BFILE COpy SCHOOL BOARD OF POLK COUNTY P.O. BOX 391 BARTOW, FLORIDA 33831 (863) 534-0500 1915 SOUTH FLORAL AVENUE BARTOW, FLORIDA 33830 Board Members BOARD CHAIR May 20,2011 KAY FIELDS DISTRlCf 5 FRANK] O'REILLY DISTRlCr I LORI CUNNINGHAM DISTRICT 2 HAZEL SELLERS D1STRICf 3 DICK MULLENAX D1STRlCf 4 Ms. LaTrel1 Edwards, Chief Bureau of Federal Education Programs Florida Department of Education 325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 348 Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400 DEBRA S.WRlGHT D1STRlCf6 TIM HARRIS D1STRlCf7 Dear Ms. Edwards: Re: Not Highly Qualified Paraprofessionals in Polk Title I Schools in 2010-11 C.WESLEY BRIDGES,II General Counsel Administration SHERRIE B. NICKELL, Ed.D. Superintendent I received a recent call from Ms. Jan Bates regarding Not Highly Qualified (NHQ) Paraprofessionals in Polk Title I schools in 2010-11. In March, we reported that there were two paraprofessionals who were NHQ after all coding errors had been corrected: Lacorsha Benton at Discovery Academy Charter and Armando Vega-Fontanez at Southwest Middle School. I have since learned that Lacorsha Benton has been HQ during all of 2010-11; however, Discovery Academy Charter had not provided documentation of that until February. We should have explained that more explicitly when the report was submitted in March. I have attached a copy of a transcript showing her college credit, which qualifies her as HQ. She received an AA degree on May 7, 2010. Armando Vega-Fontanez was employed for about three weeks at the beginning of the school year at Southwest Middle School prior to beginning a military leave of absence. He was at a Title I schoolwide program school but was not paid with federal funds. If you need further explanation, Sincerely, please let me know. It' '-It:JJiA::/J..i\~ ~~// Rhonda Ashley Director, Federal Programs Cc: Jan Bates Donna Wingard {j' Polk County Schools an equal opportunity institution for education and employment The Mission of Polk County Public Schools is to ensure rigorous, relevant learning experiences that result in high achievement for our students.