August 2025 - Dr. Denise Carlin
Hello families, students, staff, and our wonderful community,
Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful, restful summer.
As we prepare to start another school year, I am energized about all the amazing things we have in store. We're beginning this year with some wonderful news that sets the foundation for our success. We're starting with a certified teacher in every classroom. This is something we're incredibly proud of, and it has been made possible through the hard work and tremendous efforts of our school leaders in partnership with our Human Resources Division, as well as our Teacher Incentive Initiative.
This program provides incentives to our educators who work in the schools with our most at-risk students and or teach a core academic subject area. When we invest in our teachers, we invest in our children's futures.
We have also filled nearly every single bus driver position.
This leads me to something we are passionate about: our Safe Start Initiative. The safety of our students is our top priority. Our Safe Start Initiative ensures that every child gets to school safely and on time, every single day. We've adjusted our transportation and start times with safety at the center of every decision. Please check your school's website or www.leeschools.net for updated schedules. When our students are safe, they can focus on learning and growing.
That brings me to something else we’re incredibly proud of: our academic achievements. Last year, our district earned a "B" grade, and we had four schools jump from a "D" grade to "C"! I am so proud of this progress, but we are not stopping there. Our sights are set higher than just earning an “A”; we’re working to lead the way as Florida’s number one school district. And why is that “A” so important? It represents more students being proficient and more students graduating from High School. With our incredible staff, our motivated students, and all of you supporting us, I know we can make this happen together.
To further support our students' success, we're starting our bell-to-bell cell phone initiative this year. Students will keep their phones turned off and tucked away in their backpacks during the school day, which means more focus on learning and better connections with teachers and classmates. When devices are set aside, it’s incredible to see just how focused and engaged our students can be.
As we embark on this journey together, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude. To our students – your curiosity, resilience, and limitless potential inspire us every day. To our incredible staff – your dedication, creativity, and care for our children is what makes everything possible. To our families – thank you for trusting us with your most precious gifts and for partnering with us every step of the way. And to our amazing community – your support, encouragement, and belief in our mission mean the world to us.
Here's to making this the most incredible school year yet – filled with growth, achievements, new friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and welcome back to what is going to be an amazing year!
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Denise Carlin
Superintendent of Schools
The content and any opinions expressed in this article are solely the author's and do not necessarily reflect the facts, opinions, and beliefs of the Lee County School Board or its affiliates.