Polk County Public Schools
The school district’s Information Systems And Technology (IST) Department was awarded the Innovative Technology in Education Award from the Florida School Boards Association.
The IST department has utilized instant messaging and live meeting software to hold real-time meetings for staff without having to travel.
This implementation has reduced principal mileage reimbursements by more than $22,000 and saved more than 4,500 hours of travel time. Schools are more efficient because principals can remain on campus and attend to school matters while still receiving important information quickly and effectively.
Abdu Taguri is the school district’s assistant superintendent of the Information Systems and Technology Department.
The school district’s Department of Community Relations recently won a number of significant awards:
The department received Image Awards from the Florida Public Relations Association for two projects. The department’s audio-visual presentation “Give Them Somethin’ To Talk About” and public service announcements broadcast during National Teacher Appreciation Week both received the Image Awards. The public service announcements were broadcast on cable television, commercial radio and also available on the school district’s Web site.
Margaret Anne Wheeler, the school district’s community involvement coordinator, received the Mary J.Brogan Leadership Award from the Florida Literacy Coalition for her long-standing efforts for adult literacy. Margaret Anne is the co-founder and former president of READ Polk, a literacy advocacy organization. The community involvement office is a division of the Community Relations Department.
Leah Lauderdale, APR, CPRC, is senior director of the Community Relations Department which has been awarded more than 18 awards from four different state and local public relations organizations during the last four years.
