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