The Cape Coral Republican Club will be hosting a debate between the two candidates for Superintendent of Lee County Schools on April 30.

The debate between Denise Carlin and Morgan Wright will take place at Club Cabaret on Tuesday, April 30. Doors will open at 5 p.m. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is free to members and costs $5 to the general public.

Audio and video recording will be prohibited. To RSVP for the debate, please email capecoralrepublicanclub@gmail.com.

Candidate bios:

• Denise Carlin

Denise Carlin was raised in Cape Coral and has lived in Lee County for 54 years. She is a lifelong educator, having served as a teacher, principal, and district leader. Under her leadership, student achievement increased, budgets supported classrooms, and students, families, and staff were all treated with respect. Carlin attended then-Edison Community College (Florida SouthWestern State College) where she earned an associate’s degree in elementary education before moving on to the University of South Florida, earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and a master’s degree and Doctorate in educational leadership.

Carlin and her husband of 33 years, John, have two sons who graduated from Lee County schools. She experienced as a teacher, principal, and administrator and also understands what it means to be a parent of students within the district.

According to a release from the Cape Coral Republican Club:

Carlin is running for Superintendent of Lee County Schools because she believes in public education and knows that the children of Lee County are our future. She also knows that, while the School District of Lee County has made strides, there is so much more that must be done to provide a high-quality education for every student. Carlin is committed to making our school district the best in the nation by ensuring safe schools, academic excellence, college and career ready students, highly effective teachers for every child in every classroom, and fiscal responsibility. The school district must live within its means, and Denise will make sure that happens.

• Morgan Wright

A 19-year veteran of teaching within Lee County, Morgan “Moose” Wright is also a decorated Army officer and a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan.

According to the release from the Cape Coral Republican Club:

Wright has consistently stood out from his peers receiving the coveted Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching as well as being Teacher of the Year within his specialty four times.

Wright volunteers often within the community from being the Grand Marshal at the Best Buddies special needs inclusion parade to focusing on environmental issues such as Captains for Clean Water.

A colorful and popular positive figure within the community, “Moose” can be found volunteering at social events as a celebrity food judge or spending his time supporting The Pace Center for Girls.

A consistent supporter of discipline and common sense, Wright is ready to take politics out of classrooms and bring back common sense and return to focusing on what matters most: producing educated and productive citizens of tomorrow’s society within our Lee County school system.

Cape Cabaret is at 4725 Vincennes Blvd., S.E., in downtown Cape Coral.