Florida / School Districts / Polk
Polk County Schools staff outlined a proposal to renew a multi-year interlocal agreement with Polk County that would retain $250,000 per year in educational impact fees to support sidewalks within two miles of schools; board members asked about how far that amount goes and potential updates for inflation.
Florida / School Districts / Polk
Polk County communications staff described participation in a statewide campaign (led by FADs) to share positive stories about public schools, with templates and a content repository to help smaller districts amplify student and program successes.
Florida / School Districts / Polk
A protracted board exchange centered on a proposed land assignment and public-private partnership (P3) for a new high school. Members pressed the superintendent and counsel for clarity on appraisals, FEMA flood-zone designations, a BAFO price (reported near $180187 million), the 90% design and comprehensive-agreement timeline, and the costs the district may have incurred so far if it walked away from the project.
Florida / School Districts / Polk
External auditors reported a clean opinion on Polk County Schools' internal funds, noting about $15.8 million in assets and a year-over-year reduction in findings (deficit balances fell from 68 to five). Auditors recommended targeted school-level training and an annual disaster-recovery IT test.
Florida / School Districts / Polk
Polk County School Board honored quarterly 'Focus on Excellence' winners, accepted donations of gift cards from the First South Florida Missionary Baptist District Association, and members reported on recent community events including MLK activities and the Polk County Youth Fair.
Florida / School Districts / Polk
Superintendent Hyde presented clarified administrative procedures under policy 6550 addressing travel and expense rules for staff; the board discussed whether individual board members should be issued purchasing cards (P-cards) subject to annual training and receipt requirements.
Florida / School Districts / Polk
District staff previewed a draft comprehensive middle-school rezoning plan and attendance-boundary committee findings; board members were told heat maps and zoning radius options (10-40%) will be presented in February, with town halls scheduled for April. Members also requested MSAP grant-extension details and remaining fund amounts before rezoning votes.
Florida / School Districts / Polk
At the Jan. 27 Polk County School Board meeting, Cassandra Blanco urged protection for immigrant students after recent state funding to local immigration enforcement; Monica Williams and others urged investigation into alleged ESE (special education) compliance failures and possible conflicts of interest.
Florida / School Districts / Polk
At the Jan. 27 meeting the Polk County School Board approved multiple routine items (minutes, consent agenda, audit contract and charter application) and approved a land assignment for a new high school by a 5–2 vote; several items were carried unanimously.
Florida / School Districts / Polk
The Polk County School Board unanimously approved a comprehensive high‑school rezoning plan Jan. 27, 2026, after trustees and staff described years of community engagement and a phased implementation that superintendent said will phase in roughly 600 students over four years.