Lee County School District

Lee County School Board members unanimously approved the Proximity Plan Tuesday night. The program addresses the school transportation issues within the county for K-5 students.

At the Lee County Board of Education's next meeting they will take up the question of what elementary schools the county's children go to, a decision that will change for nearly half of those students by virtue of something called the Proximity plan.

The School District of Lee County is preparing mental health personnel to assist students and staff in mental distress post-Hurricane Ian.

As public schools in Lee County begin reopening this week for the first time since Hurricane Ian, the district’s counseling and mental health services teams are working to help students and staff reintegrate.

The funds, more than $200 million through the School Recognition Program, will go to 1,400 schools across the state that demonstrated student growth and teaching excellence in the 2021-22 school year. To be eligible, schools must receive a school grade of “A” or improve at least one letter grade from the prior year.

A Lee County School District statement said daily updates would be provided on the schools cleared to open and the first day of class for the students. Schools that are cleared to open will provide their families more information about the return to school.

School districts that closed for at least a day because of Hurricane Ian will have flexibility related to reporting enrollment, according to the Florida Department of Education. Districts periodically report enrollment numbers and other information to the state that can affect their funding.

Photos posted Monday showed damage at Lee County schools on Pine Island, Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach. School superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier, i a video posted to Facebook Monday, outlined several aspects of what the county schools are doing including a food distribution event and making plans to restart school despite the buildings that have been damaged.

A call involving a possible active shooter was determined to be part of a number of “swatting” calls impacting schools around the country. "Swatting” is the action of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to garner a large number of law enforcement to a specific location.

Lee County School District Superintendent Christopher Bernier is holding three town hall-style meetings across the district to share his priorities for the school system, get feedback on the district’s changing student enrollment process, and other issues.