WEEK OF FEBRUARY 8, 2023
VOLUME 61, NUMBER 12
School district raises benefits for employees By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
Sanibel fire team wins People’s Choice at chili challenge By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
he people have spoken: A fire district crew from the islands TThe serves up the best chili in town. Sanibel Fire and Rescue District joined 11 other groups to battle it out at the 4th Annual Lee County Chili Challenge on Jan. 28 at Stu's Motorcycles in Fort Myers. The four-member island team came in fourth overall in the cook-off, but brought home the trophy for the People’s Choice pick. “We're very happy we won it,” engineer-paramedic Bryan
Clement, who took part in the competition alongside team members and firefighter-paramedics Arian Moore, Rob Bell and Mike Tejeda, said. “Honestly, I think that means a little bit more,” he added of the award. See CHILI CHALLENGE, page 10
School District of Lee County employees will have more money in their paycheck, thanks to the Lee County School Board paying the employee’s base plan entire cost, while adding an additional $4,000 for dependent care. Insurance and Benefits Management Director Bonnie McFarland said in a presentation dated on July 25 the bottom line showed that the district had the lowest total premium for insurance out of governmental insurances, as well as the lowest employer contribution and the highest employee cost for insurance. “Changes have begun,” she said, adding that the board contribution has increased. That increase went from $8,104.80 to $9,213.60, plus $4,000.80 for dependent subsidy, equaling $13,214.40 for those who have dependent coverage. McFarland said that more than $13,000 goes towards the entire coverage on an annual basis. See BENEFITS, page 5
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The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District team prepares samples at the 4th Annual Lee County Chili Challenge on Jan. 28 at Stu's Motorcycles in Fort Myers. PHOTO PROVIDED
Sanibel school to reopen today in aftermath of storm By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
More than four months after Hurricane Ian struck the area, the island school will reopen today. Last week, Principal Jamie Reid announced that The Sanibel School would reopen to students and staff on Feb. 8 for their first day back. Today was set to kick off with a ribbon cutting before the first bell. “Thank you for your ongoing support of our Seahorse family during our post Hurricane Ian recovery,” she shared on Feb. 2. “I recognize the sacrifice that all of our families have made as we transitioned to a temporary campus. The reopening of the school represents a milestone in the recovery of our island and community.” Officials with the School District of Lee County reported that the island campus was deemed structurally safe in the fall, so the district had set out to remediate
the damage done by the storm. “We have returned the school to a condition where it is safe,” officials shared. The district explained that the nine criteria it established in October for a school to reopen have been satisfied at the Sanibel school, which entail reliable power, potable water, leaks secure, working HVAC, functioning fire alarm and intercom, safe indoor air quality, debris
cleaned up, and able to serve food. “The Sanibel School has met all nine safety criteria for reopening,” Reid said. She and district officials noted however, that some restoration work is continuing at the school, including tasks like finishing and painting the drywall, installing carpet and replacing ceiling tiles. “Our school building was heavily impacted by the storm, and the damage done was severe. The work to completely restore our school is not finished,” Reid shared. “Contractors will continue to be on campus after hours and on the weekends to return the school to its pre-hurricane status.” In addition to the planned ribbon cutting, parents were permitted to walk their children to class today and then report to the school's cafeteria for a welcome back, with coffee and doughnuts provided. The Sanibel School is at 3840 SanibelCaptiva Road, Sanibel.
alsOInsIdetOday Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll.........................................4 Captiva Current..........................6-7 Business......................................8 Preserving Paradise....................11 Island Living................................12 Sports.........................................13 Classifieds 22