Families face uncertainty as Lee County School District grapples with budget deficit

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—Families are facing uncertainty as the Lee County School District grapples with a large budget deficit that could lead to deep staffing cuts. 

The school system is starting to inform some teachers their contract won’t be renewed as the district projects a $46.7 million deficit next year. The cuts run deep, according to Kevin Daly, president of the Teachers Association of Lee County. 

“From what I’ve seen, it’s difficult to find somebody who hasn’t been impacted by this,” Daly said.

It isn’t clear how many staff are cut. But the district issued non-renewal notices to teachers, assistant principals, and administrative staff, Daly said. In 2011, state lawmakers passed a law eliminating tenure for teachers, placing them on annual contracts.  

No final decisions have been made, according to the district. Staff who receive non-renewal notices are able to re-enter the hiring pool and be considered for other openings.

“This type of change is never easy,” the district said in a letter to parents. “However, we are committed to classrooms that are stronger, teachers that are exceptional, and students who are better served.”

The budget deficit is driven by lower enrollment, declining property values, and inflation, according to the district. Some schools have been staffed beyond what the funding can sustain, the district said.

Meanwhile, state lawmakers still haven’t pass a budget more than a month after the regular session ended. State funding is allocated base on how many students a school serves.

“Districts all across the state and other, you know, people that rely on Tallahassee to pass a budget are kind of flying by the seat of their pants at this point,” Daly said.

The school system said budget uncertainty isn’t driving staffing decisions. Instead, the district is focused on “long-term financial planning,” according to district spokesperson Rob Spicker.

In the short term, cuts are creating uncertainty for some parents. Ryan Taylor’s daughter Aurelia is a 2nd grader at the Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School in Fort Myers. The school offers a range of humanities programs including dance, theater, and violin.

Taylor said Edison’s PTA told him the school could lose up to $700,000 in funding. Taylor and other parents are urging the school district to reconsider.

“Go back to the drawing board and start over again and really focus on one thing, and that’s the kids,”

Taylor said. “Because they’re absolutely worth the trouble."

Taylor said his daughter, Aurelia, brought money from her piggy bank to school after learning of the cuts. The 8-year-old said she doesn’t want to see Edison’s unique arts education disappear.

“I want to keep the school alive because it’s the only one,” Aurelia said. “It’s special."