Lee County students are just days away from returning to the classroom. Over 100,000 students will be welcomed back Monday, August 12.
Superintendent Dr. Ken Savage said that number continues to grow.
"We're over 100,000 students, which is a system that is massive. and we're one of the few districts in the state of Florida that are growing, as well as one of the few districts in the country that are growing. So it's a rare problem to have, and it's a good problem to have because it means people love our community," Savage said. "They want to keep coming here and we want to help them. Of course, the challenge that goes with that is we want to make sure we have all the teachers that we need."
Staffing Shortages
Right now, the county has 170 teaching vacancies. Last year at this time, they needed 211 teachers so we are looking at an improvement.
"When you are opening up new schools and building new schools and adding all those new students, you have to staff them," Savage said. "So that is really the biggest challenge that comes with being a large district that's growing is you have to have the personnel to support it."
One of the ways the district is trying to combat the shortage is by adopting a seven period day in middle schools, which is already the norm in high school. Savage said that shift is to reduce the overall need for a certain amount of teachers.
Staffing shortages can also be seen in the bussing department. Right now, they are 70 positions short. Again, it's an improvement from last year but it can still cause issues.
"We recognize what a hardship it creates for our families. So we really want to try to do everything we can," Savage explained.
He said they have recruiters on site at the district headquarters throughout the week. Potential applicants don't even need an appointment to speak with them regarding teaching or bus driving positions.
New positions
Angela Nadar is the new regional associate superintendent for the east part of the county. The East region is the largest area in terms of growth.
"And we are definitely seeing it, you know, in our classrooms. But I'll tell you, our principals are ready. Our teachers are ready. and we just can't wait to see everybody back on the first day of school," Nadar said.
The regional associate superintendent is a new position for the county. There are four of these leaders spread out over the county.
"One of the main reasons we went to that regional concept was because we are so large. So, this allows us to offer more of that boutique level of service, less one size fits all. It's really focus on the needs of that specific community and address that, because even in those different communities, the growth is different," Savage said.
On the other side of the county, Chuck Vilardi, covers Cape Coral and other areas in the western side of the district.
"The role is really going to be supporting those schools and those principals with their needs and filling classrooms. and just working with the principal, to make sure, safety is a priority," Vilardi said, a former principal himself. "Student achievement is our priority, and then working with the superintendent on the needs our schools have. So we make sure of that happens."
Safety & Security
This year, the Lee County School District is piloting a vaping detection system. They're implementing the technology at certain school and will see how successful it is before taking it county wide.
"We recognize that students don't always understand the long term ramifications of every challenge that they're interacting with. And so a lot of it, from our standpoint, is to be proactive," Savage explained. "So as soon as we start to see something becoming potentially an issue, we have an obligation to do something about it."
In addition to health safety technology, Lee County is the only district in Florida that has weapon detection systems in every single school. Plus, each school has a designated school resource officer. Some schools even have two.
"It serves as a deterrent. I think first and foremost, that's one of the most important aspects of it is that people know, wow, I'm walking into a facility. If I had something, I better go back to my car. It keeps people from introducing things that they shouldn't have," Savage said. "It lets students know they have to walk through this area. It's the only area they can come in, so they better not bring something with them, right?
He believes the culture of safety is everyone's responsibility, and wants to emphasize the human side of it.
"It's the quality of the relationships we build so that students don't feel isolated, so that we're looking for people who don't look like everything's okay. That's how we really prevent most of our most significant incidents," Savage stated. "Ultimately that's how you become safer, is that when you have a culture where people don't feel alone, they don't feel isolated. Someone cares about them. That's really how you're more proactive in addressing a lot of those more serious issues that can come."
Not running for election
This November, voters will elect a new superintendent to lead the Lee County School District for four years. Dr. Savage chose not to run. However, he does plan to stay involved and help transition the new administrator.
"I've lived most of my life here in Lee County. I have kids in the system, so I have a vested interest in knowing that this system is in the best hands," he said. "If you elect a person who's highly qualified, you can have four years of tremendous stability. In some cases, they run for another officer and they have eight years," Savage said. "So our district, back when we were very successful, had a superintendent for over seven years, and that's when we were last an 'A' district, was back during those days."