Lee County families fear arts programs may be eliminated amid $47 million in budget cuts

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

Parents and students in Lee County are voicing concerns about the potential loss of arts and music programs as the school district works to trim $47 million from its budget next year.

Ryan Taylor, a parent of a second grader at Edison Park Elementary, shared his daughter Aurelia’s heartfelt effort to save her school’s violin program. After hearing on Friday that the program might be cut, Aurelia gathered coins and dollars from her piggy bank and brought them to her strings teacher, hoping her contribution could help save the program.

“The kids are worth investing in,” Taylor said.

Aurelia expressed her emotions about the situation.

“I was angry, sad. I was frustrated because violin is one of my favorite things. It’s also in my family because my mom plays the violin,” she said. “So I wrote a note, and I got most of the money I had in my piggy bank to go support the violin program.”

Lee County Schools previously emphasized the importance of arts education in a December social media post, calling it a core part of a well-rounded education. However, the district said the budget restructuring is focused on prioritizing teacher raises to maintain a strong and stable workforce.

Parents at San Carlos Park Elementary are also raising concerns, with $1 million expected to be cut from their school next year.

“Obviously, when you do budget cuts, programs like dance and drama are the first to go,” said Maria Reyes, a parent at San Carlos Park Elementary. “For us, it’s like the possibility of it being cut is just so detrimental to our students, especially ones that are actively involved.”

Rebecca Ellis, another parent at San Carlos Park Elementary, highlighted the importance of arts programs for students with intellectual disabilities.

“It gives them courage. It gives them growth. And for ESD department, which is growing in our school, it gives the children sensory input, a break from the classroom, able to express themselves, regulate their emotions, and to feel included,” Ellis said.

Parents worry that eliminating arts programs will lead to increased screen time, reduced human interaction, and fewer opportunities for students to develop communication skills.

“And so anything that we can do to help raise the awareness of this, that this is real life impact to real life families here in Lee County,” Taylor said.

The school district said it is still waiting to find out how much funding it will receive, as state lawmakers have yet to pass a budget.

Gulf Coast News Reporter, Jaylen Baron asked the School District a list of your questions written to us. Here are their answers:

QUESTIONS:

1. How much money per school is being cut across Lee County?
   1. School-level budget decisions are still actively being worked through, and no final determinations have been made.
2. Is there less money being provided from the state for schools/programs?
   1. State budget uncertainty is not driving staffing decisions at this time. The district's realignment work is grounded in its own long-term financial planning.
3. What is the response to parents concerned about budgets cuts?
   1. The district's focus remains where it has always been, on students. Services will continue to be provided; the delivery model may evolve as part of this work, but the district's core mission does not change.
4. How many students have left Lee County Schools in the past year?
   1. FDOE uses the October FTE count, often called Survey 2, for official enrollment. You can compare this school to last school year on their website. It should also be noted that inflation, declining interest rates, stabilizing property values, and the expansion of school choice are also factors in the budget realignment process.
5. How many students are left in the Lee County school district?
   1. See Survey 2 Data on the above website. We are still waiting for Survey 3.
6. Dr. Carlin’s message to taxpayers is continuing to push fiscal discipline and responsibility, but throughout the district, there have been budget cuts. What is your message to taxpayers on where this money is going?
   1. The core focus of these financial decisions revolves around supporting the district's teachers and students. The budget is being carefully structured to sustain the historic teacher raises the district has delivered. Keeping compensation competitive is essential to maintaining the strong, stable educator workforce Lee County students depend on.
7. What is your response to taxpayers regarding the increase in more district roles, when the district describes that student enrollment is down?
   1. If you are referring to the central office, more than $16 million was cut last year from the central office, and $6.5 million more is proposed for the coming year.
8. Edison Park student enrollment is over capacity, the state says 19 students in a classroom. Edison Park is currently at 23, so why are cuts happening across the board to schools that may not have a lack of student enrollment?
   1. For years, many schools have received staffing and resources beyond what that per-student funding actually supports. Put simply, the district has been giving schools more than the state sends in for their students. This realignment brings those allocations in line with actual enrollment so that every dollar can be accounted for and directed where it is needed most.
9. What is Dr. Carlin’s response to the community on why budgets are happening, and students are starting to miss out on programs they are passionate about?
   1. Students are not starting to miss out on any programs. These budget conversations are for the 26-27 school year, starting in August. The district's focus remains where it has always been, on students. Services will continue to be provided; the delivery model may evolve as part of this work, but the district's core mission does not change.

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