Lee County schools face $47 million budget shortfall after losing students

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

Lee County schools are facing a nearly $47 million budget shortfall after losing nearly 2,000 students since last year, resulting in millions less in funding and growing concerns about the impact on education resources.

Denise Carlin, Lee County school superintendent, said, "We've had schools that have been overfunded to the tune of $35 million."

The district announced the need for significant budget cuts, with funding reduced by more than $17 million due to the loss of students. Currently, the district receives about $9,000 per student, but operational costs continue to rise.

Lee County School Board Chair Armor Persons explained that the district’s financial challenges are partly due to the end of temporary COVID-19 relief funds.

"We called it COVID money, the federal government and state all gave us a little bit of money to hire teachers temporarily to bring the kids back up to par," Persons said.

However, the district retained those positions even after the funding ended.

"When the money ran out, the schools had a tendency not to get rid of those teachers, so we were paying for something that wasn't funded. That sort of put us in the hole," Persons said.

Carlin noted that the district continued funding these positions while costs for health insurance, raises, and school operations increased.

"For quite a period of time, Dave, we've had schools that have been overfunded to the tune of $35 million," Carlin said.

She also questioned the allocation of funds within the district.

"We have schools that have been overfunded, and when I ask why does this school receive a million dollars more than another school, I'm not getting an answer," Carlin said.

Parents and community members are also raising concerns about the situation. School board candidate India Palencia questioned why families are leaving public schools.

"I think we have to ask a different question: why are people leaving our public schools?" Palencia said.

She believes families are leaving due to a lack of resources.

"It seems like people are leaving our public schools because families feel like the resources to support that student are no longer there," Palencia said.

As the district works through these challenges, parents, teachers, and students are waiting to see what further resources may be lost. Carlin assured families that their concerns are being heard.

"Here's what I want parents to know: we're listening. We understand the concerns," Carlin said.

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