Hurricane Ian: Lee County Schools continues to recover, here's what we know.

Nikki Ross, Fort Myers News-Press
·2 min read

Since Hurricane Ian all but five schools in the Lee County School District have reopened and resumed class for students.

But there are still challenges facing the district, its staff, and students.

Not all students and staff have been able to return. Some left the district altogether.

Take a look: Lee Schools staff, students struggling with lost homes, possessions after Hurricane Ian

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On Wednesday, the school board will discuss the cost of damages and repair. But until then, here's what we know about how the Lee County School District is doing.

Damage to Lexington Middle School, which has still not reopened after Hurricane Ian. The school had up to 18 inches of flooding on the first floor. Dry wall is being cut out and replaces. The school is on track to have students return on Oct. 31.
Damage to Lexington Middle School, which has still not reopened after Hurricane Ian. The school had up to 18 inches of flooding on the first floor. Dry wall is being cut out and replaces. The school is on track to have students return on Oct. 31.

Five schools have yet to reopen. What is the status of those schools?

Lexington Middle

The school had up to 18 inches of flooding on the first floor. The drywall is currently being cut out and replaced. The school is currently on track to reopen to students on Monday, Oct. 31.

Diplomat Middle

Damage to Diplomat Middle School, which is still closed after Hurricane Ian. The school had roof damage that allowed water to get inside. The school is on track to have students on Oct. 31.
Damage to Diplomat Middle School, which is still closed after Hurricane Ian. The school had roof damage that allowed water to get inside. The school is on track to have students on Oct. 31.

The school had roof damage that allowed water to get inside the building. The school is currently on track to reopen to students on Monday, Oct. 31.

Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary

Damage to Hector A Cafferata Jr. Elementary, which has yet to reopen after Hurricane Ian. The school had the roof membrane ripped off, allowing rain to penetrate the entire second floor and into the first. Remediation is underway to remove all the wet material, but the repairs will be a longer term project.
Damage to Hector A Cafferata Jr. Elementary, which has yet to reopen after Hurricane Ian. The school had the roof membrane ripped off, allowing rain to penetrate the entire second floor and into the first. Remediation is underway to remove all the wet material, but the repairs will be a longer term project.

The roof membrane ripped off the building, which allowed rain to get into the entire second floor of the school and into the first floor. All of the wet material is currently being removed. The repairs will be a longer term project. There is not yet a reopening date.

Fort Myers Beach Elementary

Structural analysis is underway. There is not yet a reopening date.

The Sanibel School

Structural analysis is underway. There is not yet a reopening date.

Read more: Sanibel School, Fort Myers Beach Elementary students relocated post-Hurricane Ian

How was the overall return to school last week?

"We are very pleased with the return to school last week," said district spokesman Robert Spicker. "The partner schools seemed to work well. We encourage our families to come back to school."

Hurricane Ian: Some Tice Elementary students return 'sad,' 'traumatized,' others joyful

How many teachers returned?

More than 94% returned.

How many staff members returned?

In total, 92% of support staff returned to work.

How many students returned?

Student attendance was at 87%.

"Total enrollment remains fluid as we continue to offer compassion this week to families not yet ready to return," Spicker said. "Some families also disenroll and then come right back a day or two later when they can move into their home."

How many students left the Lee County School District?

From Sept. 27 through Oct. 19, 492 students had left the school district.

During that same time period, 721 students enrolled as a new student or reenrolled into the district. This means they came from either another county, state or from a private school.

That means the district gained 229 students.

Nikki Ross covers education for the Fort Myers News-Press and Naples Daily News. She can be reached at NRoss@gannett.com, follow her on Twitter @nikkiinreallife, Instagram @reporternikkiinreallife or TikTok @nikki.inreallife.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lee County Schools continues to recover from Hurricane Ian