WEEk OF FEBRUARY 7, 2024
VOLUME 62, NUMBER 12
School district: Making progress but looking to do better yet
Sanibel educator named on Golden Apple finalist list
By MEGHAN BRADBURY
By TIFFANY REPECKI
T
news@breezenewspapers.com
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
The School District of Lee County discussed school grades, graduation rate and student progress on Jan. 23 with one overall message: Lee schools still has a long way to go to get to where district officials want it to be. “I am happy with the progress, but not content. We have a long way to go,” School Board Chair Sam Fisher said. “We are still not there. I know we are making progress, and we have a ways to go. It doesn’t take away from any of the hard work. This is our No. 1 job up here. I want to make sure we are really looking at things.”
he Foundation for Lee County Public Schools recently announced the 37th Annual Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program finalists, and one island educator made the list for the first time. Comprised of community and business leaders, the foundation's Golden Apple Selection Committee is charged with the task of picking the recipients as the applications are narrowed down to 30 finalists. “All of these exemplary professionals represent the outstanding teachers who work, day in and day out, to make sure our community's greatest asset, our students, achieve at their highest potential,” foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Marshall T. Bower said. “Our community is indebted to them.” Among this year's finalists is middle school teacher Alexis Camputaro of The Sanibel School. As part of the process, dozens of Golden Apple Teachers of Distinction are also recognized. Sanibel school elementary music teacher and Music Department Director Joseph Giangreco is a recipient. Camputaro was a Teacher of Distinction last year for the first time. “It's such an honor to represent The Sanibel School and to be a potential third winner from the school,” she said of being a finalist this year, pointing to Stephanie Yanik last year and her own husband, Joseph Camputaro, in 2021. “It says a lot about our school to have such a good representation for such a small school on this high of a level.” The 2023-24 school year marks her seventh year on the
See SCHOOL DISTRICT, page 19
IslanderInsIde
See GOLDEN APPLE FINALIST, page 19
Chamber, CFI host State of the Islands breakfast summit Over 230 SanCap Chamber of Commerce business members and island residents recently learned that the city of Sanibel's finances are stable, real estate values remain steady, and 70% of businesses have come back in some capacity. The State of the Islands Summit and breakfast held on Jan. 29 at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Myers brought nearly 20 speakers and panelists to the podium to assess Sanibel and Captiva's hurricane recovery. The chamber, in partnership with the See STATE OF THE ISLANDS, page 19
Dr. Amir Neto shares a business climate outlook based on survey findings of anticipated reopening timelines for local businesses and services on Sanibel and Captiva. SANCAP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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