Despite historic raises, the teacher pay gap has widened between Polk and neighboring counties.
Category: Insight Polk
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Polk Jumps to 28th for Child Health Among Florida Counties
Lower teen drinking and drug use is largely responsible for its rise from 54th two years ago.
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Watson Clinic Joins Forces With Orlando Health for New Hospital
Many Watson Clinic doctors will be on staff at the new Lakeland Highlands hospital when it opens in June 2026.
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Dark Roads, Fast Cars: Lakeland Weighs More Cameras and Lower Speeds to Save Lives
Cameras in school zones would be used to cite anyone going more than 10 miles over the limit.
Posted inInsight Polk
Falling Behind: Is Per-Pupil Funding Why Polk County Ranks Poorly for Education?
‘Outdated’ state formula has made Polk County one of the lowest-funded school districts, ranking 63rd out of 67 counties.
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Falling Behind: Pay Gap Between Polk and Hillsborough Teachers Is About to Get Wider
Teachers’ union warns of possible ‘staffing crisis’ without a property tax referendum next year.
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Falling Behind: Polk Drops to 60th Among Florida Counties for Education. Why?
Both Hillsborough and Orange counties’ standings improved in the 2025 Child Well-Being Index.
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1 Billion Pounds: Publix Reaches Food Donation Milestone
Food banks including Feeding Tampa Bay receive much of their fresh produce from large grocers.
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Squeezed: For Many, Lakeland Wages Aren’t Enough for Lakeland Rent
Many essential workers in Lakeland cannot find housing that would be 30% or less of their income.
Posted inInsight Polk
Squeezed: Fewer Than Half of Lakeland Renters Can Afford Their Housing
People are considered ‘cost-burdened’ if housing is more than 30% of their income. Many Lakelanders pay much more than that.