For property taxes, the Polk County School Board has two-line items on the property tax bill, the general fund and local capital improvement, said Joe Tedder, Polk County Tax Collector. Access is anonymous. Alsoin the contract:If per-student funding, which provides staff raises, fluctuates greater than 2% of the current funding up or down, both sides can come back to the bargaining table to work out a new agreement. In accordance with State law, District staff may monitor as part of any bullying or harassment investigation any non-school-related activity, function, or program. A helpful overview of Polk County Public Schools Fine Arts programs and opportunities. Visit our official YouTube channel and subscribe to be alerted when streaming is active. 110 East Polk Avenue, Lake Wales, FL 33853 PH: 863.678.4244 | FX: 863.678.4680. -Organize, train for, and . The instruction shall include evidence-based methods of preventing bullying and harassment, as well as information about how to effectively identify and. Rehabilitation Act. The issue came upthis week in Polk afterWendell Watson Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Susan Woolsasked The Ledger about it. Use these tools to encourage collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, and work one-on-one or with the whole class. In a separate section, the District shall include each alleged incident of bullying or harassment that does not meet the criteria of a prohibited act under this policy with recommendations regarding such incidents. Pitts gave the following context for the board to see where Polk County Schools rank financially at the state and national levels: The presentation also showed that Polk County Schools: However, he showed Polk County is currently 62nd of 67 districts in funding per student. Administrator, Teacher, Parent Education - developed by the District, Monique Burr Foundation for Children, Inc.'s Child Safety Matters, Keys to Character - developed by the District. In all cases, the Board reserves the right to refer the results of its own investigation to the State Attorney for possible criminal charges, whether or not the Board takes any action. . The highest level of confidentiality possible shall be provided regarding the submission of a complaint or a report of bullying and/or harassment and for the investigative procedures that are employed. Work online or offline, anytime, and on any device with myPolkApps, powered by Google. PCPS provides students with access to a variety of free resources, including eBooks, videos, articles and much more, to conduct research and build literacy skills. About 300 teachers in Polk County, both public and private, have contracted COVID-19 between Sept. 6 and April 3, according to records with the Florida Department of Health. Upon completion of the investigation, notification shall be by telephone and/or in writing by first-class mail and shall be consistent with the student privacy rights under applicable provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). The investigator shall collect and evaluate the facts including but not limited to: whether there were past incidents or past continuing patterns of behavior; the relationship between the parties involved including whether the individual was in a position of power over the individual allegedly subject to bullying or harassment; the characteristics of the parties involved; where the bullying and/or harassment occurred; whether there have been other incidents in the school involving the same or other students; whether the conduct adversely affected the student's education or educational environment; the context in which the alleged incidents occurred; and. Staff - Garner Elementary School - Polk County Public Schools State funding covers just 60% of the district's mandated transportation services. Staff Portal Information on how to become an approved volunteer and other ways to support Polk County Public Schools. Funded 995th out of the top 1,000 largest school districts. The Principal shall establish and prominently publicize to students, staff, volunteers, and parents the procedure for reporting bullying and how such a report will be acted upon. During the first semester, the Superintendent shall inform school staff, parents/guardians/other persons responsible for the welfare of a student of the District's student safety and violence prevention policy. has the effect of disrupting the orderly operation of a school. The School Board is committed to providing an educational setting that is safe, secure, and free from harassment and bullying, including cyberbullying, for all of its students and school employees and applicants for admission. The Polk County School Board kicked off itsbudgeting process for the next school year with a report that showed the district ranks among the poorest both nationally and statewide for such a large district. Through the Benefitplace platform, you can log in anytime to see your chosen benefits, dependents and beneficiaries. It seems like an arbitrary date was chosen for the purpose of choosing a date, when vaccines are just rolling out and COVID numbers are growing,saidWools, who has enough sick time stockpiled to cover it. Coronavirus Information A place for current employees This policy does not imply to prohibit expressive activity protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution or Article 1, Section 4 of the Florida constitution. ; ClassLink Online resources and services for students! 1915 South Floral Ave. | Bartow, FL 33830 | 863-534-0500. He added the state lottery provides funding that amounts to five days of the districts operations. Password respond to bullying in schools. Student Home Links to additional information for students. ; Accelerated Academic Programs Polk County Public Schools offers many programs for qualified, high-achieving students. . A school employee, school volunteer, students, parent/guardian, or other persons who promptly reports in good faith an act of bullying or harassment to the appropriate school official and who makes this report in compliance with the procedures set forth in District policy is immune from a cause of action for damages arising out of the reporting itself or any failure to remedy the reported incident. Polk County Board of Education meetings are held at 6:30 PM on the second Monday of each month. PBS LearningMedia is your destination for easy, instant access to tens of thousands of classroom-ready, digital resources including videos and presentations perfect for the Interactive Whiteboard, plus audio and photos, and even in-depth lesson plans. The Superintendent shall develop a comprehensive plan intended to prevent bullying and harassment and to cultivate the school climate so as to appropriately identify, report, investigate, and respond to situations of bullying and harassment as they may occur on school grounds, at school-sponsored events, and through school computer networks. 6A-10.081). Library Media Services offers a number of services and programs to aid students, school library staff, teachers, faculty, district office staff and members of the community. The investigator shall document in his/her report the reasons for needing up to an additional ten (10) days. Polk County Public Schools employs school counselors who provide students with the support they need at each stage of their development. Polk County Public Schools serves at-risk students through various alternative education programs. Polk County Public Schools strives to reduce its energy footprint. The current general fund was set at $1.167 billion. Reporting an act of bullying or harassment that is not made in good faith is considered retaliation. Pitts saida reduction in spending for the Polk County School Board to consider would be to start charging a premium for health insurance and looking for duplicate services provided in current contracts for services as budget deliberations continue. MetaSearch is intended for research, information and reference purposes only. Implementation of the plan by each principal will be ongoing throughout the school year and will be integrated with the school curriculum, the bullying and prevention program, District disciplinary policies, and violence prevention efforts. The salary increase was part of a constitutional amendment passed by Florida voters in November to incrementally increase minimum wage each year until 2026, when it will reach $15 an hour. There will be no changes to the district's health insurance plan. Related:Polk schools budget is estimated at $2.2B,but its not as much as it could be, Minimum wage:See Florida and federal minimum wages over the last 20 years. Step 3: Interview and Hire! Thank you for visiting the official website of the Polk County Department of Education. TDOE has a preview site located here. 110 East Polk Avenue, Lake Wales, FL 33853PH: 863.678.4244 | FX: 863.678.4680, Copyright 2023 Lake Wales Charter Schools. Instruction regarding bullying, harassment, and the District's violence prevention and school safety efforts shall be integrated into District curriculum at the appropriate grade levels. During this time, Mrs. Blackman was an integral part of the leadership team that dramatically raised and maintained student achievement at Oscar J. Pope Elementary School. Bullying Curriculum for Students - developed by the District - This curriculum includes education on recognition, prevention, and intervention at all grade levels. I just put my absence in as my own sick leave.. These programs focus on correcting behaviors and developing attitudes and skills that will help students make positive changes in their lives. If the action is outside the scope of the District and believed to be a criminal act, the action shall be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Egregious acts of harassment by certified educators may result in a sanction against an educator's State-issued certificate. Polk County also has unique challenges having both a rural and urban population as well as being an inland county, Pitts said. We are very proud of our students, our schools, and our communities. Find everything to ensure your child is on track to graduate on time. Retroactive to July 1,2021,all affected hourly rates will be increased to a new minimum-base entry-level rate of $11anhour. School Board member Lisa Miller said she wants to see the employee contribution left at zero,especiallyfor staff and paraeducators. Qvonda.blackman@polk-fl.net Delores Shockley Flyers, posters, and bookmarks are being distributed at schools with QR codes for easy access. Employment Openings | Polk County Public Schools Growth: As development comes to Lake Wales, some residents worry about changes to quality of life. The District expects students to conduct themselves in keeping with their levels of development, maturity, and demonstrated capabilities with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students and school staff, the educational purpose underlying all school activities, and the care of school facilities and equipment. K-12 Students: (username only, do not include @mypolkschools.net) to access Moodle. The School Board is committed to providing an educational setting that is safe, secure, and free from harassment and bullying, including cyberbullying, for all of its students and school employees and applicants for admission. Consequences and appropriate remedial action for students who commit acts of bullying or harassment or found to have falsely accused another as a means of bullying or harassment may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion, as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. Coastal counties tend to have higher real estate values and their local property taxes generate more revenues for education. Their adult daughter, Jenna,alsogotsickand has recovered. The standards for student behavior shall be set cooperatively through interaction among students, parents/guardians, staff, and community member, producing an atmosphere that encourages students to grow in self-discipline. The principal/assistant principal or District will make a determination if an act of bullying or harassment falls within the scope of District authority. Suspected retaliation should be reported in the same manner as aggressive behavior and/or bullying. Capital is needed for the district's wish list of building projects that could add 10 more schools and multiple remodeling projects by 2041 in order to relieve already overcrowded schools and accommodate the endless waves of families with school-aged children moving to Polk County. She said there was simply no way she would be able to teach from home, as she has been doing throughouttheschool year to try to avoid getting sick. Polk County Public Schools Sign up to receive messages from your school. Polk County Public schools has partnered with Benefitfocus to provide the members of our insurance plan with a secure, efficient and convenient platform to manage their benefits online. Click Here to Change/Reset Your Password There are lessons for all grade levels, plus materials for parents as well. Polk County Public Schools - Recruiting and Hiring System If you want to be notified of updates to our website, please subscribe here! She said some contracts have been renewed for up to 10 years and the audit could shed light on unnessessary or duplicated services. Need Password Help? COVID-19 Testing Sites Available In Polk County You can find COVID-19 testing sites in your area by visiting https://polkschoolsfl.com/healthinformation/ to view a list of Polk testing sites provided by the Florida Department of Health. MetaSearch is intended for research, information and reference purposes only. MLK Day: Events celebrating legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. planned in Lakeland. through the use of data or computer software that is accessed at a nonschool-related location, activity, function, or program or through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by the District or school, if the bullying substantially interferes with or limits the victim's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by the District or school or substantially disrupts the education process or orderly operation of a school. Pursuant to State law, District students, parents, teachers, administrators, school staff, school volunteers, community representatives, and local law enforcement agencies shall be involved in the review of this policy. College funding: Florida Southern College receives $120,000 state matching grant for nursing education, Trailblazer: Winter Haven doctor, a pioneer of emergency medical services in 1960s, dies at age 98, "One of the most concerning things for me is not just this presentation, but in school funding in general, is where we rank in our district's costs differential," Sharpless said. Butler state police said in a criminal complaint that it was a little before 7:45 p.m. Thursday when Dakota Hughes, 22, called 911, identified himself by his name and date of birth, and said he . The District will utilize Florida's School Environmental Safety Incident Reporting (SESIR) Statewide Report on School Safety and Discipline Data as prescribed. It should have been extended because its the right thing to do. PDF Logging into Office 365 Webmail (after Email Migration) The bulk of the current general fund budget goes toward salaries and benefits at $625 million. Our district consists of 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 2 high schools, and a virtual learning academy for grades K-12. Paul Nutcher can be reached at pnutcher@gannett.com. All school employees are required to report alleged violations of this policy to the principal or as described above. The District shall provide a referral procedure for intervening when bullying or harassment is suspected or when a bullying incident is reported. "I am so sorry, said School Board member Lisa Miller. Nikki Jones Assistant Principal nikki.jones@polk-fl.net . 2023 www.theledger.com. Forgot Your Password? The procedure will include: referral of a student to the collaborative problem-solving team (or equivalent school-based team with a problem-solving focus) for consideration of appropriate services is made through the school problem-solving process by school personnel or parent to the principal/designee; referral of school or area/District personnel to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for consideration of appropriate services will be made by the administrator; school-based intervention and assistance will be determined by the collaborative problem-solving team and may include, but is not limited to: counseling and support to address the needs of the victim(s) of bullying; counseling interventions to address the behavior of students who bully (e.g., empathy training, anger management, etc. Consequences and appropriate remedial action for a school employee found to have committed an act of bullying or harassment or found to have falsely accused another as a means of bullying or harassment shall include discipline in accordance with District policies, administrative procedures, and the collective bargaining agreement. This page contains links to important documents, including the Code of Conduct, Student Progression Plan, School Board polices, and more. hbbd```b``Z "+rLHo`7X|XdS$;; "$uI @u&A"@;Fg` I home of the beautiful Ocoee, Conasauga, and Hiwassee Rivers and the Cherokee National Forest! Best of all, PBS LearningMedia is free for educators. "In collaboration with our union and the districts newadministration,we were able to make strides in getting a settlement for our supportstaff.. Health & Wellness | Polk County Public Schools You can search, save, and share with ease. Use your Polk County Schools username as follows: Staff: (firstname.lastname only, do not include @polk-fl.net) to access Moodle. Reports may be made anonymously, but formal disciplinary action may not be based solely on the basis of an anonymous report. Learn the measures were taking to operate more efficiently. Lakeland, Florida Area. The piece that was missing was Mr. Heid. Discipline and referral data will be recorded in Student Discipline/Referral Action Report and Automated Student Information System. 2022 Polk County Public Schools | Equity & Compliance | About the District | Style Guide, Designed for iOS and Android mobile devices, the Benefitplace. 68 0 obj <> endobj "We have the issues when it comes to transportation costs but we don't have the advantages of some of those larger districts' coastal property taxes and things like that," he said, giving one example of a financial disadvantage that Polk County faces. 3 Steps To Hiring Quality Employees Step 1: Create A Vacancy. InJanuary, district officials extended the COVID sick leave through March31. Mange Your Benefits - Health & Wellness - Polk County Public Schools "Cyberbullying" means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, which includes, but is not limited to, any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic system, photelectronic system, or photooptical system, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages, or facsimile communications. Polk County School Board. Consequences and appropriate remedial action for a visitor or volunteer found to have committed an act of bullying or harassment or found to have falsely accused another as a means of bullying or harassment shall be determined by the school administrator after consideration of the nature and circumstances of the act, including reports to appropriate law enforcement officials. So,ahome valuedat $200,000 afteranyexemptions would pay$1,165.80. The contracts are not necessarily the most expensive items in the budget but they could add up and a review could free up funds needed elsewhere, she said. Charter school monies pass through the district coffers and that is expected to be $128 million for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Follow her on Twitter at @KMooreTheLedger. Find your Board member, access Board meeting calendars and agendas, and learn how you can watch meeting broadcasts. There are also three career centers, five alternative education (Department of Juvenile Justice) facilities, two adult schools and 33 charter schools. hmo0w>?HS%eZHFPA6u~wNMQ $ YFm{0D1JR K"XfF6ED#Fshb. Staff Directory | Polk County Public Schools Library Media Services recently purchased Camerons Collection, a mental health and wellness e-book series for secondary students. COVID Florida: Polk schools' coronavirus sick-time policy expires Four School Board members were in attendance for the9 a.m.work session Chairwoman Lori Cunningham, Sara Beth Reynolds, Lisa Miller and William Allen. The Staff Portal has been redesigned to be easier to use on a large variety of devices. Latest: At least 16 Polk County Public Schools teachers, staff have died of COVID-19 since the start of school, By the way: Polk County School District details plans for $202M in relief funds. Library Media Services Library Media Services offers a number of services and programs to aid students, school library staff, teachers, faculty, district office staff and members of the community. Those at the top of their respectivesalaryschedules will receive a 3% increase,in addition to the above 2% increase. In-person benefit assistance is available at an upcoming health and benefit fair. If you would like additional assistance or have Its not rocket science.. Library Media Services recently purchased Cameron's Collection, a mental health and wellness e-book series for secondary students. The doctor gave hera prescriptionandsent her home. endstream endobj 69 0 obj <>/Metadata 2 0 R/Pages 66 0 R/StructTreeRoot 6 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 70 0 obj <>/MediaBox[0 0 648 792]/Parent 66 0 R/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 71 0 obj <>stream ; Bullying Information on identifying and reporting bullying. Staff Directory Administration. The mission of Polk County Public Schools is to provide a high-quality education for all students. Find critical coverage information, insightful plan details, and relevant benefits that meet the needs of your unique life circumstances. Information for planning the next steps of your education and beyond. myPolkApps - Polk County Public Schools The Superintendent may authorize additional instructional programs or activities not previously listed within this policy on a case-by-case basis. (See the Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida F.A.C. Notification shall be by telephone or by personal conference and/or in writing and shall be consistent with the student privacy rights under applicable provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). Password. Wools, 53,woke up April 1 withunbelievably intensemuscleaches, fever and a pounding headache. She tested positive for COVID-19 and went to apply for the special sick leave on Sunday. Polk County School Board meetings convene at the District Office, 1915 S. Floral Ave, Bartow, FL 33830. Search results from our Services may contain copyrighted material and, if so, you may not use such content unless you obtain permission from its owner or are otherwise permitted by law. We are always striving to improve the accessibility standards of our Polk is the second largest employer in the county with about 13,500 employees (excluding substitute teachers). The Polk Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization that directly supports Polk County Public Schools. We worked over the last two years as our union to try to be more collaborativewith the district, Yocum said. Reminders of the policy and bullying prevention messages will be displayed, as appropriate, at each school and at District facilities. This includes two high schools, one college and career academy, two middle schools, and six elementary schools. Teachers, CommonSense Media has developed lessons for Digital Citizenship and Literacy. . Polk County School District, Georgia - Polk School District / Homepage Why Polk School District? This year, the minimum wage went up to $11 an hour. Information on dress code, Code of Conduct, attendance, and Student Progression Plan. Open Enrollment - Health & Wellness - Polk County Public Schools But after year of COVID-19, a new reality sets in, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. We are located in the southeastern corner of Tennessee in the heart of the. Polk K12 Parents: Forgot Password? You do not need to provide the @polk-fl.net portion of your email address as part of your username. Thank you for visiting the official website of the Polk County Department of Education. of technology or ability. About 300 teachersinPolk County,bothpublic and private, have contracted COVID-19 betweenSept.6 and April3,according to records with the FloridaDepartment of Health. Stephanie Yocum, president of the Polk Education Association teachers union, whichrepresents 7,000 teachers, along with534 support staff and 1,546paraeducators, said she and the 26 union negotiators are ecstatic to get a contract ratified this early in the process. Ledger reporter Kimberly C. Moore can be reached atkmoore@theledger.comor 863-802-7514. Herhusband, whoalso works from home,contracted it firstand hassincerecovered. Designed for iOS and Android mobile devices, the BenefitplaceTM Mobile App gives you instant access to relevant benefits information for the moments that matter most. He vowed to visit Florida's legislative offices in Tallahassee himself to make them aware of the alarming numbers facing the fast-growing school district. Created by the School Board of Polk County Help Desk- (863) 519-8040 or 56661 05/27/2014 5) While 'Redirecting', you will login again to fss.polk-fl.net using your full POLK-FL Network email address and password to complete your webmail Office 365 access. A step-by-step guide for becoming licensed to drive. Information for vendors and potential business partners, including purchasing and construction bids. It was like getting hit by a train and trying to breathe with an elephant sitting on you,saidWools, who rarely gets sick. This did elapse, according to the memorandum of understanding with the Polk Education Association, PCPSspokesman Jason Geary said in a statement Friday. Upon the completion of the investigation and if criminal charges are to be pursued against the perpetrator, the appropriate law enforcement agencies shall be notified by telephone and/or in writing. Accelerated Academic Programs Polk County Public Schools offers many programs for qualified, high-achieving students. Our district consists of 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 2 high schools, and a virtual learning academy for grades K-12. Such behavior is essential in maintaining an environment that provides each student the opportunity to obtain a high-quality education in a uniform, safe, secure, efficient, and high-quality system of education. What You Need To Know About Section 504 A Guide for Parents. Search results from our Services may contain copyrighted material and, if so, you may not use such content unless you obtain permission from its owner or are otherwise permitted by law. Board of Education - Polk County Schools The next largest category is contracted services at $56.3 million. We are committed to providing a Yocum said in a text message that the teachersunion has been in talks with PCPS Associate Superintendent for Human ResourcesTeddra Porteous about the extension. We serve over 7,800 students across eleven schools throughout the Polk County community. User Name. Learn about how to get $$$ for your education. 1006.147 (known as the Jeffrey Johnson Stand Up for All Students Act) to address both bullying and harassment that does not rise to the level of or is comprised of discriminatory conduct. The investigation of a reported act of bullying or harassment is deemed to be a school-related activity and begins with a report of such an act. "That's something that is really alarming to me.". In 10 years, the Polk County millage rate peaked at 5.42 in 2012 and sank to 3.998 in 2019. The intended audience is 6th -12th grade students and parents. The School Board then votes on the general fund millage rate, he said. Online resources and services for students!