Justin Sharpless and Rick Nolte were sworn in to office, as Lisa Miller and Kay Fields begin their second and fifth terms respectively.
Tag: PCPS
Posted inSchools
School Board Thanks Departing Colleagues Lynn Wilson, Sarah Fortney
Wilson retired from the board after eight years; Fortney was narrowly defeated in her re-election bid.
Posted inSocial Services
Polk Schools Launch Food Pantry in West Lakeland
The food distribution is available to anybody in need every other Friday at the West Area Adult School on Central Avenue.
Posted inPolitics
Election Roundup: Voters Return Lisa Miller to School Board
Other winners: Laurel Lee and Scott Franklin for U.S. House, Colleen Burton for Florida Senate, Martha Santiago for County Commission, John Flynn for County Judge. Polk environmental lands measure passes.
Posted inSchools
School District Vying For Mental Health Grant
Polk County Public Schools are applying for a grant that will help hire more school psychologists and counselors.
Posted inPolitics, Schools
Former School Board Member Files Elections Complaint Against Nolte
Former Polk School Board member Billy Townsend, who writes a newsletter about education and local politics, has filed a campaign finance complaint against Rick Nolte, who last week defeated incumbent Sarah Fortney for a School Board seat.
Posted inPolitics, Schools
School Board: Nolte Unseats Fortney; Fields Returns; Sharpless Wins; Miller Faces Sessions in Runoff
Rick Nolte, who received the backing of Gov. Ron DeSantis and conservative activist organizations, unseated one-term incumbent Sarah Fortney from the Polk County School Board today in an election that saw the return of 20-year School Board veteran Kay Fields and the victory of newcomer Justin Sharpless. Incumbent Lisa Miller faces a Nov. 8 runoff […]
Posted inPolitics, Schools
Stranger Things Surround This Year’s Polk School Board Races
This year’s School Board races are the most hotly contested campaigns in Polk County, following a national trend as far-right conservative candidates vow to “educate not indoctrinate” public schools students, as one local candidate has stated on his campaign signs.
Posted inPolitics, Schools
School Board Candidates Highlight Experience vs. Change
Experience and accomplishments vs. change and fresh ideas emerged as major themes in passionate closing statements this afternoon when four candidates in two Polk School Board races faced off in a forum hosted by the Lakeland Kiwanis Club.
Posted inSchools
Gov. DeSantis Endorses Polk School Board Candidate Rick Nolte
Over the last few weeks, Gov. Ron DeSantis has endorsed 29 Republican candidates in non-partisan school board races across Florida’s 67 counties. On Monday night, he added one more endorsement, and it was for a candidate in Polk County: Rick Nolte, who is challenging incumbent Polk School Board member Sarah Fortney.