Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd Announces Retirement: Polk County

BARTOW, FL — Superintendent of Polk County Schools Jacqueline Byrd announced her retirement in a letter emailed to the board dated May 19. In her resignation letter, she told the board that even though it was a very difficult decision to make, her official retirement date from the position of superintendent is Feb. 26, 2021.

She accepted the superintendent position in 2016.

Some highlights of helping the Polk County School District during her tenure include:

• Decreasing the number low-performing schools from 50 to 21.
• Increasing the graduation rate from 69.4 percent to 81.2 percent.
• Increasing the district grade from a “C” to a “B” in 2017-18, which was maintained consecutively for 2018-2019.
• Opening the first community partnership school with support of wraparound services for the school and community.
• Creating and partnering with Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd to implement the School Guardian program, which was developed in response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Act for placing armed personnel in all schools.

“To the teachers, administrators, support staff and all staff members, thank you for working tirelessly to further our mission: providing a high-quality education for all students. Because of our efforts, together we were able to accomplish not only the accomplishments listed above, but many more. When times were tough, we dug in, pulled together as a team and emerged as one. We did it, thank you! To the School Board, I wish you nothing but success in selecting a successor superintendent, who I hope will continue to put the education of Polk County's children first on their list of priorities.”

She closed her letter with thanks to the students of Polk County and lifetime memories.

The Polk County School Board said they have not found a replacement for her position yet. District officials have declined to discuss how the search for Byrd's replacement will be handled