Keyword for this page: PEF
The Polk Education Foundation, along with many other education foundations in the state, receives funding through the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program, funded by the Florida Legislature and administered by the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. A unique aspect of this program is that the funds must be matched dollar for dollar with private sector funding. One of the ways the PEF uses our funding is to offer a grant program to schools where by they can offer a match to local donors in the areas of helping low performing students, increasing literacy, promoting STEM education, increasing graduation rates, and providing teacher professional development. This school year, the matching grant program helped 20 sites secure donations from the community. Blake Academy, Harrison, Janie Howard Wilson, Bartow Middle, Bok Academy, Lake Alfred Elementary, Bethune Academy, North Lakeland Elementary*, Kingsford Elementary*, Auburndale Central Elementary*, Purcell Elementary*, Padgett Elementary*, Alta Vista Elementary*, Lake Shipp Elementary*, Roosevelt Academy, Union Academy, Lake Alfred Addair Middle, the PCSB ESOL Department, Winter Haven High School, and Jewett Middle Academy all secured donations from their local community that were matched dollar for dollar, a win-win situation for all!
* Notates schools that utilized funds from the United Way of Central Florida for their match. Pictures here represent the hundreds of books that were purchased to be used in the Reading Pals program which provides adults who read to students and allows students to take books home. For many students, this will be the first book they have ever called their own!

Give “Just One for the Kids” and help the PEF raise money for student and teacher programs in Polk County. If every employee gave just one dollar per week, we could raise over $600,000 towards helping promote education in our district! Click on the Just One for the Kids button at the top of the to make an online donation or click here to use our payroll deduction card.
The Polk Education Foundation was created in 1988, as a 501 C 3 direct-support organization for the Polk County School Board. The Foundation serves as the fiscal agent and manager of many educational programs for Polk County Schools. We serve to enhance educational programs for students with private and corporate funds. Led by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of community, educational and business leaders, the Foundation has raised and spent over $34 million dollars.
The vision of the Polk Education Foundation is to help enhance public school programs and to help students reach their educational goals.
The mission of the Polk Education Foundation is to establish a proactive partnership
between the community and the public school system to link community resources with the
educational needs of its students through reading and mentoring programs, scholarships,
school grants and other educational endeavors.
Click Here to View the 2011-2012 PEF Financial Audit
Click Here to View the 2011 PEF Form 990
| Name: | Title: | Phone: |
|---|---|---|
| Susan Copeland | Executive Director | 534-0434 |
| Shirley Brosie | Accountant Specialist II | 534-5073 |
| Shannan Combee | Grants Manager, T2T Program Director | 534-0803 |
| Lou Ann Antonelli | Administrative Assistant | 534-0519 |
| Teresa Choquette | Take Stock in Children, Student Advocate | 519-8076 |
| Susan Fenich | Take Stock in Children, Program Coordinator | 519-8077 |
| Kristen LeFan | AmeriCorps Polk Reads, Program Director | 519-8637 |
| Karen Marshal | AmeriCorps Polk Reads, Program Assistant | 519-8638 |
Visit our Staff Directory to contact any staff member via e-mail
| Name: | Title: | Organization: |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Ruth Wilson | President | |
| Jerry Miller | Vice President | Progress Energy |
| David Ullman | Secretary/Treasurer | Bunting, Tripp & Ingley CPA |
| Hollis Hooks | Immediate Past President | Morgan Stanley Wealth Management |
| Name: | Organization: |
|---|---|
| Jae Lynn Akin | State Farm Insurance |
| Carol Barnett | Publix Super Markets Charities |
| Jan Mercer-Hyman | Bright House Networks |
| Ebbie Sue Doherty | Badcock Home Furniture & More |
| Terry Worthington | United Way of Central Florida |
| Tracy Mouncey | Tracy Mouncey and Associates |
| Jeff Cox | Linder Industrial Machinery |
| Paula Dockery | State Senator |
| Al Dorsett | Community Activist, Magnify Credit Union |
| Mimi Hardman | Community Activist |
| Jeanette Wallace | MIDFLORIDA Federal Credit Union |
| Kathryn Koch | Lanier Upshaw |
| Blinda Pullen | Bank of America |
| Deb Misch | Community Activist |
| John Stewart | Interim Superintendent of Polk County Schools |
| Steve Petrie | Principal, Union Academy |
| Cindy Price | TECO |
| Hazel Sellers | Polk County School Board Member |
| John Santarpia | Magnify Credit Union |
| Sherrin Smyers | Eventrics |
| John Stargel | Polk County Circuit Judge |
| Richard Stephens | Holland & Knight |
| Kim Iseman | LEGOland |
| Steve Warner | Webber University |
| Tracy Kimbrough | Baylis and Company |