Lee County parents frustrated as $50M budget cuts threaten schools

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—Lee County parents say they are frustrated as looming budget cuts create uncertainty for schools.

An 8-year-old student at Edison Park Elementary broke open her piggy bank and brought her birthday and tooth-fairy money to school after hearing that the school could lose funding. Aurelia Taylor loves music and her violin class at the school.

"It's fun and musical," Aurelia said. "It helps you learn."

Her father, Ryan Taylor, said the gesture shows how the budget crisis is affecting students.

"It's the kids, this is how it has real impact," Ryan Taylor said.

The Lee County School District is facing a nearly $50 million budget deficit, leading to staffing cuts across the district. Kevin Daly, with the teachers' union, said staff are beginning to learn that their contracts won't be renewed.

"It's really kind of across the board," Daly said. "The cuts are running pretty deep."

Parents are now learning what the cuts mean for their children's schools. Ryan Taylor said the PTA told him Edison Park could see up to $700,000 in cuts.

"We moved here for this school," Ryan Taylor said.

Parent Jeleesa Randolph expressed frustration with the district's approach.

"You need to think about the whole child, not just about the money," Randolph said.

The school district says nothing is final and the cuts are part of careful long-term planning to manage the budget. The district says lower enrollment and declining property values fueled the deficit.

The district said it is "thoughtfully evaluating every position and resource across the district" to ensure "investments are concentrated where they matter most, in high-quality instruction and the educators who deliver it."

The budget crisis has led to difficult conversations for some Lee County students. Aurelia said she wants to help keep her school going.

"There aren't any other art schools in Lee County, so I want to keep this school alive," Aurelia said.