School

The Florida Senate on Monday gave final approval to a bill that would impose eight-year term limits on county school-board members, readying the issue to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

In response to nationwide school shootings and threats to its local schools, the Lee County School Board has approved a $3.2 million to purchase weapons detectors that will roll out for all K-12 public schools when students return for the 2023-2024 year.David Newlan, executive director of Safety, Security and Management for Lee schools, said he spent over a year researching security systems before choosing the portable, battery-operated OPENGATE system.

Sue B. Woodward, 68, of Texarkana, Arkansas, faces charges of one count each of grand theft and official misconduct, both felonies.

Principals and department hiring managers will be at the Lee County Public Education Center interviewing and hiring teachers, school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, school social workers, and school counselors for the 2023-2024 school year.

A blog had reported that a candidate for the position of Collier County School Board school attorney had prior and potentially unethical email contact with a board member, including sending the board member a proposed employment agreement in November. That information was discounted by board officials, who said nothing below-board had taken place.

After the candidate interviews the board may select and recommend one of the candidates for the position, listed on the Jan. 23 agenda as a $180,000 position, or decide to seek additional input and/or candidates.

Southwest Florida voters will decide on a number of school board seats as well as choose if the next Lee County school superintendent will be appointed or elected.

Three SWFL districts getting a portion of $2.7 million earmarked for career and technical education programs.

At San Carlos Park Elementary, Governor Ron DeSantis announced $2 million has been awarded to support local education foundations in six school districts hardest hit by the storm.

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.