The\u00a0School\u00a0District of Lee County will continue its focus on student achievement and\u00a0school\u00a0safety for the 2026-2027\u00a0school\u00a0year.<\/p>\n
Superintendent Dr. Denise\u00a0Carlin\u00a0said the district must continue its focus on raising the bar for student achievement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI declared a line in the sand for no D\u00a0schools,\u201d she said. \u201cOur goal is\u00a0to\u00a0have zero C\u00a0schools \u2014 a little bit of a challenge because of the State of Florida is raising the bar. We are up for the challenge and will continue\u00a0to\u00a0focus on teaching the Florida benchmarks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carlin\u00a0said the focus will be on each and every individual child \u2014 and the next steps when they learn or do not learn a benchmark. <\/p>\n
She said there will be extra instruction when a student does not acquire a skill, or achieve a benchmark, as well as continued enrichment for those who do.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0school\u00a0district had zero D and F\u00a0schools last year with 29\u00a0schools that improved their grades.\u00a0Carlin\u00a0said she is proud of the children who stepped up\u00a0to\u00a0the challenge, as well as teachers and teams at the\u00a0schools.<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t be prouder of their work,\u201d\u00a0Carlin\u00a0said.<\/p>\n
Students will fill the hallways on Aug. 11, a day\u00a0Carlin\u00a0said she is looking forward\u00a0to, as there is nothing like a brand-new\u00a0school\u00a0year.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, we have just over 40 teacher vacancies,\u201d she said on July 29.<\/p>\n
Carlin\u00a0said a goal was declared \u2014 \u201cWe will have all of our classrooms filled with certified teachers on day one \u2014 we are setting the bar high.\u201d<\/p>\n
The\u00a0school\u00a0district implemented a teacher incentive \u2014 stepping out of collective bargaining \u2014\u00a0to\u00a0provide an incentive of up\u00a0to\u00a0$10,000\u00a0to\u00a0teach at the highest need\u00a0schools and core academic subjects.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of those teacher incentives, there is one teacher vacancy in our East Zone. We had over 100 teacher vacancies when I was sworn in,\u201d\u00a0Carlin\u00a0said.<\/p>\n
She said she has a huge amount of appreciation for the governor and legislation passed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout it, we would not be able\u00a0to\u00a0pay the teacher incentive\u00a0to\u00a0choose the most difficult assignment,\u201d\u00a0Carlin\u00a0said.<\/p>\n
There are also strides being made in the transportation department, which leaves the superintendent feeling \u201clike a proud mother.\u201d <\/p>\n
She said they are making sure there is laser-like focus on getting children\u00a0to\u00a0school\u00a0on time, which is the \u201cbig secret\u00a0to\u00a0our success.\u201d<\/p>\n
The combination of having students in the classroom when the bell rings and high-quality teachers before them in each is that secret\u00a0to\u00a0success.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue\u00a0to\u00a0work on refining our routes,\u201d\u00a0Carlin\u00a0said.<\/p>\n
She asks that parents keep their patience the first few weeks of\u00a0school\u00a0as it is bound\u00a0to\u00a0be a little bumpy.<\/p>\n
Spokesperson Rob Spicker said through a state appropriation and BusPatrol proceeds, the district is investing in routing software as the current software is old and no longer meets the needs of the district. The district anticipates having part of that process completed in time\u00a0to\u00a0maximize efficiency during the second semester and fully on board\u00a0to\u00a0optimize routes the following\u00a0school\u00a0year.<\/p>\n
The software will have the ability\u00a0to\u00a0incorporate GPS, student data, ridership trends and optimize the efficiency of routes.<\/p>\n
On Dec. 8, the\u00a0school\u00a0district implemented BusPatrol\u00a0to\u00a0take care of \u201cour most valuable asset and that is our children,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very heartened by the decision that we made\u00a0to\u00a0protect children\u2019s safety while entering and exiting our buses,\u201d\u00a0Carlin\u00a0said. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen a number of violations, an extraordinary number of citations given out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spicker said 30,232 citations have been issued since the bus cameras were implemented.<\/p>\n
Carlin\u00a0said 95% of people who offend will not re-offend.<\/p>\n
\u201cDrivers on the road \u2013 despite how busy they are \u2014 take the time\u00a0to\u00a0stop when stop arms go out,\u201d she said as it is important for students\u00a0to\u00a0enter and exit buses safely. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe look forward\u00a0to\u00a0decreasing the number of the citations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carlin\u00a0said it is a tremendous honor\u00a0to\u00a0serve in the role of the superintendent in a community that she has lived for more than 57 years. <\/p>\n
She said by offering a high-quality education in the county, it\u2019s good for the economy, children, and the future workforce.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am a mom and have a large family \u2014 six siblings, all of us are raising our families in Lee County,\u201d she said. \u201cI want the very best for each of your children, for the whole community\u2019s children.\u201d<\/p>\n