graf: The board asked for an orderly, phased expansion rather than an abrupt forced rezoning. Hyde said Scenic Terrace’s capacity — about 1,600 seats — allows a rolling opening that will start with sixth grade next year and add seventh and eighth grades in the following two years. He said the move is intended to relieve nearby Boone Middle School, which is over capacity, and to provide immediate staffing and counseling support at the receiving site.

Board members asked for details on projected enrollment and staffing. Hyde and staff estimated roughly 80–86 sixth graders could enroll next year at Scenic Terrace if response rates to the school’s outreach hold, and projected total first-year enrollment (K–6) of about 900 students once transfers and choice students are counted. Hyde said the district has prepared additional counselor and instructional staff positions, and that attendance boundaries for sixth grade will be brought back for formal action before next year’s enrollment cycle.

The board directed staff to proceed with community communications, scheduling, and the draft attendance-zone language. Hyde said parents who live in the attendance zone for Scenic Terrace would attend there as incoming sixth graders but could still apply for school-choice options. He cautioned that comprehensive rezoning and program-alignment work remains and will be presented later for board direction.

Ending: Staff will return with finalized attendance-zone maps, busing impacts, and any program recommendations required to implement the move. The board indicated it will treat any formal boundary change and program alignment as future, separate action items.","The Polk County School Board agreed by consensus in a May 6 work session to relocate Alta Vista to the vacant Scenic Terrace campus and open sixth grade next year, with a rolling plan to add seventh and eighth in subsequent years and follow-up work on attendance zones and busing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District pushes to accelerate fleet leasing with Enterprise amid price and parts pressures

Polk staff recommend closing or consolidating several alternative and virtual programs to free funds for raises

Polk board gives consensus to relocate Alta Vista to Scenic Terrace and add sixth grade next year