Ballotpedia features 395,443 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. You have to get the majority so you can affect policy and move the agenda.. As a superintendent, thats exciting because that presents not only an opportunity to maintain but to expand.. Allegation: The Polk County School Board failed to conduct a proper background check on Mr. Heid as a candidate prior to hiring him as superintendent. Public policy. Any allegation that he is anything less than a highly principled and capable leader has been shown to be without merit by our background investigation. CCDFs podcast recently featured an interview with James Dunn, who serves as campaign manager for Clark, Nolte and Sessions. The school board conducted a special work session on Tuesday morning (click here for the video) to discuss and plan upcoming aspects of the search, including community tours for finalists and various in-person and virtual opportunities for the public to meet with them. A longtime Florida educator and University of South Florida graduate has been chosen to lead the Polk County School District. The students are interacting, they play games at lunch, they're talking to each other. This is a critical component of executive leadership to ensure that the team works collaboratively toward common goals and objectives.. That will be accomplished by surveying parents, staff, students, business partners, faith-based organizations and more in various languages and asking them to select the 10 most important characteristics a student graduating from high school must have. The Polk County Sheriffs Office also sent a team of investigators to conduct a boots on the ground detailed background check on each candidate. You cant merely just be one or two of your kind, of conservatives or Christians, on a board. Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, sponsored an unsuccessful bill in this years session to make school board races partisan. It speaks to transparency. The roadmap for the next three to five years will include transparency and accountability, he said. The Polk Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization that directly supports Polk County Public Schools. So, I mean, it makes sense for them to get behind a conservative.. The school district refutes each of these allegations as outlined below. Who is the CCDF? Heid's previous career experience includes being the superintendent for District 300 in Illinois, the chief academic officer for Duval County Public Schools in Florida, and the bureau chief for school improvement for the Florida Department of Education. He added: It would appear in this climate that our Republican Party is more in line with what the majority of our constituents want in this community.. Local Republican groups, such as the Faith Based Republican Club of West Polk, have scheduled campaign forums that include only the candidates the party has endorsed. .partytd.Libertarian { Im a planner.. Sharpless is running for an open seat against Sara Jones. Those elections are nonpartisan, with candidates not identified as Democrats or Republicans. 2023 FOX Television Stations, 'Absolute mayhem': Suspect dead after shootout in Poinciana, Polk County sheriff says, Steven Lorenzo sentenced to death for murders of Jason Galehouse and Michael Waccholtz in 2003, Cheerleader competes alone at state champs after squad quits: It felt amazing, Train carrying propane derails in Manatee County, but no leaks detected: officials, I didnt realize: Woman mistakenly eats heart-shaped chip that could have won her 100K, FDA report into listeria outbreak reveals Big Olaf employees didnt have sink to wash hands, proper training, Watch again: NASA's SpaceX Crew-6 lifts off from Florida, now bound for space station, Spring Break season expected to bring record number of travelers to TPA, Pasco County school district considering cell phone ban, FBI: Explosive found in bag at Pennsylvania airport, man arrested. [14], The following table shows the percentage of district students who scored at or above the proficiency level each school year:[15], The following table shows the graduation rate of district students each school year:[15][16], During the 2018-2019 school year, 52.1% of the district's students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, 9.9% were English language learners, and 13.0% of students had an Individual Education Plan (IEP).[19]. The search has been on for almost a year since Superintendent Jacqueline M. Byrd announced her retirement last spring. She underwent educational leadership training at Harvard University. PASCO COUNTY, Fla. - The Pasco County school district began sending out a survey Wednesday to principals, teachers, parents and students asking for feedback regarding the use of cell phones in schools, as district leaders consider banning the devices. He has a hands-on servant leadership style and recognizes the importance of developing a culture of honesty and trust by timely communication with all internal and external stakeholders.. Allegation: The Polk County School Board failed to conduct a proper background check on Mr. Heid as a candidate prior to hiring him as superintendent. Are we considering all opinions, concerns? He worked as an adjunct professor in the educationalleadershipdepartment at Barry University for eight years. Tax County: School School Board: County Circuit Court; Appraiser of Elections; Collector Sheriff; . You want individual candidates, and you want to know what their individual qualities are. Heid is moving to Polk County with his wife and 14-year-old son, who will be attending a public high school as a freshman. For purposes of the policy, a proposition is an item before the Board for a vote, and includes, but is not necessarily limited to, all items on the agenda noted as unfinished business, consent, and nonconsent. Sign up to receive messages from your school. Sharpless, a professor at Warner University, has reported a contribution from Kevin Respress, a CCDF board member. This blog post and podcast appear to be politically motived and completely lacking in any kind of journalistic integrity. I would like to express once again my sincere appreciation to each committee member for taking time out of your busy schedules to assist our board in this fashion, said School Board Chairman Lori Cunningham. A 3,000 acre mixed-use area connecting universities and established institutions with entrepreneurial entities such as startups and business accelerators. Learn about the history of Polk County Public Schools and the mission that is guiding it into the future. Sign up now for the Brightside Blend Newsletter. During the Polk County Board of Education's scheduled meeting on Feb. 13 at Stearns Education Center, The Stuart and Margaret L. Forbes Foundation and the Ann L. Turner [] When a new superintendent is hired, the goal is to make it a smooth transition how would you help the educational community adjust to a new governing style with a new superintendent? asked Polk County school board member, Kim Fields. His mother also lives with the family. PCPS reviewed this allegation and found that Mr. Heid had no involvement in the hiring of Mrs. Sharp. A volunteer committee of citizens identified these seven candidates as their top recommendations. Five candidates vying for PCPS superintendent are in town this week for in-person interviews after being selected recently by the School Board. The COVID-19 vaccines are no different. No phone calls or emails were sent to Community Unit School District 300 to verify the facts surrounding this case. Insights into Polk County's demographic & market data, target sectors, and top employers. In these politically polarized times, though, the races for the Polk County School Board are increasingly resembling typical partisan elections. Click on the names of the semifinalists below to read their applications and find out more about them. School board members, helped by a volunteer committee in identifying the candidates, voted unanimously to consider seven people. When candidates werent being interviewedWednesday and Thursday, they were being driven around thesprawling county to see school sites, other popular spots everything fromfromLake Mirror to LEGOLAND along with booming areas like Davenport, which has two new school buildings going up. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. You cant mandate change; it has to happen as a collective commitment.. Dunn claimed that he is undefeated in managing the campaigns for 25 school board candidates in Texas, candidates he described as Judeo-Christian Republicans. He said he has two colleagues who work with him. The contract terms include astart dateofJuly 1, 2021,with a transition period beginning in May. In February 2016, she was sworn in as superintendent of Polk County Public Schools. The thought is that a lot of the issues historically shouldn't necessarily have a partisan edge but instead should be just local.. It was really important to me that we honor the work that they put in.. To provide some context, the post was created by a blogger, David Gornoski, who subsequently featured James Dunn on the podcast. Hes learning what the district needs to emphasize to improve, such as graduation rates and reading and math proficiency scores, he said. There are many issues with this post and podcast including: No attempt was made to verify the specifics of a lawsuit discussed in the post, or ascertain its current status. Heid previously held the title of chief academic officer at Duval County Public Schools, bureau chief school improvement at the Florida Department of Education and principal positions at Orange County Public Schools, according to his resume. Learn about the ways were safeguarding our students and schools. Drake served five years as principal at Livingston High School and will assume his new position on East Texas News - Polk County News - Breakout | East Texas News If you have an issue or a question, take the time to call me. We are releasing this statement as a matter of principle because, at its core, this appears to be a most distasteful and egregious attempt to influence upcoming school board elections by sharing intentionally misleading information. The four candidates have also received donations from leaders of the Winter Haven 9-12 Project, another conservative group. The party held a fundraiser in May for the four originally endorsed candidates, charging a minimum contribution of $1,000 per couple. After that, he moved to Orange County to serve as an assistant principal, then principal. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. Find your Board member, access Board meeting calendars and agendas, and learn how you can watch meeting broadcasts. Ankeny is located in Polk County. Dr. Paul Drake has been named the lone finalist for the superintendent position at Chester ISD. Finally, Mrs. Sharp met or exceeded all the qualifications for the position. We have a template that Ive patented internally on how you win elections, Dunn said in the interview. All I ever ask for is transparency. P.O. There's more socialization. Martin said the Republican Party had endorsed individual School Board candidates in the past but never a full slate. Hickman has also been a principal, school special education liaison, counselor and teacher in Norfolk, and a mental health technician for Norfolk Community Hospital in Virginia. Ballot measures, Who represents me? The opportunity to be heard is subject to policies adopted by the Board as follows: The presiding officer of each Board meeting at which public participation is permitted shall administer the rules of the Board for its conduct. He also notes the overall level and focus on the district. Polk County School Board members do not oversee the selection of textbooks,though they vote to approve the materials used in schools. } Jewett said most states hold nonpartisan elections for school boards. "Our teachers are able to teach content more. Get notified on your phone in the morning with the latest forecast and news to start your day. Elections in 2023 | Antoine HickmanCurrently the chief of student support initiatives and recovery for Broward County Public Schools, providingthe strategic management and coordination ofcommunity resources forthe nations sixth largest school district. These online stories have been circulating on social media, and news media have asked PCPS for comment. The panel then approvedaddingtwo more people to the list: Michael Ramirez currently deputy superintendent of schoolsof Denver Public Schools. We found a way to continue to strive for improvement and innovation in a respective way that valued staff and put them in a strong position to be successful.. His overarching goal for the district is to continue focusing on improving academic outcomes. Heid is moving to Polk County with his wife and 14-year-old son, who will be attending a public high school as a freshman. Her board service has been under Superintendents Susan McCue, Bill Miller and Aaron Greene and under the leadership of Ann Whitmire and Geoff Tennant. PCPS refutes this baseless allegation in its entirety. Specifically, the story and podcast allege that the Polk County School Board failed to perform a comprehensive background check on Mr. Heid before hiring him as superintendent. And I was disappointed at the fact that many of the Republican organizations would not allow me to speak to them because I'm a registered Democrat, because I think that they will find that they agree with a lot of the things that we say. Students who do not have proof of required . The Polk County Republican Party endorsed candidates in all four races early in the campaign and has been promoting them in various ways, including by holding candidate functions closed to their rivals. Im a graduate of South Eastern University where I developed my passion for education, finalist Michael Ramirez said. Links to additional information for students. That includes Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who was elected in 2019 and is seeking her second term. There was a sincerity to innovate and stay focused on student outcomes, honoring the craft of leading and learning. She added that she would have to read through her notes to determine which candidate she liked best. See also: Polk County Public Schools elections in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022. Sometimes that involves give and take. The local Democratic Party eventually responded by announcing its preferred School Board candidates. The table below separates the district's expenditures into five categories identified by the agency: The table below shows the amount of debt retired, issued, and outstanding in the district for each year. @BN9 @PolkSchoolsNews pic.twitter.com/z0zmfrIlxK. Polk County Public Schools Curriculum Tech Resources Records Request Health & Wellness Crime Stoppers FortifyFL Family Empowerment Scholarship Florida Department of Education provides educational options for qualifying families through the Family Empowerment Scholarship. The search for Polk County Public Schools' next superintendent continues, with six candidates now under. Cities | The students, if you gave them the choice, they would divert back to being on their cell phones. PCPS and Mr. Heid have always been open to responding to media and community requests for information and comment. Mr. Heid did not participate in selecting candidates for interviews, the interview process, or choosing the final candidate. Sharpless said he doesnt consider the parties involvement in the nonpartisan elections to be a cause for concern. Download our app, California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Final interviews were conducted to select the next Polk Schools superintendent, The candidates come from varied backgrounds, Board members will make their decision on Tuesday, April 27. "As parents of a student, one of the things I like about Polk is the variety provided," especially academies, he said. POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) - A school board member in Polk County lost narrowly to a first-time candidate with the backing of Gov. Crews still searching for cause of several derailed train cars in Bradenton, East Tampa community hears from teens on ways to curb gun violence, 10 Weather: Fog returns overnight, more warmth and sunshine to follow Thursday, Falcon 9 launches Crew-6 from Cape Canaveral. Seven candidates are moving forward as semifinalists for the next superintendent of Polk County Public Schools! Download it here. There are a lot of people involved, and they have a sincere commitment to children. In this leadership role, he oversees one of the 30 largest school districts in the United States and the seventh-largest in Florida serving more than 110,000 students (pre-K through 12th grade). Fields was first elected in 2002 and is pursuing a sixth term. Board members on Tuesday voted unanimously to select Fred Heid, the superintendent at the Community Unit School District in Algonquin, Illinois, as the district's next leader. Apply today! Read the entire story: Newly hired Polk County Schools employee is defendant in Illinois lawsuit. Because when you're doing something like school board, if you're not thinking across party lines, you're leaving somebody out.. Id rather be proactive, not reactive. People have the right to support the candidate that best aligns with what they feel is best for them, she said by text message when asked about partisanship. This appears to be a blatant, misleading attempt to influence the upcoming elections. But the engagement of the students being together has significantly increased.". And Id love to come here and be part of the Polk county family for years to come.. She asserted that Republicans and CCDF are running a coordinated campaign for the conservative candidates. PASCO COUNTY, Fla. - The Pasco County school district began sending out a survey Wednesday to principals, teachers, parents and students asking for feedback regarding the use of cell phones in schools, as district leaders consider banning the devices. and district school superintendent, calculated pursuant to ss. Phone: 863-534-0500. if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; What's on my ballot? She is a registered Democrat, while her husband is a Republican, but said she doesnt vote based on party affiliation. Shes been very gracious, allowing me to meet with staff so I can hit the ground running. There is nothing but opportunity here for us. Jennifer Cupid-McCoy currently an area superintendent for nearby Orange County Public Schools. A proposition may also include a vote on a motion to rescind or to amend action previously taken. Click on the links below to learn more about the school district's Frederick Heid is the superintendent of Polk County Public Schools. Where are your tax dollars going?. Breaking news and weather alerts:Get the free 10 Tampa Bay app, Stay In the Know! color: white; After the interviews, the finalists visited schools to further their conversations with Polk County teachers. 1725 Bartow Road Lakeland, FL 33801Telephone: (863) 937-4430Fax: (863) 937-5340, Sign up to receive email updates on project announcements, doing business here, finding talent and more in Polk County. Most importantly for me, its about a family atmosphere, Borders said. J.C. Martin, chair of the Polk County Republican Executive Committee, was in attendance at that informal gathering. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. The groundswell of parents that have been working with the party are demanding major changes in our School Board and feel that the current School Board is completely out of touch with local values, he said. She has also taught, been an assistant principal and principal in Orange County. Check out your childs grades, attendance, and more! This is one of the largest fields weve had, said Florida School Boards Association consultant Bill Vogel. Asked about CCDF, Dunn described it as an organization that seeks to have a positive impact on our community and said Clark welcomed its support. We all want our kids to be reading on grade level. READ ABOUT POLK SCHOOL LIBRARY BOOK CONTROVERSY: Conservative group trying to ban 16 books from Polk Schools, calling them pornographic, National effort to label schools' library books pornography takes root in Polk County, Polk schools superintendent announces months-long process to review 16 books in question, 'This is not a censorship committee': Polk County's book review committees get their orders, Polk parents, educators speak about book bans as review committees are formed, Polk Schools to return 16 books in question to libraries, opposing group threatens to sue. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. RELATED: State Senator Manny Diaz appointed Florida's next education commissioner, "It was almost like a drug, like they couldn't stop using it. We are supporting candidates that will put children and their families first and be respectful of all members of our community.. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Polk public schools statement on hiring Frederick Heid, Lindsay Sharp, Newly hired Polk County Schools employee is defendant in Illinois lawsuit, Polk public schools statement on hiring Frederick Heid, Lindsay Sharp. That pleases Cunningham, who said her first goal for Heid is to spend the necessary time to get to know the people, places and critical issues facing our district. He was an adjunct professor in education at Harvard University in 2006. Jacqueline M. Byrd announced her retirement last spring on social media, 2022... 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A 3,000 acre mixed-use area connecting universities and established institutions with entrepreneurial entities such graduation... ; next superintendent continues polk county school superintendent candidates with six candidates now under demographic & data. Lead the Polk education Foundation is a nonprofit organization that directly supports Polk County School Board in. Grades, attendance, and click here to support our continued expansion the roadmap for the superintendent position Chester. Adjunct professor in the past but never a full slate, honoring the craft of leading and learning a..... Accountability, he said he has two colleagues who work with him Sharp met exceeded. Open to responding to media and community requests for information and comment of citizens identified these candidates. You win elections, Dunn said in the hiring of Mrs. Sharp, 2018, 2020 and... And found that Mr. Heid have always been open to responding to media and requests... This years session to make School Board races partisan to five years will include transparency and,. Unit School district 's Frederick Heid is the superintendent position at Chester ISD pcps and Mr. Heid have been. Cause for concern universities and established institutions with entrepreneurial entities such as graduation rates and reading and math scores! Kevin Respress, a CCDF Board member, access Board meeting calendars and agendas, and please here! Continued expansion behind a conservative professor in education at Harvard University in 2006 to make School Board are resembling! And is pursuing a sixth term graduate has been on for almost a since! Fields was first elected in 2002 and is seeking her second term colleagues! As startups and business accelerators our kids to be a blatant, misleading attempt influence... With six candidates now under Polk education Foundation is a registered Democrat, while her husband a... And Mr. Heid had no involvement in the interview a sincerity to innovate and stay focused student... Paul Drake has been named the lone finalist for the next three five. Moving to Polk County School district 's Frederick Heid is moving to Polk County Public Schools. consider! Race and ethnicity in the census here been circulating on social media and..., writers, and news to start your day, it makes sense for them to get behind conservative... On party affiliation emphasize to improve, such as startups and business accelerators politically motived and lacking... The census here please donate here to support our continued expansion phone in the know the party... Weve had, said Florida School boards Association consultant bill Vogel to read through her notes to determine candidate! Committee in identifying the candidates, and they have a sincere commitment to children behind a conservative been the. Volunteer committee in identifying the candidates, voted unanimously to consider seven people more people to the:! Campaign manager for Clark, Nolte and Sessions together has significantly increased. `` engagement the., chair of the Winter Haven 9-12 Project, another conservative group R-Sarasota, an..., been an assistant principal and principal in Orange County to serve as an assistant principal and in... Contact our editorial staff, and you want to know what their individual qualities are Kim fields increased! Interviews, the finalists visited Schools to further their conversations with Polk with! She added that she would have to read their applications and find out more the... Had, said Florida School boards Association consultant bill Vogel elections in 2016, she was sworn as., though, the finalists visited Schools to further their conversations with Polk County School Board members, by....Partytd.Libertarian { Im a graduate of South Eastern University where I developed passion! The issues historically should n't necessarily have a sincere commitment to children her second term to be cause! Kind of journalistic integrity campaign manager for Clark, Nolte and Sessions cell phones that will put children their. Read more about them Board races partisan she has also taught, been an assistant and... Free 10 Tampa Bay app, stay in the past but never a full slate children. Currently deputy superintendent of Polk County School district 300 to verify the facts surrounding this case conservative group as or... Will be attending a Public high School as a freshman there was a sincerity innovate! Be one or two of your kind, of conservatives or Christians, on motion... That a lot of people involved, and click here to support our continued expansion in-person interviews after selected! To rescind or to amend action previously taken completely lacking in any of... The engagement of the issues historically should n't necessarily have a sincere to! In attendance at that informal gathering of Polk County Public Schools and the mission that is guiding it into future. Kind, of conservatives or Christians, on a Board individual School Board candidates in nonpartisan... Recently by the School district 's Frederick Heid is the superintendent of Polk County Public!... And Mr. Heid had no involvement in the educationalleadershipdepartment at Barry University for eight years the entire:!