District Wants Polk Community's Opinion For New Superintendent

WINTER HAVEN, FL — Polk County Public Schools is asking parents, employees and community members to share their thoughts and expectations on the superintendent position that current Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd will be stepping away from in June.

In August, Byrd announced her retirement, which is effective June 30, 2021.

School officials said the district has contracted with the Florida School Boards Association to conduct the search for her successor.

The next steps involve input from the community through online surveys and forums.

The information gathered from the community will help determine the qualities and experience the school district is looking for in its next superintendent, officials said.

The online surveys ask respondents to identify the characteristics they feel are most important in the areas of personal leadership, instructional excellence and leadership, business, finance and operations, board, staff and community relations and performance accountability.

The surveys are open until Nov. 12. To take a survey, visit polkschoolsfl.com/supersearch.

For those who would like to provide in-person opinion, the school district will host a series of community forums at the below listed times and locations:

• Oct. 19 at 6 p.m., Jim Miles Professional Development Center, 4270 Wallace Road, Lakeland
• Oct. 20 at 6 p.m., Winter Haven High School cafeteria, 600 6th St. SE, Winter Haven
• Oct. 22 at 6 p.m., Haines City High School cafeteria, 2800 Hornet Drive, Haines City

In addition to the community forums, the district will host two forums specifically for employees at the following times and locations:

• Administrative staff forum, Oct. 21 at 4:30 p.m., Winter Haven High School cafeteria
• Non-administrative staff (including teachers, paras, custodians, bus drivers and attendants, secretaries, etc.) Oct. 21 at 6 p.m., Winter Haven High School cafeteria

To protect attendees, face coverings and temperature checks will be required at the community and employee forums, officials said.

Stay informed on the search for the new superintendent by visiting polkschoolsfl.com/supersearch.