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Polk board spotlights student, names Focus on Excellence winners and promotes district administrators
Summary
At its March 25 meeting the Polk County School Board recognized a Southwest Elementary student selected for local film festivals, presented Focus on Excellence employee awards, and announced several administrative promotions within Polk County Public Schools.
The Polk County School Board used its March 25 meeting to spotlight student achievement, honor employees, and announce administrative promotions across the district.
Student recognition: Natalie Hernandez, an 11-year-old student from Southwest Elementary and an anchor for the school’s Digital Media Academy, introduced herself to the board and described her interests in science and astronomy. She told the board her morning-show opening line and discussed a shark-drawing video she produced and edited in Final Cut Pro that was accepted for the Polk County Video Awards and an upcoming Jim Harvin screening. During her remarks she said, “My favorite subject is science.”
Employee recognition: Jeanette Crowley, director of strategic planning and partnerships, presented winners from the Focus on Excellence employee recognition campaign. The program selects 12 employees each quarter to highlight contributions across district job groups and provides prizes and recognition supported by local sponsors. Winners announced at the meeting included Misty Bannon (reading teacher, Fort Meade Middle Senior High), Lauren Yuri (science teacher, Dundee Elementary Academy), Jessica Casey (kindergarten, Sleepy Hill Elementary), Tanya Ramirez (teacher, Citrus Ridge), Britney Keller (Lake Alfred Elementary), Trey Stokes (career technical and adult education instructor), Mary Deal (Alturas Elementary), Haley King (Chain of Lakes, third grade), Simone Lamara Bonadiers (visual arts teacher, Rochelle School of the Arts), Courtney Upton, Denise Williams (ESE inclusion teacher, Sykes Elementary), and Gabrielle Roman (Spessard L. Holland Elementary). Crowley said nominations for the final quarter of the 2024–25 year will be accepted April 7–20 and invited the public to nominate custodial, maintenance, warehouse and professional technical staff via polkschoolsfl.com/excellence.
Administrative appointments: Superintendent Hyde announced promotions and transfers: Diana Rivera was promoted to senior director of software development; Katie Taylor to senior director for school nutrition; Laura Sawyer to director of instructional technology; Alba Sostre to director of risk management; Joanna Rizzo to assistant director for behavior and mental health; and Art Martinez (principal on assignment) will transfer to director of support services to assist Mr. Rob Davis. Several promoted staff offered brief remarks of thanks.
Why this matters: The recognitions and promotions highlight student engagement in digital and arts media programs and the district’s efforts to retain and promote staff into leadership roles. The Focus on Excellence program is funded in part by local business sponsors, which the district said enables gifts and public recognition opportunities.
Board action: These recognitions and administrative appointments were presented as part of the meeting agenda and concluded before the board moved to public comment and formal action items.
