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 term through June 16, 2028, with Greenstarting on June 16, 2025. After the vote, James Green told the board he comes from a family of educators and said he was "very much looking forward to joining the team and helping you obtain all of those goals."

On the superintendentcontract, the board approved a five‑year term beginning July 1, 2025, that includes a base salary provision, a one‑time $40,000 catch‑up payment and a $4,000 contribution to a 403(b) plan; the contract also retains the districtperformance pay table discussed during work sessions. Superintendent Hyde emphasized the $40,000 payment is a catch‑up for previously committed compensation, saying, "I don't want anybody walking away from tonight's meeting ... assuming that the board just gave me an additional $40,000. The $40,000 actually seeks to address the fact that the compensation that was committed in my contract wasn't fulfilled at the time, so we're playing catch up." Several board members spoke in support of the extension, noting continuity of leadership and a performance‑based element to direct incentives toward staff.

The board approved policy updates that were the subject of an April 22 public hearing and earlier work sessions: Policy 9271 (Students Receiving Scholarships), Policy 7540.08 (Artificial Intelligence), and Policy 5505 (Academic Honesty). The board accepted three nominees to the Charter Review Team: Angelic Sims, Sembria Campbell and Kate Wallace.

Trustee votes on routine items were handled by voice; board members moved, seconded and voted on each item in turn. The chair called for each vote and members indicated "aye," with no recorded opposed votes.

Votes at a glance - Agenda acceptance (motion to accept agenda as revised): moved by Mr. Keyes; seconded by Ms. Miller; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Minutes approvals (04/22/2025 special work session and April 22 regular meeting): motions made and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Consent agenda (05/06/2025): moved by Mr. Keyes; seconded by Ms. Wyatt; outcome: approved by voice vote. - S1: Approve Angelic Sims to Charter Review Team: moved by Ms. White; seconded by Mr. Keyes; outcome: approved by voice vote. - S2: Approve Sembria Campbell to Charter Review Team: moved by Mr. Keyes; seconded by Mr. Sharpless; outcome: approved by voice vote. - S3: Approve Kate Wallace to Charter Review Team: moved by Mr. Sharpless; seconded by Mr. Keyes; outcome: approved by voice vote. - S4: Policy updates (Policy 9271 Students Receiving Scholarships; Policy 7540.08 Artificial Intelligence; Policy 5505 Academic Honesty): moved by Mr. Sharpless; seconded by Mr. Keyes; outcome: approved by voice vote. - S5: Approve employment contract for James Green as General Counsel (three‑year term; start 06/16/2025); motion included authorization to advertise designation in Florida Retirement System; motion made by Ms. Wyatt; seconded by Mr. Keyes; outcome: approved unanimously by voice vote. - S6: Approve Superintendent Hyde's proposed employment agreement (five‑year term starting 07/01/2025; one‑time $40,000 payment and $4,000 403(b) contribution; performance pay table retained): moved by Mr. Keyes; seconded by Ms. Wyatt; outcome: approved unanimously by voice vote. - Attorney's request: authorize advertisement of a public hearing on proposed changes to the Code of Student Conduct (approx. 13 changes to the Feb. 2025 code): moved by Mr. Keyes; seconded by Mr. Sharpless; outcome: approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: The personnel contracts establish the districtsenior leadership structure and compensation framework for the coming years; the policies and advertised code‑of‑conduct changes affect district expectations for student behavior and use of emerging technologies. The charter review appointees will participate in evaluations of charter operators.

What the board did not do tonight: No final action was taken on the code of conduct text itself; the board authorized advertising a public hearing to consider the proposed changes at the June 10 regular meeting.

A copy of each executed contract was requested by the board for distribution to members following signature.