Board reviews right-to-know letter and out-of-field teacher certifications; ESOL endorsements widespread but in progress

At the Sept. 22 meeting Lake Wales administrators presented the federally required "right to know" letter and a spreadsheet listing teachers assigned “out of field” that the district must provide to parents. Miss Hayward and Ms. Burrows explained the letter stems from the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) parental-notice requirement; Lake Wales sends the notice twice a year (October and February) and upon parental request. The spreadsheet lists teachers whose assignments do not match every component of their certificates — most frequently because they lack the ESOL endorsement. Administrators said most teachers on the list are actively working on ESOL coursework and endorsements; a few are long-term substitutes who are not fully certified. System staff described the ESOL endorsement process as time-consuming: elementary-category teachers (category 1) require five endorsement classes and the state allowance for multi-year completion results in staggered timelines. Administration said they are working with Polk County, colleges and their own training plans to accelerate certification where possible and are publishing up-to-date certification status on the system website as required. Trustees asked clarifying questions about what “subject area” and “out-of-field” mean; administrators explained subject-area deficiencies typically reflect passing a state subject exam and that many teachers are in the state-provided time window to complete requirements. Actions: trustees approved the right-to-know letter on a roll-call vote.