The Office of Equity and Federal Compliance supports the educational mission of Polk County Public Schools by providing guidance and support for complying with federal anti-discrimination and anti-harassment regulations.

Compliance

District & Community Committees on which We Serve

These are just a few of the committees on which we serve.

  • Charter Review
  • Student Code of Conduct
  • Administrator Screening Selection
  • Head Start Policy Council
  • Career Academy Advisory Board
  • Community Relations Advisory Council (CRAC)
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Committee
  • Facility Vendor Selection (Bid Review)
  • ESE Advisory Council
  • Student Behavior Response Team (SBRT)

Nondiscrimination Statement

The School Board of Polk County, Florida, prohibits any and all forms of discrimination and harassment. It is the policy of Polk County Public Schools to not discriminate in admission or access to, or employment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, pregnancy, age, homelessness, disability, or the use of trained guide dog or service animal, veteran or military status, marital status, genetic information, or other legally protected classification in its educational programs or services.

The District also provides equal access to its facilities to the Boy Scouts and other Title 34 patriotic youth groups, as required by the Boys Scout of America Equal Access Act (34 C.F.R. 108.9). This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and extracurricular school activities.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies, reports of alleged violations, concerns about compliance and the grievance procedure(s), etc.:

ADA/EEO:

Consheryl Adams – Senior Analyst
Office of Equity and Diversity Management
Polk County Public Schools
1915 S. Floral Avenue
Bartow, FL 33830
863-534-0781 ext. 570

[email protected]

Section 504:

Tammy Williams – Assistant Superintendent
Office of Learning Support
Polk County Public Schools
1915 S. Floral Avenue
Bartow, FL 33830
863-535-6488 ext. 464

[email protected]

Title IX Coordinator:

Dr. Adrian Anthony – Senior Director
Office of Equity and Diversity Management
Polk County Public Schools
1915 S. Floral Avenue
Bartow, FL 33830
863-534-0781 ext. 569

[email protected]

The School Board of Polk County, Florida, Policies 1122, 2260, 3122 and 4122, Florida Educational Equity Act, Section 1000.05, F.S., Rule 6A‐19.000 through 6A‐19.010, FAC, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended, Vocational Guidelines, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act 34 C.F.R. 108.9.

Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination for CTE Programs (Postsecondary)

The School Board of Polk County, Florida, offers the following Career and Technical programs, wherein participants may earn industry certification: Administrative Office Specialist, Airframe & Power Plant, Automotive Collision Technology Technician, Automotive Service Technology, Building Trades with Construction Design, Computer Systems & Information Technology, Cosmetology, Dental Assisting, Diesel Systems Technician, Digital Design, Drafting, Electricity Energy Technician, Fire Fighter, HVAC/Refrigeration, Legal Administrative Specialist, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Medical Coding & Billing, Network Support, Patient Care Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Practical Nursing, Professional Culinary Arts & Hospitality, Surgical Technology and Welding Technology

The District is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment and educational opportunity. No person shall be discriminated against or harassed in any educational program, services or activities or employment conditions or practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, pregnancy, age, homelessness, disability, marital status, genetic information, or other legally protected classification.

Admission is open to students with limited English proficiency. In order to eliminate barriers, the District assesses each student’s ability to benefit from specific programs through placement tests and counseling, and, if necessary, will provide services or referrals to better prepare students for successful participation.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies, reports of alleged violations, concerns about compliance and the grievance procedure(s), etc.:

Employees: For matters involving Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII, and Florida’s Educational Equity Act, direct all inquiries to the District’s ADA/EEO Coordinator.

Students: For matters involving Section 504 contact the District’s Section 504 Coordinator.

Title IX: For all Title IX related matters, whether involving employees and/or students, contact the District’s Title IX Coordinator.

Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination for CTE Programs (Career Academies)

The School Board of Polk County, Florida, offers Career Academies from 8 established career cluster areas. Admission to these programs is based on career interests, aptitude, and schedule availability. Career Academies are open to all eligible high school students in the district.

Students may earn industry certification in the following areas of study:

  • Agriscience and Natural Resources
  • Business Technology
  • Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Health Science Education
  • Industrial Education
  • Marketing Education
  • Public Service Education
  • Technology Education

The District is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment and educational opportunity. No person shall be discriminated against or harassed in any educational program, services or activities or employment conditions or practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, pregnancy, age, homelessness, disability, marital status, genetic information, or other legally protected classification.

Admission is open to students with limited English proficiency. In order to eliminate barriers, the district assesses each student’s ability to benefit from specific programs through placement tests and counseling, and, if necessary, will provide services or referrals to better prepare students for successful participation.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies, reports of alleged violations, concerns about compliance and the grievance procedure(s), etc.:

Employees: For matters involving Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII, and Florida’s Educational Equity Act, direct all inquiries to the District’s ADA/EEO Coordinator.

Students: For matters involving Section 504 contact the District’s Section 504 Coordinator.

Title IX: For all Title IX related matters, whether involving employees and/or students, contact the District’s Title IX Coordinator.