Polk State Opens Monday, Polk Public Schools on Tuesday

Polk State College's campuses and centers will reopen on Monday, including the collegiate high schools, spokesperson Madison Fantozzi reported Sunday.

Kyle Kennedy, spokesperson for Polk County Public Schools, said that "all available PCPS staff will return to work on Monday" in order to prepare the schools to receive students on Tuesday morning.

Fantozzi's statement statement said that crews have been working through the weekend "to clear debris and repair minimal damages" to prepare the college campuses in Lake Wales, Bartow, Winter Haven, and Lakeland for reopening.

"It is important that individuals remain off campus until the College has reopened to allow the crews to work as effectively as possible." she added., urging "students, faculty, staff, and community members to practice extreme caution while driving. If a traffic signal is out, treat the intersection like a four-way stop. Students who need transportation can utilize Citrus Connection, which students ride for free with their Polk State IDs."

Polk State College also encouraged students to communicate with their instructors. "Faculty and staff will be exercising flexibility as the community continues to recover from impacts of the storm," she added.