FEMA closes DRC on Sanibel and another in county

The Federal Emergency Management Agency reported that two Disaster Recovery Centers in Lee County closed permanently on March 10, including the one at the Sanibel Community Church.

The second center was at the Phillips Community Park on Bokeelia

FEMA reported that to continue to help survivors, Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers will make stops on Pine Island The dates, times and locations of the stops will be announced as they are confirmed

Although the deadline to apply for assistance for damage from Hurricane Ian has passed, survivors who were affected by the storm can still contact FEMA to:

∫ Get help understanding your FEMA decision or request for information letters

∫ Check the status of your FEMA application.

∫ Update your contact or banking information

∫ Get information about help with rental assistance or other basic needs

∫ Get referrals to agencies or non-profits that may offer assistance FEMA is not able to provide

Survivors can visit disasterassistance gov or contact the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 The line is open every day from 7 a m to 11 p m Help is available in most languages

Survivors can also call the FEMA Mitigation Line at 833-336-2487 to speak with mitigation specialists about protecting their home and property from future natural disasters It is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a m to 6 p m policies We are putting it on the table ”

A resolution approved states that the school board “desires to implement a Guardian Program to serve as a force multiplier for additional security and safety The school board directs the superintendent to work closely with Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno and the other local law enforcement agencies in devising and implementing the Guardian Program ”

The resolution further states that the purpose of the program is to “prevent and abate an active assailant on school premise ” It is a volunteer position to be a guardian, and candidates must be a full-time employee of the district in good standing

That candidate would undergo training by the LCSO, including 12 hours of certified nationally-recognized diversity training and 132 hours of comprehensive firearm safety and proficiency training for a total of 144 hours A psychological evaluation and a drug test are also requirements There would be ongoing training, weapon inspection, and firearm qualifications on a minimum annual basis

Many community members spoke against the resolution during public comment on March 7

Although Dr. Maryann Wilbur thanked the board for taking the safety of children seriously, she was very concerned about the resolution

“There is very little to no data that such a guardian would actually be prepared to stop an assailant,” she said, adding that the chances of an unintentional firearm death of a child is exponentially higher than the armed assailant being taken down “We even know so much about this that I can predict what can happen ”

Wilbur’s example included a janitor hanging up his holster in the bathroom while using the facility, then being called away to clean up vomit in the cafeteria and forgetting about the gun.

“A child just like my first-grade boy, curious and smart and capable, can easily unsnap the holster, pull the safety, point it at a friend and think he is kidding and shoot his friend Statistically that is what is going to happen if you pass this resolution The death of a child is on the hands of the people of this room,” she said

Others spoke with similar concerns, including teachers of the School District of Lee County, who said allowing more guns on a campus does not make them feel safer, but rather unsafe

Andrew White, another speaker, shared that he was a student representative during Columbine

“I rise today to speak out about this resolution If we are at the point of throwing more guns at the situation, you are absolutely escalating this,” he said “You are saying to the teachers please be human shields Accept the responsibility that you have to shoot a child in your care More guns does not equal better control Body armor, coordination and skills and our law enforcement struggle with this matter Bring more law enforcement in, don’t destroy the faith and trust they have in students Don’t put targets on their backs.”

There were also a few in favor of the Guardian Program, such as Robert Daniels, who shared that if students are properly told and educated about guns, they are not going to accidentally shoot someone

“This can be done safely,” he said

After public comment, each board member shared their thoughts and concerns with some not feeling completely comfortable

“I was not going to support this Then I was going to support it It is a resolution It is not a policy,” Board Member Cathleen Morgan said “I am not happy that it has come to this. That we are even talking about putting people in our schools with guns I think that is all wrong I think the focus is wrong I think the focus needs to be on all the preventative strategies, in respect to staff training, student training, hardening and having appropriate software in schools I have not liked this program since the very beginning I am very uncomfortable with moving forward with this resolution ”

The community should be part of the conversation about the Guardian Program, officials agreed

“We have to make sure we are listening to what our constituents have to say and what our community has to say,” Board Member Debbie Jordan said.

Board Member Jada Langford-Fleming told those in attendance that they listen during public comment She said whether they agree or disagree to share their comments and email them with any concerns

Board Member Melisa Giovannelli said she does not think they can put a price on safety and keeping students safe She agreed that more conversations have to be had with the community, as safety is paramount

See SCHOOL BOARD, page 3

Island teacher attends State of the State

Julie Wappes, fourth-grade teacher at The Sanibel School, was invited to Tallahassee on M a r c h 7 f o r G o v R o n DeSantis' delivery of his State of the State address to the joint l e g i s l a t i v e s e s s i o n I n h i s s p e e c h , h e r e p o r t e d t h a t Wappes “lost everything in her home and in her classroom” due to Hurricane Ian and he thanked Wappes for her service

THE SANIBEL SCHOOL

TCH launches Pop-Up Market during week

shell merchandise, fossils and more, along with artwork made by Matlacha artist Leoma Lovegrove, T-shirts and shells TCH and the Sanibel Community recovery and rebuild of the facility in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian For more information, visit cont a c t o r v i s i t