[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6454778,"mediaKeyId","5858855-403628bce1346fa1c9bfedc2aace78a6","parentId",5858855,"title","Board renews Varsity Tutors contract for one year and fills short-term committee vacancies","audioSeconds",487,"startMs",2559000,"endMs",3046000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5858855-403628bce1346fa1c9bfedc2aace78a6&start=2559&end=3046","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5858855-403628bce1346fa1c9bfedc2aace78a6/thumbnail_2559000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6454778/Florida/Board-renews-Varsity-Tutors-contract-for-one-year-and-fills-short-term-committee-vacancies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454778-53f472856e35c5bdc6f1c98888255d51/orig.mp4?Expires=1770770089&Signature=N7nlSu6t4oQwgH311AqD1EVbNFzKTkmGojw0dD9asf31TMQSL7NUm5wATlBTp04htbtrk-TbgmegAMHc~JMN8BOekQuP4emOWBMYYwXVlNFJIEStaow5zdJzxq9P8Cm5T-YUaGuPOKxKrONgx9yeeUd5zwfFYDTaQrU3jeDusDfdU-eK9UQBrVLdUe~VluKQPLp3R9nBMdmEz5Bg34TFuLLgA-psEPDqsCCJ-Kv8~3OgaSHo4wkYuhC5WilJXdhHIs-lkvM9lSzqUK7f2e0PS5ZXIPxIdVxMEGAtpBGzLM-B54b~cgmeZGBH2qgfFiU4SWIHXPZ~VXxUU-dJJhkE~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Polk County Public Schools","date","2025-09-29T19:31:53Z","article","The Polk County School Board on Sept. 30 approved a one-year renewal of the district’s contract with Varsity Tutors, moved to a performance-based contract model and retained the option to extend for two additional years. At the same meeting the board filled several short-term committee liaison and alternate vacancies.

Superintendent Hyde clarified the renewal is for one year with options for two additional years and that the contract has been converted to a performance-based structure rather than a simple per-license payment. “Those renewals are not guaranteed nor are they automated,” Hyde said, noting the district will evaluate performance before exercising options.

Supporters and board members described the program as contributing to student outcomes. Board member Sharpless said the program “has made an impact” and helped the district reach its B grade; Sharpless said he wants future approvals for optional years to occur earlier in the summer so services can start at the school year’s outset if metrics are met.

A teacher-union officer raised cost questions during public comment. Kat Nickel, speaking as a union officer, said trustees were considering projected costs she described as about $2.5 million for the current year and higher amounts in later years; the superintendent said this year’s cost is reduced from prior years and that future figures in agenda materials did not incorporate performance-based adjustments. The district did not provide a dollar figure in the meeting minutes during discussion.

Motion and vote: Board member Sharpless moved to approve the Varsity Tutors renewal; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Committee appointments and minutes: The board also approved three sets of meeting minutes and moved several temporary committee appointments to fill gaps after the departure of a former board member. Actions included appointing Travis Keyes as the district representative to the Central Florida School Boards Coalition (motion by Sharpless), naming Sharpless as liaison to the Polk County Head Start Policy Council with Sarah Beth Wyatt as alternate (nominated by Fields), and appointing Sarah Beth Wyatt as an alternate for Junior Achievement. Those motions carried by voice votes.

Board members said they want continued monitoring of Varsity Tutors’ metrics and the option to discontinue if performance targets are not met; the contract includes a 45-day opt-out window for subsequent years.

Ending: The board’s approvals keep the program in place for the current year while preserving oversight and year-by-year review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting | September 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Polk County School Board approved a one-year renewal (with two optional years) of the Varsity Tutors contract under a performance-based model and appointed members to several short-term committee liaisons; board members emphasized performance metrics and annual review options.","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},6454782,"Polk County School Board approves referendum ballot language to seek local tax for teacher pay, programs",1952,501000,2453000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5858855-403628bce1346fa1c9bfedc2aace78a6&start=501&end=2453","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5858855-403628bce1346fa1c9bfedc2aace78a6/thumbnail_501000.jpg","/articles/6454782/Florida/Polk-County-School-Board-approves-referendum-ballot-language-to-seek-local-tax-for-teacher-pay-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454782-bb723066722d46f55eac62290aac3528/orig.mp4?Expires=1770770089&Signature=EPtFk07m-YmCO6XzGl5P2tRrmOBtR394nqzdyuJ7EvUPhEep9nj5xo7HOQnT3Vg9aEw2WC~9bZe9mBnTBvh7X4jJ2VJBjMPjg8zwCHyPrS3718KZTrDE0rT768hO32q33czgoEiQGe7l3UP~WvJPS40XJxJs7WSXsVvjn~ObIm5VOt0GdexyncB6dI6NBXzz6x7ZOMY8i0bF9lEgJrmi12F~HyE6oqaDzYx8qx0c6t6yNIqoebJpTcOnGhtKoK~9s9bT-~aLyEv2JHCPCnrEugd2STii7Sct9-R8ApZgfr6Lxu8be3s6i6QWGF6c95i0FCldtyaHcsWwVyz5GOiq~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Polk County School Board on Sept. 30 unanimously approved ballot language to place a local millage referendum before voters, after public comment from current and former district employees and a procedural history presented by staff.

Supporters told the board the measure is needed to retain teachers and staff and to expand career and fine-arts programs. “This is past time and I applaud the leadership of the folks on this board and I would strongly urge each and every one of you to vote affirmatively for it,” said Brandon Lane, a Davenport resident who said he worked for Polk County Public Schools for 16½ years.

Superintendent Hyde summarized the timeline that brought the board to the special meeting and said the item was properly re-advertised after an August oversight. Hyde said polling and consultant feedback showed favorable public support and that the district lacks sufficient state funding to keep staff competitive. “If we're truly going to continue to be competitive ... we don't receive adequate funding to ensure that our teachers can earn a living wage,” Hyde said.

Why it matters: Board members repeatedly tied the referendum to staff pay and district competitiveness with neighboring counties. Board member Sharpless said the language “gives us options” and includes early learning, career technical education, fine arts and school safety. Board member Travis Keyes said the measure is intended to help retain staff who provide essential community services, and Board member Fields said local voters have supported education tax measures in the past.

Public comment included teachers who described recruitment and retention pressures. “CTE teachers are leaving the field like flies,” said Christy Kirkland, a teacher at George Jenkins High School. Kat Nickel, speaking as a teacher and union officer, urged the board to consider the referendum while also pressing negotiators to secure raises for staff during the gap before millage revenue begins; Nickel noted the referendum revenue would not begin until 2027.

Board discussion acknowledged community sensitivity to new taxes while emphasizing oversight and performance measures in the referendum language. One board member raised concern about the district’s recent withholding of teacher allocation (TISA) dollars and the timing of releasing funds while asking taxpayers to approve a referendum; that board member said the district faces reporting and deadline constraints tied to those allocations.

The board voted to approve the referendum ballot language by voice vote; the vote carried unanimously. The approved language and an accompanying resolution will be forwarded to the county elections office for placement on the ballot.

Votes at a glance: The board also took other routine and administrative votes at the meeting (see separate summary article for details).

What happens next: The ballot language goes to the elections office. The referendum’s legal and fiscal details, timeline for revenue, oversight metrics and any specified effective dates are included in the resolution and ballot materials the board approved for submission to the elections office.

Ending: Board members and the superintendent said the district will continue outreach and that the final decision rests with voters.","The Polk County School Board unanimously approved language to place a millage referendum on the ballot after public comment from teachers and staff and presentation from Superintendent Hyde; the proposal would fund teacher and staff pay, early learning, CTE, arts and safety, and will go to voters.","actionData","errors"]

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Board renews Varsity Tutors contract for one year and fills short-term committee vacancies

Polk County School Board approves referendum ballot language to seek local tax for teacher pay, programs