Forced to tighten state spending by coronavirus-driven revenue drops, Gov Ron DeSantis cut $1 billion through line-item vetoes, including at least $1.4 million for Polk projects, The Ledger reports. Among them: $400,000 to design and build an educational center at Lakeland’s Se7en Wetlands nature preserve/water treatment area and $500,000 for Polk Regional Water Cooperative’s Heartland […]
Category: Schools
Posted inSchools
MLB Decision Moves Last Three Polk Graduations
Major League Baseball’s closing of spring training sites for deep cleaning has forced Polk County Public Schools to move its last three graduation ceremonies, all scheduled for Monday, from Joker Marchant Stadium to Lake Gibson High School. Lakeland schools affected are Fresh Start Lakeland and Traviss Technical College. Source: News Channel 8
Posted inCity Hall / Local Gov't
Commission to Consider Mandatory Masks for Lakeland
On a day when Florida broke a record for new COVID-19 cases and Polk County reported 100-plus cases for a second day in a row, Mayor Bill Mutz today called a special meeting of the City Commission for Monday to discuss mandating face masks in public places.
Posted inSchools
Lake Gibson Graduation Changed to 8:30 a.m. to Avoid ‘Potential Conflict’
Lake Gibson High School’s graduation had been planned for Saturday afternoon, but the time has been changed to 8:30 a.m. Saturday to “avoid any potential conflict with recent demonstrations that have been taking place.” Because of health screenings, graduates and invited guests will need to arrive early, News Channel 8 reports. ALSO: Polk Public Schools […]
Posted inSchools
St. Leo University Closing Its Lakeland Center
Pasco County-based St. Leo University is closing its Lakeland center, which served 70 students at the start of the spring 2020 semester, citing enrollment trends and the coronavirus pandemic, WUSF News reports. Source: WUSF News
Posted inSchools
Parents Launch Effort to Save Historic St. Joseph Academy
St. Joseph Academy, the oldest private school in Lakeland, will close permanently this week, according to a letter to parents. The school, which was begun in 1938 under the auspices of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lakeland, appears to be another victim of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Posted inPeople
Parade Honors Retiring Lake Gibson Assistant Principal
Since a gathering wasn’t possible, a parade of vehicles honored Debbie Donahay, assistant principal of Lake Gibson High School, who is retiring after 39 years with Polk County Public Schools. See The Ledger’s article, YouTube video and photo gallery
Posted inSchools
Avent: Pending Land Sale Could Boost Research Park
Hopes for a research park adjacent to Florida Polytechnic University could get a boost via a pending deal by a developer to buy several thousand acres from the Williams Companies, the university’s president told Lakeland city commissioners on Tuesday.
Posted inSchools
Joker Marchant Stadium Will Host High School Graduations
Polk County Public Schools found a place for June high school graduations that is large enough to allow social distancing: Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. See the dates below; times are still being worked out, the school district said in a news release.
Posted inNews Roundup
Read It in the Morning Paper
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION ceremonies for Polk public schools will be held in June in outdoor settings, the schools superintendent announced. Dates for ceremonies are forthcoming. SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY is eliminating 34 faculty positions across academic disciplines at its main campus in Lakeland, citing reduced tuition revenues resulting from the pandemic | SEU statement Source: The Ledger