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Polk County Public Schools, Florida, elections

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Polk County Public Schools
School Board badge.png
District details
School board members: 7
Students: 109,558 (2022-2023)
Schools: 168 (2022-2023)
Website: Link

Polk County Public Schools is a school district in Florida (Polk County). During the 2023 school year, 109,558 students attended one of the district's 168 schools.

This page provides information regarding school board members, election rules, finances, academics, policies, and more details about the district.

Jump to a section:
Elections School board Location Budget Academic performance Students Staff Schools

Elections

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Polk County Public Schools school board District 1

General election

Polk County Public Schools school board District 2

General election

Polk County Public Schools school board District 4

General election

Polk County Public Schools school board District 3

General election

Polk County Public Schools school board District 5

General election

Polk County Public Schools school board District 6

General election

Polk County Public Schools school board District 7

General election

General election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 7

Incumbent Lisa Bone Miller defeated Jill Sessions in the general election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 7 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Lisa Bone Miller
Lisa Bone Miller (Nonpartisan)
 
55.6
 
109,563
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
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Jill Sessions (Nonpartisan)
 
44.4
 
87,617

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 197,180
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Polk County Public Schools school board District 1

General election

Polk County Public Schools school board District 2

General election

Polk County Public Schools school board District 4

General election

Polk County Public Schools school board District 3

General election

General election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 3

Sarah Fortney defeated Scott Jones in the general election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 3 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Sarah Fortney (Nonpartisan)
 
60.8
 
120,176
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
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Scott Jones (Nonpartisan)
 
39.2
 
77,519

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 197,695
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Polk County Public Schools school board District 5

General election

General election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 5

Incumbent Kay Fields defeated Jennifer Sabin in the general election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 5 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Kay Fields
Kay Fields (Nonpartisan)
 
52.2
 
105,110
Image of Jennifer Sabin
Jennifer Sabin (Nonpartisan)
 
47.8
 
96,167

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 201,277
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Polk County Public Schools school board District 6

General election

The general election was canceled. Lynn Wilson (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Polk County Public Schools school board District 7

General election

Polk County Public Schools school board District 2

General election

General election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 2

Incumbent Lori Cunningham won election in the general election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 2 on August 30, 2016.

Candidate
✔
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Submit photo
Lori Cunningham (Nonpartisan)

Incumbents are bolded and underlined.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Polk County Public Schools school board District 4

General election

General election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 4

Incumbent Dick Mullenax won election in the general election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 4 on August 30, 2016.

Candidate
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Dick Mullenax (Nonpartisan)

Incumbents are bolded and underlined.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Polk County Public Schools school board District 3

General election

General election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 3

Incumbent Hazel Sellers won election in the general election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 3 on August 26, 2014.

Candidate
✔
Image of Hazel Sellers
Hazel Sellers (Nonpartisan)

Incumbents are bolded and underlined.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Polk County Public Schools school board District 5

General election

General election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 5

Incumbent Kay Fields won election in the general election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 5 on August 26, 2014.

Candidate
✔
Image of Kay Fields
Kay Fields (Nonpartisan)

Incumbents are bolded and underlined.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Polk County Public Schools school board District 6

General election

General election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 6

Incumbent Lynn Wilson won election in the general election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 6 on August 26, 2014.

Candidate
✔
Image of Lynn Wilson
Lynn Wilson (Nonpartisan)

Incumbents are bolded and underlined.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Polk County Public Schools school board District 7

General election

General election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 7

Incumbent Tim Harris won election in the general election for Polk County Public Schools school board District 7 on August 26, 2014.

Candidate
✔
Image of Tim Harris
Tim Harris (Nonpartisan)

Incumbents are bolded and underlined.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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About the district

School board

Polk County Public Schools consists of seven members serving four-year terms. To find information about school board meetings, click here.

List of school board members
NameSeatYear assumed officeYear term ends
Travis KeyesDistrict 220242028
William AllenDistrict 120202028
Sara Beth Reynolds WyattDistrict 420162028
Rick NolteDistrict 320222026
Justin SharplessDistrict 620222026
Lisa Bone MillerDistrict 720182026
Kay FieldsDistrict 520022026

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District map

School district map

Overlapping state house districts

Polk County Public Schools
Office NameCurrent OfficeholderParty% School District Covered% Other District Covered
Florida House of Representatives District 48Jon AlbertRepublican Party 37% 100%
Florida House of Representatives District 49Jennifer Kincart JonssonRepublican Party 32% 100%
Florida House of Representatives District 51Josie TomkowRepublican Party 24% 100%
Florida House of Representatives District 50Jennifer CanadyRepublican Party 7% 100%

The table was limited to the lower chamber because it provides the most granularity. State house districts tend to be more numerous and therefore smaller than state senate or U.S. House districts. This provides an impression of the partisan affiliations in the area.

Budget

The following statistics were published by the National Center for Education Statistics, which is a part of the U.S. Department of Education.[1]

Revenue, 2020-2021
SOURCE AMOUNT AMOUNT PER STUDENT PERCENT
Federal: $180,292,000 $1,794 15%
Local: $377,885,000 $3,760 32%
State: $627,924,000 $6,248 53%
Total: $1,186,101,000 $11,803
Expenditures, 2020-2021
TYPE AMOUNT AMOUNT PER STUDENT PERCENT
Total Expenditures: $1,295,313,000 $12,889
Total Current Expenditures: $1,063,927,000 $10,586
Instructional Expenditures: $687,930,000 $6,845 53%
Student and Staff Support: $113,893,000 $1,133 9%
Administration: $79,666,000 $792 6%
Operations, Food Service, Other: $182,438,000 $1,815 14%
Total Capital Outlay: $203,682,000 $2,026
Construction: $182,010,000 $1,811
Total Non El-Sec Education & Other: $13,786,000 $137
Interest on Debt: $13,918,000 $138

Academic performance

Each year, state and local education agencies use tests and other standards to assess student proficiency. Although the data below was published by the U.S. Department of Education, proficiency measurements are established by the states. As a result, proficiency levels are not comparable between different states and year-over-year proficiency levels within a district may not be comparable because states may change their proficiency measurements. To protect student privacy, percentages are reported as ranges for groups of 300 students or fewer. If five or fewer students were included in a data set, the data will display as "PS."[2]

The following table shows the percentage of district students who scored at or above the proficiency level each school year:

School year All (%) Asian/Pacific Islander (%) Black (%) Hispanic (%) Native American (%) Two or More Races (%) White (%)
2020-2021 39 68 25 33 40-44 42 53
2018-2019 50 77 35 43 40-44 53 62
2017-2018 50 78 35 43 45-49 51 62
2016-2017 46 72 31 41 35-39 51 56
2015-2016 43 69 28 38 35-39 46 53
2014-2015 43 74 28 39 35-39 53
2013-2014 48 77 32 43 46 57
2012-2013 49 78 34 45 48 57
2011-2012 48 76 32 44 46 56
2010-2011 61 85 46 56 59 69

The following table shows the percentage of district students who scored at or above the proficiency level each school year:

School year All (%) Asian/Pacific Islander (%) Black (%) Hispanic (%) Native American (%) Two or More Races (%) White (%)
2020-2021 43 71 30 37 40-44 48 55
2018-2019 47 71 34 40 40-44 52 59
2017-2018 46 71 33 40 35-39 51 57
2016-2017 46 71 32 40 35-39 53 57
2015-2016 45 72 30 39 40-44 50 55
2014-2015 45 72 28 39 45-49 54
2013-2014 49 72 33 43 43 59
2012-2013 50 73 34 44 46 59
2011-2012 48 70 32 42 47 59
2010-2011 55 71 38 48 53 64

The following table shows the graduation rate of district students each school year:

School year All (%) Asian/Pacific Islander (%) Black (%) Hispanic (%) Native American (%) Two or More Races (%) White (%)
2019-2020 87 >=95 87 86 80-89 85-89 87
2018-2019 81 90-94 79 79 80-89 80-84 84
2017-2018 80 90-94 78 80 70-79 70-74 82
2016-2017 75 90-94 70 75 60-69 70-74 78
2015-2016 72 85-89 68 69 70-79 70-74 74
2014-2015 69 85-89 61 68 60-69 75-79 72
2013-2014 69 90-94 60 66 60-69 74
2012-2013 69 80-84 62 66 60-79 73
2011-2012 68 90-94 62 62 >=50 72
2010-2011 66 80-84 60 61 >=50 70

Students

The following statistics were published by the National Center for Education Statistics, which is a part of the U.S. Department of Education.[3]

Year Enrollment Year-to-year change (%)
2022-2023 109,558 3.8
2021-2022 105,422 4.7
2020-2021 100,495 -2.4
2019-2020 102,952 1.5
2018-2019 101,408 1.5
2017-2018 99,892 -2.4
2016-2017 102,295 0.6
2015-2016 101,635 1.9
2014-2015 99,723 1.8
2013-2014 97,953 1.0
2012-2013 96,937 0.9
2011-2012 96,070 0.9
2010-2011 95,178 0.7
2009-2010 94,530 -0.1
2008-2009 94,657 0.7
2007-2008 93,980 1.3
2006-2007 92,801 3.6
2005-2006 89,443 3.5
2004-2005 86,292 2.5
2003-2004 84,135 2.3
2002-2003 82,179 1.2
2001-2002 81,207 2.1
2000-2001 79,477 1.0
1999-2000 78,685 0.0
Racial Demographics, 2022-2023
RACE Polk County Public Schools (%) Florida K-12 STUDENTS (%)
American Indian/Alaska Native 0.2 0.2
Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander 1.6 2.8
Black 20.3 21.0
Hispanic 41.5 36.4
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0.2 0.2
Two or More Races 2.7 4.1
White 33.6 35.3

Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Staff

The following statistics were published by the National Center for Education Statistics, which is a part of the U.S. Department of Education.[4]

As of the 2022-2023 school year, Polk County Public Schools had 5,972.60 full-time classroom teachers. The student-teacher ratio was 18.34.

Teachers, 2022-2023 school year
TYPE NUMBER OF TEACHERS
Prekindergarten: 58.00
Kindergarten: 384.00
Elementary: 2,174.20
Secondary: 2,462.00
Total: 5,972.60

Polk County Public Schools employed 65.00 district administrators and 395.00 school administrators as of the 2022-2023 school year.

Administrators, 2022-2023 school year
TYPE NUMBER OF ADMINISTRATORS
District Administrators: 65.00
District Administrative Support: 200.00
School Administrators: 395.00
School Administrative Support: 493.00
Other staff, 2022-2023 school year
TYPE NUMBER OF OTHER STAFF
Instructional Aides: 1,588.40
Instruc. Coordinators & Supervisors: 88.00
Total Guidance Counselors: 253.00
Elementary Guidance Counselors: 68.00
Secondary Guidance Counselors: 145.00
Librarians/Media Specialists: 80.00
Library/Media Support: 47.00
Student Support Services: 1,632.00
Other Support Services: 2,573.25

Schools

The following statistics were published by the National Center for Education Statistics, which is a part of the U.S. Department of Education.[5]

Polk County Public Schools operates 168 schools. They are listed below in alphabetical order.
List of schools
SCHOOL NAMENUMBER OF STUDENTSGRADES
Achievement Academy157PK-PK
Alta Vista Elementary School769PK-5
Alturas Elementary School350PK-5
Auburndale Central Elementary School383PK-5
Auburndale Senior High School1,7169-12
Bartow Elementary Academy518KG-5
Bartow Middle School1,0466-8
Bartow Senior High School2,1259-12
Bella Citta940PK-6
Berkley Accelerated Middle School6236-10
Berkley Elementary School696PK-5
Bethune Academy428PK-5
Bill Duncan Opportunity Center626-12
Bok Academy6116-8
Bridgeprep Academy Of Polk422KG-8
Carlton Palmore Elementary School465PK-5
Chain Of Lakes Collegiate High32811-12
Chain Of Lakes Elementary School1,130PK-5
Citrus Ridge A Civics Academy1,457PK-8
Clarence Boswell Elementary School636PK-5
Cleveland Court Elementary School393KG-5
Combee Academy Of Design And Engineering551PK-5
Compass Middle Charter School1535-8
Crystal Lake Elementary School409PK-5
Crystal Lake Middle School9496-8
Cypress Junction Montessori196PK-8
Dale R Fair Babson Park Elementary472KG-5
Daniel Jenkins Academy Of Technology Middle School5166-8
Davenport Elementary786PK-5
Davenport High School2,3339-12
Davenport School Of The Arts1,168PK-8
Denison Middle School7386-8
Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred9116-8
Discovery High School9119-12
Dixieland Elementary School330KG-5
Don E Woods Opportunity Center566-12
Doris A. Sanders Learning Center87PK-12
Dr. Ne Roberts Elementary School691PK-5
Dundee Elementary Academy653PK-5
Dundee Ridge Middle Academy7736-8
Eagle Lake Elementary School697PK-5
Eastside Elementary School615PK-5
Eckerd Connects256-12
Eckerd Connects Strive Academy0
Edgar L. Padgett Elementary529PK-5
Edward W Bok Academy North6156-8
Elbert Elementary School601PK-5
Elementary - N Lakeland0
Floral Avenue Elementary School611PK-5
Fort Meade Middle/Senior High School7866-12
Frank E. Brigham Academy564PK-5
Fred G. Garner Elementary School901PK-5
Fresh Start Community School15410-12
Frostproof Ben Hill Griffin Jr Elementary School917PK-5
Frostproof Middle/Senior High1,1506-12
Garden Grove Elementary School723PK-5
Gause Academy Of Leadership966-12
George W. Jenkins Senior High2,4519-12
Gibbons Street Pk Center0PK-PK
Griffin Elementary School379PK-5
Haines City Headstart Center0PK-PK
Haines City Senior High School2,7009-12
Hartridge Academy201KG-5
Highland City Elementary School425PK-5
Highlands Grove Elementary School731PK-5
Hillcrest Elementary School662PK-5
Horizons Elementary School1,468PK-5
Hospital Homebound118PK-12
Inwood Elementary School298PK-5
James E. Stephens Elementary School356PK-5
James W. Sikes Elementary School563PK-5
Janie Howard Wilson School448PK-5
Jean O'Dell Learning Center73PK-12
Jere L. Stambaugh Middle1,1276-8
Jesse Keen Elementary School649PK-5
Jewett Middle Academy Magnet5846-8
Jewett School Of The Arts679PK-8
John Snively Elementary399PK-5
Karen M. Siegel Academy161PK-12
Kathleen Elementary School489PK-5
Kathleen Middle School8216-8
Kathleen Senior High School2,0519-12
Lake Alfred Elementary School821PK-5
Lake Alfred Polytech Academy6456-8
Lake Gibson Middle School1,2186-8
Lake Gibson Senior High School2,0809-12
Lakeland Highlands Middle School1,2656-8
Lakeland Montessori Middle School306-8
Lakeland Montessori School House110KG-6
Lakeland Senior High School2,0439-12
Lake Marion Creek Middle School1,0446-8
Lake Region High School1,5459-12
Lake Shipp Elementary School628PK-5
Lake Wales Senior High School1,5869-12
Language & Literacy Academy For Learning282PK-12
Laurel Elementary School1,058PK-5
Lawton Chiles Middle Academy6496-8
Lena Vista Elementary School975PK-5
Lewis Anna Woodbury Elementary School525PK-5
Lincoln Avenue Academy526KG-5
Loughman Oaks Elementary School1,052PK-5
Magnolia Montessori Academy171KG-8
Mater Academy Davenport600KG-5
Maynard A Traviss Technical Academy1406-12
Mckeel Academy Central610PK-6
Mckeel Academy Of Technology1,7277-12
Mclaughlin Academy Of Excellence5426-10
Medulla Elementary School515PK-5
Mi Escuela Montessori202PK-5
Mulberry Middle School1,2006-8
Mulberry Senior High School1,3159-12
Navigator Academy Of Leadership Davenport874KG-8
New Beginnings High School7536-12
North Lakeland Elementary School Of Choice644PK-5
Oscar J. Pope Elementary School410PK-5
Pace Center For Girls496-12
Palmetto Elementary School513PK-5
Philip O'Brien Elementary School627PK-5
Pinewood Elementary School709PK-5
Polk Avenue Elementary School531PK-5
Polk City Elementary School606PK-5
Polk County Sheriff'S Central Center296-12
Polk County Sheriffs Regional Detention Center395-12
Polk Full Time Eschool604KG-12
Polk Grad Academy349-12
Polk Halfway House235-12
Polk Pre-Collegiate Academy169-10
Polk State College Collegiate High School35311-12
Polk State Lakeland Gateway To College Charter High School25511-12
Polk Virtual Franchise06-12
Polk Virtual Instruction Program42KG-12
Purcell Elementary School516PK-5
R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School946PK-5
R. Clem Churchwell Elementary School708PK-5
Real Academy (Reaching Every Adolescent Learner)2694-12
Ridge Community High School2,7119-12
Ridge Technical Academy846-12
Ridge Teen Parent Program86-12
Ridgeview Global Studies Academy1,551KG-12
Rochelle School Of The Arts803PK-8
Roosevelt Academy2836-12
Rosabelle W. Blake Academy642PK-8
Sandhill Elementary School991PK-5
Scenic Terrace K-80
Scott Lake Elementary School727PK-5
Shelley S. Boone Middle School1,4036-8
Sleepy Hill Elementary School739PK-5
Sleepy Hill Middle School1,0906-8
Socrum Elementary School546PK-5
South Mckeel Academy1,200PK-6
Southwest Elementary School382PK-5
Southwest Middle School8016-8
Spessard L Holland Elementary766PK-5
Spook Hill Elementary School584PK-5
Tenoroc High School1,1279-12
Transition School4812-12
Union Academy3966-8
Valleyview Elementary School861PK-5
Victory Ridge Academy298PK-12
Wahneta Elementary School507PK-5
Walter Caldwell Elementary School895PK-5
Wendell Watson Elementary School875PK-5
Westwood Middle School8786-8
Willow Oak School905PK-5
Winston Academy Of Engineering506PK-5
Winter Haven Elementary 21c0
Winter Haven Head Start0PK-PK
Winter Haven Senior High School2,4679-12

About school boards

Education legislation in Florida

Bills are monitored by BillTrack50 and sorted by action history.

See also

School Boards Education Policy Local Politics Florida
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External links

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    • Footnotes

    1. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Elementary/Secondary Information System," accessed June 17, 2024
    2. ↑ U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC: EDFacts, "State Assessments in Reading/Language Arts and Mathematics- School Year 2018-19 EDFacts Data Documentation," accessed February 25, 2021
    3. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Elementary/Secondary Information System," accessed June 17, 2024
    4. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Elementary/Secondary Information System," accessed June 17, 2024
    5. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Elementary/Secondary Information System," accessed June 17, 2024
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