Board approves policy updates, Alta Vista rezoning and appointments; attorney asks to advertise conduct changes

The Polk County School Board approved a slate of action items on April 28, including policy changes, a rezoning and committee appointments.

During the public hearing portion of the meeting trustees approved bylaw 0147.1 (travel and expenses) and policy 5223 (absences for religious instruction) as presented. The board also approved the Alta Vista K‑8 rezoning, which the chair put to a voice vote and the membership adopted unanimously.

On appointments, the board approved the nomination of Travis Keyes as the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) advocacy committee representative and named Kate Wallace as the alternate for the term 07/01/2026–06/30/2027. The selection followed confirmation that board members may vote for a representative even if they are not FSBA members.

General counsel requested authority to advertise a public hearing on proposed changes to the district’s code of student conduct. The board approved advertising the hearing for the regular meeting on June 9, 2026.

In the attorney report the board approved a negotiated workers' compensation settlement of $310,000 related to a compensable 2008 workplace injury; according to counsel the district’s excess carrier (Ameritrust Group) will reimburse the district and the net cost after reimbursement will be $0.

Votes on the above motions were recorded as unanimous during voice or electronic voting.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of policy updates (bylaw 0147.1; policy 5223): carried unanimously. - Alta Vista K‑8 rezone (V‑2): carried unanimously. - FSBA advocacy committee representative (U‑2) — Travis Keyes / alternate Kate Wallace: carried unanimously. - Advertise public hearing on student code of conduct changes (06/09/2026): carried unanimously. - Workers’ compensation settlement ($310,000): carried unanimously.

The board also approved multiple sets of minutes and the consent agenda by unanimous voice votes.