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Some Lee County Schools May Not Be Ready To Open On Monday

By Diana Beasley October 13th, 2022
Some Lee County Schools May Not Be Ready To Open On Monday
Updated at 6:15pm on Thursday, October 13

In order for students to return to schools, the location must meet nine safety criteria. Based on the criteria listed below, the following schools will be open to students on Monday, October 17, 2022.   We will continue to update this list as it changes.

  • Bonita Springs ElementaryBonita Springs MiddleColonial ElementaryDiplomat ElementaryFranklin Park ElementaryGulf ElementaryFort Myers MiddleOrange River ElementaryOrangewood ElementaryThree Oaks ElementaryTice ElementaryTrafalgar Elementary SchoolTropic Isles ElementaryThe following schools will open to students on Tuesday, October 18, 2022:Allen Park ElementaryBuckingham Exceptional CenterCypress Lake HighEdison Park ElementaryHancock Creek ElementaryIda S. Baker HighJ. Colin English ElementaryJames Stephens ElementaryLittleton ElementaryManatee ElementaryPinewoods ElementaryRoyal Palm Exceptional CenterTanglewood ElementaryThree Oaks MiddleVillas Elementary
The status of the Lee County Schools not listed here could change and be ready to start next week.  In order to be cleared to open for students and staff, each school must meet these nine safety criteria.
  1. Reliable power: A school must have consistent electricity to operate the entire campus.
  2. Potable water: A school must have a safe supply of drinking water.
  3. Professional assessment: A building professional must assess the school buildings and determine them safe to occupy. Any safety concerns must be mitigated or resolved.
  4. Leak secure: School windows and roofs must be able to prevent a severe intrusion of water.
  5. Working air conditioning: A school must have an assessed and operating HVAC system.
  6. Functioning fire alarm and intercom: A school must be able to activate its fire alarm and school intercom in case of an emergency.
  7. Indoor air quality: A school must have the air quality assessed by an industrial hygienist.
  8. Debris cleaned up: A school must have storm debris either removed or stored in a safe and secure location.
  9. Ability to serve food: A school must be able to provide students with grab and go meals.

 

Returning To Sanibel Island

Returning to Sanibel Island has been nearly impossible since Hurricane Ian destroyed the Sanibel Causeway on September 28th. It was the only way to get on and off the island, other than by boat. Yesterday, for the first time since the storm, hundreds of bucket trucks were able to slowly drive across. Their important mission is to begin repairing lines and restoring power. The bridge is still not safe for regular traffic but workers have miraculously made it passable enough to continue restoration efforts.

Just look at this site.  Bucket trucks lined up almost as far as the eye can see. It seems impossible that just weeks after being washed away in several places, that the causeway is actually passable. Right now the road is only open to emergency workers. Civilians are not allowed on the island, via the causeway, until October 21st.

Until yesterday, the only way workers were able to reach the island was via helicopter, boats and barges. However, this temporary bridge fix will  expedite clean up and repair efforts in a major way.

Passes to return to Sanibel Island

Residents and business owners need passes to return to the island. That or a driver’s license with your Sanibel or Captiva address on it. If you don’t have one, the reentry passes are being issued at The Crown Plaza Hotel in Fort Myers. It’s located behind The Bell Tower Shops. This is where city officials have set up a temporary, satellite city hall of sorts.

Here are some pictures of the Sanibel Causeway after Ian hit. It makes returning to Sanibel Island after only two weeks seem like an incredible feat. It is, but it is happening thanks to an incredible amount of work and fortitude. Thank you to all of the linemen and construction crews who have run to our aid. We are truly grateful.

**For more hurricane recovery information, including how you can help, click here.

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