Polk County School Board approves general counsel and superintendent contracts, three policies and multiple appointments

The Polk County School Board on May 6 approved a series of personnel contracts, policy updates and committee appointments, voting unanimously on each item after brief discussion.

The board approved a three‑year employment agreement for James Green as general counsel; a five‑year extension and performance framework for Superintendent Hyde; three district policies (Students Receiving Scholarships, Artificial Intelligence, and Academic Honesty); and three appointments to the districtcharter review team. The board also voted to advertise a public hearing on proposed changes to the districtcode of student conduct.

Board Chair Dr. Allen presented the agenda items and called for motions. Interim General Counsel Michael Murphy asked the board to include a formal authorization to advertise the general counsel position as a senior management service class in the Florida Retirement System as required, and the boardmotion included that authorization. Murphy told the board, "My only other suggestion is that you if you're inclined to make a motion that you also authorize, myself, the interim general counsel, to advertise the required public notice to designate the general counsel position, as a senior management service class in the Florida retirement system as is required."

On the general counsel hire, the board approved an employment contract that establishes a three‑year…