[{"_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",6503407,"mediaKeyId","5564615-189e882123cf5458441abf93789f217b","parentId",5564615,"title","Polk school board approves draft referendum language, funding formula and resolution language to take to public hearing","audioSeconds",464,"startMs",2806000,"endMs",3270000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564615-189e882123cf5458441abf93789f217b&start=2806&end=3270","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564615-189e882123cf5458441abf93789f217b/thumbnail_2806000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6503407/Florida/Polk-school-board-approves-draft-referendum-language-funding-formula-and-resolution-language-to-take-to-public-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503407-0bf3f83f63eabb08a8b8222a1026249c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770996012&Signature=CRMiZLiHaFTbpg~jfTEl9YqvzPL3l-Emr2HmVuUXaDCsvsaUYhYxIUB5fDiDkBV7Sf85VXqz4uSaoQlcnxPaa2cmvI-MaDiwMkObGIiKO6jNhGb9soRqvx0zZ3uMS738RFT7viyPCCK2X0rZfTtfhYDILYHs24Xuy6KuU9PQs3qnmS15a7SA5qUqJZpoJDGAZPZnV0SqhUw4rUj2Imtdm8dZvKDDQ92PC3sq3AMX0BtE8hipRSBBTO~rte41kILYW~bpUOFBeG~l0itqeh9r-kwWX2ZTsZ6A50zgWx00rNffFipzGW1qQO4lO9AvUUjfgDt2M-DXtuHuCfoXIFmWqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Polk County Public Schools","date","2025-08-12T23:16:16.873Z","article","The Polk County School Board on Tuesday, Aug. 12, voted to approve draft referendum ballot language, a proposed formula for how proceeds would be distributed, and draft resolution language that the board will take to a public hearing in September.

The proposed ballot text and related documents call for 80 percent of proceeds to be used for salaries and benefits and 20 percent for programs and operations; the board also included language creating an independent oversight committee and notes that proceeds will be shared with charter schools “as required by law.” Board members said the measures are intended to preserve experienced teachers and stabilize staffing.

Why it matters: the board and district officials said the millage would fund teacher and staff pay and program investments the district says are necessary to maintain educational quality as Polk County grows. Board members and speakers framed the measure as a local funding response to what they described as state underfunding of public education.

Board discussion and public comment
Board member Fields, who said she has followed the drafting closely, told colleagues the 80/20 split “is something that I will support,” and that district leadership and the Polk Education Association will coordinate outreach. Board member Keyes praised the inclusion of an independent oversight committee, calling it “absolutely fantastic” and a transparency safeguard.

In public comment, Stephanie Yocom, speaking for the Polk Education Association, urged the board to move forward and told the board the association and a “supermajority” of teachers support the millage as a necessary step to keep experienced educators in classrooms. “We know that our communities stand up and support us time and time again and we know that they will stand and support us when we go out for this millage because it’s going to keep quality experienced educators in our classrooms every day,” Yocom said.

Legal and next steps
General counsel Green said the next formal public hearing and final vote will be scheduled at the Sept. 9 board meeting; he requested authority to advertise that public hearing and the board voted to authorize advertisement. Board members and staff also discussed outreach and the timeline for the district’s legislative platform.

Votes at a glance
- Approve draft referendum ballot language — motion made by Keyes, seconded by Fields; outcome: approved.
- Approve formula for distribution of funds (80% salaries / 20% programs) — motion made by Fields, seconded by Miller; outcome: approved.
- Approve draft resolution language to proceed to public hearing — motion made by Keyes, seconded by Fields; outcome: approved.
- Authorize advertisement of public hearing on draft resolution (Resolution No. 2025-26-06 as presented) — motion made and seconded during attorney’s report; outcome: approved.

Board members said the district will present the final materials at the September public meeting for community comment and that outreach will include polling/surveys tied to the community meetings and longer availability for public responses.

Ending note
Board members and the superintendent framed the measure as a local tool to sustain teacher pay and programs while promising oversight and public involvement ahead of any final ballot placement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting | August 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Polk County School Board on Tuesday, Aug. 12, voted to approve draft referendum ballot language, a proposed formula for how proceeds would be distributed, and draft resolution language that the board will take to a public hearing in September.","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},6503399,"Polk board introduces new administrators and recognizes student and career‑tech accomplishments",1085,1033000,2118000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564615-189e882123cf5458441abf93789f217b&start=1033&end=2118","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564615-189e882123cf5458441abf93789f217b/thumbnail_1033000.jpg","/articles/6503399/Florida/Polk-board-introduces-new-administrators-and-recognizes-student-and-careertech-accomplishments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503399-752dc976faaa5a199e05f79b3ba96968/orig.mp4?Expires=1770996012&Signature=oeAVC44wUj9UQMi5XH7wS0ZPnmBcmrtlEyiLmqDocO2VaqjXTkxPlLrPI8DLOZGhrchiK6DZSrUNXql0eoJcq-9rwG-TQjaPgY~lUgGjpB1zBI3ZbWn4-bU1bM0b5I9-IsOeGOAIERKaFupz6~v4P0Iebv63Rutogws2ePJ2y7AGlN3tf-XlKWUpWrgQAsNz-77qqZgqC5rhCSdxsFOgBmUSINrBqRxRd8-EpMglSMxzqhs0fxu553aPRBzOqWU3Ol40L1tPGxhxjM5-ZdRzCtwd7pVp3eTS61aBNzTtiQergiPQ2F355Bs023Z4WcwKHm18zo2TE7gUEPX98pKeSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Polk County School Board on Aug. 12 introduced multiple promotions within the district’s leadership and presented recognitions for student achievements and career-technical education accomplishments.

Promotions announced
Superintendent Hyde introduced the following promotions: Ty Bruno from senior director for high school programs to regional assistant superintendent for the high‑school region; Cynthia Cangelos, principal at Mulberry Middle School, promoted to acting regional assistant superintendent for the Northeast Region; Angela Clark, formerly Ridge Community High School principal, promoted to acting senior director for high schools; Roger Gray, formerly Laurel Elementary principal, promoted to acting senior director for school improvement; Elizabeth Smith (not present) named acting senior director for professional development; and Darren Williams, formerly principal at Polk Virtual, promoted to senior director for information services. Each promoted leader addressed the board, thanking mentors and family and pledging to support students and staff.

Student recognition and program accreditations
Eighth‑grader Kylie Jirappon Paisan of Sleepy Hill Middle School was invited to speak at the meeting; she described extracurricular interests including orchestra, chess and civil air patrol and told the board she is pursuing flight training and aerospace interests. Kylie introduced family and school guests and received a round of applause from the board.

The district’s career technical and adult education department recognized Mulberry High School’s automotive program for receiving ASE (ASC) Education Foundation accreditation in maintenance and light repair. CTAE officials said the program underwent a national evaluation against industry standards for instruction, facilities and equipment and that the accreditation signals entry‑level employability for program graduates.

The board also recognized Kathleen High School’s unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) program and students who participated in NASA’s TechRise Challenge. Instructor Joel Bressler described a student‑designed experiment that flew on a high‑altitude balloon to roughly 70,000 feet to test 3‑D filament degradation in the stratosphere. Bressler and students — including Mason Cessna, Josh Johnson, Camille Foreman, Preston Hopper and others — described data recovery and next steps to analyze results.

Ending
The board presented district coins and banners to the programs and praised students and instructors for applying classroom work to industry and research opportunities.","At the Aug. 12 meeting the Polk County School Board introduced several administrative promotions and honored student achievements and career-technical program accreditations, including an ASC accreditation for Mulberry High's automotive program and student participation in NASA's TechRise Challenge at Kathleen High's CFAA campus.",{"_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},6503404,"Board approves high‑school rezoning update and sets multiple community meetings; public raises concerns about empty schools",440,3231000,3671000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564615-189e882123cf5458441abf93789f217b&start=3231&end=3671","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564615-189e882123cf5458441abf93789f217b/thumbnail_3231000.jpg","/articles/6503404/Florida/Board-approves-highschool-rezoning-update-and-sets-multiple-community-meetings-public-raises-concerns-about-empty-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503404-4dd452d30c6a49d5be06b2aa3c497de9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770996012&Signature=KQWbGw~jL3kZ112oL97tTvU-Xk6-CA6TQBYtBjRP~qaVphY1kGdPKol487bDfCTe~CBi-a9bjuioj-hW59kwyU2Be9qIYZCRJDFetCPlSZwlU9AW3rg3wKLJdtyIRsMrv1sI-mURf0d1HTsB1iVZXS5jKGl8SUeSJEMKeBVVkDnblUq01V1RUhIZVjMuzWKEHma-rrmiuKu4iPoneuomEL~syl4RXcRDGXc-bQv~g7yVdxZLbjhxgoYwOhD8hnoHn09yGt~rn~a3xOjUdqJFsn9i-fr81sHQgCfl~oBS-Q12P57dCP4mlvq0HGBZ2y2Xr3sqyctQ3IO-7X3FdmMDbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Polk County School Board on Aug. 12 approved a high‑school rezoning update and authorized staff to release the revised maps to the community for public comment.

The update, presented by district staff, follows earlier workshops and incorporates board feedback on several neighborhoods and developments. Superintendent Hyde and staff emphasized that the rezoning process aims to balance current enrollment, projected growth and transportation logistics while minimizing moves for currently enrolled students.

Board and staff explanation
Assistant staff member Farrell told the board the map was updated to reflect changes discussed in a workshop earlier the same day, including adjustments for the Harmony development; one narrow area tied to hotel properties will be revisited because staff needed more time to research residency patterns. Hyde said staff worked to avoid “leopard-spot” boundaries and to prioritize drawing lines that convert vacant lots into enrollment changes rather than reassigning large numbers of currently enrolled children.

The district also announced a schedule of community meetings for public comment on the proposed high‑school rezoning:
- Northwest region (Lakeland/Kathleen/Lake Gibson/Tennarock): Aug. 28, 5:30–6:30 p.m., Lakeland High auditorium.
- Southwest region (Bartow/Mulberry/George Jenkins/Fort Meade): Sept. 4, 5:30–6:30 p.m., Bartow High auditorium.
- Central region (Winter Haven/Lake Region/Auburndale): Sept. 11, 5:30–6:30 p.m., Winter Haven High (venue TBD).
- Northeast region (Davenport/Ridge Community/Haines City): Sept. 18, 5:30–6:30 p.m., Ridge Community High auditorium.
- Virtual district-wide meeting (recorded): Oct. 2, 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Public comment and board reaction
Bishop Mincey, during public comment, urged the board to address underused school buildings and “make sure our school buildings are utilized to the max,” saying empty facilities represent a waste of public dollars. “You have been entrusted with the dollars to build what is necessary,” Mincey said.

Board members said they had asked staff to preserve sibling continuity where possible and that the district will not impose forced transfers on older students already enrolled in a school; siblings and incoming students will be considered under revised boundaries on a case‑by‑case basis.

Appointment and vote
Earlier in the meeting the board approved an appointment to the attendance boundary committee, naming Mister Garrison to a seat on the committee; Board member Sharpless moved the appointment and Keyes seconded. During the rezone item the board approved the updated rezoning package to be released for public input.

Ending note
The board said it expects further revisions after community feedback and said it aims to conclude the process well before winter break so families have clarity for the coming year.","Polk County School Board voted to send a revised high‑school rezoning map to the community for comment and approved associated schedule of meetings. Board members and staff said changes reflect feedback and growth projections; a public commenter urged officials to address underused school capacity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Polk school board approves draft referendum language, funding formula and resolution language to take to public hearing

Polk board introduces new administrators and recognizes student and career‑tech accomplishments

Board approves high‑school rezoning update and sets multiple community meetings; public raises concerns about empty schools