Equity & Diversity Management

The Equity and Diversity Management department supports the educational mission of Polk County Public Schools by providing guidance and support for developing understanding and awareness of DEI within the district.

Polk County Public Schools is committed to helping its students, parents and employees create and sustain diverse, equitable and inclusive learning and working environments.

We work to implement and sustain efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within our district through strategic partnerships and initiatives paired with professional learning. Equally, we strive to ensure a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

How We Do It

• We recruit highly qualified personnel that mirror the demographics of our diverse student population.
• We monitor all school sites that fall below 5 percent of staff demographics (black and Hispanic) through the school district’s Diversity Action Plan (DAP) and by providing resources/supports.
• We work to increase awareness of teachers, administrators, district-level staff and community stakeholders through professional learning related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• We continue to develop partnerships with local organizations including (but not limited to) local Chambers of Commerce, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Concerned Citizens, Hispanic Educational Group, district PTAs and PTOs, Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and Community Relations Advisory Council (CRAC).
• We investigate and address incidents of unlawful harassment and inequitable treatment within the school district to promote an inclusive environment conducive to learning and working. (Title VI, Title VII, Title IX)
• We prepare position statements and formal responses to complaints filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Council (EEOC), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and other federal agencies, and provide basic EEO law training to staff as necessary.
• We prepare and submit the school district’s Annual Equity Update report to the Florida Department of Education.

Compliance

District & Community Committees on which We Serve

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

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:

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.