Polk County School Board Archives

Schools Policy for Checking Out Controversial Library Books Switches to Opt-Out Only

by Kimberly C. Moore August 10, 2022December 14, 2022

Superintendent Frederick Heid has decided to return to an all opt-out process for all library books in Polk County public school libraries, including 16 books some deemed pornographic or age inappropriate.

Education

Gov. DeSantis Endorses Polk School Board Candidate Rick Nolte

by Barry Friedman August 10, 2022December 15, 2022

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.

People, Politics

School Board District 7: Miller, Quary and Sessions

by Kimberly C. Moore August 9, 2022November 23, 2022

The campaign for the District 7 seat on the Polk County School Board seat is a three-way race between incumbent Lisa Miller, and newcomers Dell Quary and Jill Sessions. Voting takes place on Aug. 23 in the nonpartisan election, and all registered voters in Polk County can participate regardless of party registration.

People, Politics

Newcomers Jones and Sharpless Vie For School Board District 6 Seat

by Kimberly C. Moore August 8, 2022November 23, 2022

Political newcomers Justin Sharpless and Sara Jones are vying for the District 6 seat on the Polk County School Board in the Aug. 23 primary. School Board races are non-partisan so all registered voters in Polk County can participate.

Education, Politics

School Board Candidates Air Views at Kiwanis Forum

by Barry Friedman August 5, 2022November 23, 2022

Candidates for two seats on the Polk County School Board participated in a forum today at a meeting of the Lakeland Kiwanis Club. Keep scrolling for a video of the full event. Lakeland Kiwanis hosts a forum for the other two School Board races next Friday at noon, and LkldNow plans to stream that one […]

People, Politics

Polk School Board District 3: Veteran Educators Rick Nolte and Incumbent Sarah Fortney

by Kimberly C. Moore August 4, 2022December 15, 2022

Incumbent Sarah Fortney is hoping for a second, four-year term in the District 3 seat on the Polk County School Board. Rick Nolte hopes to defeat her in the Aug. 23 primary so he can begin his first term.