School board

Others fully supported the program as it provides another layer of protection

“My other job is a father of three young children in this district It’s a constant fear to keep my kids safe and every-

Incumbents

Career Source of Southwest Florida for guiding and menting new programs,” Davis said “We t a skilled teacher in the classroom, a hool that is going to support it and a workforce that needs students trained in that specific area CTE is no longer an elective We are actually more required in a wonderful way to have students complete two, three, four courses to get most in-depth knowledge ”

There is a new course offering, marting essentials, which has 4,006 stus enrolled. There is an online course ment, which may lead to a certification for entrepreneurship and business

“The skills associated with that certification are transferable to many industries,” Davis said

The high demand programs include veterinary assisting, pharmacy tech and carpentry The district also had its first masonry I National Center for Construction Education & Research certified high school student

Davis said industry certifications can enhance a student’s life Based on 2020 numbers, the student earned $27 30 an hour for base employment with certification, compared to $14.26 for entry level for the same job.

“There is a difference in earning power with certifications,” Davis said

Adult education was also highlighted, as the district offers GED, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Lifelong Learning and UpSkill Village courses for adults

There are eight in-person sites and one online option for GEDs that provide both morning and evening classes

In 2021-22 there were 193 graduates For spring 2023 there are 313 students enrolled

There are 1,464 students enrolled in the spring 2023 ESOL class. Lifelong Learners offers 17 classes for 250 students The UpSkill Village was made possible through a $750,000 Lee County Economic Development Office grant and offers eight micro-credentials in essential skills

Davis said digital badges are given, which enhances resumes

There is also Individualized Education & Training, which is concurrent learning for GED and ESOL students, as well as Family Literacy at Tice Elementary to help parents of pre-K students become proficient in English Davis said they also have business sponsored ESOL classes through a Goodwill Industries partnership to help employees become proficient in English

Technical colleges

In addition to providing young students with career

From page 2 one else’s kids safe I fully support the Guardian Program,” Board Member Sam Fisher said

Chairman Armor Persons also fully supports the program. He said not having

From page 1 that the voters of Sanibel have asked me to continue the work that we, as a council, have done over the last four years,” Johnson said of winning re-election

He pointed to the water quality issues and pandemic experienced over the last term, adding that he and the council will continue to drive recovery, resilience, water quality, and quality of life for residents

“I think we have a great team in place,” Johnson said “We will continue to represent everyone in the city of Sanibel and not just a select few ”

Asked what may have set him apart on the ballot, he explained that the entire council has been tested in recent years with the horrendous red tide and Lake Okeechobee releases, then the COVID pandemic Johnson cited the selection of Dana Souza for the new city manager after 20 years with Judie Zimomra

“I think it's our reputation and what we've done for the community I think the other thing is the leadership we all displayed prior to Hurricane Ian, as well as post-Hurricane Ian, and our recovery and rebuilding,” he said “I think the voters of Sanibel were pleased with what we have done and the decisions we have made on their behalf ”

Looking forward to the next four years, Johnson listed water quality and quantity as a top priority, including continuing to work with Captiva as part of unincorporated Lee County on its septic-to-sewer conversion and working with the state and South Florida Water Management District regarding water management and the local impacts He also cited keeping a handle on short-term vacations rentals

“We've got a long way to go on recov- options, the School District of Lee County provides programs at technical colleges

Cape Coral Technical College offers 16 programs in nursing/healthcare, technology, culinary arts and hospitality, barbering and cosmetology, business and veterinary assisting

“Students leave with no debt We do not give loans,” Cape Coral Technical College Director Charlie Pease said “Programs range from $3,000 to $7,000 We help them make sure they cover their program with zero debt ”

Fort Myers Technical College has 24 programs in healthcare, construction, transportation, manufacturing, hospitality and human services.

The technical colleges have to keep data for completion, placement and licensures During the 2021-22 year, 91 were placed in their field upon completing their program at Cape Coral Technical College, while 87 percent were placed in their field at Fort Myers Technical College

Fort Myers Technical College Director John Roszell said they hold career fairs at the college inviting a particular industry for the students

“Healthcare students only talk to healthcare employees The same thing for construction It really worked out well. It’s a better opportunity to get out there,” he said.

The board was also given an update about the Public Service Academy by Senior Director Todd Everly The academy is the only FDLE certified basic recruit law enforcement academy in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties and the only full-time basic recruit fire service and EMT academy in Southwest Florida

The Criminal Justice Academy is the fifth largest out of 42 academies in Florida It also serves 24 local law enforcement agencies in Southwest Florida The fire and EMT academy services 28 fire departments in Southwest Florida

T h e p r o g r a m s o f f e r e d i n c l u d e l a w e n f o r c e m e n t (LEO), correctional officer (CO), crossover, CO to LEO, firefighter, emergency medical technician and equivalency of training (EOT)

Everly said EOTs are officers coming from somewhere else in the United States

“There was a huge draw from officers leaving the big east of governments, maybe not supporting law enforcement, and coming to Florida We got into the business because demand was so high here,” he said

Everly said they have 280 law enforcement officers, 240 correctional officers, 48 firefighters and 90 EMTs a year.

The academy has a 98 percent placement rate

“If we lose people in the beginning they were not ready, or have a full understanding of what that commitment is,” Everly said a force multiplier to backup the sheriff is similar to not having a defibrillator when someone has a heart attack

“Minutes count A lot of kids can be hurt very quickly. They might be able to ery from Hurricane Ian We've come a long way, but we need to continue to provide relief for residents and business owners,” Johnson said “Rebuilding our island with the same goals and values in mind, but at the same time we need to add that resilience value We are likely to experience this type of weather phenomena in the future we need to be better prepared ”

He listed helping the island's unique economy survive and bounce back, noting that locally owned and family owned and operated businesses are part of the community and allow for the work to get done Johnson also pointed to the longterm financial stability of Sanibel as the next few years will be tough

“We need to be making all the right financial decisions,” he said Johnson extended a thank you to vot- contain the shooter until the reinforcements arrive and that could be huge,”

Persons said “I am in support of this program ” ers, noting that he ran a grassroots campaign in which he asked those familiar with his work and what he has done on the council to talk to their friends and neighbors.

“They did and clearly it made a difference, so big thanks to those folks,” he said “And a huge thank you to my family, because I don't do this by myself in isolation ”

“I'm just humbled, I'm thrilled,” Smith said of winning her own re-election to the council “Since I stepped on in 2017, I prided myself on the work that I've done on this island, for this island ”

She also expressed pride for the rest of the council and city staff in light of the hurricane

“We were hit with something a little