Parents and students press board on school‑zone flashers, facilities and alleged teacher misconduct

Parents and students used the April 22 Polk County School Board public‑comment period to press for faster safety work at school zones, facility upgrades and changes to school schedules and to report alleged inappropriate conduct by a teacher.

A parent request for flashers: Stephanie Yocom, a parent and PTO officer at Carlton Palmore Elementary (spelled in the meeting as Carlton Palmer), told the board that Cleveland Heights in front of her child’s school lacks flashing school‑zone lights and that drivers routinely speed during school zone hours. She said signage is present but the times are incorrect and asked the school board to coordinate with Lakeland city officials and the county to install flashers at that campus and others. Superintendent Hyde and staff responded that district staff are working with municipal partners, noted a prior practice of the district purchasing flashers and the municipality maintaining them, and said their “flawless opening” safety audit for schools will produce a plan and updates. Hyde also noted equipment supply constraints—some school‑zone flashers are on back order.

Student group raises schedule, restroom…