School Board Kills Talk of New HQ

There may one day be a new building housing the offices of the Polk County School District, but it won't be anytime soon.

Tuesday, School Board members dismissed the idea of building a new $126 million building.

Board member Tim Harris had requested the cost information for a new building. When word of how much it would cost became known, angry teachers and staff members wanted to know how the board could justify such an expense at a time of tight budgets.

Board members quickly made it clear the question was just for discussion. And while building a new facility to house the district's departments might make sense one day, it is not on the board's current agenda.

"I've received about a dozen e-mails," board member Lori Cunningham said. "I want to make it clear ... we're not building an office any time soon."