Three School Board seats are up for grabs, including an at-large seat to be determined countywide.

Three candidates are vying in District 7 — Vanessa Melbis Chaviano, Sheridan Chester and Joshua D. Molandes.

Also up are the seats for District 2 and District 3, which will be decided by voters registered in the respective districts.

Cape Coral voters may only cast a ballot in the District 7 race in which is open to all voters.

The District 2 candidates include incumbent Melisa Giovannelli, a real estate agent, and Carol Frantz, a retired radiologic technologist.

District 2 represents South Fort Myers from Allen Park Elementary School to Three Oaks Elementary School.

District 3 represent areas from Fort Myers Beach to Estero. Candidates are Bill Ribble and Kaitlyn Schoeffel. District 3 Board member Chris Patricca is not seeking re-election.

School Board races are non-partisan.

District 7

Molandes, a retired attorney who has lived in Southwest Florida for more than 10 years, said the board has to address the teacher shortage in order to fix the student achievement.

“Teacher pay must be raised,” he said.

School safety is also of paramount importance and he will continue to work and add to the Guardian Program, Molandes said.

“The most important issue is teacher shortage and overspending on construction,” he said. “If elected, I will use my decades of experience representing folks as a trial attorney to advocate on behalf of the teachers, students, staff, and parents.”

Chaviano, a 25-year resident of Lee County, is in marketing operations at LIV Digital Marketing.

If elected, she said she will prioritize a student-centered approach to education, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential.

“This includes enhancing academic programs, supporting diverse learning styles, and providing robust special education services. I will advocate for smaller class sizes, increased access to mental health resources, and technology integration to personalize learning. Additionally, I will foster a collaborative environment where teachers, parents, and community members work together to support students’ academic and personal growth,” Chaviano said.

Competitive salaries, improved benefits, and supportive working conditions are at the top of her list in attracting and retaining high-quality educators. Competitive pay and benefits, along with flexible scheduling options is needed to improve the bus driver shortage, she added.

Safety, as with the other candidates, is paramount.

“I will support comprehensive safety plans that include physical security measures such as secure entrances, surveillance systems, and emergency response protocols. Expanding the Guardian Program will also be a key focus, allowing trained school personnel to provide additional protection,” Chaviano said.

Student achievement is the most important issue the district is facing, she said.

“Ensuring all students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for future success is essential. This requires addressing disparities in educational resources, supporting teachers, and implementing innovative teaching methods,” Chaviano said.

Chester, a 23-year substitute teacher in the school district, has lived in Lee County for 25 years.

She said if elected, she will visit each school and let the students and staff know that she is completely vested in their success.

Chester believes the most important issue the district is currently facing is teacher and substitute teacher shortages. She said they must provide teachers with a realistic wage.

“How do we expect to hire and retain quality teachers if we are unwilling to make an investment?” she said.

To ensure schoolhouses are kept safe, Chester said they have to enforce policies that are already in place.

“I love my community and am willing to do the work required to provide our community with an educated population,” she said.

District 3

Schoeffel, 31, a car dealership spokesperson and mother, said if elected, she will help students achieve their fullest personal potential by creating a school district where every child has the opportunity to succeed, where schools are safe and inclusive, and where teachers are supported and valued.

“I hope to be a voice for the new generation of parents and educators, bringing innovative ideas and a deep commitment to making a positive impact on the Lee County School District,” she said.

Schoeffel, who has firsthand experience in education, having worked as a substitute teacher, said she is committed to advocating for better pay, resources and support for teachers and staff to create an optimal learning environment and ensure they attract and retain the best educators.

“Our teachers deserve to be valued and supported in their crucial role,” she said.

Safety and a positive school environment are essential, Schoeffel said, adding that she will advocate for safety measures and programs that foster a supportive and inclusive culture.

“Mental health resources must be readily available to support our students and staff, ensuring their well-being and success,” she said.

Ribble, a resident of Estero since 2007, worked as a vice president of corporate operational development with UPS.

“If elected, I will continue to monitor the Envision 2030 Strategic Plan and hold the district accountable for the execution of the plan,” he said. “Key initiatives of the pan include promoting a safe learning and working environment by enforcing the Code of Conduct and eliminating classroom disruptions. Increase employee recruitment and retention by paying our teachers a fair competitive wage.”

As far as tackling teacher and bus driver shortages, Ribble said wages must be competitive to keep existing employees and to attract new employees.

“With the Lee County School District budget of almost $2.8 billion dollars, the budget needs to be revisited for how this money is spent,” he said.

The 26% teacher turnover of teachers and staff is the most concerning issue for the Lee County School District, according to Ribble.

“We need to be able to attract well-qualified employees for all positions in the district for the district to be effective. We need to address wages,” he said.

Ribble said the district also needs to continue to enhance the English Language Learners program, so the students — presently 18% of the district — can excel in the classrooms with their peers.

Ribble said although he is impressed with the safety at the schools, he will encourage the continued training and expansion of the Guardian Program, as adding that level of security will help support SRO effectiveness.

“Our Lee County Sheriff’s Department has done an excellent job of keeping our schools safe here in Lee County. I continue to be impressed with the one point of entry at each school and the School Resource Officers that staff them. The new Gateway Security Monitors are now in place at each school location to check each person accessing the school,” he said.

District 3

• Bill Ribble

Seat sought: District 3

Age: 74

Education: BS education and MBA

Occupation: retired VP of corporate operational development with UPS

Length of residence in county: since 2007

Family: wife and two children

Campaign website: voteribble.com

• Kaitlyn Schoeffel

Seat sought: District 3

Age: 31

Education: BA in broadcast and minor in political science and dance

Occupation: car dealership spokesperson

Length of residence in county: Six years

Family: husband and two children

Campaign website: kaitylnforleecountyschoolboard.com

District 2

• Carol Frantz

Seat sought: District 2

Age: 68

Occupation: retired radiologic technologist

Length of residence in county: 46 years

Family: husband and three grown children

Education: ARRT, 1976, Clara Maass Memorial Hospital School of Radiologic Technology, Carol Hesselgrave

Campaign website: carolfrantz.com

• Melisa Giovannelli

Seat sought: District 2

Age: 61

Occupation: Realtor at Barclays Real Estate Group

Length of residence in county: Native to Lee County

Family: husband, two daughters and two grandchildren

Campaign website: melisaforschoolboard.wordpress.com

District 7

• Vanessa Melbis Chaviano

Seat sought: District 7

Age: 40

Education: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and criminal forensics, masters degree in criminal forensics and behavioral analysis and a master’s degree in business administration

Occupation: Marketing operations at LIV Digital Marketing

Length of residence in county: 25 years

Family: husband and two children

• Sheridan Chester

Seat sought: District 7

Age: 75

Education: CUNY, Borough of Manhattan Community College, AA, John Jay College of Criminal Justice BS, Sheridan Harrison Certified Recovery Peer Specialist

Occupation: substitute teacher for Lee County School District

Length of residence in county: 25 years

Family: husband, two children and two godchildren

• Joshua D. Molandes

Seat sought: District 7

Age:N/A

Education: BA in molecular genetics and law

Occupation: retired trial attorney

Length of residence in the county: More than 10 years

Family: wife and four children