Polk County School Board Election Results: Kate Wallace Wins District 3, Voters Approve 1-Mill School Tax
Polk County voters approved a one-mill property tax
More than 60% of voters backed the referendum, titled “Millage for School Safety, Teachers, and Career Education.” The measure adds one mill, or $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property value, raising the district’s local school rate from 2.248 to 3.248 mills. The levy runs from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2031, and would need voter renewal after that.
The district estimates the tax will raise about $79 million a year. State law requires roughly $13.6 million to go to charter schools, and the district would receive about $65.6 million. The district will direct 80% to additional pay for school-based employees. The other 20% supports school safety, the arts, career and technical education, workforce development, and early childhood programs. A 14-member oversight committee of community members will review spending.
The ballot language commits money to categories rather than dollar amounts, so the School Board must bargain with employee unions
Superintendent Frederick Heid told The Citrus Tea News at an August press conference in Haines City that Polk’s teacher retention rate has improved to 88%, while neighboring districts that have passed referendums sit at 92% or higher. Ryan DelliVeniri of Citizens for Quality Education Polk, the committee behind the Vote Yes for Student Success campaign, said the district opened the school year more than 500 teachers short. Polk had been the only one of Florida’s seven largest school districts without a voter-approved operating millage. The Polk Education Association supported the measure, and the Polk County Republican Executive Committee urged voters to reject it.
In District 3, Wallace won more than 53% of the vote, defeating challenger Victor Sims by roughly 6 points. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Wallace to the seat in November 2025 after board member Rick Nolte died. She led the three-way Aug. 18 primary with 45% to 36% for Sims and 19% for Sarah Corona, and the top two advanced to the general election because no candidate won a majority.
In a victory speech on Nov. 3, Wallace thanked those who endorsed her campaign, donated, knocked on doors, and helped her cross the finish line to serve on the school board for the next four years. She ran on a platform of better teacher pay, school choice to meet student needs, and working with legislators for better district funding at the state level.
Voters also approved Amendment 3, a statewide property tax measure that does not reduce school district levies.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Polk County school tax referendum pass?
Yes. More than 60% of voters approved the one-mill referendum in unofficial results from the Polk County Supervisor of Elections.
How much will the Polk County school tax cost homeowners?
The tax is one mill, or $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. The district estimates it will add about $259 a year for the county’s average homesteaded home, and non-homesteaded property is taxed on its full taxable value.
What will the Polk County school millage pay for?
About 80% goes to additional pay for school-based employees. The other 20% supports school safety, the arts, career and technical education, workforce development and early childhood programs.
When does the Polk County school tax start and how long does it last?
The levy runs from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2031, and would need renewal after that.
Who won the Polk County School Board District 3 race?
Kate Wallace defeated Victor Sims, receiving more than 53% of the vote in unofficial results.
Sources: “Polk County Property Tax Increase Would Raise Teacher Pay to Keep Staff,” The Citrus Tea News, thecitrustea.com, Aug. 26, 2026; “Polk County 2026 Primary Election Results: Wilson Edges Quinn and a School Board Race Heads to November,” The Citrus Tea News, thecitrustea.com, Aug. 19, 2026; “Meet the Candidates: Polk County’s 2026 School Board Races,” The Citrus Tea News, thecitrustea.com, June 25, 2026; “2026 General Election Unofficial Results,” Polk County Supervisor of Elections, enr.electionsfl.org, Nov. 3, 2026; “General Election updates: Incumbents fall, vacancies filled in school board races,” Central Florida Public Media, cfpublic.org, Nov. 3, 2026; “School Ballot Initiative,” Polk County Public Schools, polkschoolsfl.com, undated; “Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Annie ‘Kate’ Wallace to the School Board of Polk County,” Office of the Governor, flgov.com, Nov. 7, 2025; “The Conservative Case Against the School Property Tax Referendum,” Polk County Republican Executive Committee, polk.gop, undated.
