Flyers, posters, and bookmarks are being distributed at schools with QR codes for easy access. A school employee, school volunteer, students, parent/guardian, or other persons who promptly reports in good faith an act of bullying or harassment to the appropriate school official and who makes this report in compliance with the procedures set forth in District policy is immune from a cause of action for damages arising out of the reporting itself or any failure to remedy the reported incident. But she worries about other newer teachers who might not. Student Home Links to additional information for students. Library Media Services recently purchased Camerons Collection, a mental health and wellness e-book series for secondary students. Check out your childs grades, attendance, and more! Polk School District is a dynamic public school district located in Polk County, Georgia. Such behavior is essential in maintaining an environment that provides each student the opportunity to obtain a high-quality education in a uniform, safe, secure, efficient, and high-quality system of education. This did elapse, according to the memorandum of understanding with the Polk Education Association, PCPSspokesman Jason Geary said in a statement Friday. Alsoin the contract:If per-student funding, which provides staff raises, fluctuates greater than 2% of the current funding up or down, both sides can come back to the bargaining table to work out a new agreement. Use your county credentials or email to log in. There are also 145 school resource officers and guardians; and district support personnel of 1,595. Individuals who are interested in addressing the School Board on a particular issue must register in person, at the meeting location, starting 30 minutes prior to the meeting. 103 0 obj <>stream Username. Our Services may display content that does not belong to Emerald Data Solutions or its affiliates. Work online or offline, anytime, and on any device with myPolkApps, powered by Google. The District will utilize Florida's School Environmental Safety Incident Reporting (SESIR) Statewide Report on School Safety and Discipline Data as prescribed. All rights reserved. Log In Using Your polk-fl.net Account. The physical location or time of access of a computer-related incident cannot be raised as a defense in any disciplinary action initiated pursuant to this policy. Yocum said in a text message that the teachersunion has been in talks with PCPS Associate Superintendent for Human ResourcesTeddra Porteous about the extension. LAKELAND Polk County Public Schools paraprofessionals and support staff can expect a whopping paycheck at the end of October, thanks to a contract negotiated in recent months andapproved by the School Board during a special meeting on Tuesdaythat retroactively grantsraises and salary increases. Our district consists of 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 2 high schools, and a virtual learning academy for grades K-12. 1006.147 and in conformity with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Model Policy. Florida spending $9,980 per student and pays teachers an average salary of$49,583. A step-by-step guide to help students and their parents navigate the process of becoming licensed to drive. The salary increase was part of a constitutional amendment passed by Florida voters in November to incrementally increase minimum wage each year until 2026, when it will reach $15 an hour. PBS LearningMedia is your destination for easy, instant access to tens of thousands of classroom-ready, digital resources including videos and presentations perfect for the Interactive Whiteboard, plus audio and photos, and even in-depth lesson plans. Teachers, CommonSense Media has developed lessons for Digital Citizenship and Literacy. through the use of data or computer software that is accessed at a nonschool-related location, activity, function, or program or through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by the District or school, if the bullying substantially interferes with or limits the victim's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by the District or school or substantially disrupts the education process or orderly operation of a school. Learn the measures were taking to operate more efficiently. The School District will respect the privacy of the complainant, the individual(s) against whom the complaint is filed, and the witnesses as much as possible, consistent with the Board's legal obligations to investigate, to take appropriate action, and to conform with any discovery or disclosure obligations. Employees of Polk County Schools who are unable to access this folder, please email Laura Barnett. Another disadvantage to public schools across the state is a Florida law imposing millage rollbacks on school districts, Pitts said. Those at the top of their respectivesalaryschedules will receive a 3% increase,in addition to the above 2% increase. ; College and Career Readiness Information for planning the next steps of your education and beyond. Learn about the ways were safeguarding our students and schools. Learn about our career academies that help students prepare for the workforce. The tentative budget for the 2023-2024 school year will be prepared by June setting a proposed millage rate, which is determined by a state formula. The district does also get sales tax proceeds, Pitts said. All other members of the school community, including students, parents, volunteers, and visitors, are encouraged to report any act that may be a violation of this policy to the principal or as described above. The programs of training and instruction authorized by the District shall include, but not be limited to. I hereby authorize The School Board of Polk County to initiate credit entries and if necessary, debit entries and adjustments to my account at the above financial institution named. Polk County Public Schools English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) department supports the academic success and acculturation of English language learners. practices and standards defined by Section 508 of the U.S. These programs focus on correcting behaviors and developing attitudes and skills that will help students make positive changes in their lives. Butler state police said in a criminal complaint that it was a little before 7:45 p.m. Thursday when Dakota Hughes, 22, called 911, identified himself by his name and date of birth, and said he . What You Need To Know About Section 504 A Guide for Parents. Related:Polk schools budget is estimated at $2.2B,but its not as much as it could be, Minimum wage:See Florida and federal minimum wages over the last 20 years. The district employs 6,312 teachers; 1,065 paraprofessionals; 334 counselors, social workers and nurses; 432 principals, 437 secretaries, 599 custodians, 755 food service workers and 580 bus drivers. Information on identifying and reporting bullying for parents and students. While Polk's average teacher salary is 35th in the state. Since millage rates are set by the state, school boards in Florida have few options for local revenues sources, forcing school districts to cut spending to make ends meet. hb``b``*c```w01G30i.F E(|_ PyLsY\&mv e4 Learn about the history of Polk County Public Schools and the mission that is guiding it into the future. Additionally, the Board expects school staff to conduct themselves in a manner that will protect the rights and welfare of students and other school staff and the care of school facilities and equipment. In July the district will advertise thetentative budget once data has been gathered predicting the number of students and teachers anticipated next school year. Camerons Collection can also be accessed through ClassLink, the Gale GVLR site, or each schools Destiny homepage. The meetings are held in the Board Room at the Stearns Education Center. The District expects students to conduct themselves in keeping with their levels of development, maturity, and demonstrated capabilities with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students and school staff, the educational purpose underlying all school activities, and the care of school facilities and equipment. The programs of training and instruction authorized by the District shall include, but not be limited to: Dating Violence Prevention: CDC's Choose Respect. "Within the scope of the District" means regardless of ownership, any computer, computer system, or computer network that is physically located on school property or at a school-related or school-sponsored program or activity. A step-by-step guide for becoming licensed to drive. The general fund on lastyearsbills had a millage rate of 4.019, andfor the local capital improvement, which was 1.5. Forgot Your Password? Victims of these offenses should also have the incident basis (sex, race, or disability) noted in their student record. The intended audience is 6th-12thgrade students and parents. The instruction shall include evidence-based methods of preventing bullying and harassment, as well as information about how to effectively identify andrespond to bullying in schools. If the action is outside the scope of the District and believed not a criminal act, the principal shall inform parents/guardians of all minor parties. Growth: As development comes to Lake Wales, some residents worry about changes to quality of life. The Polk County School Board kicked off itsbudgeting process for the next school year with a report that showed the district ranks among the poorest both nationally and statewide for such a large district. Polk is the second largest employer in the county with about 13,500 employees (excluding substitute teachers). It seems like an arbitrary date was chosen for the purpose of choosing a date, when vaccines are just rolling out and COVID numbers are growing,saidWools, who has enough sick time stockpiled to cover it. If the action is outside the scope of the District and believed to be a criminal act, the action shall be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The training and instruction shall include recognizing behaviors that lead to bullying and harassment and taking appropriate preventative action based on those observations. We ask all members (even if you do not plan to make changes) to login and verify their data and update their life insurance beneficiary information. The issue came upthis week in Polk afterWendell Watson Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Susan Woolsasked The Ledger about it. About 300 teachers in Polk County, both public and private, have contracted COVID-19 between Sept. 6 and April 3, according to records with the Florida Department of Health. . accessibility concerns, please contact the webmaster. A maximum of ten (10) school days shall be the limit for the initial filing of the incidents and completion of the investigative procedural steps. Polk County Public schools has partnered with Benefitfocus to provide the members of our insurance plan with a secure, efficient and convenient platform to manage their benefits online. But after year of COVID-19, a new reality sets in. Accelerated Academic Programs Polk County Public Schools offers many programs for qualified, high-achieving students. "I am so sorry, said School Board member Lisa Miller. The district operates 540 buses and transports more than 51,000 students for a total of 60,670 miles travelled each day. The Superintendent will also provide such notification to all District contractors. Whether a particular action or incident constitutes a violation of the policy requires a determination based on all the facts and surrounding circumstances and shall include: a recommendation of remedial steps necessary to stop the bullying and/or harassing behavior; and. You can search, save, and share with ease. The current general fund was set at $1.167 billion. Funded 995th out of the top 1,000 largest school districts. It was like getting hit by a train and trying to breathe with an elephant sitting on you,saidWools, who rarely gets sick. Follow her on Twitter at @KMooreTheLedger. Jason Pitts, the districts chief of staff for the superintendents office, led the budget presentation during the boardsregularly scheduled work session Tuesday. We are very proud of our students, our schools, and our communities. Information on immunizations, medication administration, and head lice. Implementation of the plan by each principal will be ongoing throughout the school year and will be integrated with the school curriculum, the bullying and prevention program, District disciplinary policies, and violence prevention efforts. 88 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[68 36]/Info 67 0 R/Length 103/Prev 529646/Root 69 0 R/Size 104/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream The doctor gave hera prescriptionandsent her home. The investigator shall collect and evaluate the facts including but not limited to: whether there were past incidents or past continuing patterns of behavior; the relationship between the parties involved including whether the individual was in a position of power over the individual allegedly subject to bullying or harassment; the characteristics of the parties involved; where the bullying and/or harassment occurred; whether there have been other incidents in the school involving the same or other students; whether the conduct adversely affected the student's education or educational environment; the context in which the alleged incidents occurred; and. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). 2022 Polk County Public Schools | Equity & Compliance | About the District | Style Guide, Designed for iOS and Android mobile devices, the Benefitplace. The bulk of the current general fund budget goes toward salaries and benefits at $625 million. Staff Portal Staff Portal Sign Out Contact Info Employee Benefits COVID-19 Leave Time Certification Certification Info Renewal Payment Form Add-On Payment Form Transcripts Upload In-County Travel Payroll Info Paychecks Pay Frequency Election W-2 Forms Fed Tax Filing Status Work Calendar Salary Equipment Use Temporary Duty Teacher Transfer Click Here to Change/Reset Your Password Search results are not intended as legal advice for you or your organization and are not a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction. "We have the issues when it comes to transportation costs but we don't have the advantages of some of those larger districts' coastal property taxes and things like that," he said, giving one example of a financial disadvantage that Polk County faces. We are committed to providing a The district has a $900 million capital shortfall, his report showed. After his presentation, several School Board members wanted more information or called for legislative action on seeing the outlook for its next spending plan. Mrs. Blackman earned a Bachelor's degree from Florida A & M University and a Master's degree from Nova Southeastern University. This policy is adopted pursuant to the requirements of F.S. MetaSearch is intended for research, information and reference purposes only. Is the 10 days no longer a thing? The District will not tolerate unlawful bullying and harassment of any type. Wools, 53,woke up April 1 withunbelievably intensemuscleaches, fever and a pounding headache. She tested positive for COVID-19 and went to apply for the special sick leave on Sunday. The development of such an atmosphere requires respect for self and others, as well as for District and community property on the part of students, staff, and community members. -Serve as Guidance/Student Services department chair for middle school, grades 6-8. Mar 2013 - Jul 20163 years 5 months. Visit our official YouTube channel and subscribe to be alerted when streaming is active. This authorization is to remain in effect until withdrawn by me, in writing, with sufficient notice to The School Board Payroll Department to . So,ahome valuedat $200,000 afteranyexemptions would pay$1,165.80. We serve over 7,800 students across eleven schools throughout the Polk County community. Forgot My Password. User Name. The Polk Schools Staff Portal The Staff Portal is where you can update your address & phone number, view remuneration statements, tax information, and more! Please use your Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) credentials to access the Staff Portal Admin System. MLK Day: Events celebrating legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. planned in Lakeland. Need Password Help? The Staff Portal has been redesigned to be easier to use on a large variety of devices. Quick access to forms, resources, and information. In accordance with State law, District staff may monitor as part of any bullying or harassment investigation any non-school-related activity, function, or program. The procedure will include: referral of a student to the collaborative problem-solving team (or equivalent school-based team with a problem-solving focus) for consideration of appropriate services is made through the school problem-solving process by school personnel or parent to the principal/designee; referral of school or area/District personnel to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for consideration of appropriate services will be made by the administrator; school-based intervention and assistance will be determined by the collaborative problem-solving team and may include, but is not limited to: counseling and support to address the needs of the victim(s) of bullying; counseling interventions to address the behavior of students who bully (e.g., empathy training, anger management, etc. The contracts are not necessarily the most expensive items in the budget but they could add up and a review could free up funds needed elsewhere, she said. No Registration is required. I need to reset my password. -Organize, train for, and . The current general fund was set at $1.167 billion. Best of all, PBS LearningMedia is free for educators. home of the beautiful Ocoee, Conasauga, and Hiwassee Rivers and the Cherokee National Forest! School Board Member Lisa Miller said she was interested in seeing an in-progress efficiency audit of current contracted services with the district.