Stakeholders want to rename Bayshore Elementary School “Bayshore Academy” in recognition of it becoming a K-8 school.

North Region Associate Superintendent Cherise Trent shared information about the Bayshore Elementary School name change with the Lee County School Board this week.

Lee Count Principal Ben Ausman got together an ad-hoc committee where several possibilities for a new name were discussed — Bayshore, The Bayshore School and Bayshore Academy, followed by a survey sent to stakeholders. The results were then reviewed by committee members and a final recommendation was presented.

Trent said Bayshore Academy received 46.7% of the votes.The name was considered because they want Bayshore to be the center for learning with rigorous academics, while giving an opportunity for what the academy can be.

“A center for higher, or rigorous learning — that’s what they wanted their focus to be,” Trent said.

Although board member Armor Persons was all for Bayshore Academy, the name gave other board members pause.

“When I saw academy — academy of what? What does that define? For the future. Is that telling the true story of who they are at this moment,” Board member Debbie Jordan said.

Board member Chris Patricca said she was not sure it met the requirements of their policy.

Superintendent Dr. Ken Savage said “academy,” for Bayshore, means higher education, with a focus on higher expectation achievement standpoint.

“Not like an arts academy. The academic being the focal point,” Savage said.

Patricca said if that’s the case then every school in the district should be an academy, as they are all academically focused.

“Academic excellence should be the focus. We should name every one of our schools an academy,” she said.

Construction Projects Management Director Scott Reichenbacher said the Bayshore K-8 expansion is in the first phase with a 30% design — schematic set of drawings with an estimate. The architecture estimate is $38 million, and the contractor estimate is $42 million. The budgeted amount is $50,000,000.

The current scope is a new two-story classroom, new gymnasium building, central energy plant and sports field restoration. The student stations after the expansion are 1,262 seats, or an addition of 606 seats.

Reichenbacher said the 60% estimate will be received on Dec. 2.

Other school updates:

Wednesday’s school board workshop also touched upon Cape Coral Technical College and Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary School.

Cape Coral Technical College is at a 60% design with an estimate of $20.7 million from the architect and $22.9 million from the construction manager.

Reichenbacher said they are preparing the bid to put out for the demolition of the old Hector A. Cafferata building. He said the school will be knocked down in January and completed by April 1 to allow for the construction of the Cape Tech expansion work.

On Nov. 19, the 90% design will be completed for the college.

“That is about where we draw the line, about what the cost of construction is going to be,” Reichenbacher said. “We are moving forward with original design and budget planned.

The presentation also included the Hector A. Cafferata Jr. K-8 rebuild. District staff is having monthly meetings, and the project is moving forward.

“There are minor adjustments to the campus for the flow of the school, areas in front of the administrative office,” he said. “The job is moving forward – $124.9 million approved.”

The substantial completion for the school is Aug. 1, 2026.