BOE retains the same banks, lawyers for 2018

The Polk County Board of Education kept their business brief book took care of several important but routine items during their regular session as the year gets underway in earnest.

Board members unani mously approved t o keep all the same financial institutions in place for their banking needs. Grady McCrickard recused himself from the vote since his wife is employed by one of those banks.

Southcrest Bank will continue to handle the Polk School District’s funds for bond proceeds and the Education-only Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax fund, while Suntrust Bank handles all the district’s payroll and money market accounts.

State funds handling investments for the district were also approved as part of the motion put before the board during their Jan. 9 session to wrap up the month.

Additionally, the board unanimously voted to approve that McRae, Stegall, Peek law firm continue to represent the school district in legal matters.

Superintendent Laurie Atkins praised the firm’s work during a busy year of issues in 2017 for the board’s attorneys, and said she was “pleased to recommend they continue to represent the board.”

The item that will provide the biggest benefit to the community in the months to come — at least for those parents wanting to plan vacations well ahead of time — is the 2018-19 and 2019-2020 school calendars. (Links to the calendars are available with this story online.)

Board member Jane Hamlett said she was especially pleased to present the work she and Kristy Gober completed to have two years worth of calendars done.

“I know a lot of members of the community are appreciative to have a two year calendar approved and released for everyone,” Hamlett said. “This calendar is important to them and their daily lives and how they plan their activities.”

Atkins said the calendars were also voted on by teachers, administrators and employees in the school district before it was brought to the board, continuing to give the faculty a voice in the process.

One item that will be of note for Polk School District faculty is the unanimous approval of a policy governing how early resignations before their contract will expire are handled.

Previously tabled, the policy was given the go ahead and allows for the Superintendent to decide whether to accept resignations before contracts expire, and also determines how ending pay rates are decided.