County school board adopts Guardian Program policies

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

School District of Lee County who are approved and trained served as an armed “force multipli inside public schools in case of eme gency.

The School Board of Lee County approved a Guardian Program on May 9 to provide additional security and safety on school campuses

“I am going to support this, but do have concerns I have reservation about security overall when I vote the Guardian Program,” Board Mem Cathleen Morgan said

Student and staff safety is a dist ity and Morgan added that she un community expects them to use all tools available

“I think that people think screening and other enhancements will keep trouble out of our schools Infrastructure plans are not being matched I am worried focusing on guns and screening is creating an artificial sense of security, making things complacent We know that children are undone with what is happening on social media I am just worried that by saying we have done these things, we are taking our eyes off of what we need to do at schools every single day,” she said “The point I am trying to make, all this emphasis on guardians and guns, to me, does not do enough in terms of addressing whether or not children feel safe.”

Superintendent Dr Christopher Bernier said school safety is about a climate and culture He said principals and staff are working with students to share that everyone is responsible

“We have to teach that responsibility to our youngest citizens,” Bernier said

There was some pushback from the public, as a few individuals shared their concern over the program, asking the board not to move forward with the policy

D M t ose, a parent and teacher, said staff asked if they think a Guardian m should be implemented He said n looking at an actual shooting that taken place, the person has previusly gone to the school, or currenty attends the school, which gives them an insight of the procedures of where to go, who to target and how to have an effect

“If the schools locked the doors, you have erased 100 percent of the problem We don’t need o put more guns (in school), espelly with the unknown Think of the y of kids. No more guns in the s Vote no,” Montrose said ounty Sheriff’s Office Commander who oversees the School Resource Officers, spoke during the public hearing He told the board that Sheriff Carmine Marceno and the entire LCSO fully supports the program

“Lee County training cadre is bar none,” Miller said, adding that the training is the best in the state and the office will be responsible for training the volunteer guardians

He said they are well prepared, all ready, and looking forward to it

The Guardian Program as approved requires a 160-hour training block, which is more than the 144 hours that are state mandated The guardians will also have shoulder-toshoulder training with SROs during their quarterly active assailant shooter training

“Once they are trained and placed in the school, (they will be) well ready to safeguard any school and react to an active assailant,” Miller said “Out of 67 counties, 46 have the Guardian Program It’s not a brand-new program, but new to us We want to make sure we offer the best training that we can offer that money can buy ”

Bernier said the start of the program will begin slowly with a small group of people

Before the board voted unanimously, Board Member Debbie Jordan asked a few questions that the community sent to her. Among the first addressed was liability and accountability of those chosen to be guardians in the event of mishaps

Bernier said with guardians being employees of the district, they have the same accountability He said there is accountability for them, and the LCSO as to individuals following proper training and procedures

Board Attorney Kathy Dupuy-Bruno said the district faces liability every single day She said the best thing that the district can do is mitigate it and reduce it as much as possible

That has been attempted in working closely with the LCSO, as well as having training, part of which will be done at the police academy, above the mandated amount, Dupuy-Bruno said There will also be additional procedures that will support the policy, including background checks, psychological tests and drug testing for candidates

Once training has been completed and a certification received, the superintendent will decide whether to appoint an employee candidate as a Guardian The superintendent's decision will be final

“The superintendent will have a say in who to move forward There are a lot of safety nets that will help mitigate any risk the district has,” she said “The liability falls on the district, the sheriff’s office and individuals, if they do not adhere to safety and protocols that are taught If they do not pass the safety, they will not move forward to a recommendation ”

If there are any violations of the safety protocols and expectations, disciplinary actions could include termination, Dupuy-Bruno said

“(If they are) “not following the expectations of the sheriff’s office and safety and security, there will be significant consequences,” she said

FDOT: Motorists should expect lane shifts on causeway

As a part of the Florida Department of Transportation's emergency restoration of the Sanibel Causeway, crews continue work on McGregor Boulevard and the causeway from Port Comfort Road to Sanibel.

The Causeway Islands surrounding the temporary roadway are an active work zone and are closed to public access Beginning May 15, motorists should expect lane shifts through the toll plaza from 8 a m to 3:30 p m for building and lane repairs The work is expected to continue for approximately one month, excluding holidays

The FDOT also reported the following:

∫ Motorists should expect periodic daytime delays for crews to remove trash from the roadway.

∫ Crews continue driving sheet pile around the Causeway Islands and near the toll booth area

∫ Crews continue earthwork on the Causeway Islands

∫ Bicyclists are encouraged to utilize another mode of transportation to travel the causeway.

∫ Pedestrians are not permitted on the Sanibel Causeway

Many oversized vehicles are crossing the causeway to assist with recovery efforts on the islands The FDOT asks that motorists be patient as travel may be slower than usual and obey the posted speed limit of 20 mph Use caution and watch for workers and construction vehicles entering and leaving the road

For more information on the project, visit www.swflroads.com/SanibelCause way.

For questions, contact Jennifer Dorning at Jennifer Dorning@dot state fl us or 239338-7723

Lee County MPO to hold public hearing

The Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization Board will hold a public hearing on May 19 at 9 a m in Room 118 at the Lee County Administration East Facility, at 2201 Second St., Fort Myers, to consider amending the FY 2022/23 t h r o u g h F Y 2 0 2 6 / 2 7 T r a n s p o r t a t i o n Improvement Program (TIP) to add a Federal Transit Administration grant to buy battery electric buses

The public hearing will also include a m e n d m e n t s t o t h e U n i f i e d P l a n n i n g Work Program (UPWP), the MPO's budget, to add a USDOT Safe Streets for All grant award and to recognize additional carry forward funding along with corresponding task changes.

The MPO board will also consider the Lee and Charlotte-Punta Gorda and Lee and Collier Joint Transportation Regional Incentive Program priorities and review the draft FY 2024 through FY 2028 TIP that includes the federal and state funded transportation projects in Lee County.

For the public hearing agenda, visit www leempo com

H a r d c o p i e s o f t h e d o c u m e n t s a r e available by contacting the MPO offices at 239-244-2220 Written comments may b e s u b m i t t e d t o d s c o t t @ l e e m p o c o m , faxed to 239-790-2695 or mailed to P.O. Box 150045 Cape Coral, FL 339150045 Written comments received by the end of the business day on May 18 will be presented to the board members Public comments may also be made at the meeting

Web Poll

Previous Web Poll Question

What do you think of the new state law limiting abortion to six weeks?

∫ Agree with it all, 20%

∫ Both agree and disagree, 8%

∫ Disagree with it all, 72%

Current Web Poll Question

Did you attend the Lee County Recovery Task Force's town hall meeting on Sanibel?

∫ Yes, in person ∫ Yes, via Zoom ∫ No, I did not