Polk County School Board adopts 2025–26 budget, sets millage rates and approves multiple policy updates
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Summary
The Polk County School Board on Sept. 9 adopted the 2025–26 final budget, set required and discretionary millage rates, approved related resolutions and a bundle of policy updates, and approved the 2025–26 code of student conduct.
The Polk County School Board on Sept. 9 approved the district—inal budget for 2025 nd 2026 and set three millage rates after unanimous votes during its regularly scheduled meeting in Bartow.
The board voted to adopt the required local effort millage of 3.042 mills, the discretionary operating millage of 0.748 mills and a local capital outlay millage of 1.5 mills. The board also approved Resolution 2025'026-03 determining revenues and millage levied and Resolution 2025'026-04 adopting the 2025'026 final budget and millage rates. Board member Wyatt moved the motion to adopt the required local effort; board member Miller seconded. Subsequent motions for the discretionary and capital millages were moved by board member Fields and seconded by board member Wyatt; all motions carried unanimously.
The board also adopted the 2025'026 Code of Student Conduct and approved a package of policy updates that had been discussed in recent work sessions and a July 29 public hearing. Policies approved in bulk include Policy 12.10 (standards of ethical conduct); Policy 22.15 (program instruction); Policy 23.70 (educational options) and Policy 23.70.01 (virtual instruction); Policy 23.71 (HOPE Scholarships); Policy 24.40 (summer program); Policy 24.55 (dropout prevention and academic intervention programs); Policy 24.60 (exceptional student education); Policy 25.20, 25.21 and 25.22 (instructional materials and challenges); Policy 27.00 (academically high performing school districts); Policy 31.30 (appointment, transfer and promotion of instructional staff); Policy 51.30 (withdrawal from school); Policy 54.10 and 54.10.01 (student progression; promotion, acceleration, placement and retention); Policy 57.80 (student parent rights); Policy 63.22 and 63.30 (construction contracting and acquisition of professional services); Policy 66.61 (instructional materials allocation); and Policy 74.40.03 (small unmanned aircraft systems).
Separately, the board approved a motion to advertise a public hearing for Oct. 28, 2025, to solicit input on additional policy updates and rule development presented in the Sept. 9 work session. County counsel Michael Green (recorded as "Mister Green") requested the authorization to advertise; the motion to authorize advertising was moved by board member Wyatt and seconded by board member Fields and carried unanimously.
Board members and staff said the policy package and the student code of conduct had been reviewed in prior work sessions and committee meetings. Board member Miller acknowledged prior committee-level discussion on the code of conduct and thanked staff for their work. Superintendent Hyde noted the board had already discussed many items in work sessions and that tonight llowed approvals to move those items forward.
The board closed the public hearing portion of the meeting after votes on the budget and policies. No public comment cards were filed for the public hearing items.
The board—egan the meeting by approving the meeting agenda and two sets of minutes from Aug. 12, 2025, and then approved the consent agenda by unanimous vote earlier in the session. The meeting took place at the district office, 1915 South Floral Avenue in Bartow, with the next work session scheduled for Sept. 23, 2025, at 9 a.m.
