Education

Polk voters approve school tax that will raise about $65.6 million a year

Polk County voters approved a 1-mill school tax Tuesday, opening a new four-year funding stream for Polk County Public Schools. According to local media, most of the money is slated for employee pay, with the rest going to safety and programs.

Nov 41 min read

Education

Polk State Lakeland open house is tonight

Polk State College’s Lakeland Campus Open House runs tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. at 3425 Winter Lake Road, with campus tours, applications, dual-enrollment info and FAFSA help.

Oct 291 min read

Education

Florida Poly unveils flying police vehicle, pending FAA approval

Florida Polytechnic University says its police department is the first in the nation to integrate a manned eVTOL aircraft into operations, but the Lakeland campus still needs FAA approval before the vehicle can be used on duty.

Oct 211 min read

Education

Polk voters to decide school property-tax proposal on November 3

The district projects $65.6 million for employee pay and student programs if voters approve the additional mill.

Oct 101 min read

Education

Southeastern University Enrolls Record 14,500+ Students, Extends 15-Year Growth Streak

SEU announced its largest enrollment ever this fall, growing even as colleges nationwide close, and it's leaning on new nursing and aviation programs built with Lakeland partners.

Sep 63 min read

Education

Polk Schools Ban Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, Citing Covert Recording Risks

Polk County Public Schools now prohibits Meta/Ray-Ban smart glasses and similar wearable recording devices during the school day, with confiscation, discipline and possible police referral for violations.

Aug 314 min read

Education

Free Until 6:30, Dinner Included: Inside Polk's Boys & Girls Clubs as Lakeland Kids Head Back to Class

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County runs free after-school programming at 11 sites, three of them in Lakeland, for at least 7,000 students. A new on-campus location at IDEA Lakeland opened Aug. 24.

Aug 254 min read

Education

Fields and Sharpless Win Outright; District 3 School Board Seat Goes to a November Runoff

Kay Fields secured a seventh term and board chair Justin Sharpless cruised to a second, but no one cleared 50% in District 3, so Kate Wallace and Victor Sims will face each other again on Nov. 3.

Aug 214 min read

Education

$264,315 Behind Seven Candidates: Every Lakeland Voter Decides Three School Board Seats Tuesday

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, and all Polk County voters — regardless of party or district — can vote in three nonpartisan School Board races. Campaign finance records show where the money came from, and how much of it came from outside the county.

Aug 154 min read

Education

Free Backpacks in Lakeland on Aug. 1, 4 and 8, With Polk Classes Starting Aug. 11

Three free school supply giveaways land inside Lakeland over the next 10 days, including the Lakeland Branch NAACP's National Night Out event at Simpson Park. Polk students go back Aug. 11, and Florida's tax-free shopping window closes Aug. 20.

Jul 303 min read

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Education

Polk voters approve school tax that will raise about $65.6 million a year

Polk State Lakeland open house is tonight

Florida Poly unveils flying police vehicle, pending FAA approval

Polk voters to decide school property-tax proposal on November 3

Southeastern University Enrolls Record 14,500+ Students, Extends 15-Year Growth Streak

Polk Schools Ban Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, Citing Covert Recording Risks

Free Until 6:30, Dinner Included: Inside Polk's Boys & Girls Clubs as Lakeland Kids Head Back to Class

Fields and Sharpless Win Outright; District 3 School Board Seat Goes to a November Runoff

$264,315 Behind Seven Candidates: Every Lakeland Voter Decides Three School Board Seats Tuesday

Free Backpacks in Lakeland on Aug. 1, 4 and 8, With Polk Classes Starting Aug. 11