2015-2016

New Teacher
Relocation Bonus Requirements

To be considered for the Polk County School District’s relocation bonus($500), a new teacher must meetallof the requirements listed.

  1. Sign a Conditional Offer of Employment (COE)in order to fill a core academicteaching vacancy.
  1. Relocate within the borders of Polk County, either from out-of-state or from another non-borderingFlorida county, to specifically fill a core academicteaching vacancy. (See List ofCore Academic Areas below)

Note: Teacher applicants who already have a Polk County address on their online employment application, or who previously planned to move to Polk County prior to signing a Conditional Offer of Employment(e.g., spouse transfer), are ineligible.

  1. Provideproof of certification in a core academic teaching assignment.

Acceptable proof includes:

  • Valid Florida Professional Teaching Certificate or
  • Valid Florida Temporary Certificate or
  • Valid Status of Statement of Eligibility or
  • Original receipts reflecting certification application fee(s) paid and an official Score Report reflecting a passing score on the Subject Area Examination in area of teaching assignment.
  1. Have never been employed as a teacher with the PolkCountySchool District.
  1. Be actively employed as a teacherwith the DistrictonJanuary 31st, 2016 (Fall hires), and/or May 30th, 2016 (Spring hires). Relocation bonuses will be paid in Februaryand June.

Deadlines:

  • Fall new hires (June 2015-Dec 2015)- All required paperwork must be received in the Office of Recruiting no later than January 15, 2016.
  • Spring new hires (Jan 2016- May 2016) - All required paperwork must be received in the Office of Recruiting no later than June 1, 2016.

Core Academic Areas
Math / English / Science / History
Reading / Language Arts / Civics / Government
Economics / Geography / Music / Visual Arts
Drama / World/Foreign Languages / ESE / Elementary K-6
Special Provision for New Teachers Assigned to Teach Reading
If a new teacher holds a Professional Certificate in anothersubject area but, assigned to teach reading during the 2015-2016 school-year, he or she may still be eligible for the relocation assistance.
IMPORTANT -PLEASE READ
  • This is not a guaranteed incentive. All requirements must be met and paperwork received by
    the specified deadlines (i.e., January and June).
  • The relocation paperwork will not be processed until the new teacher completes and returns the Relocation BonusAcknowledgment & Request Form.
  • The new teacher (not the hiring administrator/ location) is responsible for submitting all requested/required supporting documentation for bonus consideration.
  • The duration of this incentive program is contingent upon the availability of sufficient grant funds.
  • Norelocation requests will be processed after the fiscal year during which the employee starts to work.
  • New teacher’s failure to successfully complete his/her probationary period or who is terminated for cause would result in forfeiture of the relocation assistance.

Follow these steps to be considered for the Relocation Bonus.

  1. Read, complete, and return the Relocation Bonus Acknowledgment Form- Form A.
    (Note: Faxed copies will not be accepted or processed. Must have the original with signatures.)
  2. Submit documentation reflecting your new Polk County address.
  3. Acceptable documentation includes: mail reflective of your name and the Polk address, billing statement such as; utility, phone, cable reflective of your name and address. (This address will be compared with your address listed on your (Polk County Schools online employment application.)
  4. Submit proof of certification in a core academic area.
  5. Submit a copy of your signed Conditional Offer of Employment.

The School Board of Polk County, Florida prohibits any and all forms discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, homelessness, or disability or other basis prohibited by law in any of its programs, activities, or employment. If you require any type of accommodation to complete the employment process due to a disability, please call the Human Resource Services Division at (863)-534-0781. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please contact the Polk County School District by calling Florida Relay Service at 1-800-955-877.

10/25/2018