Board Members

Click on the picture of a board member below to view their bio.

Dr. William Allen, Vice Chair

— District 1

Dr. William Allen is a tenured Associate Professor of Interactive and Game Design at Florida Southern College. He has committed over 15 years to teaching and shaping young minds to be transformative contributors to society.

As a professor, Allen was awarded the Distinguished Miller Teaching Award, the Omicron Delta Kappa teacher of the year, and Distinguished Faculty Award for connectedness with students. His current research interests include studying changes in cinematic codes between two-dimensional and 360 cinematic spaces and the impact that has on short-term learning behavior and cognitivism.

Besides his educational experience, Allen is an active award-winning documentarian and media researcher. Recently, Allen served as a grant reviewer with the National Science Foundation’s Interactive division.

Allen’s PhD is in Digital Media from the University of Central Florida. He holds an MFA in Web Design and New Media from the Academy of Art University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication.

Dr. Allen resides in Lakeland and just celebrated 18 years of marriage to Jill. They have three kids and a small pup.

His term expires in November 2024.

Contact Information

Address: P.O. Box 391, Bartow, FL 33831

Phone: 863-546-8141

Email: william.allen01@polk-fl.net

District 1 Schools

Bill Duncan Opportunity Center
Blake Academy
Carlton Palmore Elementary
Cleveland Court Elementary
Crystal Lake Elementary
Crystal Lake Middle
Dixieland Elementary
Dwight Smith Center
Harrison Arts Center
Highlands Grove Elementary
Jesse Keen Elementary
Lakeland Highlands Middle
Lakeland Senior
Medulla Elementary
Oscar J. Pope Elementary
Philip O’Brien Elementary
R. Bruce Wagner Elementary
Scott Lake Elementary
Southwest Elementary
Southwest Middle
Traviss Career Center
West Area Adult

Lori Cunningham — District 2

Lori Cunningham is serving her fifth term on the School Board. Cunningham received her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of South Florida in 1985. She owns and operates Applied Images, Inc., an apparel decorating company serving the Central Florida area.

Cunningham is active in the community and serves as a trustee for The Vanguard School. She is a member of the Haines City and Lake Wales chambers of commerce, serving on the Haines City Economic Development Council and the Haines City Chamber of Commerce Education Committee. She served as a member of the School Advisory Council at Dale R. Fair Babson Park Elementary School for six years and is a current member of the Harrison School for the Arts PTO and Davenport School of the Arts PTO.

In addition, Cunningham is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales, where she has served on the Board of the Women of the Church, the Children’s Council, and the Stewardship & Finance Committee.

Her term expires in November 2024.

Contact Information

Address: P.O. Box 391, Bartow, FL 33831

Phone: 863-534-0529

Email: lori.cunningham@polk-fl.net

District 2 Schools

Alta Vista Elementary
Bella Citta Elementary
Bethune Academy
Boone Middle
Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy
Daniel Jenkins Academy
Davenport Elementary
Davenport High School
Davenport School of the Arts
Don Woods Center
Dundee Elementary Academy
Dundee Ridge Middle Academy
Eastside Elementary
Haines City Senior
Horizons Elementary
International Baccalaureate East
Lake Marion Creek Middle
Laurel Elementary
Loughman Oaks Elementary
Palmetto Elementary
Ridge Community Senior
Sandhill Elementary

Rick Nolte — District 3

Rick Nolte was born and raised in Brockport, N.Y., where he graduated high school in 1974 with a partial scholarship to play golf at Florida Southern College.

In 1978, he earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from Florida Southern. He continued his education with a full scholarship to Rollins College graduate school, where he earned his master’s degree in administration-supervision in 1980.

From 1979 until his retirement in 2015, Nolte taught in Orange, Polk and Hillsborough counties. Nolte also owns a small custom golf club business in Lakeland.

Nolte was elected in 2022 and is serving his first term on the Polk County School Board.

His term expires in November 2026.

Contact Information

Address: P.O. Box 391, Bartow, FL 33831

Phone: 863-534-0529

Email: rick.nolte@polk-fl.net

District 3 Schools

Anna Woodbury Elementary
Bartow Elementary Academy
Bartow Middle
Bartow Senior
Floral Avenue Elementary
Fort Meade Middle/Senior
Gause Academy of Leadership
George Jenkins Senior
Gibbons Street Elementary
Highland City Elementary
International Baccalaureate
Jean O’Dell Learning Center
Lewis Anna Woodbury Elementary
Mulberry Middle
Mulberry Senior
Purcell Elementary
Sikes Elementary
Spessard Holland Elementary
Stephens Elementary
Summerlin Academy
Union Academy
Valleyview Elementary
Willow Oak School

Sara Beth (Reynolds) Wyatt, Chair — District 4

Sara Beth (Reynolds) Wyatt is serving her second term on the School Board, first elected in 2016. Reynolds is a graduate of Polk County Public Schools, holds a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from the University of Florida and is currently pursuing her master’s degrees in public administration and nonprofit management from the University of Central Florida.

Sara Beth has served as the Director of Development at Theatre Winter Haven since 2016.

Wyatt serves as the Board liaison for Polk Vision’s Operating Board, the Florida School Board Association’s Board of Directors, the Florida School Board Associations Advocacy Committee, and the Polk Academies Advisory Board. She is a graduate of Leadership Winter Haven’s Class 38 and Leadership Florida’s Education Class IV. She is a recipient of the Florida School Board Association’s 2017 Emerging Leader Award. Sara Beth is board member and volunteer for Junior Achievement and Winter Haven’s Public Education Partnership. She attends Redeemer City Church in Winter Haven.

Her term expires in November 2024.

Contact Information

Address: P.O. Box 391, Bartow, FL 33831

Phone: 863-604-2023

Email: sarabeth.wyatt@polk-fl.net

District 4 Schools

Brigham Academy
Denison Middle
Elbert Elementary
Garden Grove Elementary
Garner Elementary
Inwood Elementary
Jewett Middle Academy
Jewett School of the Arts
Karen M. Siegel Academy
Lake Alfred Polytech Academy
Lake Alfred Elementary
Ridge Career Center
Westwood Middle
Winter Haven Senior

Kay Fields — District 5

Kay Fields, a native of McComb, Miss., is serving her sixth term on the School Board. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and received a bachelor’s degree in English/secondary education.

She is president and CEO of Girls Inc. of Lakeland, a program for girls in grades K-12. Fields has served on numerous committees and boards, and currently is a member of the Pig Fest board, the Lakeland Optimist Club, the United Way Women’s Leadership Council, and the Polk Vision board of directors.

Fields is a member of New Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Lake Hamilton, where she currently serves as a steward.

On January 14, 2019, Mrs. Fields hosted “An Evening of Listening — A Town Hall for Educators” at Kathleen Senior High. Review key points shared, questions asked and responses from district staff.

On Feb. 19, 2019, Mrs. Fields hosted “An Evening of Listening” at Sleepy Hill Middle School. Review key points shared, questions asked and responses from staff.

Her term expires in November 2026.

Contact Information

Address: P.O. Box 391, Bartow, FL 33831

Phone: 863-802-5483

Email: kay.fields@polk-fl.net

District 5 Schools

Churchwell Elementary
Dr. N.E. Roberts Elementary
Griffin Elementary
Kathleen Elementary
Kathleen Middle
Kathleen Senior
Lawton Chiles Middle
Lincoln Avenue Academy
North Lakeland Elementary
Rochelle School of the Arts
Sleepy Hill Elementary
Sleepy Hill Middle
Socrum Elementary
Winston Academy of Engineering

Justin Sharpless — District 6

Born and raised in Lake Wales, Justin Sharpless attended Polk County Public Schools from kindergarten through 12^th grade. He graduated from Lake Wales High School in 2002.

Sharpless enrolled in the University of Florida and earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural education and master’s in agricultural business.

Upon returning to Polk County, Sharpless began teaching agriculture at middle and high schools for PCPS and the Lake Wales Charter Schools.

He also earned a master’s degree from the University of Missouri and is currently a PhD candidate in agricultural education and leadership.

In 2015, Sharpless became an assistant professor of agricultural studies at Warner University.

Sharpless is married to Emilyn, a Polk County educator. They reside in Lake Wales and have two sons, Wyatt and Rhett. They are active members of HighPoint Church and involved in the community through Future Farmers of America (FFA), Alpha Gamma Rho and the Polk County Youth Fair.

Sharpless was elected in 2022 and is serving his first term on the Polk County School Board.

His term expires in November 2026.

Contact Information

Address: P.O. Box 391, Bartow, FL 33831

Phone: 863-534-0529

Email: justin.sharpless@polk-fl.net

District 6 Schools

Alturas Elementary
Chain of Lakes Elementary
Eagle Lake Elementary
Frostproof Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. Elementary
Frostproof Middle/Senior
Lake Region Senior
Lake Shipp Elementary
Mark Wilcox Center
McLaughlin Middle
Pinewood Elementary
Roosevelt Academy
Snively Elementary
Spook Hill Elementary
Wahneta Elementary

Lisa Miller — District 7

Lisa Miller is serving her second term on the Polk County School Board. She received her bachelor’s degree in mass communications/public relations from the University of South Florida and her masters in Public Administration from Barry University. Miller is broker/owner of MillShire Realty in Lakeland. After her son Michael was born with a significant developmental delay, she began working to improve the lives of all children with disabilities. For the last decade, she has worked to build advocacy networks at the local and state levels.

Miller has chaired the Polk County ESE Advisory Committee and represented Polk County as a member of Florida’s State Advisory Committee on Exceptional Student Education with the Florida Department of Education. She was appointed to chair the Family Care Council for Area 14 in 2012 by Gov. Rick Scott. Her most recent gubernatorial appointment was to the Florida Developmental Disability Council in 2018. Locally, she worked with the City of Lakeland to form the Alliance on Accessibility and hire its first full-time ADA coordinator. Miller is a member of the Polk Transportation Planning Organization.

Miller believes creating access for all students by building learning communities and encouraging community partnerships will increase student performance and create positive outcomes.

Miller is married to Bob, her husband of 22 years. They reside in North Lakeland with their two children.

Her term expires in November 2026.