Emotions were high and security was tight at St.Leo’s Church in Bonita Springs Wednesday afternoon when the Town of Fort Myers Beach met with members of the Lee County School District.
The reason for the meeting was to try to get closer to determining the future of the beach school, which remains closed after Hurricane Milton in 2024. The meeting was mediated by local attorney Derek Rooney.
After an hour of opening statements, explanations, and a round of questions between both sides, it was clear from the school district that they believe they are on solid legal ground not reopening the school and that hurricanes Helene and Milton changed everything after the district spent millions after hurricane Ian to reopen the school. In fact the school district attorney said, “We have complied with the Inter-Local Agreement, we are not in breach, conditions changed after Helene and Milton.”
Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers said, “I’m deeply concerned about broken promises. We entered into the ILA in good faith and benchmarks that were set were achieved.” The town also believes the district has FEMA money specified to rebuild the beach school. The district disputes that.
Following the hour-long discussion between the two sides, beach parents (some with their kids in tow), residents and business owners took to the microphone for public comment. They all spoke about the importance of keeping the 80-year old school on their island. The theme was if you take away their school, Fort Myers Beach is no longer a community.
After public comment, the mediator broke the two groups into smaller discussion groups before getting them back to the table where Mayor Allers dropped a proposal in the school district’s lap.
Allers asked The Lee County School District to lease the Historical Beach School Building on Fort Myers Beach to the town for 100 years at $1 per year. The town also requested $12 Million to help the community fund a possible Charter School on the property. If ever built, that new building would replace the historical building which could then be used as some sort of community center.
Both sides hope to get back together after the holidays to see if they can move the idea further down the field. If some sort of resolution can not be reached, and litigation is initiated by the town, that could tack on another 3 years before any solution is anywhere close to being reached.
The town government is already too big and now they think they can run a school?? Make the school district live up to their promises! They are in the education business, the town isn’t and shouldn’t be….
The board of education is no longer in the education business either.
Charter schools can be great! We have had many in MN, I’ve taught at one. They can be a public school. The difference is how they are run, more my teachers, staff, and parents. Still totally open to all. I think it would be great
A charter school would not be good. We need our public schools more than ever.
The public school is the one abandoning the beach kids. The choice here is public or charter. It’s charter or nothing.
*is NOT
Charter schools lean towards the wealthy. Public schools represent all. Next, they will be requesting our tax dollars to fund them.
Hard to believe some people don’t use Facebook- again, you have totally misrepresented the facts – on this site you wrote numerous articles and op-Ed’s that were against the recall -once you and your backers were crushed in most important vote in FMB and a historical vote in Lee county – not a word on this site –
Your Bias is pathetic-
I’ve been calling for a charter school for years on this page as I have been calling for the TC to stick to comp plan for years – I’m happy to keep offering sound advise .
You live in an echo chamber –
‘My backers’
You are clueless.
I have advertisers who are clearly displayed.
I have zero backers that were crushed.
We’ve been clear from day one that we take no money from candidates or developers so people like you can never claim the BS you just tried to.
You are a complainer about everything Marty. That’s what the vast majority of your comments have always been, bitching and complaining.
Mr Complainer:
Didn’t take me long to find one of your more idiotic and totally false comments from the past. How about you run for office instead of just running your mouth?
“ I believe Dan was one of three votes with Bill Veach and Ray Murphy to close the beach for obviously ridiculous reasons – With mayor Dan wanting to MANDATE the tearing down of peoples property this topic is the most relevant topic on FMB – We need a mayor who is not conflicted , who represents the “will of the people. Not one’s personal will . The corruption and attempt to sell out FMB to large developers without a slow, methodical well thought out , communtiy supported review process is outrageous-
Thanks
Marty Bartow
I came here to see a story on the election and I was disappointed to see not a mention. I was amazed that I picked up a copy of “the Beach Observer” at Town hall at 8:30 Wednesday morning.
Me too Chris. I am not allowed on the FB page. Not sure why.
Here’s another one of your brilliant factless moronic comments from the recent past. You’re hatred for Dan is so deep for some reason. Run for Mayor know-it-all. Dan voted against most of these projects.
“It’s a shame that all current council memebers have sold out to developers over Constituents- The conflict of interests are STAGGERING- the Mayor and Safford should not participate in any of this hotel or development business as their entire livelihoods are directly tied to developing island. Anyone who lies and takes a position temporarily then tries to use that appointment to stay in power doesn’t belong in said position.”
Beyond comical to hear Mayor say” I’m deeply concerned about broken promises” almost as comical as Ed / Beach talk radio not leading or mentioning the biggest story on FMB – The LANDSLIDE election Win for the residents and the Town Comp plan.
Time to stop the BS-
Charter school has been the proper solution for yrs – the less the Govt is involved the better the school will become .
Maybe you should pay closer attention Mr. complain about everything. We’ve covered the recall in more detail than any other media outlet. We reported the results as soon as they were available. We’ve run multiple stories every day on our Facebook page. Some of your friends have ven stolen what I’ve written to repost it. Try typing “recall” in the search box and count all the stories or scan our Facebook page.
And we will cover Rebecca taking over the seat when it happens.
Ed
Maybe you are not well-informed on the actual damage and money drain that charters have caused. Less government involvement creates less accountability, BTW. And the private entities that run them love it