Parent involvement is just one of the Polk County School district's goals for this coming school year.

  • 'Wheels to Engagement' aims to honor involved Polk parent
  • Wheels to Engagement
  • Jarrett Gordon Ford is giving away a bran new Ford Fusion

One way to help make that happen is a new initiative called "Wheels to Engagement."

Many parents in Polk County simply can't attend parent teacher conferences due to lack of transportation. To give one of those parents a helping hand, at end of the school year, Jarrett Gordon Ford is giving away a brand new Ford Fusion. 

"We need them to come and meet with teachers, so they can understand what's going on in the classroom, what's going on in the educational process,” explained Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd, when asked about the goal of the new initiative.  

Winning the car won’t be easy. The parent will have to do things like volunteer eight hours at their child's school and complete communication plans with their child's teacher.

The program is restricted to parents with children in the 20 low performing schools selected to participate in the program. 

In addition, CenterState Bank is sponsoring cash prizes totaling $5,000 for the grand prize winner, and second and third runners-up.

Another area of focus this year is using the school buses to increase literacy in the elementary schools. 

"We have books on our buses already for our students to read. We're going to encourage that initiative to continue and to grow,” said Superintendent Byrd. 

Byrd also advises parents to read more books to their children. 

When it comes to the older kids in the district, Superintendent Byrd said they can expect less district mandated tests. 

"Last year we heard from our students. We heard from our teachers. We're giving too many tests. We reduced testing by 100 tests. That gives some more autonomy and flexibility back in the classroom. My goal is to bring some of the love back in the classroom for those teachers,” Byrd explained. 

The Superintendent's other goals include raising the district's letter grade to a B, and improving the graduation rate to 74 percent. 

"We believe in slow and steady growth. We're moving on that trajectory,” Byrd said.