School District of Lee County cuts 275 teacher positions with non-renewals amid budget cuts

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

The School District of Lee County released preliminary job-cut totals on Wednesday, showing that 457 positions were eliminated as it deals with budget cuts in what it calls a response to declining enrollment and rising costs.

According to the district, of the 457 positions cut, 275 of those are teacher roles whose contracts were not renewed.

There were 11,626 employees throughout the district, and 96% of employees will be maintained heading into the 2026-2027 school year, the district said.

The district also said it expects some non-renewed positions to be preserved or reallocated in the coming weeks.

According to the release, 122 vacant teaching positions have already been identified across the district for the next school year. Eligible employees can apply for those positions through the district's application process.

In response to the cuts, the district said that enrollment decline, lower birth rates, rising costs and prior budget practices have led to the Strategic Budget Realignment.

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