[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6466415,"mediaKeyId","5824249-62f2d86321d08423d5b5c51ff3fda838","parentId",5824249,"title","Polk updates school improvement process; 56 schools now flagged CSI, SIPs to be published Nov. 1","audioSeconds",489,"startMs",2553000,"endMs",3042000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824249-62f2d86321d08423d5b5c51ff3fda838&start=2553&end=3042","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824249-62f2d86321d08423d5b5c51ff3fda838/thumbnail_2553000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6466415/Florida/Polk-updates-school-improvement-process-56-schools-now-flagged-CSI-SIPs-to-be-published-Nov-1","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466415-9bda693a0a14798bdb81614ca68f5649/orig.mp4?Expires=1772825661&Signature=lkY7A6FK2dTtFDVJrIOmY~PBq8arJv0X5fHVZ53niEU6mdq3MYNxEd0k~AfLH-uo9RDajtcUGFtOOqGQbNV0aB3tho4wHK4rD1BzbspXUcM~FsNVf45sjXZ6FqbZW6GiRJZP3NIl7U~I8NWlbwjXdx5LXAWIguEt0mi5GJ05uyznOMk0WoqksFSF6WVH~f0n3KBTHtXBDFD~0qMjHvCO0fKVhfneTGE2Sreg-MxQPRVfgBaZyJLL6anLvv6mGvMQbT-b68dx-ZalIHcCePThNMgaT~dOBfp3YPeZAhpVTBxzAZhb~sUZc6ypQv4-2ZoXleBwE3qQrT5K8XBbuTKg~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Polk County Public Schools","date","2025-09-24T12:36:01.107Z","article","Byron Morrison, senior director in the Polk County Division of Schools, told the school board at its Aug. 23 work session that the district completed submission of school improvement plans (SIPs) to the state and is emphasizing monitoring and midyear reflection.

Morrison said the district used the state's SIMS 2 platform to meet statutory and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirements and that the division provided a series of help sessions for principals, assistant principals and charter leaders. \"On July 18, all SIPs were due to the regional assistant superintendents for feedback,\" Morrison said.

He described the state's designation framework and how the district tracks flagged campuses. Under Polk's current accounting, Morrison reported 39 campuses with an ATSI designation, one with TSI, 56 with CSI designations and 40 schools with no designation. He explained the key thresholds that trigger federal labeling: a subgroup performing under 41% can produce an ATSI flag, repeated low subgroup performance or an index at or under 32% for three consecutive years can lead to TSI, and multiple indicators including an overall federal index under 41 or certain graduation-rate thresholds (67% or lower for high schools) can trigger CSI.

Morrison said CSI campuses will receive additional oversight and that their SIPs are also reviewed by the state Bureau of School Improvement. He said districts are strengthening midyear reflections and on-site monitoring: \"The big one is the midyear reflection. We are trying to be much more diligent this year as a district around the midyear reflections,\" he said, noting a Feb. 1, 2026 due date for midyear reflections for TSI and CSI schools.

Board members commended the division for data transparency. Dr. Allen said, \"Just wow. Just wanna say, just wanna say, really appreciate this data,\" and said the information helps board members in school visits and in aligning SIPs to the district strategic plan.

Morrison said the SIP PDFs submitted to the state will be publicly available on Nov. 1 and the district will continue to support schools through iterative feedback and monitoring.

No formal board action was requested during the work session; Morrison's presentation was informational and staff said they will continue to support CSI and TSI campuses with state-driven requirements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Work Session | September 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Polk County's Division of Schools briefed the board on the district's school improvement plan process, statutory designations (ATSI/TSI/CSI), and timelines: SIPs were submitted to the state Aug. 1 and will be published Nov. 1; midyear reflections are due Feb. 1, 2026.","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},6466419,"Connected Polk outlines countywide business–school partnerships, reports $2.55 million invested",1652,226000,1878000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824249-62f2d86321d08423d5b5c51ff3fda838&start=226&end=1878","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824249-62f2d86321d08423d5b5c51ff3fda838/thumbnail_226000.jpg","/articles/6466419/Florida/Connected-Polk-outlines-countywide-businessschool-partnerships-reports-255-million-invested","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466419-b689aff99583a416ab26e0bbd9389966/orig.mp4?Expires=1772825661&Signature=SGLhHJ043RJcgJdMp5pDtCH~3O1mVWa6x4IHcI4t45q0aeJGnDSXUg90bCL7R5oYc24pLinGy9qQ~BCSPpszHElnbeKUGo~M4Oom-2lV~cFx-C~x2MgQ6xNCv9zTgPfx~lDIHVNjQRXw25w2DoqYyLjaEYlbLbs84vf1XZi8me5-CsbvQ2eqOfLdHE58WQ3jzCAKCLw2R5rygW-PeUOAAitzszo07v-jSjJslyme4pP~0NTh1vTmB6U6IjHKwwbsDBylxtQqAo4kKbsIdykl27sYPRv1lmU4X1qPxOXzIzGu3s2QZiStCgyhxOLrNk-JOahvogZwT0Yd4a~DbZ0BDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Melody Bridal, a leader with Connected Polk, told the Polk County School Board at its Aug. 23 work session that the nonprofit serves as an intermediary between local businesses and schools to expand students' exposure to careers and create sustainable partnerships across the county.

Bridal said Connected Polk aims to boost student access to career exploration and employer pathways and that the group's founders framed the work both as economic development and a moral imperative. \"We are an intermediary which is somewhat new to our area. We are the first of our kind in Polk County,\" she said.

Connected Polk described a strategy of behind-the-scenes work matching businesses to school needs, providing volunteers and programming partners rather than running its own curriculum. Bridal told the board the organization has invested about $2,552,000 in programming for schools, has grown from two pilot schools in 2022 to work in 17 schools (13 of them public), and reached \"over 6,000 students\" through partner activities.

The organization gave examples of recent events and initiatives it helps coordinate, including a Lakeland Regional Health showcase that brought roughly 150 students and about 13 career pathways to a high school, and a Junior Achievement Discovery Center (Barnett Family Discovery Center) project the presenter said will reach more than 20,000 students. Bridal said Connected Polk engaged about 200 professionals and more than 40 types of businesses last year.

Board members asked about how businesses can get involved and where the group is focusing its outreach. Board member Miller asked, \"What is the best way for a business to to connect with you to get involved?\" Bridal answered, \"Contact me, reach out, smoke signals. We work first with our community. I'll strategically listen to how they wanna accomplish that and then match them up,\" and provided an email (Melody@connected.org) and a website (connectedpolk.org) during the session.

Board members praised the group's countywide expansion and its focus on career-technical, logistics, manufacturing and information-technology pathways. Dr. Allen said the statistics Bridal shared about students feeling unsure of career paths underscored the need for the work; Bridal had said 66% of 16- to 24-year-olds surveyed were unsure about their career path, 74% believed more exposure would help, and 62% felt a lack of control over their career trajectory.

Bridal also described a continuum of engagement for students: large industry showcases (for ninth and 10th graders), smaller \"flip the script\" sessions for 11th and 12th graders, deeper academy career connections, and a pilot of virtual field trips aimed at overcoming transportation and capacity challenges. She said Connected Polk planned more than 167 events for the school year and intends to scale in 2026.

No board action was requested at the work session. Board members thanked Bridal for the presentation; Bridal invited board members to upcoming events and mentioned a November ribbon-cutting for an IDEA school site.

Polk County school staff in attendance included Chief Collins, who was standing in for Superintendent Hyde during the meeting and introduced the presentation.","On Aug. 23 at a Polk County School Board work session, a Connected Polk leader described the nonprofit's intermediary role connecting businesses and schools, said the group has invested about $2,552,000 in school programming, and previewed 167 events planned for 2025'026.",{"_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},6466399,"Board seeks nominees for Central Florida coalition and Head Start Policy Council seats; Wyatt to attend next Head Start meeting",108,4974000,5082000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824249-62f2d86321d08423d5b5c51ff3fda838&start=4974&end=5082","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824249-62f2d86321d08423d5b5c51ff3fda838/thumbnail_4974000.jpg","/articles/6466399/Florida/Board-seeks-nominees-for-Central-Florida-coalition-and-Head-Start-Policy-Council-seats-Wyatt-to-attend-next-Head-Start-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466399-4ea7ecd0798ff18e9ea78c42ec2e614e/orig.mp4?Expires=1772825661&Signature=CnOJ75iJeQIV3D~4UhKFjE0UD3sBJQ3cX3oUEtRZPuhiAS5hABPQvzp-ua3ckGWP6zVU619Lkj-GNuTdpDKKpGViB34UoqiL5fy~qj9c6P503IeErDlf2Yo11KktKxQFlmLoo6Jqr-S~7u~LzaEsbsYL9~jOZtsSxXRuxpCyBVPrHYyFiQG1Rkovovg59nZ~Hi4h4UiBzWCG3T30wV3zzQ4b8vohax7d7omlqZUvKlI2Eg-okGW85ULD0n1YLT9QtemAa~biyU-lKdWWQGLWAxEk0wfOa4fVrKr~jlATG35DXuKvxF14hXYY1NRa1yb3vsHOVrscsLMeWUwXua0xhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Polk County School Board discussed two committee appointments at its Aug. 23 work session: a seat on the Central Florida School Board Coalition and a seat on the Polk County Head Start Policy Council that were vacated by a departing board member.

Board members asked about meeting cadence and timing. Staff reported the Central Florida School Board Coalition generally meets via Zoom once a month around 9:30 a.m., while Polk County Head Start Policy Council meets monthly (historically the last Thursday of the month) with times often 9 a.m. and occasional meetings extending to mid-morning. Yvette, a Head Start staff member, told the board, \"Polk County Head Start Policy Council meets once a month and typically I believe it's the last Thursday of every month.\"

Board members discussed alternates and coverage for grant-related obligations tied to Head Start representation. Miss Miller said she would be willing to serve as an alternate in the event regular attendance is not possible; Ms. Wyatt agreed to attend the upcoming Head Start meeting to provide immediate representation. Board members asked staff to circulate remaining dates and to bring nominations for formal board action at a future public meeting.

No formal vote was taken at the work session. Staff said they will send meeting dates to board members and place the committee appointments on the next public agenda.","At its Aug. 23 work session Polk County School Board discussed filling two committee seats vacated by a departing member (Central Florida School Board Coalition and Polk County Head Start Policy Council). Ms. Wyatt agreed to attend the next Head Start meeting; staff will circulate meeting dates and return nominations for board action.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6466405,"Staff recommend 15-year renewal for McKeel charter system; board to vote Oct. 28",369,4523000,4892000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824249-62f2d86321d08423d5b5c51ff3fda838&start=4523&end=4892","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824249-62f2d86321d08423d5b5c51ff3fda838/thumbnail_4523000.jpg","/articles/6466405/Florida/Staff-recommend-15-year-renewal-for-McKeel-charter-system-board-to-vote-Oct-28","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466405-fc6cd8645adf24d585c4ae591f59586f/orig.mp4?Expires=1772825661&Signature=aBMog9L4br6MgPIht7fALQ6eV8lgTDyn1ABFG-NopChIK9czfcCNVc7pVPN~ivfvdDVJR-XOjjvnjEZ5EJXbFWlURetibz25nfr~~ef5Ue9O-T9HBMSCGnNYybH7E5PEgVeIPtBiIAUehPSVqD6I-zzvks4vcegVSPAkGlzcXccTKJjl1QBxgVTfIxmiIComsCIaAFQ3-FIPmsMynxn0NKm14wqHJ1rz9D5o~5WvC7r0pGC~wC~wA8R0xUUCLCU-7AHAfzk93QLqNji4zOMv6UFHP9sXQ32a4MrsXuRFoFbgx7GUWGhMVaXO6p9yLO~iRKUhlK0~W4McTuXJRB6e4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senior director Candy Amato presented the charter renewal overview for the McKeel charter system at the Polk County School Board's Aug. 23 work session and said the charter renewal team recommended a 15-year renewal based on the system's performance record.

Amato told the board the renewal covers three campuses: McKeel Academy South (K-6), McKeel Academy Central (K-6) and McKeel Academy Technology (7-12). She said all three are designated as high-performing and therefore eligible for a 15-year renewal under state law. \"Because they are recognized as a high performing charter system, they are eligible for 15 year renewal,\" Amato said.

Amato reviewed the system's performance history and finances: the presenter said the schools consistently earned high grades, reported full participation in state testing, maintain a strong graduation rate and show healthy fund balances with clean audits. The timeline noted McKeel's conversion from a district school in 1998, expansion of Central in 2003 and South in 2006, and state designation as a high-performing charter system in 2013.

Board members asked questions about capacity and growth projections. Mr. Sharpless asked why McKeel Academy Central's enrollment projection in the school's 15-year plan was flat; Amato and board members said the campus is landlocked and cannot expand enrollment. Ms. Fields praised campus leadership and data.

Amato said the charter renewal team's recommendation will appear on the Oct. 28 board meeting agenda for a final vote.

No formal action was taken at the work session; staff submitted the renewal recommendation to be considered at the board's Oct. 28 meeting.","Polk County charter renewal staff recommended a 15-year renewal for the McKeel charter system (three campuses) at the Aug. 23 work session, citing consistent academic performance, clean audits and financial solvency; final board action is scheduled for Oct. 28.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6466410,"Board reviews 11 policy updates tied to NEOLA/OMB guidance; debate centers on citing interlocal agreement in site-acquisition policy",927,3130000,4057000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824249-62f2d86321d08423d5b5c51ff3fda838&start=3130&end=4057","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824249-62f2d86321d08423d5b5c51ff3fda838/thumbnail_3130000.jpg","/articles/6466410/Florida/Board-reviews-11-policy-updates-tied-to-NEOLAOMB-guidance-debate-centers-on-citing-interlocal-agreement-in-site-acquisition-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466410-8786322c066beb1e7bdbdee5ca1e92e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1772825661&Signature=FvKF7Q91uthpYqmM~uiv9Ka-4LptixMGBTa9EUdA0ehL2CmLyyMNQOoip8zI2OG7op0DpEIhcagsHKVaGyZS0Y-qBNATQVH2ekRS~WtCpOPB7Z9yYiHRilVWRQWydNjei2aXJpAUkfE86aZezI~syxq2AoIWdSB-8EQI83xRHnX2zMHFV1K-JLqFhopEfkXgefyY2nmrwzp240a1GCPsErly2dH~DIsWha~CtaS6EuZGEN1-A-OX0H40-cP8F4~YmMpQs5BwbYezN0AV948XCB5VHXzR3oBQLx0r8Z-fVuecFtHsgG7eAMpSFICWYcBYrr5XLyGXYe3CI3q8OhbAow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff told the Polk County School Board at the Aug. 23 work session that 11 policies from the 6000 and 7000 series are being updated, most to align with Office of Management and Budget uniform grant guidance and the NEOLA policy templates.

Mister Davis, who introduced the packet, said the proposed changes come from a mix of statutory updates, NEOLA edits and administrative clarifications. \"The majority of these today come from the Uniform Grant Guidance, which is the Office of Management and Budget,\" he said.

Board member Miller asked for clearer summaries that explain why particular definitions or provisions are being changed. \"When, you're giving the summary of the change, if it could include ... The 1 is revisions include modifications to various definitions. It's not a clear summary of what we've changed,\" she said, asking that staff note whether the change is statutory or a NEOLA clean-up.

The largest discussion focused on policy 7240 (site planning and selection). Board member Sharpless noted the previous policy explicitly said site selection \"must\" follow the adopted interlocal agreement and asked why that reference was missing in the proposed replacement. Staff and legal counsel explained the interlocal agreement remains binding through state statute; Florida Statute 1013.36 requires consistency between school district site planning and any adopted interlocal agreement. Mr. Sharpless suggested reinstating a direct reference to the interlocal agreement; Ms. Wyatt urged leaving the policy broader and using the interlocal agreement as an operational procedure. Mr. Keyes argued for clearer cross-references between policy and procedure.

Board members and staff agreed on a path to resolve the language before the public hearing: staff will work with legal counsel and Neola, and a board member may propose an amendment at the public hearing if desired. Staff said the policies will come to public hearing on Dec. 9 and that proposed wording changes can be developed and circulated in advance.

Other technical updates noted during the presentation included small statutory citation changes in lottery-fund policy (6234) and renaming social media references (Twitter to X) in policy 7550-series content apps and social media rules.

No final policy votes were taken during the work session. Staff directed to provide clearer change summaries and to prepare any proposed language adjustments for the public hearing timetable.","Polk County staff presented proposed updates to 11 policies (6000s and 7000s), most drawn from OMB Uniform Guidance via NEOLA. Board members pressed for clearer change summaries and debated whether policy 7240 should explicitly reference the interlocal agreement required under Fla. Stat. \u0000A71013.36.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Polk updates school improvement process; 56 schools now flagged CSI, SIPs to be published Nov. 1

Connected Polk outlines countywide business–school partnerships, reports $2.55 million invested

Board seeks nominees for Central Florida coalition and Head Start Policy Council seats; Wyatt to attend next Head Start meeting

Staff recommend 15-year renewal for McKeel charter system; board to vote Oct. 28

Board reviews 11 policy updates tied to NEOLA/OMB guidance; debate centers on citing interlocal agreement in site-acquisition policy