Polk Education Foundation | District Information

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PEF "Spotlight"

PEF helps 20 sites double their donations!

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!
UW books UW pal

Just One for the Kids Employee Payroll Deduction Program

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.

About Us

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.

Vision Statement

The vision of the Polk Education Foundation is to help enhance public school programs and to help students reach their educational goals.

Mission Statement

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.

Goals

Sensitize the community to the needs of local schools and students.
Develop and enhance educational programs and initiatives for students.
Raise significant financial support for local schools and help to underwrite countywide programs for students.
Challenge parents, business leaders and the extended community to become involved in and be supportive of their local schools, their students and the district's education foundation.

2011-2012 Financial Documents

Click Here to View the 2011-2012 PEF Financial Audit

Click Here to View the 2011 PEF Form 990

Contact Information

Address:: 1530 Shumate Drive, Bartow, FL 33830
Phone:: (863) 534-0519

Staff Listing

All phone number area codes are (863)

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

Polk Education Foundation Board of Directors

Officers

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

Board Members

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