All school employees are required to report alleged violations of this policy to the principal or as described above. 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 School Board is committed to providing an educational setting that is safe, secure, and free from harassment and bullying, including cyberbullying, for all of its students and school employees and applicants for admission. (See the Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida F.A.C. Paul Nutcher can be reached at pnutcher@gannett.com. Florida spending $9,980 per student and pays teachers an average salary of$49,583. Find critical coverage information, insightful plan details, and relevant benefits that meet the needs of your unique life circumstances. %PDF-1.5
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MetaSearch is intended for research, information and reference purposes only. 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. Bullying Curriculum for Students - developed by the District - This curriculum includes education on recognition, prevention, and intervention at all grade levels. Retroactive to July 1,2021,all affected hourly rates will be increased to a new minimum-base entry-level rate of $11anhour. Such retaliation shall be considered a serious violation of Board policy and independent of whether a complaint is substantiated. The Principal shall establish and prominently publicize to students, staff, volunteers, and parents the procedure for reporting bullying and how such a report will be acted upon. -Serve as Guidance/Student Services department chair for middle school, grades 6-8. If a provision of this policy is or becomes illegal, invalid, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, that shall not affect the validity or enforceability in that jurisdiction of any other provision of this policy. Using our Services does not give you ownership of any intellectual property rights in our Services or the content you may access. of technology or ability. 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. There are also three career centers, five alternative education (Department of Juvenile Justice) facilities, two adult schools and 33 charter schools. There will be no changes to the district's health insurance plan. There is even a mobile app, so you can access the system from your smartphone or other mobile device. hbbd```b``Z
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Polk County Public Schools offers many programs for qualified, high-achieving students. View state and district assessments by grade level, including tips on preparing for exams. We worked over the last two years as our union to try to be more collaborativewith the district, Yocum said. MLK Day: Events celebrating legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. planned in Lakeland. . Work online or offline, anytime, and on any device with myPolkApps, powered by Google. He vowed to visit Florida's legislative offices in Tallahassee himself to make them aware of the alarming numbers facing the fast-growing school district. If a bullying (including cyberbullying) and/or harassment incident occurs it will be reported in SESIR, coded appropriately using the relevant incident code and the related element code. School Board Member Justin Sharpless wanted something done to improve revenues. Pursuant to State law, District students, parents, teachers, administrators, school staff, school volunteers, community representatives, and local law enforcement agencies shall be involved in the review of this policy. Maria Garcia: Food Services Team: Lisa Marie Gill: Office & Support Staff, Paraprofessionals, Title 1 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. The district does also get sales tax proceeds, Pitts said. There are lessons for all grade levels, plus materials for parents as well. Stephanie Yocum, president of the Polk Education Association teachers union, whichrepresents 7,000 teachers, along with534 support staff and 1,546paraeducators, said she and the 26 union negotiators are ecstatic to get a contract ratified this early in the process. At least 16 Polk County Public Schools teachers, staff have died of COVID-19 since the start of school, Polk County School District details plans for $202M in relief funds, Polk schools budget is estimated at $2.2B,but its not as much as it could be, See Florida and federal minimum wages over the last 20 years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. "The School Board takes the taxable value from the property appraiser to determine the millage rate that needs to be charged in the general fund to generate the $437,500,000.". website. Polk County also has unique challenges having both a rural and urban population as well as being an inland county, Pitts said. This website endeavors to comply with best Upon the completion of the investigation and if criminal charges are to be pursued against the perpetrator, the appropriate law enforcement agencies shall be notified by telephone and/or in writing. The total adopted Polk County Schools budget was $2.35 billion this year. You can visit the Password Reset Tool to reset your district password. If you get "Authentication Failed" message or need assistance , please contact the Help Desk at 519-8040.Authentication Failed" message or need assistance , please contact the Help Desk at 519-8040. According to the level of infraction, the victim's parents will be notified by telephone and/or in writing of actions being taken to protect the child; the frequency of notification will depend on the seriousness of the bullying or harassment incident. The Polk Schools Staff Portal The Staff Portal is where you can update your address & phone number, view remuneration statements, tax information, and more! ; College and Career Readiness Information for planning the next steps of your education and beyond. The bulk of the current general fund budget goes toward salaries and . respond to bullying in schools. The District will not tolerate unlawful bullying and harassment of any type. We are very proud of our students, our schools, and our communities. The district has a $900 million capital shortfall, his report showed. Perpetuation of conduct listed in the definition of bullying and/or harassment by an individual or group with intent to demean, dehumanize, embarrass, or cause emotional or physical harm to a student or school employee by: accessing or knowingly and willingly causing or providing access to data or computer software through a computer, computer system, or computer network within the scope of the District school system; or. hmo0w>?HS%eZHFPA6u~wNMQ $ YFm{0D1JR K"XfF6ED#Fshb. Polk County Public Schools crisis team responds to a wide variety of situations, including deaths of students and staff members, natural disasters and other traumatic events. Information on identifying and reporting bullying for parents and students. Each year the tax collector will then certify the taxable value of property in Polk County in July and the state sets the mileage rate the district can assess to determine its local funding amount. 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 You can search, save, and share with ease. The School Board then votes on the general fund millage rate, he said. No Registration is required. Polk K12 Parents: Forgot Password? Through the Benefitplace platform, you can log in anytime to see your chosen benefits, dependents and beneficiaries. The Staff Portal has been redesigned to be easier to use on a large variety of devices. This content is the sole responsibility of the entity that makes it available. 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. Password. Consequences and appropriate remedial action for a visitor or volunteer found to have committed an act of bullying or harassment or found to have falsely accused another as a means of bullying or harassment shall be determined by the school administrator after consideration of the nature and circumstances of the act, including reports to appropriate law enforcement officials. Reports may be made anonymously, but formal disciplinary action may not be based solely on the basis of an anonymous report. Complaints against the principal should be filed with the regional assistant superintendent assigned to the school. We are located in the southeastern corner of Tennessee in the heart of the. ; ClassLink Online resources and services for students! 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. Staff Directory Administration. 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. Discipline and referral data will be recorded in Student Discipline/Referral Action Report and Automated Student Information System. The doctor gave hera prescriptionandsent her home. 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. COVID-19 Testing Sites Available In Polk County You can find COVID-19 testing sites in your area by visiting https://polkschoolsfl.com/healthinformation/ to view a list of Polk testing sites provided by the Florida Department of Health. Users can also select how they wish to receive communication about their benefits (text and/or email). The issue came upthis week in Polk afterWendell Watson Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Susan Woolsasked The Ledger about it. In a separate section, the District shall include each alleged incident of bullying or harassment that does not meet the criteria of a prohibited act under this policy with recommendations regarding such incidents. The issue came up. Our district consists of 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 2 high schools, and a virtual learning academy for grades K-12. Accelerated Academic Programs Polk County Public Schools offers many programs for qualified, high-achieving students. Using the FPEP formula - often refered to as a "dollars per student" formula - Tedder offered the following example: "If the School Board gets approved to spend $3,500 per student and the number of students is 135,000 they would need to generate $437,500,000," he said. Use your county credentials or email to log in. View school menus and replenish your accounts. Cyberbullying also includes the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the distribution or posting creates any of the conditions enumerated in the definition of bullying. The Superintendent may authorize additional instructional programs or activities not previously listed within this policy on a case-by-case basis. Need Password Help? Log In Sign in with Staff Sign in with Students Florida Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline 1-800-962-2873 Students: Forgot Password? ; Accelerated Academic Programs Polk County Public Schools offers many programs for qualified, high-achieving students. Learn about the many ways were protecting our students. Learn about Polk County Public Schools athletics programs and how your child can join the team! Data reporting on bullying, harassment, unsubstantiated bullying, unsubstantiated harassment, sexual harassment, and threat/intimidation incidents, as well as any bullying-related incidents that have as a basis of sex, race, or disability should include the incident basis. Access is anonymous. The District shall provide for appropriate recognition and positive reinforcement for good conduct, self-discipline, good citizenship, and academic success. The Student Progression Plan describes requirements for students to be promoted to the next grade. Check your childs grades, attendance, and more. Students, parents, teachers, school administrators, counseling staff, and school volunteers shall be provided training and instruction, at least annually, on the District's policy and administrative procedures regarding bullying and harassment. "Cyberbullying" means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, which includes, but is not limited to, any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic system, photelectronic system, or photooptical system, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages, or facsimile communications. practices and standards defined by Section 508 of the U.S. Please Note: Each step must be completed in less than 20 minutes. Incidents that require a reasonable investigation when reported to appropriate school authorities shall include alleged incidents of bullying or harassment allegedly committed against a child while the child is enroute to school aboard a bus or at a school bus stop. Those at the top of their respectivesalaryschedules will receive a 3% increase,in addition to the above 2% increase. I just want to change my password. 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. Search . Follow us on Social Media for the latest news and updates. 2022 Polk County Public Schools | Equity & Compliance | About the District | Style Guide, Designed for iOS and Android mobile devices, the Benefitplace. "I am so sorry, said School Board member Lisa Miller. Thank you for visiting the official website of the Polk County Department of Education. There are 13,588 districts in the U.S. By comparison, New York spends $24,800 per student and the average teacher salary is$87,738. 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. 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. 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.