Oasis Charter system board wants stadium design change
A plan to include baseball fields in the design for a planned football stadium, drivers’ education and a grant to offer better food choices were among the issues discussed during the Oasis Charter Schools governing board meeting Tuesday.
Superintendent Jackie Collins said work is under way on a 30% design for the football field, which does not include the insertion of the baseball field.
The hope is to have both fields included in the design, so all permits are approved with construction commencing in May 2026 and the entire project be completed for the 2027-2028 school year.
“We want to make sure this happens before I retire, at least,” Collins told the board. “I have a great feeling about this and I think we are on track. We are excited about this so far.”
The second topic discussed was driver’s education and SB 994. The Senate bill, which Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed and goes into effect on July 1, requires any student who wants a learner’s permit to take certain courses.
Currently, the Florida Virtual School is offering the course as are a few Lee County high schools. Collins said they have to pay a certain fee if they enroll their students in Lee Virtual, or Florida Virtual School.
Although the bill does not apply to charter schools, she said it is in their best interest to do something for their students.
“If we do a class, it is about $375 a student,” Collins said, adding that a self-directed learning model is $276. “It’s $200,000 a year to offer that option for the number of students interested every year.”
The timing of the bill was not great, as they just finalized their budget, so they researched private options for families, which is $25 to $30 per student.
Collins said they will spend the next year researching options they can provide the following year.
Also discussed was a grant the municipal school district is applying for that will help with their food choices for students – moving from ultra-processed food choices to more wholesome fresh varieties.
The grant includes testing baseline foods that they offer – such as hot dogs, corndogs, turkey and ham and salad and lettuce components.
Collins said the grant comes in six phases – baseline assessment, implementation fees to begin meal transitions and evaluate new meals, deploy a full menu rollout with new meals, make adjustments and finding and supplying the food.
“The goal is to develop a sustainable, healthy food plan,” she said.
The system will find out in late July if they were awarded the grant. Collins said if awarded, the system can start in August.
“I am excited for this great. It’s a great opportunity to work with the National Institute of Health, submit research and see where it goes,” she said.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com