WEEk OF APRIL 24, 2024
VOLUME 62, NUMBER 23
School district officials provide legislative update By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
The School Board of Lee County accomplished many of its priorities during the 2024 legislative session. At the top of the list? Needed funds. “This year under your direction and the superintendent, we asked for $6.1 (million) for appropriation project funding. As of right now we are waiting for governor’s approval in funding for $5.6 million,” Chief Communication & Government Relations Officer Angel Gomez said at the board's session on April 9. “A great achievement. I can’t thank you enough.” Other successes included Cape Coral Technical College Phase II — $2.1 million, which has been funded and is awaiting the governor’s action, as well as Fort See LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, page 21
IslanderInsIde
Seahorse Chorale performs at Carnegie Hall, receives gold By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
T
he island school's middle-school choir earned the highest accolade for its recent Carnegie Hall performance in New York, and the students will treat the local community to an encore show. See SEAHORSE CHORALE, page 22
The Sanibel School's Seahorse Chorale performed on April 1 at the New York Invitational Music Festival at Carnegie Hall in New York City, New York. They earned a gold rating, which is the highest possible. SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LEE COUNTY
School district continues efforts to keep buses on time with shortage By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
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Although the percentages of on-time buses in the morning and afternoon have improved, the School District of Lee County is still battling with a shortage of bus drivers. The goal is to increase the on-time percentage of buses by 3% from 88% to 91% in the morning and from 71% to 74% in the afternoon. Quarter three for the 2023-24 school year is 92% in the morning and 72% in
Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll.........................................4 Captiva Current..........................6-7 Business......................................8 Preserving Paradise.....................10 Island Living................................13 Sports.........................................16
See BUSES, page 21
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