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School renovations and improvements included

 

POLK COUNTY–On June 19, the Polk County Board of Commissioners formally approved the 2023-2024 budget during its regularly scheduled meeting. 

The Board also heard from Dr. Brandon Schweitzer, Director of Operations for Polk County Schools, regarding improvements and renovations for local schools.

Commissioner David Moore read a portion of the Polk County 2023-2024 budget plan regarding the tax rate of .53% and real property tax increase of 2 cents, saying, “I want to make it clear that Polk County government is not requesting any increase in our operating expenses. This is merely for our schools, which are in desperate need.

“It is for facility maintenance. It’s not for salaries, which sometimes gets misconstrued. I just want to make that clear that everybody understands that it’s for our schools”.

This will be the first tax increase regarding schools in Polk County in eight years.

Schweitzer began by requesting the first payment on Tryon Elementary School’s new Pre-K addition project. It will be the first distribution in a recurring series of payments made to the contractor constructing the building.

In addition to the Pre-K building, Tryon Elementary School will also be receiving a new dishwasher, as theirs has broken down after 30 years use. Schweitzer thought replacing the dishwasher was a better option than switching to disposable trays. 

A final request was made for repair and renovations to the roof of Polk County High School. 

All funds requested by Dr. Schweitzer had already been approved by the Polk County School Board, and all requests were approved unanimously.