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New location, new school, new name

'Hector A. Cafferata Jr. K-8' gets thumbs up; school board vote comes next

By MEGHAN BRADBURY 2 min read
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Hector A. Cafferata, Jr. Elementary School in Cape Coral is among the pending projects. The new K-8th campus to replace the elementary school destroyed by Hurricane Ian is expected to be open by the state of the new school year next August. COURTESY OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LEE COUNTY

Hurricane damaged Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary School may get a new name to reflect its expansion at its new location — Hector A. Cafferata Jr. K-8.

It was the top-ranked new name with 57.3%, with The Hector A. Cafferata Jr. School coming in second with 29.4% of the vote from an ad hoc committee and survey results.

The top choice was presented to the Lee County School Board Tuesday. The new name will come before the board again for a final vote.

Water intrusion throughout the building, after the school lost its roof to Hurricane Ian in 2022, was the start of big changes for the old elementary school.

“Our old building has been torn down and the new building is being constructed,” Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary School Principal Dr. Jason Kurtz said.

The hurricane-damaged building was demolished earlier this year, and the new building is anticipated to open as a K-8 school in August 2026.

The school put together a name-change Ad Hoc Committee, as well as issued a survey that was open from Sept. 10 through Sept. 19. Those results were compiled and presented to the School Advisory Council on Sept. 30 before coming before the board.

Kurtz said they ended up with 211 responses to their survey. The results were 60.7% from parents or guardians, followed by 23.2% student responses and 16.1% teacher, or staff member responses.

“There was a “very lively discussion at our SAC meeting. They had an opportunity there as well,” Kurtz said.

“The biggest thing to us is to make sure it is being built and make sure it is Hector A. Cafferata. The community is excited,” Board Chair Sam Fisher said. “I do want to recognize this. I want to continue to give my hat off to Principal Kurtz and staff. They will be in portables for four years. The amount they have been able to achieve is nothing short of incredible over there.”

The school opened in 2006 and was named after Hector A. Cafferata Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient.

To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com