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Polk County Schools spent the first half of May thanking its educators for their hard work, especially during the coronavirus pandemic of the past year.
The Polk County Board of Education spent part of its May meeting doing the same.
Superintendent Aaron Greene opened the board’s regular monthly session by thanking the staff that has worked so hard to serve students this year. Greene noted that all staff members are considered educators and that it takes everyone working together in every role to help students achieve.  
“I want to say publicly how much the board and I appreciate the dedication and hard work of our Polk Schools family,” Greene said. “Our teachers and staff have gone above and beyond throughout the pandemic to ensure students were afforded the best educational experiences possible. They are to be commended for their commitment and effort during an extremely challenging year.”
Teacher and staff appreciation events are usually held in May of each year, and Greene informed the board of the numerous ways in which educators have been celebrated and thanked this year.  
In addition to prizes and giveaways being awarded each day, local businesses offered special deals and discounts for Polk County educators, and parent groups reached out with snacks and meals. The Polk County Community Foundation also sponsored staff luncheons at schools to show their appreciation.
In other business conducted by the board:
• Approved May budget amendments as explained by Finance Officer Debbie Lovelace.
• Curriculum and Instruction Director Ronette Dill provided information about upcoming summer remediation programs and final details about the state’s program approval process.
• Adopted 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic calendars for Polk County Early College as presented by Assistant Superintendent Dave Scherping.
• Approved submission of the district’s “ESSER” applications outlining plans for local use of federal Covid-19 relief money following a detailed presentation by Greene.
• Heard updates on the district’s Food Service programs from Director Jennifer Peeler and thanked Peeler for the work she and the Food Service staff have done to keep students fed during the pandemic.
• Approved Kathy Harding’s request to apply for additional Head Start funding through the American Rescue Plan.
• Voted to hold its scheduled summer meetings on June 14 and June 28 with no meeting being held in July.

From staff reports