Last night in a 7-0 vote the Lee County School District voted to turn the Beach School property over to the Town of Fort Myers Beach to allow the town to pursue a Charter School. If the town signs the agreement, a 4-month clock starts ticking to initiate a plan to build the Charter School.
The proposal, detailed below, must now be voted on and signed by the town council. They meet again on Monday at 9AM. What’s important to note is that, while the school district would be responsible to help the town, to a certain extent financially, paying to get the current structure open or build a new building would be entirely up to the town and the town’s taxpayers. No money is coming to the town in this agreement to turn over the property.
The kids from the beach school have been attending Heights Elementary since Hurricane Milton in 2024. It’s unknown how many elementary aged kids currently live on the island.
Here are the details of the proposed inter-Local agreement between the School Board and the Town of Fort Myers Beach that would result in the town getting the Beach School property and taking the next steps to build and run their own Charter School:
Town Obligations and Timeline
Initial Submissions:
– Within 120 days of the agreement’s effective date, the Town must provide the School Board with a detailed Work Plan (outlining scope, cost, and timeline for improvements) and a fully executed Charter Application.
– Once the Board approves these documents, the Town must seek final approval from applicable jurisdictions. After the charter is granted and approved by the District, the School Board will transfer the property to the Town via a special warranty deed.
– Commencement of Operations: The Town is required to ensure the charter school begins operations within three years of the agreement’s effective date, though the School Board may grant extensions for good cause.
Property Use and Condition
– Operational Flexibility: The Town may use the existing historic building, undertake new construction, or contract with a licensed third party to operate the school.
– “As-Is” Condition: The transfer is strictly on an “as-is” basis, with the Town disclaiming all warranties and relying on its own inspections.
– District Support: The School Board agrees to work with the Town to identify and potentially donate surplus equipment (such as furniture and technology) to help reduce start-up costs.
Reversion and Fair Market Value
– The property must be transferred back to the School Board if the school fails to open within three years, closes for more than one year, or is used for non-educational purposes. In such cases:
– The transfer back must occur within 120 days of a breach notice.
– Alternative Payment: Instead of returning the property, the Town may choose to pay the Fair Market Value, determined by averaging two independent appraisals. This payment must be made within 90 days of the breach notice to extinguish the School Board’s reversionary interest.
Default and Termination
– If either party fails to meet material obligations, they are considered in default. The non-breaching party must provide written notice and allow a 60-day period to cure the default. If the default is not corrected, the non-breaching party may terminate the agreement for cause.
Local journalism is hard work. If you appreciate the most in-depth reporting on Fort Myers Beach, please support what we do HERE by Venmo, Zell or PayPal. Thank you.
I understand that the community wants a school. My concern is that our public officials are already overwhelmed with what is on their plates…… how can they fit this into the mix? Are we going to hire more people or consultants to work on this? Also, where will the $$$ come from? Remember last budgeting go round where cuts had to be made to minimize the town’s tax increases? Can the seniors on this island afford to pay more taxes for this? I fear Lee County School Board is sucking us into a no win situation! Yeah, yeah….. the islanders have a can do attitude and can make things happen……..Can leadership commit that this will all be done through fund raising and not on the backs of FMB taxpayers???
So the Lee County dithered around for a couple of years on the beach school rebuild, yet they provide the Town of FMB a meer four months to provide a detailed plan of attack. What a bunch of miscreants. (It is no wonder that parents are pulling their children from public schools. They are so poorly managed.) I hope FMB can make the school acquisition timeline and am willing to assist if they need more manpower.
Kevin, I could not agree more. I hope upon hope, the very determined and capable islanders can make this happen.
FEMA gave the district 11 million for the sole purpose of restoring that school. The district says it doesn’t have it. That is misappropriation of funds.
Get the property transfer first.