BARTOW | Clear Springs developer Sanford Phelps is standing by his $12 million contribution to Polk Community College for a satellite campus in Bartow, even though the state Legislature decided not to provide matching funds for the project.... more»

LAKELAND | Polk County School Board members and board attorney Wes Bridges will meet later this month to discuss appealing a ruling by an administrative judge that would force the district to pay as much as $720,000 for failing to educate an autistic student.... more»

University of Florida trustees Wednesday approved $47 million in budget cuts that includes layoffs and reductions in student enrollment.... more»

WINTER HAVEN | As guests entered Nora Mayo Hall on Wednesday, they were greeted by a Tiki hut, palm trees, colorful lawn chairs and sand buckets, but they weren't celebrating sun, sand and sea - they were honoring four women who serve their community and serve as role models for today's young...... more»

LAKELAND | Mark Thomas, principal at Lakeland High School for a dozen years, will be the new boss at Sleepy Hill Middle School next year.Fewer hours on the job, a smaller school and a new challenge were all factors in Thomas' decision to seek a transfer, even with a cut in pay.... more»

LAKELAND | Good riddance to school on Good Friday. After receiving numerous complaints from parents and teachers about having classes on Good Friday this year, Polk County School District made the day a holiday for next year.... more»

The Polk County School Board on Tuesday approved the appointment of three new principals:... more»

BARTOW | Life Skills Center, the troubled charter school in Lakeland, has been given a one-year "probationary contract" with the Polk County School District to improve its standing with the district.... more»

HAINES CITY | When Haines City High School's FFA members gather to celebrate the chapter's 50th anniversary on Thursday, they will be presenting a skit about a contemporary issue - the government's right to take land through eminent domain.... more»

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.... more»

Magdelena Friedt has been appointed as director of preschool programs in the Polk School District's Learning Division.... more»

LAKELAND | Facing rising food and gas prices, Polk County School Board members will vote today on increasing lunch prices for elementary and high school students.... more»

ELOISE | The late Robert "Smitty" Smith won't be forgotten at Snively Elementary School.School officials are planning to name the new classroom complex after the former Winter Haven city commissioner, who grew up in Eloise where the school is located.... more»

TALLAHASSEE | Florida rated a C-plus for difficulty on reading and math tests used to meet requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act last year, a study released Monday showed.... more»

TAMPA | After being forced to teach a longer day this year, Hillsborough high school teachers feel pressed for time, and are worried they are shortchanging students, a new survey shows.... more»

A number of high school seniors from the Ridge were named 2008 Superintendent's Scholars and were honored recently before their families, School District staff and administrators, School Board members and community members.... more»

ATLANTA | From his first day at Morehouse College - the country's only institution of higher learning dedicated to the education of black men - Joshua Packwood has been a standout.... more»

Cleveland Court Elementary... more»

Lakeland High School... more»

Shelley S. Boone Middle School is marking its 50th anniversary with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. May 20.The school was the first junior high school in Northeast Polk County.... more»

Students at Grace Lutheran School will present an "Evening with the Arts" on May 22. The program will be presented by the Grace Lutheran Middle School chorus, handbells and kindergarten through fifth-grade choirs.... more»

LAKELAND | Few if any school officials think Polk County can afford a new headquarters to house School District personnel and to consolidate staff and services now scattered across a county the size of Delaware.But if the money was available, how much would it cost?... more»

LAKE WALES | Officials of Lake Wales Charter Schools will scale back plans, if necessary, to keep renovations needed to open the Bok Academy Middle School within the $1.7 million budget.... more»

LAKELAND | Polk County's student scores in the writing portion of this year's Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test showed little progress, mirroring statewide averages.The bright spot was an overall improvement among eighth-graders in Polk and throughout the state.... more»

• Florida FCAT Writing Scores Hold Steady
• Polk's 2008 FCAT Writing Scores

LAKE WALES | Interim Polk Avenue Elementary School Principal Gail Quam has been appointed to the post permanently.... more»

TALLAHASSEE | Average scores on the essay portion of Florida's standardized writing test are virtually unchanged from last year, and more than three-fourths of students still come in at or above the minimum standard.... more»

• Polk FCAT Writing Scores Don't Budge Much
• Polk's 2008 FCAT Writing Scores

The school crossing at Avenue C Southeast and Fourth Street Southeast will be closed May 23.The crossing is no longer being used by students walking to Brigham Academy Elementary School.... more»

Bartow High School and Bartow International Baccalaureate students were recently honored before the school board for attaining the highest possible scores on subject area components of the SAT and ACT standardized college-prep assessments.... more»

KISSIMMEE | The director of Osceola County's Emergency Management Department is warning local small business owners that if they don't have an emergency plan in place for their companies as the summer storm season approaches, they'll likely to lose those businesses the next time a hurricane hit the...... more»

Mayfaire by-the-Lake returns with all the well-loved qualities that have become staples throughout the art festival's 37-year tradition - high-quality art, relaxing live music and a showcase of local talent - but this year it will be easier to enjoy them.... more»

  Live Music Will Dot Art Show Landscape
  Children Invited to Create Crafts at Kids' Tent
  It's Not Easy Judging Art
  May Ferries Will Sweep You Off Feet
  New Booth Manned By Eight Students
  There's a New Mayfaire Assistant Coordinator
  Survival Tips
  Saturday Night's A Party