Share this page on Social Media

Board Notes

School Board Notes
Action Meeting - June 9, 2026

Recognitions

The School Board recognized:

  • Two 2026 Florida High School Athletic Association State Track and Field Champions. Dunbar High School senior, Kobe Johnson, won the 3A Track State Championship in the 110m Hurdles with a time of 13.72 and Gateway High School senior, Dylan Gourley, won the 4A Men's Pole Vault Championship, with a total jump of 15 feet, 3 inches.
  • The Unified Special Olympics Male and Female Student Athlete of the Year. Cody Baguidy from Fort Myers High School is the Unified Male Athlete of the Year. He was a state champion in Flag Football and placed third in the state in bowling and the 4X100 relay. Jadah Becker from Cypress Lake High School is the Unified Female Athlete of the Year. She was on the state runner-up basketball team and the bowling team.

Consent Action Items

The School Board approved:

  • Approval of the FY27 and FY28 Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Support Personnel Association of Lee County (SPALC) which provides an average 4.2% pay increase.Employee reappointments for the 2026-2027 school year, effective July 1, 2026.
  • Agreements with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Cape Coral Police Department, Fort Myers Police Department, and the Sanibel Police Department to provide School Resource Officers to district schools and facilities.
  • The 2026-2028 Articulated Acceleration Plan for College-Level Instruction with the University of Florida to enhance learning opportunities for eligible students with the opportunity to take specified college level courses in lieu of standard curricular courses.
  • The 2026-2027 Articulated Acceleration Plan for College-Level Instruction with Florida Gulf Coast University to enhance learning opportunities for eligible students with the opportunity to take specified college level courses in lieu of standard curricular courses.
  • The 2026-2027 Articulated Acceleration Plan for College-Level Instruction with Florida Gulf Coast University for the Bonita Springs High School, Gateway High School, and Island Coast High School Collegiate Academy Programs to enhance learning opportunities for eligible students with the opportunity to take specified college level courses in lieu of standard curricular courses.
  • The 2026-2027 Articulated Acceleration Plan for College-Level Instruction with Barry University, Inc. to enhance learning opportunities for eligible students with the opportunity to take specified college level courses in lieu of standard curricular courses
  • An agreement with SalusCare, Inc. for expedited coordination of mental health referrals.
  • Renewing the Agreement Between Lee Health and the School Board of Lee County for the Kids' Minds Matter - Lee County School District Collaboration Project for mental health navigators.
  • Service Agreements and Expenditures related to Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Services and Psychological Services.
  • Funding for athletic officiating for various sports including but not limited to: Football, Baseball, Basketball, Lacrosse, Softball, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball and Wrestling.
  • Renewal of the charters for City of Palms Charter School, The Heights Charter School, and Heritage Charter Academy.
  • Declaring a Reduction in Force (RIF)/layoff in job classifications where there is a surplus of SPALC employees exceeding the number of jobs available. Employees will be laid off in inverse order of their seniority in the District.
  • The Fifth Addendum to the Professional Services Agreement with RSM US LLP to serve as the Board Auditor and extend the agreement to June 30, 2027.

Administrative Appointments

  • Justin Budmyar, Director, Arts, Athletics, Activities, and Administration
  • Richard Ledgister, Director, Core Curriculum,Instruction, and Assessment
  • Robert Cooper, Principal, Edgewood Academy
  • Brian Mangan, Principal, Oak Hammock Middle School
  • Thomas Millins, Principal, The Sanibel School
  • Danielle Pinkerton, Principal, Gateway High School
  • Neketa Watson, Principal, East Lee County High School
  • Tony Allen, Assistant Principal, Cypress Lake Middle School
  • Ronald Boils, Assistant Principal, Gateway High School
  • Trevon Davis, Assistant Principal, East Lee County High School
  • Jill Gurgal, Assistant Principal, Cape Elementary School
  • David Howdyshell, Assistant Principal, Mariner Middle School
  • Richard Perdue, Assistant Principal, Hector A. Cafferata Jr. K-8
  • Jennifer Sarzyniak, Assistant Principal, Harns Marsh Middle

Please note that this page is updated after every School Board Action Meeting. For past meeting minutes, agendas and for a complete list of actions taken at the June 9 meeting visit the District’s BoardDocs page.

Our next action meeting is at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the Lee County Public Education Center. All meetings are live streamed and available to view at your convenience on the District’s YouTube channel.

Thank you.
The School Board of Lee County